Where Alaska Residents Can Apply For a New Passport
Where Alaska Residents Can Apply For a New Passport
Alaska residents have several options when it comes to where they can apply for a new passport. Passport application acceptance facilities can be found throughout the state, mostly in post offices or county government offices. Agents at these facilities witness the signing of application form DS-11.
One or more acceptance facility are located in the following Alaska boroughs or census areas: Aleutians East Borough, Aleutians West Census Area, Anchorage Municipality, Bethel Census Area, Bristol Bay Borough, Denali Borough, Dillingham Census Area, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Haines Borough, Juneau City and Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Kodiak Island Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Nome Census Area, North Slope Borough, Northwest Arctic Borough, Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area, Sitka City and Borough, Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon CA, Southeast Fairbanks CA, Valdez-Cordova CA, Wrangell-Petersburg CA, Yakutat City and Borough
If no passport office is located in your borough or census area, look in one or more of the surrounding boroughs or census areas. JKenai Peninsula Borough has the highest number of acceptance facilities with at least four. Several boroughs and census areas have at least three passport offices. Juneau, the state capital only has two. Their locations are as follows.
USPO – Federal Building Station
709 W. 9th St.
Juneau, AK 99801
USPO-Mendenhall Station (Juneau)
9491 Vintage Blvd.
Juneau, AK 99803-9997
When you submit your application at an acceptance facility, you can request either regular processing or expedited services. Regular processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited passports are processed within two to three weeks. It can take longer during peak travel season or when there is an unexpected surge in the number of applications submitted.
If it is necessary to obtain your passport within 14 days or less or you need to get your passport and a travel visa within 28 days, then you can submit your application at the passport agency that attends residents of Alaska. The address is as follows:
Seattle Passport Agency
Henry Jackson Federal Building
915 Second Avenue, Suite 992
Seattle, WA 98174-1091
The first step is to schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-487-2778. If often takes numerous attempts to get through. You should arrive at the Seattle passport agency no more than 15 minutes early. Take the the completed but unsigned application Form DS-11, evidence of citizenship, proof of identity, two passport photos and and the appropriate payment with you. You should also have your Social Security card with you. You passport should be delivered to you that same day.…
Disney World Vacation Homes – Secret to a Grand Family Vacation
Disney World Vacation Homes – Secret to a Grand Family Vacation
Who can resist the Orlando attractions? It has been one of best vacation destinations in the world especially for family vacations. It has several world class theme parks that will truly make any vacation memorable. Just picture Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and Sea World in one area and you know you are going to have a thrill of a lifetime. If you bring over the whole family to have a grand vacation there, make sure you book one of those beautiful Disney World vacation homes. Why stay in a hotel where you can just rent the whole house for your family?
No matter how great the service and the amenities of a hotel, there are many people sharing the same facilities. When you go to a vacation, would it not be cool that you have a certain privacy so you can really relax and just have fun without thinking of other guests. For example, if you go and choose to stay in pool homes near Disney, you are guaranteed that you will be able to swim at your own private pool. After a magical, tiring day at the theme park, would it be nice to just float around the waters in the pool and relax? Everyone can even have a peaceful sleep on their own beds instead of fighting for space as rooms are definitely bigger than those in hotels. Guests are often pleased to know that there are several rooms on each of the Disney World vacation homes available in Florida.
These pool homes near Disney World include a fully-equipped kitchen where you can easily cook any of your favorite meals. You can even arrange for a barbecue near the pool after a long day of exploring the city. If you are budget conscious, this arrangement will be to your advantage as you are no longer limited to pricey hotel and restaurant meals. Why eat in a crowded room and pay for meals that are overpriced? This is one of the many reasons why vacation homes are getting popular among visitors. Vacation packages are offered online with Disney World vacation homes as a better accommodation alternative.
Depending on your budget, you can choose from a small single storey house to a huge resort-like house. If your main purpose for having this vacation is to enjoy the attractions at Disney World Resort, you’d better choose those pool homes near Disney World but if it’s for a romantic weekend you can find many Orlando vacation homes that are strategically located to serve that purpose. There are around 30,000 vacation homes available out there and it is only but natural that the prices are quite competitive. You will find great bargains with different vacation packages that include theme park tickets that are discounted already. Hotels are not bad but if you want more privacy, more affordable prices, extra perks and bigger space, choose to stay in Disney World vacation homes. You can plan each day of your vacation to your liking because it is like staying in your home away from home.…
Should You Rent a House For Your Next Vacation?
