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Vacations to GO

How to Go on a Vacation

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Whether or not you are going on a Vacation to the beach or on a world cruise this article will help you from planing to coming home. Have fun!

Steps

1. So start of by setting a budget to the whole trip. Make sure you make a list of how much you expect to spend on everything. (E.G. Food 100$ Gas 100$ etc.)
2. Decide where you are going to go. Whether or not you want to go to the beach, a cruise, or to the Bahamas. You decide!
3. Decide when you are going to go and how long you are staying. Usually people go in May June July and August and either stay for a weekend or a whole week.
4. Decide who you want to come with you. You could take some friends , you're spouse and kids , or go alone(not recommended for many reasons).
5. Now start packing.
6. GO ON YOUR TRIP. It is now the time to leave your domain and go on your trip. Have fun.
7. Go to plenty of places to have the full experience of the vacation. Go to places like restaurants, aquariums, museums, etc.

Tips

• Don't invite too many people or else you will get crowded and no have fun

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Go on a Vacation. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Apply Passport

How to Apply for a Passport

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

National passports are essential for travel overseas. If you can prove your citizenship and identity, then you can apply for a passport in your country of citizenship. These instructions include guidelines for US, UK, Canada and Australia passport applications.

Steps

Applying for a US Passport

1. Download and print a copy of the Department of State passport application (DS-11). You can find the form at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/212239.pdf? You can also collect a form from most US post office locations.
2. Fill out the form in black pen. Wait until you have your passport appointment to sign it. You must include your social security number to be considered for a passport.
3. Find evidence of US citizenship and photocopy it. Acceptable forms include a previously issued US passport, a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, naturalization certificate or consular certificate of birth. You must bring the original and one photocopy to your passport appointment.
4. Copy a form of valid photo identification. This can be a driver’s license, state-issued identification card, military ID or government ID. You should bring the original and a photocopy to your passport appointment.
5. Take your 2 by 2 inch (51 by 51 mm) passport photo. Most stores with photo services take these photos according to US government regulations. They must be in color, on a white backdrop, wearing regular clothing, looking straight at the camera with both eyes open.[1]
   • Print two copies to bring to your passport appointment.
6. Find your nearest local passport acceptance facility. Use the State Department’s search tool at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/. Call or go online to make a passport appointment if it is necessary.
   • You can also inquire at your local post office. Many USPS locations accept passport applications.
7. Decide your form of payment for your passport fee. An adult passport costs approximately $135, with additional options for expediting shipment and purchasing a passport card for use in Mexico and Canada. You can use credit card, check or money order.[2]
8. Present your application, passport photo, proof of citizenship, photo ID and passport fee at your passport appointment. Sign your application in the presence of your passport agent. Retain your original copies and submit your photocopies.[3]
   • Wait 2 to 12 weeks to receive your passport.

Applying for a UK Passport

1. Pick up a passport application at your local post office location. You can also complete the initial application online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport#. Plan to submit your application four or more weeks in advance of overseas travel.[4]
2. Fill out the passport application with ink and capital letters. If you are filling out the form online, you will be asked a series of questions and you must type in your personal details.
   • The sections you fill in will depend upon your age, the country where you were born and other factors. Read the notes on the application very carefully.
3. Find an original copy of your UK citizenship, including a birth certificate that includes parents’ names and places of birth. You must also provide original marriage and/or divorce certificates. You will also be asked to submit your parents’ birth certificates and/or marriage certificate if you were born after January 1, 1983.
4. Take an adequate passport photograph. You will need two copies of a full color, full-face photo with a white background. The size must be 45 by 35 mm (1.77 by 1.38 inches).
5. Find a counter signatory. This is a British citizen who has known you for at least two years. They must fill out the counter signatory section and write, “I certify that this is a true likeness of (insert name)” alongside a signature and date.[5]
6. Submit your application form online and wait to receive a copy in the mail. You must wait to receive it and sign it to submit your final application to HM Passport Office. If you are filling it out yourself, you can continue with the application process.
7. Bring a form of payment. An adult British passport costs £72.50. It can be submitted by debit card, credit card, check or postal order.[6]
8. Go to the Post Office’s Check and Send Passport Office. Find a service at http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder. For a fee of £9, the post office will check the passport for errors and submit it.
   • Send the passport application by mail with your supporting documents, either using this service or using the pre-addressed envelope that came with your passport application.
   • Your passport will be sent back to you by Royal Mail if it is accepted. Applications usually take three to four weeks to be processed.

