Wikivoyage:Tourist office/Archives/2018/May

Cost of a British passport

Hi,

A British friend who lives abroad told me that if he needs to renew his passport, the price is very high and it takes several weeks. He keeps saying that the British passport is one of the most expensive ones. Is that true? How much does it cost to renew one from abroad (Asia)? Asked by: 2001:EE0:4041:23B1:844C:54C6:1E8D:BD73 15:20, 4 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Appears complaints have been listened to, looks like it is now ₤83. Although the application site will not tell you the price until you go though entering all the data. --Traveler100 (talk) 16:05, 4 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you very much! He kept saying it cost more than 300 dollars. The real price used to be 173 dollars actually. 2001:EE0:4041:23B1:E994:C014:2DC9:2F6F 11:30, 5 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Why was Havana, Cuba, was nicknamed the Paris of Americas?

Asked by: 148.74.36.67 02:08, 10 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

In the late 19th century and early 20th century a lot of cities were nicknamed the "Paris of somewhere" (Buenos Aires was a competitor for the "Paris of the Americas" title). It had to do with imitating certain characteristics associated with Paris in those days: wide and straight avenues; architectural uniformity of buildings of a certain standing; the presence of large public spaces; the existence of large cultural institutions such as museums, operas, theaters, etc. Paris was seen as a model modern city, thanks to the major renovations undertaken by Baron Haussmann in the 1850s and 1860s.[1]. --Xuxl (talk) 19:04, 10 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

For the record, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, New Orleans and Quebec City are similarly referred as such from time to time. Ibaman (talk) 19:40, 10 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Also, Shanghai/French_Concession has been called "the Paris of the East". Pashley (talk) 23:34, 10 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

And Beirut before the war was the "Paris of the Levant". I personally find those "City X of the Geographic designator" names stupid and I always cringe at Elbflorenz Hobbitschuster (talk) 00:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Also, Buffalo reappropriated Paris' "City of Light" moniker for itself, but it had a pretty good excuse for doing so, being the first city in the world with electric street lighting (courtesy of cheap hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls). -- AndreCarrotflower (talk) 00:49, 12 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]
- The "City of Light" moniker for Paris comes from Paris being an early adopter of gas lighting. On a related note, there are also many cities that are actually or were later claimed to be built on seven hills (like Rome), Bamberg and old Constantinople (where the seven hills are really forced) come to mind. Hobbitschuster (talk) 00:51, 12 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]
  - Of course, the similarities between Buffalo and Paris don't stop at being the cities of light: the cuisine, the wine, the cheese, the art, the music.... It would be nearly impossible for all but the most sophisticated connoisseurs to distinguish between them. Or maybe I'm just drunk. Yes, that's a more likely explanation. Ground Zero (talk) 03:42, 12 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

My husband, a developer, working with a team, was tragically killed, how can I reach out and find our pictures embedded in Microsoft and here.

Asked by: 192.208.232.106 23:56, 16 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

That's horrible! My condolences to you. However, I don't understand your question. Ikan Kekek (talk) 03:32, 17 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Travelling to Copenhagen airport

On 1-3 June, I'm travelling to Helsingborg via Copenhagen airport. I'll first fly from Helsinki to Copenhagen and then go by train from Copenhagen airport to Helsingborg, and then back the same way.

How much time do I need at Copenhagen airport, first to get to the train at the airport railway station after my plane lands, and then to get to the plane from the airport railway station when coming back? I will be travelling with one baggage case checked in the cargo hold. Asked by: JIP (talk) 19:17, 6 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

You should be fine with about 2 hours. On the way back, that should be plenty of time to check-in, go through security, and get to the departure gate in time for the flight. Codyorb (talk) 15:07, 21 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Ship travel from East Coast U.S. to Europe; NOT cruise line

I am trying to find info on travel from east coast of US to Western Europe for the wife and myself. Don't really want a cruise line as they are probably more expensive. We hate the "cattle car" operation of the air travel option and being retired, we don't really care about the extra time of a voyage...kinda an adventure I suppose. I have heard that commercial ships, like freighters and such, have some accommodations for this, but I don't know how to find out who they are; where to contact them; schedules and prices. Would appreciate any info you can provide on this. Asked by: 68.65.156.43 21:16, 19 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Some of the links in the article are a little old but check the article Freighter travel. --Traveler100 (talk) 21:25, 19 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Cunard runs the last remaining transatlantic ocean liner but we're likely talking four figures here. There also "repositioning cruises" by some operators who do the Mediterranean during the northern summer and the Caribbean during the northern winter. Neither that nor freighter travel is cheap. Freighters also commonly impose health and age and mobility requirements which vary from operator to operator. Hobbitschuster (talk) 03:59, 20 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

See Hitchhiking boats and Cruising on small craft for information on making the journey aboard a yacht. Your chances are better and the fee quite likely lower if you have skills useful on a boat: sailing obviously, but also things like cook or mechanic.