Should You Rent a House For Your Next Vacation?
If you don’t crave total luxury, don’t need a concierge, and don’t expect to have your every meal delivered to your door then you might consider renting a house on your next vacation rather than just getting a motel room. There are rental agencies that rent homes. There are online services like Vacation Rentals By Owner or Homeaway (as seen on the Super Bowl) where you can rent a house from the owner. You bring your own linens, towels and personal items but everything else is provided.
You have the advantage of being able to cook for your family rather than spending all of your money in restaurants. You can microwave the “left-overs” instead of driving through the fast food drive-through lane. You can listen to CDs on the stereo or beach music on the radio. You most likely will have access to cable or satellite television and more than one TV. That is always good. He can watch sports while she watches something else. Kids can watch cartoons while you watch a movie.
Another amenity is the washer and dryer. You won’t have to pack as many clothes because you can wash the ones you wear each day. There is also more room for the kids to run around. Being cooped up in just one room is not good family bonding. Of course you may have to give up room service or a pool but the gains are immense.
Most home rentals charge less (or equal) fees than motels. Why wouldn’t you want to get your money’s worth?
Once you have rented a home for your vacation, you may want to branch out a little. Check out House Swaps. You can let someone live in your home for a certain period of time while you live in theirs in a foreign country. This is something that people have been doing for a long time and it works. You get to enjoy a foreign country with all the amenities of home. Isn’t it something to consider?
Just for fun, I checked on the Home exchange web site to see what is available. I was surprised at the places I found. This is the service that was featured in the Cameron Diaz movie “Holiday.” There were 35,000 listings. I decided to search Belize. There were 6 listings. Three were right on the beach. Then I checked our Paris; 13 listings. Wow! New Year’s Eve at the Eiffel Tower. This swapping thing really sound interesting. Some of the houses even have pools.
When you exchange with someone you don’t have any outlay of money except for your transportation and sightseeing. You will also meet local people because the neighbors will want to meet the Americans who are renting in their area. Of course, if you don’t live in an area that appeals to a swapper you’ll have to try something else.
In the movies, a sad woman goes to a foreign country on a house exchange. She starts to enjoy herself; meets new people and falls in love with a local man. In the meantime, the person in her home has a similar experience. Love blooms and they live happily ever after. Maybe an adventure is in store for you? All that and you get to save money too.…
A Comparison Of Time-Shares And Traditional Vacation Homes
A Comparison Of Time-Shares And Traditional Vacation Homes
So, you’ve found a vacation destination you absolutely adore. You vacation every opportunity available to you, in fact. Earning equity and saving money in the long run, the notion may have occurred to you that it may be financially prudent to buy real estate there.
What is the best option to purchase then: a time-share option or a conventional vacation home? What’s the difference and will it even affect you? Certainly, there are differences, and knowing the benefits that each option provides will help you make the best decision for your own personal situations.
Time-shares are generally properties whose ownership is split up over several different people. You pay for the time you utilize and nothing more, meaning no regular mortgage payments are assessed upon you. Your costs would be higher, then, if you were buying a stand-alone property by yourself. Assuming no one else has already reserved that time, it also means you can dictate what time of the year you want to visit and reside in your time-share. Time-shares also generally come with a community pool and some prevalent areas throughout the entire premises, as well as tending to being fully furnished.
Buying your own property, on the other hand, is exactly how it sounds. At the time of purchase, there’s no necessity to name your vacation times in advance. You own it all year-round instead. The monthly mortgage on the home will be your sole responsibility, though, meaning the costs will be higher. Features like a swimming pool and a fully-furnished home might not be available to you, though, as a result.
Whether or not you decide a conventional, stand-alone property or a time-share option, then, rests on what you are looking for in a vacation home. A time-share might be a good option since you won’t have to pay a regular mortgage, if money is an issue. A stand-alone home might be the better choice for you, on the other hand, if you want more privacy and the ability to visit your new home on a whim whenever you like.…
Try The Off-Road Communities of Currituck For Your Vacation
Try The Off-Road Communities of Currituck For Your Vacation
Have you longed for a vacation that was literally off the beaten path? When you think of getting away from it all – the phone, the TV, the news – you may be intrigued by the idea of a cabin in the mountains or a leisurely cruise. What if you prefer the beach, though, but not the thick crowds of people on the shore? Visitors who come to the Northern Outer Banks in Currituck County know where to book vacation homes, and you should know, too!
