By Danny Almon, Travel Columnist
While many people are embracing the opportunity to travel, there is still reluctance on the part of some travelers. Watching the next version of Covid appear, alongside regular fall flu has some concerned. But most reports show that Covid’s repercussions are relatively mild, indicating that the worlds’ efforts at immunization seems to be working. In this article, I would like to bring up several issues that can cause problems for people planning travel.
Passport validity is one. Almost without exception, most countries require a passport to be valid for six months past your return home. I have a client whose passport will expire five months and three weeks after she returns… Invalid passport for this trip requiring an application for a new passport. If airlines allow you on the plane with a passport that expires before the six-month deadline, the airline could be responsible for paying for your return home. And if you have travel insurance, the loss of this trip is not covered! Visas – always a hot topic in some areas. Recently, Egypt has tightened up its visa process. In the past, upon arrival in Cairo, one could purchase a visa in the airport at a very reasonable price. But when Canada, in its wisdom, determines that citizens of certain countries pose a problem or a danger to Canada, then it changes its rules for visas to our country. The country affected, then, generally retaliates and what was a simple procedure yesterday becomes very complicated today. Egypt, for example, is requiring Canadians to visit the Egyptian embassy in Toronto in person to apply for a visa. The same sort of situation happened with Mexico a few years back, Jamaica. Could India be next?
This can be quite a problem for anybody travelling in the near future but, generally, over a short period of time, problems get resolved between the two countries and travel becomes easier. Have you ever been on an airplane and you encounter turbulence? For most of us, it is simply a bumpy ride for a minute or so. Somewhat scary if you have no experience with it, but generally not an issue. However, airlines have those flashing signs in the cabin saying “fasten your seat belt” and that is for a reason. Sometimes turbulence can be quite substantial, causing the airplane to sharply drop significantly. Anyone not fastened in their seat belt can be actually thrown against the ceiling of the plane. This type of violent incident happens very rarely but, the same as us fastening our seat belts in our cars to keep us stationary in case of an accident – which most of us never experience – it is a preventative action that helps to keep us safe. So, fasten your seat belt – and keep it fastened!
If you have put off travel for the past three years because of Covid and are now want to take that bucket list trip of your life, I can help you. Whether it be a safari in Africa, a river cruise on the Nile in Egypt with a side visit to Jordan, a trip to Tuscany or the Cinque Terre or simply a one week visit to someplace warm in the Caribbean area or an ocean cruise in the Mediterranean, we have the experience to help you. Call Danny at 902 431 4932 or at danny@almontravel.ca. Visit our website at AlmonTravel.ca for many travel ideas.
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