Have you considered First and business class flights? They are generally not cheap, but I think there are sometimes discounts, and in any case they are likely cheaper than a boat. Pashley (talk) 09:20, 21 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I'm a retiree whose budget won't stand long-haul ship travel or business class flights. I don't like flying "cattle class" either, but I've flown the Pacific that way several times in the last few years & found it worth putting up with. Shorter flights are easier.

An off-the-wall possibility for you to consider might be a route with a stopover in Iceland and two shorter flights. Gone are the days when NY-Iceland-Luxembourg was the cheapest US-Europe route & Icelandic was called "the hippie airline", but it might still offer a good option for you. Pashley (talk) 09:36, 21 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

If you travel via Iceland, there is a ferry to Denmark, which has fares that look reasonable - one way for 2 people in a cabin starts around €500 excluding meals. AlasdairW (talk) 21:22, 21 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

The issue then is how to get to Iceland. On Iceland itself there are buses to get you to the eastern end of the island. Hobbitschuster (talk) 01:58, 22 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

quick question on a small thing

My same friend, is at the same company. But they have a new building (a small one) in somewhere in Canada. Then he has to see something over there to fix. (it's not the kind where they can send the parts by UPS, and see if it can be fixed. If it got sent and brought back. As its showing its "age". I don't know anything with a computer server; to a company building, etc.) So his items like passport is ok, but about when his company wanted to send him, his passport is going to be expiring. Around the time when he leaves in a while or so. Then he told his company, he'll get a new one soon. So from now until he gets a new one, can he use his ID, or wait until he gets the new passport? When he leaves from Sacramento to Canada. I think he has to do a layover, when that happens. Asked by: Unblue box (talk) 03:15, 17 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

American citizens need valid passports to travel to Canada. It's possible to get one quickly for more money, especially when you have a plane ticket in hand for a quickly upcoming trip. However, if your friend didn't pay for expedited service and is still waiting for the new one to arrive when he's scheduled to depart, he will almost assuredly be out of luck. Ikan Kekek (talk) 03:31, 17 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, his company almost didn't pay the cost to the plane trip yet. Right as he told them about it. They were going to, when he gets a new passport. He last said, it had about a few weeks to a month left on it, just on the other day. I guess he has to wait until he gets that. Unblue box (talk) 03:46, 17 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Many countries will not let someone in in their passport has less than six months left on it. Its weird, but I was caught out on that once. It's something the passport office doesn't tell you clearly enough. Ground Zero (talk) 04:17, 20 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I believe Canada is not one of those countries; certainly there is nothing like that on this Canada Border Services Agency page. But if it matters, it would not hurt to talk to the CBSA about it before you travel. --76.69.47.55 06:19, 21 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Well, it's that my friend works with computer stuff. But sometimes when he talks, and doesn't have time to "ask a question." Like it was his grandpa's time, and making a few people around him have a "headache". Then here I'm at, asking about it for him. Unblue box (talk) 23:20, 21 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have the same type of question, but its from Sacramento to Tokyo/ Narita or Haneda. For a future vacation soon, like a half year from now. And what is the best way to there? 1. Sacramento --> San Francisco --> Narita/ Haneda, 2. Sacramento --> LA --> Narita/ Haneda. Or, 3. Sacramento --> Seattle --> Narita/ Haneda

that's the top 3 choices when I input that on some "search resultes". As a 4th said Sacramento to Hawaii, then Narita/ Haneda. But the website doesn't show "time comparison". If picked the plane route(s). The website doesn't have that option. I live in Sacramento, but I'm visiting my relatives at this ip number. 66.87.112.125 02:22, 24 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Try other websites. Kayak, Expedia, and Flighthub should give you better results. You don't have to buy through them, but they will help you with planning. Ground Zero (talk) 02:36, 24 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

why would you fly from Sacramento to SFO? Google maps gives public transit times (capital corridor then bart) of some three hours to SFO. And you won't have to deal with airport parking and connecting flights. Hobbitschuster (talk) 05:34, 24 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

My family owns a home, away from the airport (a short distance to the Sacramento airport.) From the freeway; when highway/ freeway 5 splits with 99. If you go a little high up, I live somewhere between Natomas Creek and Village 7. But my family doesn't like a "long" car ride to anywhere, as much. Or take a bus, others, etc, for certain reasons.

Because their use to the rural life, back some time ago. When we were living near my relatives place, as my family had to move to Sacramento, as dad's job was shifted to there. (when a company expands, and runs out of room in one place. They need to find a different area to put their junk at.) I don't know if "junk" is the right word for that? So, as that was going on, dad's job area is making car items. or "item parts" to a car. And the company rented a room/ floor building in Sacramento, some time ago. 66.87.112.125 15:37, 24 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]