Applying for a Canadian Passport

1. Download the Canadian passport application. Go to http://passport.gc.ca/form/pdfs/pptc153.pdf to get the online form.
2. Print it out and fill it in using blue or dark blue ink and capital letters. You can also type the information onto the form and then print it out on your computer. Fill out the 3 application pages within 12 months.
3. Ask a guarantor to fill out the fourth page. A guarantor is a Canadian citizen over the age of 18 who can vouch for your identity. They must have a valid Canadian passport issued to them.
4. Find proof of your identity. You will need a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, government ID, United States permanent resident card or a Canadian passport that has been invalid for less than one year.
5. Find citizenship documents. You will need to include an original copy of your birth certificate, citizenship certificate or immigration certificate.
6. Take passport photos. A commercial photographer must take the photos. They must be 70 mm high (2 ¾ inches) and 50 mm wide (2 inches), and your face must be at least 31 mm high (1 ¼ inches).[7]
   • You must be facing forward on a white background. Your eyes should be open with a neutral expression.
7. Pay a fee of $120 to $160 for an adult passport. Additional charges apply for people shipping the passport to the US or applying from the US. You can submit payment by debit card, credit card, certified check or money order.
8. Submit your signed application fee, passport photos, documents and fee by mail to “Passport Canada Program, Gatineau QC K1A 0G3, Canada” or in person at Passport Canada Office. Search for an office using this tool http://passport.gc.ca/service/index.aspx?lang=eng&chkPPTC=on.[8]

Applying for an Australian Passport

1. Go to www.passports.gov.au to apply for your passport. Blank forms can’t be downloaded. You can also pick up a form at an Australia Post outlet.
2. Fill out your application online and then print it out to sign. Make sure to use ink and capital letters if you are filling it out by hand.
3. Take passport photos. Go to the Australia Post to have passports taken or ask a photo outlet to take them for you. You need two copies.
4. Find a guarantor. You will need an Australian citizen over the age of 18 to sign the back of one photo to vouch for your identity. Read your application carefully so that they know what to write and where to sign.
5. Find an original document that proves your citizenship. This could be a birth certificate, an immigration certificate, a previously issued valid passport or a naturalization certificate.
6. Find ID documents. You will need photo proof of your ID, such as a driver’s license, government ID or military ID.
7. Make an appointment for an interview at an Australia Post location to submit your application and prove your identity. Find a location at http://auspost.com.au/pol/app/locate/post-office/australian-passport The interview should take about 5 minutes.[9]
8. Pay $244 to $366 to submit your application. Payments can be made by credit card, electronic funds transfer or cash at the time of your appointment.

Warnings

• These application procedures are for adults over the age of 16. Children under the age of 16 must have permission and signatures from their parents to apply for a passport. Ask your local post office what you must provide for your son or daughter in addition to the materials listed above.

Things You'll Need

• Form DS-11
• Black pen
• Professional passport photo
• Application fee
• Printer
• Postage
• Photo ID

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html
2. ↑ http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_837.html
3. ↑ http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
4. ↑ http://www.travisa.com/pdffiles/UK_Passport_APP.pdf
5. ↑ http://www.travisa.com/pdffiles/UK_Passport_APP.pdf
6. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport
7. ↑ http://passport.gc.ca/form/pdfs/pptc153.pdf
8. ↑ http://passport.gc.ca/info/index.aspx?lang=eng
9. ↑ https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/Requirements/Interview.aspx

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Apply for a Passport. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Enjoy Vacation

How to Enjoy a Lake House Vacation

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Taking a lake house vacation isn't that much different than going to the beach. It still offers most of the same waterfront views and water based activities, and sometimes it can even provide more experiences than those by the sea, owing to sheltered conditions or archaeological finds. This article gives a few tips on planning and enjoying an affordable, and memorable, lake house vacation.

Steps

1. Choose the lake house wisely. Not only should affordability be factored in but consider the space available. For two people, a small lakeside cabin might be ideal but for a large family, you'd soon be getting in the way of one another. The more people, the more space needed, so err on the side of additional space rather than less so that everyone has a space to get away to when they need to unwind most. Also, consider where everyone is going to sleep and account for personal preferences when it comes to people sharing rooms. If you've asked extended family members or friends to join you, ask them about their preferences for being accommodated; don't assume. Other things to bear in mind when selecting the lake house include:
   • The amount of other people in the area
   • Acceptance of children at the property (or not)
   • Acceptance of pets (or not)
   • Proximity of convenience stores
   • Ease of getting there and access to the lake house
   • Equipment provided for use on the lake or for activities (such as canoes, kayaks, boats, life jackets, etc.)
   • Activities available in the area, including play equipment for children
   • Catering facilities, including dishwasher, microwave, etc.
   • DVD player, games consoles, Wi-Fi, TV, etc... or not!
   • Whether the house comes with cleaning or you have to do that yourself (note: some places will charge a cleaning fee or bond to ensure cleanliness)
   • Safety and security.
   
