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American officials have now told tourists to plan ahead when they’re organising trips to the States, as applications for the ESTA visa are about to get much harder.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a reminder to anyone planning a visit, warning potential visitors to; “Apply for ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States.”

The ESTA visa grants you access to enter the USA, but now the process is totally changing, maybe not for the better…

It was, until recently, possible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) until basically the last second, with real-time approvals achievable.

Now, you will need to apply for a visa at least 72 hours before you travel in order to gain the documentation in time. The old service is no longer available.

Without an ESTA visa, you cannot gain entry into the United States;

“Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding.”

Just as the Christmas travel rush has started, holidaymakers and business travellers will have to change the way they visit the USA.

US authorities have always advised applicants to carry out the documentation at least three days in advance, most people could get their ESTA almost instantly.

The DHS also warn: “Upon arrival in the United States you will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry who may determine that you are inadmissible.”

The DHS recently added a query regarding the applicant’s social media activities to the form, but it’s optional.

“If an applicant does not answer the question or simply does not hold a social media account, the ESTA application can still be submitted without a negative interpretation or inference.”

Stronger security measures are expected over Christmas and the New Year, when 41 million passengers are expected to travel through American checkpoints nationwide.

Take note, globetrotters.

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Whether it's a girl's trip to a Spanish beach resort or a backpacking adventure through South East Asia, there are a few essentials you can't afford to forget about.

While travelling is one of the most exciting and enriching things we can do, leaving the important items at home has the potential to ruin your trip.

Many of the standards we keep up at home fly out the window as soon as we step onto foreign soil, but there are some things you always need to bear in mind.

From eyewear, to health products, to electronic lifesavers, here's your essential guide to everything you'll need to take with you when travelling, wherever the destination.

Source: Pixabay

Carry-On

Your carry-on bag should always be reserved for the most important items, especially any relating to your health and wellbeing.

That means any medications you need should always be carry-on items, as well as any special equipment or health-related items that you need to function.

It's also a good idea to have some "travel versions" of items that you regularly use.

If you're visually impaired, your best bet is to bring contacts, no prescription needed, along with you in your backpack or handbag.

If you're worried about where to pick some up or have already left for the airport, it's now easier (and faster) than ever to get no RX contact lenses online.

Simply order your contacts without prescription from a trusted retailer and you'll receive them in no time. Similar rules apply to everyday items such as tampons, painkillers and bug-repellent sprays, all hang-luggage material.

Also make sure to pack a change of underwear and any device chargers in your carry-on – baggage going missing is not unheard of and these are things you don't want to be caught without!

Source: Shutterstock

Suitcase

Some items can be stuffed into your suitcase to be used upon arrival in your destination.

Make sure to pack clothing for every weather (and enough clothes for a few days at least), as well as however much makeup is needed to get you through the day.

It's also recommended that you pack a towel in case your accommodation doesn't provide one, as well as a sleeping bag liner in order to avoid any nasty surprises in a hostel dorm room bed.

Also make sure to throw in larger liquids such as moisturiser, shampoo, wet wipes (a true godsend) and any other toiletries you can think of, and you will be prepared.

Source: Pixabay

Electronics

The truly savvy traveller knows to take the right electronics on board with them.

Luckily, all you really need is an average modern smartphone, as long as you've downloaded the right apps.

Wherever you're going, consider downloaded apps specifically run by the public transport authorities of your destination. Also make sure to get apps detailing air pollution, temperature, pollen count and local SPV.

You can take steps towards meeting other successful women on the go with popular friendship apps such as MeetUp, so you can expand your global network.

The key to smart travel is looking after yourself. Once the essentials are taken care of, the rest will fall into place.

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Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are in the throes of engagement bliss, having announced their plans to tie the knot last month.

The couple are clearly continuing the celebrations, as they just had a little romantic weekend away in the mountains.

The pair took in the sights of the Cabo San Lucas beaches and Guadalajara, Mexico, before they moved onto the mountains of Mammoth, California. 

What a fab weekend!

 

A man and the mountains.@priyankachopra

A post shared by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) on

The singer posted a snap of himself to his Instagram, where he was admiring the view from the mountaintop, holding a can of Coors Light.

With his backpack hanging off a narrow tree branch, the 25-year-old captioned the image, "a man and the mountains.''

Next to it was the camera emoji and Priyanka was tagged, indicating that she'd been the one to take the picture. 

 

Taken.. With all my heart and soul..

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on

Priyanka may not have been in front of the camera for this particular photo but she had let fans see a glimpse of what she was up to the day before, posting a story to her Instagram.

The 36-year-old gave us a look into a room overlooking a spacious lawn with pine trees in the background, writing "#magical.''

The couple has just returned from celebrating their engagement in Priyanka's native India with their families, where Nick took part in traditional ceremonies.

Tbf, they are one stunning couple – we seriously can't wait to see what kind of wedding bash they have. 

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We really don't understand why this latest trend appeals to teenagers to risk their lives for online attention. 

The craze is called 'balconying' which involves young Irish and British teenagers posting videos of themselves online hopping from balcony to balcony in their holiday resorts.

This terrifying trend has claimed 46 lives since it began in 2012, reports the Sun.