Drive up Route 12 along the Outer Banks toward Corolla, and you’ll marvel at the majestic vacation homes for rent throughout the year. Currituck County is a popular destination for reunions, beach weddings, and anybody planning a vacation with a large group from church, school, or just plain friends. What makes Currituck unique from the rest of the Outer Banks is that there are communities here reachable only by four-wheel drive access. If you truly want to hide out in a nice beach cottage or luxurious three-story home, shift gears and ride out on the sand to an unforgettable vacation.
Carova Beach, Swan Beach, and North Swan Beach are three off-road communities located north of Corolla. They border the lush, marsh areas of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge and offer visitors and locals incredible views of the ocean. If your car or truck does not have four-wheel drive, be advised you will need to obtain use of such a vehicle if you plan to rent a home in these areas. You will negotiate beach sand to get to your vacation home, but once you’re there you may never want to leave.
The beach rentals here come equipped with all the amenities you need for a great vacation – decks and balconies, gourmet kitchens, wireless Internet, and some have pools and hot tubs. There are also a few businesses in the area – including photography services and catering – to help you make the most of your stay.
If you do decide to try Swan Beach or Carova Beach for the summer, be sure to have everything you need for an awesome vacation. With a kitchen at your disposal you can cook meals or have a caterer prepare food for you. You may be off-road, too, but you’re not far from Corolla and a number of great restaurants and stores offering snacks. Just mind how you dispose food, because the wild horses that populate the area may come around looking for a treat!
Carova Beach, Swan Beach, and North Swan Beach offer visitors the opportunity to get away from it all without charting a desert island. Come explore the opportunities for your next summer trip.…
Italy Real Estate – Why Investors Are Flocking to Lake Iseo
Italy Real Estate – Why Investors Are Flocking to Lake Iseo
The better-known Lakes Como, Maggiore, Garda and Orta draw the international jetset. But growing numbers of property hunters who come to Northern Italy’s Lakes region have instead discovered the delights of the peaceful banks of Lake Iseo nearby, a name that barely registers outside Italy but one that is no less enchanting than Italy’s better known waters.
Lake Iseo features just as appealing properties, in particular if they have breathtaking views looking over the shore. But the difference is that they are far less pricy, often costing barely half of what you would face in Lake Garda, just over 30km away. Typically, around US$275,000 should get you a three-bedroom villa near the lake, while from just $135,000 you can purchase a lake-view apartment with a couple of bedrooms.
Additionally, a quartet of international airports are within a 55-mile radius – one in Brescia, one in Bergamo and two in Milan. One clear signal to the mounting attraction of this secret gem is evident in the growing number of cars with number plates from France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany on Iseo’s charming lanes and roads in high season.
Stefania Russo of Italian property finders The Property Organiser said: “We’re telling our clients who are considering buying in bigger lakes such as Como and Maggiore to certainly consider Iseo. It’s an area that is relatively unknown, unspoilt by huge numbers of tourists and within good vicinity of a clutch of airports as well as neighbouring Switzerland. We believe the real estate market here will rise in the coming years.”
To buttress the point, property prices throughout Northern Italy’s lakes dropped by more than 4% – plunging by nearly 9% in some parts of Lake Maggiore, a study last year by a leading property in Italy conglomerate revealed. But Iseo was the best-performing lake, with a fall of under 2%. The lake, also called Sebino, is between Lakes Garda and Como and a few miles from Brescia and Bergamo. Milan is 80km away, or one hour by rail and 1hr 30mins driving.
It is Italy’s seventh biggest lake, some 24km by 5km, runs north to south and is overlooked by mountains. It is a relaxing spot for swimmers, divers, sailors, windsurfers, water-skiers and anglers. Iseo’s waters enclose the scenic Monte Isola, with around 2,000 inhabitants. The island, one of the lake’s chief attractions is linked to the shore by short ferry hops. Almost devoid of motor transport, the isle has an oasis-like calm and is perfect to be explored on foot or bicycle. The island is also known net-making industry, which started with fishing nets but later expanded to include hammocks and tennis and volleyball nets.
Returning to the lake’s shores, the most picturesque towns are on the eastern side, such as Iseo, Marone and Sulzano. Iseo has the greatest number of attractions, including an unfinished 900-year old church. The surrounding countryside is dotted with charming medieval buildings that can be found by walking, cycling or, even more leisurely, by horseriding. And in winter, Montecampione attracts hordes of amateur skiers. Consider, however, that with the Alps close by, a number of trekking and riding paths involve steep inclines.…