2. Bring the comforts of home. Unless you own the lake house, rentals may or may not have everything you need to comfortably enjoy your stay. It's a good idea to check the list of items provided in the rental price (many places will list this on their website but if not, ask by phone or email). Some of the more common things that might not be included in the price can be a grill, cooking utensils and cookware, sheets and additional blankets, etc., although some houses will be fully kitted out and all you need to bring is your personal belongings. Ask, otherwise you may find yourself in the local drugstore buying sheets and towels and asking for the directions to nearest laundromat before you can even settle in!
   • Don't forget to pack bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, bug spray, bug candles, a sweatshirt for wearing at night, and other outdoor necessities as well.
   • Bring a few pampering items, such as shower or bath gel, tealight candles, and bath bombs for extra luxury!
   • Take books and periodicals that you've been meaning to read for a long time. Here is your chance at last! Also, bring along some vacation mystery and adventure books for the kids; they'll be in the mood for reading such books at the lake house.
   • Bring your bikes if you enjoy riding bikes and know of trails in the area.

3. Make the time spent at the lake house one of interaction with family and friends. Aim to balance the things you want to do alone with activities that involve family members and friends who have come along to the lake house with you. Spend time playing outdoor games together, doing water activities together, and eating meals together. Visit the local attractions as a group or in pairs, so that you have someone or a group to share the sightseeing with.
   • Should rain hamper your plans to spend the day outside, you can listen to music, play board or card games, do puzzles together, talk, or simply relax.
   • Look for lake houses with game rooms and amenities such as pool tables, ping pong tables, air hockey, or football.
   • Consider having barbecues on the lake front beach (if permitted) and maybe even a campfire (again, if permitted), at least once during your stay.



4. Take advantage of the water. Most lakes are suitable for doing a range of activities in, and sometimes the calmer waters of some of the smaller lakes can be a great place to learn certain water activities before trying these in larger lakes or the open sea waters. If you're stuck for ideas of ways to use that lovely lake water, here are some suggestions:
   • Go swimming, snorkeling, or simply relax on an inner tube
   • Rent a boat (or use one provided with the house) and go out on the lake; if you like fishing, do that too
   • Kayak or canoe across the lake. In some places you might be able to discover archaeological or geologic spots of interest such as pictograms or rock formations (check the guide book for your area)
   • Fish from the shore or from a pier
   • Ride a jet ski, go water skiing, wind-sailing, surf-sailing or parasailing, etc.
   • Enter a local triathlon if you're already at peak fitness
   • Go for waterfront walks. Some places will have wetlands, nature reserves, guided boardwalks, etc., if there are points of interest
   • Or - simply pull up an Adirondack chair and relax in the sun with the view of the water. You might also like the meditate with the lake as your focus.

5. Benefit from the dock or pier at the lake. Use it as a quiet spot to read a book, or use it as a diving platform or fishing perch. You could also skip rocks from it or view the wildlife. For those who love to paint, draw, or take photographs, the lake view at different times of the day can make for fascinating subject matter over the time spent there.
   
6. Preserve the memories of your stay. Make a log book, journal, or scrapbook of each day's activities, and if you can, take plenty of photos to share once you return. If you return to the lake house regularly, these memories will build over the years and make for lovely reading through the generations.

Video

Howcast video offering tips on how to enjoy a lake house vacation.

Tips

• Always have plenty of purified or bottled water on hand, should the local water be unsafe to drink.
• Make sure you have fun.
• Keep tight-fitting lids on garbage cans to deter skunks, raccoons, squirrels, possums, and other animals from making a mess.
• Set up live traps for insects should they become a nuisance.

Things You'll Need

• Lake house booking (use the internet and Yellow Pages to find)
• Gear not supplied by lake house
• Electronics (iPod, cell phone, etc.)
• Activity equipment not supplied (boats, kayaks, life jackets, swimming gear, fishing rods, etc.)
• Board games, card games, other games
• Drawing and painting supplies, writing supplies
• Puzzles and word games
• Food and beverages, any special cooking supplies
• Extra blankets, towels, sheets, etc.
• Camera, additional memory if needed
• Maps, visitor information, tourist guide
• Insect repellent, first aid supplies, mending supplies for equipment such as bikes and air mattresses
• Boaters License
• Fishing License
• Sun Dresses
• Boat Shoes (Flip Flops, Sperrys, Top Deckers)

Related wikiHows

• How to Book Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
• How to Rent a Boat at Lake Powell
• How to Book a Kerala Houseboat Holiday
• How to Anchor a Boat
• How to Avoid Dangers when Paddling a Kayak or Canoe
• How to Enjoy a Houseboat Ride on the Kerala Backwaters

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Enjoy a Lake House Vacation. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.