Bringing Travel to Life
Hello!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and those you love. I got to spend it with my family up in Washington State this year. A delight to spend time with a very lovely boisterous group in a winter wonderland.
Welcome to the quiet week between Christmas and New Year. Can you believe it's arriving in just a few days? Better start practicing writing 2025 on things.
With the turn of the year it means time for your annual travel document check-up!
Are your travel documents up to date? I try to remind everyone about this at least once a year, because expiration dates slip by easily by and there's nothing worse than being caught short. More often than you’d think I run into the scenario where It’s time to book a last-minute trip only to discover someone’s passports is expired or will expire. Suddenly an exciting international trip turns into a staycation.
So, even if you are certain these documents are current, please go check – in fact, take the time to check your entire family’s documents. If everybody is current and good through all of 2025, excellent news but, if you find one expiring in 2025, it’s time to get it updated. Here’s the state department website, www.travel.state.gov, simply click on U.S. Passports to get that process underway.
What are the other documents are needed for international travel in 2025?
I highly recommend getting your Global Entry Card (which includes TSA pre-check) for anyone traveling internationally. Having this in place has helped me avoid the long passport control lines on return to the US. It costs around $100 and is good for five years. If you need to apply, the application can be found on the CBP website https://ttp.dhs.gov.
NEW United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
New for 2025, anyone traveling to, or transferring through the UK, gets to enjoy a new departure and arrival fee. Beginning January 8, 2025, travelers to the UK from the United States will need to apply and pay for an ETA. This is for all arriving travelers including those just passing through a UK airport. So, if you are flying through Heathrow and on to Europe, this applies to you.
The UK Home Office says the system is designed to speed up the arrivals process and increase security. Given the abysmal state of the “new improved” process for security at Heathrow, I’m not sure the UK Home Office and I agree on the definition of the phrase “speed up the process”.
Here’s the online form: Apply ETA GOV.UK. This will cost about $13 and is valid for two years or until the current passport expires. While applications might be approved in a few hours, it is suggested to allow at least three days for them to come through. Apply now if London is in your future.
Update on the EU’s ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)
As of now the ETIAS is not in operation. The EU has been talking about implementing the ETIAS for years but so far has been unsuccessful. The challenge is that the ETIAS program for visitors cannot begin until after the wider EES (Electronic Entry System) is implemented, a system that allows the digital tracking of all EU residents. Once that’s in place, the ETIAS will be implemented. Once rolled out, non-EU visitors will need to register, pay for ETIAS, and be approved. My guess is it will be mid-summer 2025 it gets rolled out.
Newly added Tourist Taxes
In an effort to address the continuing increase of tourism, you can expect to see more tourist taxes pop up. At the end of 2024, 16 countries in Europe have implemented an individual tourist tax in high traffic cities to try to help offset the damaging wear and tear of millions of visitors.
Some cities like Venice now have a day tripper fee for anyone not staying overnight in Venice. The fee is included in the hotel price but must be paid separately for day visitors. Spain has added one for Barcelona and is considering a similar fee for other cities but which ones has not yet been determined.
Greece, Thailand, Portugal are all introducing a tourist tax in 2025 and I expect more countries/cities will follow suit. These taxes/fee are applied to tourist accommodations and range from $2 up to 12.5% of the room rate per night. The fees collected are used toward towards municipal infrastructure that takes the brunt of the tourist .
Fees always annoy me, but, as I remind myself, the majority of the places visited in Europe have UNESCO designated sites or are historically important. The buildings and streets were not built to sustain millions of people visit every year and the cost to maintain these treasures for future generations is huge, so my few dollars for their fee is just a small way I can ensure they don't disappear.
That's all I've got for this week. Check those passports!
and if you're thinking about a trip of any kind, email me - let's get you outbound. I look forward to helping you fill your passport with stamps from journeys that create memories for a lifetime.
