Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged.

What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your passport? Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition.

Before You Leave On Your Trip

1. Check to see if you even need a passport.
Countries can, and often do, change foreign entry requirements. If you arrive at the airport without the required documents, you'll be denied boarding privileges. And, of course, this isn't covered by travel insurance.
Currently, more than 80% of the world's countries require a valid passport for entrance. It's important to verify the foreign entry requirements for the country you plan to visit as early as possible.

2. Apply for your passport early.
You should apply for a new passport at least 90 days before your departure date. For a renewal, begin the process 8 to 11 months before your passport expires. Why so early? Many countries require that your passport have six to eight months of validity remaining before they will issue a visa.

3. Fill out the correct form correctly.
Each type of passport service has specific criteria that must be met. Make sure you get the right application form, and then fill it in carefully. Double-check each entry. Ask a friend or relative to verify it as well. Errors made on the application form can lead to delays, or even rejection of your passport request.

4. Follow the specifications for the required documents exactly.
When applying for a new passport, the most frequently used documents are a certified birth certificate for proof of citizenship along with a valid driver's license for proof of your identity.
Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. No photocopies are accepted. Your driver's license must be more than six months old.
For a passport renewal, your previous passport serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. To be valid, it cannot be mutilated, altered, or damaged in any way.
You must send two identical passport photos taken within the last 6 months. These passport photos must be 2x2 inch with a plain white or off-white background. They have to be a full-face view with the head being from 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the chin to the top of the head. The photos can be either color or black and white.

5. Sign both the passport application form and your check.
Surprisingly, many people forget to sign either the passport application form or their check to Passport Services. Once again, check everything twice, or even three times.

6. Request additional pages.
Are you a frequent flyer? Request a 48-page passport (at no additional cost). It will allow you to travel longer before having to replace it.

7. Sign your passport and fill out the emergency information.
When your passport arrives, check to see that all the information contained in it is correct. If it is, sign it and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency. If not, return it to the State Department for correction.

8. Make two copies of your passport and photos.
Give one copy of your passport to a friend or relative who can be easily contacted in case of an emergency. Take the other copy and the extra photos with you on your trip. If you use an online document storage service, you can scan your passport and upload a copy. That way, you can access it from almost anywhere in the world.

While You're Away

9. Always keep your passport in a safe place!
Never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.

10. Never lay your passport down anywhere.
Passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.

11. If you travel as a family or as part of a group, don't let one person carry all the passports.
The odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.

12. Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport.
When you're checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them.
Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for unlawful entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. You would be pretty embarrassed if your name were associated with illegal activities.

13. Immediately report the loss of your passport.
If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldn't have any problem with the loss of your passport.
If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to the United States.

After You Return

14. Schedule your passport renewal.
Check the expiration date and make a reminder to renew your passport at the proper time. Remember, you should begin the process 8 to 11 months prior to the expiration date. Put the reminder somewhere where it won't be forgotten.

15. Check the number of blank pages remaining.
Some countries require a blank page for their visa. If you plan a future trip on which you will visit various countries, you might need the same number of pages as countries to be visited.
If you do not have an adequate number of pages but your passport is not due for renewal, you can request additional pages.

16. Store your passport in a safe place.
If you have a safe in your home, keep your passport there. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your local bank.

Follow the practical tips above and you can easily avoid passport problems and more fully enjoy your international travels.

For more resource, visit: www.us-passport-service-guide .com

No mountain vacation is complete until travelers have stayed in a cabin. Most mountain lodgings consist of beautiful and historic wood cabins not unlike the ones early settlers lived in. Rest assured that though these cabins look rustic, they often have all of the modern day amenities that people look for in a lodging. There are literally over a thousand different cabin models to choose from. They vary depending on location, amenities, and size. A solitary traveler, couple, or entire family or group will be able to find a cabin to suit their needs.

Mountain cabin rentals provide a great alternative to standard hotels and motels. They can vary in size from one bedroom to over ten. A secluded one-bedroom cabin is perfect for a honeymoon or any sort of romantic vacation. A larger cabin is perfect for a family reunion, corporate retreat, road trip, or any other large group activity.

Cabins can come with all of the features of modern hotels. They can have hot tubs, cable TV, fireplaces, and other comforts. Of course, a major advantage of mountain cabin rental is the mountains themselves. Many cabins are situated within walking distance of the mountains, and have breathtaking mountain views.

Mountain cabin rentals are common in most mountain locales. The types of cabins differ from region to region. For example, colder locales have warmer cabins with fireplaces and other heating options, while cabins located in warmer climates may feature swimming pools. Many cabins are located near ski slopes, hiking trails, lakes, or other outdoor activities. One advantage of cabins is their privacy; visitors are not stuck close together as they are in hotels. Cabins can either be secluded in the mountains or clustered in small groups.

Mountain cabin rentals provide unique comfort and charm to mountain visitors. Cabins often have all of the modern features and amenities of hotels, but in a more private, rustic setting. Different cabins can accommodate groups of any size. Mountain Vacations Info provides detailed information on vacations in the Rocky, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains, as well as mountain biking vacations and mountain rental cabins in Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and other destinations. Mountain Vacations Info is the sister site of Dude Ranch Web.

In one way or another, aside from the business purpose that some travelers pursue, traveling is known to be one outlet for the adventurous aspect of a lot of people. Sure, traveling can be one heck of a fun activity. However, one is never sure on what untoward incident that can be encountered while enjoying the sights and scenes during the trip.

To avoid getting caught off guard while traveling, here are a few tips to ensure survival while traveling:

1. Know your water.
Ever heard of the traveler's diarrhea? This condition is caused by contaminated water that a foreigner has drunk. Aside from that diarrhea, a list of diseases abounds due to contaminated water. To prevent getting any of those water-borne diseases, make sure you boil your drinking water for at least 10 minutes.

2. Milk will do.
Remember that thing they say regarding milk as the complete food? It still is true. As long as you boil it for at least 10 minutes too, like how you should have your water, it will serve as one of your best sources of nutrition. Local processed milk products may not be safe for your tummy, better opt for a more popular brand of milk product.

3. Vitamins Schmitamins.
Bringing vitamins will help in warding off many of the diseases that an unguarded (with resistance-building supplements) person may be so prone to. Multivitamins can be more convenient to bring than separate vitamins for various needs.

4. Battling extreme temperatures.
Doing one's homework before going to any foreign country will save one from a lot of trouble. These troubles may include temperature or weather induced inconveniences. An online consultation will inform one what to bring to gear up against any problem that may be caused by the weather or temperature.
If you are to go to one hot spot of the world, your luggage will benefit a lot since you don't have to bring a heavy and thick wardrobes. Now if you are about to visit a place like Antarctica, one tip is to choose well your clothes so as not to stock up much on those that you will not be using that much.

5. Taking care of your skin.
Don't forget your bottle of moisturizer if you're going somewhere cold. A sunscreen will be very indispensable too. A lotion or anything that will ward off insects is one must-have that should never be overlooked either. One best advice that is applicable too even when you're not traveling that much is to avoid getting sun exposure as much as possible.

About the author:
Jay is the web owner of www.airline-tickets.biz, which provides information and resources on vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel.