War and communism have preserved Hanoi from fifty years of progress. There are moments when it seems like the lost city of Asia, the one you can never quite find, the great teeming, squalid, fascinating metropolis of Marlene Dietrich films and 1930’s novellas. The modern age has transformed Shanghai. Hong Kong and Bangkok are jammed with traffic and skyscrapers. The lanes of Old Peking have given way to boulevards wide enough for tanks. Hanoi alone has retained its street urchins, curbside gamblers, sing-song girls, street barbers, bicycle rickshaws and air of neglect.

It’s great to hear that Hanoi has retained its charm-now, here’s hoping that more tourists will translate into more prosperity for the city and fewer street urchins. Romanticizing poverty in a foreign place is a little bit dangerous. But his visit sounded like a lot of fun: shopping, smoking an unknown (and extremely potent) tobacco blend out of a water pipe in a tea shop, and visiting the pristinely embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh.

If you’d like to visit Hanoi before it loses its charming, old-fashioned “air of neglect”, you’ll need your passport and a Vietnamese visa. Vietnam does not issue tourist visas on arrival, so you will need to apply for yours in advance. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your US passport
• A completed Vietnamese visa application
• A recent passport photo, taken within the past 6 months.

For more information about getting a Vietnamese tourist visa, see “Vietnamese Visa Requirements for Tourists.”

RushMyTravelVisa can make the process of getting a Vietnamese visa much quicker and easier. We’ll help you with the application, answer any questions you might have, and deliver it to the Vietnamese Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

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Due to the scorching heat of the Egyptian sun, climbing Mt. Sinai takes place at night, by the light of the moon (supplemented, naturally, with flashlights.) The mountain is 2,285 meters high, and climbing it generally takes 2.5 to 4 hours. There are two ways up: Siket El Bashait, also known as “the Camel Trail,” and the aptly named “Steps of Penitence.”

Once at the top, you’ll generally have plenty of time to watch the stars as you wait for the sun to rise. It gets cold and windy, so make sure you have appropriate clothing and blankets. On the way down, you can stop at the Monastery of St. Katherine, the Church of the Transfiguration, and what’s billed as a descendant of the original “Burning Bush.”

To visit Egypt, you need both a passport and an Egyptian visa. Egyptian visas are available by arrival in the airport only-if you’re crossing over a land border, you have to apply in advance. Even if you’re flying in, getting your Egyptian visa beforehand is still a good idea because it means you’ll be out of the airport faster, and that’s always a blessing after a long flight.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

• A valid US passport.
• A passport photo.
• Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
• A completed Egyptian visa application.

Using RushMyTravelVisa makes getting an Egyptian visa before you leave the US much faster. We’ll help you with the application and deliver your paperwork to the Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

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The travel warning notes that:

“The Government of North Korea imposes heavy fines and long prison sentences with hard labor on persons who enter the country without a valid passport and a North Korean visa…Travel by U.S. citizens to North Korea is not routine, and U.S. citizens crossing into North Korea without proper documentation, even accidentally, have been subject to arrest and long-term detention. “

How hard is it to get a North Korea visa? Well, it’s no walk in the park, especially since the US and North Korea don’t have consular relations with each other. US citizens can apply at the North Korean embassy in Beijing and have a visa within a day, but that’s IF you’re approved for one. There’s no way to know whether or not you’ll be approved without trying, but you can contact the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations beforehand to see if your application is likely to be accepted. Here’s his contact information:

The Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 972-3105
Fax: (212) 972-3154

Americans are allowed to visit only as part of organized, supervised tour groups, and the State Department’s travel warning further notes that “Security personnel may also view any unauthorized attempt you make to talk to a North Korean citizen as espionage. North Korean authorities may fine or arrest you for unauthorized currency transactions or for shopping at stores not designated for foreigners.”

Sounds like a lot of fun. Bear in mind that if you’re entering North Korea from China, you’ll also need a multiple entry Chinese tourist visa. See Chinese Visa Requirements for Tourists for details, and consider planning an alternate Chinese itinerary in case your North Korea visa application is rejected.

Since North Korea doesn’t have diplomatic relations with the US, visa services like RushMyTravelVisa can’t help you get a North Korea visa. However, we can help you get a Chinese visa, as well as visas for any other stops you plan to make on your journey.

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Still, for backpackers and other travelers who’d like to get off the beaten path, Paraguay is worth a visit. Attractions include remote national parks where you can truly leave civilization behind (just make sure that you have a guide and the proper gear), charming Mennonite enclaves, bustling cities and the dry plains and scrub of the Chaco.