Be sure to check out my website at www.opalandfinch.com for updates. And I appreciate your sharing with your friends and family.
Great things happening in travel. Are you ready to bring travel to your life?
Have a beautiful week.
If you aren't following @opalandfinch👇 here are the links 👇 and I always love it when you tag me on your trips with @opalandfinch or #opalandfinch
I know planning fees can be a barrier to working with a travel advisor and I really want you to have the value and expertise I can add to your trip.
Yay! for 2025 I will not be charging a planning/booking fee when you know exactly where you'd like to book. Free is such a great price - and that free includes all my services.
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For all custom trips, I am offering for a limited time 50% off my planning fee. I want you to be able to get on that trip you've been dreaming about. Purchase between now and February 1, 2025 and you'll get my fee at a discounted price for a future trip, and it'll be good for travel through June 2026, giving you time to make plans. This offer is good for current and future clients.
- If you pre-pay the fee in full by December 31, 2024, you'll receive a 50% discount.
- If you pre-pay in full by January 15, 2025, you'll receive a 30% discount,
- If you pre-pay by February 1, 2025, you'll receive 20% off.
If you know you're going to be traveling in 2025, this discount is a great opportunity to save yourself some money and get a fully customized trip. For those of you who have been wanting to use a travel advisor, this is a way to see what all the fuss is about at a great value. I'd be pleased to work with you
Use these links to purchase - feel free to forward to friends or colleagues.
Choose Your Travel Fee Gift 🎁
50% off by 12/31
30% off by 1/15
20% off by 2/1
~ Let's get travel on your calendar ~
For more information about my fees, here's a link to my Welcome Guide.
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Need to book a quick HOTEL? Use this link to book on your own and still get all those Virtuoso Amenities because of our partnership with Virtuoso.
Travel INSURANCE - Use the link to purchase a travel insurance policy with Travel Insured, my preferred travel insurance partner.
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-> Some Travel ideas <-
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BIKING THE WORLD
- Exodus Bike Tours | Get off the beaten path and explore the world on two wheels, on routes locals love. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride through the picturesque Loire region of France or a challenging expedition through Morocco‘s High Atlas Mountains, there is a trip for you!
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EXPEDITION CRUISE
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FLYING THE WORLD
- Will it be a private jet journey to Patagonia, an exploration of the wonders of Asia, or an adventure and safari trip around the world? These once in a lifetime trips with TCS Travel, Four Seasons Air, or Abercrombie&Kent can't be missed.
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General Travel Tips and ideas | Check out the website section Travel Tidbits for more travel tools and information -> the page is getting a refresh so it's not as pretty as the other options.
- Starting in January 2025, join me on the third Monday of the month for a Q&A about travel. Get free advice about the trip you're working on. Sign up through Meetup or email for the link into the Teams.
- If you join the Meetup group, you'll have access to other conversations I'll be having on various destinations, partners, etc.
Hello. I’m Martha Day, owner and head travel designer at Opal&Finch, a travel company based in Dallas, TX, and (spoiler alert) I LOVE travel. I have the best job as I get to assist others with their travel.
My goal is simple: to provide travel planning, management, and concierge services to busy people so they can take memory-filled vacations even when schedules are packed and it seems impossible to get away. Whether you head to a far-flung exotic destination, choose to relax deck side on a ship, or need your feet in the sand kicking back by the sea, whatever you choose, my desire is for you return home rejuvenated with great stories that bring smiles.
If you’re looking to travel, I’d love to help bring your travel dreams to life.
*Proud to be a certified Virtuoso Voyages Host* (ask me what this means for you!)
Bringing Travel to Life
Opal&Finch is an independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network - a Virtuoso® Member Agency | Gifted Travel Network, Inc is registered with the following state licenses: California - Seller of Travel Registration No. 2113317-40, Washington - Seller of Travel Unified Business ID (UBI) # 603 308 394, Florida - Seller of Travel Registration No. ST39093.