Paraguay is best avoided during the summer months, when the entire country turns into an oven and temperatures soar to as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit.  Note: Since Paraguay is in the southern hemisphere, their summer runs from December through February. Winter in Paraguay is much more temperate, with highs in the 70s.

To visit Paraguay, American citizens are required to carry both a valid passport and a Paraguay visa. Paraguay doesn’t do visas on arrival, so you will need to apply for your visa before you leave the US. Once you have obtained your passport, here are the documents required to apply for a Paraguay visa:

• 2  visa application forms
• 2 passport photos
• 2 copies of the pages of your passport that contain your photos and identifying information.
• 2 copies of your round-trip airline tickets or itinerary.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for your visa to visit Paraguay, as well as any other visas you might need for your trip. We’ll take a look at your itinerary and research the visa requirements, ensuring that you have the appropriate documents in hand before you leave the country. Then, we’ll help you with the paperwork and submit your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

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Here’s how UNESCO describes the park:

Canaima National Park is spread over 3 million ha in south-eastern Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil. Roughly 65% of the park is covered by table mountain (tepui) formations. The tepuis constitute a unique biogeological entity and are of great geological interest. The sheer cliffs and waterfalls, including the world’s highest (1,000 m), form a spectacular landscape.

The unusual and unique tepuis really make Canaima National Park stand out. You can climb to the top of some of the tepuis, including Auyantepu, the formation from which Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, plunges 3,212 feet. That’s almost a mile!

If you’d like to see Angel Falls, it’s best to visit Canaima National Park from June to December, when the water is deep enough to allow travel by boat. More likely than not, your guide will be a member of the native Pemon tribe who inhabit the park.

To visit Canaima National Park, you need a US passport valid for at least 6 months after you plan to enter Venezuela, as well as a Venezuelan visa or tourist card. You can get a tourist card on the plane if you are arriving by air and plan to stay for less than 90 days. However, backpackers and others entering Venezuela by land do need to arrange for a Venezuelan visa in advance.

For more information on getting a Venezuelan visa, see Venezuelan Visa Requirements for Tourists.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for the necessary visas for your next trip. We’ll research requirements for your itinerary, help you with the paperwork and submit your application for the fastest possible processing.

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Whoever wins the sweepstakes gets the opportunity to take a guest to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with guide Macon Dunnagan. Dunnagan is an experienced climber who literally wrote the book on climbing Kilimanjaro. Well, a book, at least-his novel Sons of Kilimanjaro is about 4 men climbing the 19,340 foot mountain, and he’s made the climb at least 16 times himself.

The winner will also be protected from the elements with Polarmax clothing and gear, obviously, and will get to star in a climbing video for the Polarmax site. Airfare and 4 nights in a nearby hotel is included as well.

Sure, it’s a long shot, but entering is a cinch-all you have to do is go to the Sweepstakes website and enter your contact information in the online entry form.

Whether you win or not, successfully climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro requires training and preparation. For more helpful hints about how to prepare for the climb, see A Tanzanian Visa: Your First Step To Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Whether you’re going as a contest winner or you are paying for the trip on your own, you’ll need both a valid passport and a Tanzanian visa. You can apply for a Tanzanian visa in the airport when you arrive, but you’ll be able to leave the airport and get to your hotel more quickly if you get yours in advance.

Here’s what Tanzania requires you to have in order to apply for a tourist visa:

• 1 completed visa application form
• 2 passport photos
• A copy of a recent bank statement
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate
• A travel itinerary or a bank statement showing a minimum balance of $2,000.
• If you’re going on an organized tour, you will need a letter from the tour operator showing you are paid in full.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you get a Tanzanian visa, as well as any other visas you might need for your journey. We make the application process easy by providing you with personal guidance and helpful checklists. Then, we deliver your paperwork directly to the embassy for the fastest possible processing.

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1. Angkor Wat

The national symbol of Cambodia, Angkor Wat is a massive Hindu temple/Buddhist shrine. Built in the early 12th century, it towers over the surrounding jungle, richly decorated with reliefs, sculptures and statues.

2. Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s capital is another must-see. Bustling and vibrant, Phnom Penh is a great place to shop, eat, or just contemplate Cambodian history, whether in a gilded Buddhist temple or at a somber memorial to the people who died in Cambodia’s killing fields.

3. Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a great base for visiting the temples at Angkor Wat, but it’s also an interesting city in its own right. Located on the banks of the Siem Reap river, the town center is full of picture-perfect French colonial architecture. Traffic to the temples of Angkor Wat has a sparked a tourism boom, with lots of excellent places to stay and world-class restaurants.

4. Preah Vihear

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple of Preah Vihear is located along Cambodia’s border with Thailand. It dates back to the 9th century, and like Angkor Wat, it was originally built as a Hindu temple and later converted to Buddhism.

5. Ratanakiri Province

Remote Ratanakiri Province is an excellent destination for adventure tourism. Here’s how the Lonely Planet’s guide to Cambodia describes it:

Adrenaline activities are plentiful. Swim in clear volcanic lakes, shower under waterfalls, glimpse an elephant or trek in the vast Virachay National Park – it’s all here.

To visit Cambodia, Americans need a Cambodian visa. If you’re flying in, you can apply on arrival at the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. However, you can also get your visa before you leave the US, and this will allow you to escape the airport more quickly.

To learn more about getting a Cambodian tourist visa, see Cambodian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Remember, RushmyTravelVisa.com can make the visa application process easier by offering assistance with the application, helping you avoid common mistakes, and getting the fastest possible processing.

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Some of the most photogenic inhabitants of the Pantanal include giant river otters, howler monkeys, endangered hyacinth macaws and other parrots, jaguar, giant anteaters, the alligator-like caiman and the odd-looking tapir, which resembles a pig but is actually more closely related to the rhinoceros.

The UNESCO World Heritage website explains why the Pantanal Conservation Complex was added to the list:

The headwaters of the region’s two major river systems, the Cuiabá and the Paraguay rivers, are located here, and the abundance and diversity of its vegetation and animal life are spectacular.

As you might imagine, the Pantanal is an excellent destination for outdoor activities like fishing as well as eco-tourism. The region is dotted with lodges that serve as excellent bases for excursions into the surrounding countryside.

To visit the Pantanal, you’ll need  both a US passport and a Brazil visa. Be sure to apply for your Brazil visa well in advance of your trip, as you won’t be allowed to get on your plane without one. Also, check your passport before you apply for your Brazil visa. Brazil likes to make a statement with their visas, so you’ll need at least 2 blank pages in the back. Also, check the expiration date-you’ll need to renew your passport if its more than 6 months in the future.

For more information about getting your visa, see Brazil Visa Requirements for Tourists.

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The advantage of booking through the cruise line, however, is that the cruise line deals with the Russian visa system for you by obtaining a blanket transit visa good for all passengers on the ship. Avidcruiser.com explains:

These so-called “transit” visas, good for visits of up to 72 hours, allow you to exit the ship only on group or private tours conducted by that ground operator. You are not allowed to disembark the ship and travel on your own — not even to stroll Nevsky Prospect, the most famous street in all of Russia — unless you’ve taken the time to apply for a tourist visa.

Still, $999 per person? It seems like the chance to avoid the Russian visa bureaucracy is more precious than rubies for some people!

Of course, if you go through the trouble of getting a Russian visa, you’re free to travel on your own while the ship is in port, so you benefit from the opportunity to set your own itinerary and move at your own pace, plus you’ll have a lot more money for your next shore excursion.

To learn more about how to get a Russian visa, see “Russian Visas for Tourists.”

If you want to see Moscow but can’t stomach the thought of forking over a grand for the privilege, private visa services like RushMyTravelVisa can help. We’ll assist you with the application, helping you to avoid common errors that could cause your Russian visa to be delayed. Then, we’ll personally deliver it to the appropriate embassy office for the fastest possible processing.

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The Nileguidance blog points out that both the book and the movie are inspiring people to travel to the locations mentioned in the book in hopes of having some transcendent experiences of their own. Several tour companies have even started to offer Eat, Pray, Love tours. Here’s how Nileguidance describes the appeal of patterning a trip after the book:

What Eat Pray Love does inspire, however, is the notion that long-term travel is possible, and so are those extraordinary experiences. Perhaps the film will motivate people to set out on their journey far sooner than imagined.

Whether you decide to go to Italy to eat, to India to pray, or to Bali to seek love, or all three, you will need the proper travel documents. A US passport, valid for at least 6 months, is required everywhere. Here are the visa requirements for the three countries:

Italy: Italy is a Schengen country, so you don’t need a travel visa unless you plan on staying for more than 90 days.

India: India requires all US citizens to have travel visas in hand before they arrive. For more information on how to get a tourist visa for India, see Indian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Bali: Bali is in Indonesia, which gives American citizens the option of applying for a tourist visa in advance or applying at the airport when you arrive. Of course, if you apply in advance you’ll be able to get through immigration faster, which is always a blessing. Make sure you have at least one clean blank page in the back of your passport to accommodate the visa. For more information on getting an Indonesian tourist visa, see Indonesian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

No matter what the itinerary is for your own voyage of self-discovery, RushMyTravelVisa can help you get the documents you need to travel. We’ll research your itinerary to make sure you know exactly what stops will require visas. Then, we’ll help you with the paperwork and submit your applications for you for the fastest possible processing.

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