The latest incident according to the Sun ended in an 18-year-old Irish girl being fined for refusing to stop jumping from balcony to balcony when Majorca authorities had asked her to.

Subsequently, the publication reports that the teenager fell from the first floor and was treated for minor injuries. 

Police in the popular tourist resort has introduced new laws against balconying. 

If caught an individual could face a minimum penalty of €600 and a maximum of €1,500, says the Sun. 

However, it is unknown how much the Irish teenager will be fined.

Additionally, the police have now issued videos in English to British and Irish holidaymakers to deter them from taking on the craze.

If you're thinking about getting involved in the trend, think twice about the serious consequences this could have not only for your life, but your family too. 

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Holidaymakers heading to Spain or Portugal this week are being told to expect record-breaking temperatures, especially inland.

Met Éireann have said that temperatures could reach a stifling 48°C in inland parts of the Algarve.

The last time Europe saw such extreme heat was in Athens in 1977. 

"The temperatures will be highest for inland parts of Portugal and Spain," forecaster Harm Luijkx said.

"Most people who go on holidays will go to coastal areas and temperatures will be a bit less hot there – between 30°C and 35°C.

"It might be best to avoid inland areas of Portugal and Spain for the next week or so."

The weather will be slightly different for those of us who are staying at home though.

According to Met Éireann, we should expect temperatures of between 20°C and 26°C with a "mix of showers and sunshine."

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An Irish teenager is said to be in a serious condition after falling from a second floor balcony while on holiday in Spain. 

The 18-year-old, who has not been named, was rushed to hospital where his condition is said to be serious, according to The Irish Mirror. 

The teen was staying at the Hotel Apartments Deya in Santa Ponsa and was taken to Son Espases hospital in the early hours of this morning.

This is, sadly, not the first incident like this to happen in the popular tourist destination.

Back in June, 19-year-old Jack Walsh from Limerick lost his life after falling 39ft from a balcony in Santa Ponsa.

It is understood that Jack had only been in the resort for a few hours when the fatal accident happened. 

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Fancy a holiday with a bit of a difference?

One that is off the traditional tourist routes… like way off?

A trip that you'll be talking about at every night out? Well, then this experience sounds like it will be right up your street. 

To celebrate the fact that Mars will be the closest it has been to Earth in 15 years on July 27th, two Airbnb hosts will be offering a one-of-a-kind experience to get up close to the Red Planet from one of the world’s largest telescopes, the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC).

Located in La Palma, Spain, six guests will join hosts Juan Antonio González, a local astronomy guide, and Antonio Luis Cabrera, the leader of scientific operations at GTC, to learn the importance of preserving the sky through the lens of the largest single-aperture optical and infrared telescope in the world.

Guests will enjoy the ultimate planetary experience by observing – and photographing! – polar ice caps and dust storms on Mars, all while marvelling at the longest lunar eclipse in the 21st century.

If you can't make next Friday don't worry, Airbnb, who have seen a huge growth in astro-tourism, has nearly 3,000 homes equipped with telescopes and unique, astro experiences on the platform. 

In fact, scores of listings on the platform include “stargazing” in their description, highlighting it as the perfect spot to take in the skies.

The US ranks as the number one country with the most astro-tourism friendly listings, like the Folly in Twentynine Palms, CA, the Desert Retreat in Pioneertown, CA, and the Dome in the Desert in Joshua Tree, which is the community that offers the most listings globally perfect for stargazing.

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Thanks to the affordability of flights, Berlin has become one of the most popular weekend break cities for Irish people.

And what's not to love? Divine food, Bauhaus architecture and a rich, striking and poignant history make the city a riveting experience for travellers. 

While sights like the Berlin Wall and the Jewish History Museum are must-sees, there are a few other little places that you need to visit to get the true measure of the city. 

6. Roamers Cafe, Pannierstraße 64, 12043 

Roamers Cafe is an idyllic little place tucked away down a residential side street. 

The place is completely stuffed with plants, minted water vials and a laid-back vibe. 

Open from 9.30am to 7pm, this place is pretty popular with the locals so be prepared to queue as the little nook barely seats 30. 

Pic: Roamers Facebook/Sasha Kharchenko

5. The DDR Museum, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, 10178

The DDR Museum is a pretty interesting place to visit if you're a history buff. 

The museum offers highly interactive installations about Communist Germany, including a vintage car you can sit in and "drive" around pre-war Berlin in.

There is even a house you can walk into which is decked out in the decor of the time, so definitely give this place a go. Plus, it's located in the shadow of the Berlin Cathedral, so that's two birds with one stone. 

4. Mauer Park Flea Market, Mauer Park, Bernauer Str. 63-64, 13355

This hidden gem is the perfect place to do some unique shopping while in Berlin on a Sunday. 

The gorgeous sprawling market is full to bursting with vintage clothing stalls, unique art prints, knickknacks and delicious, warming drinks and cuisine.

Make sure you bring your poker face and prepare to haggle with the vintage veterans and you'll leave with a pretty amazing deal. 

3. Tresor,  Köpenicker Str. 70, 10179

So Tresor definitely features on a few must-see travel guides, but it's made it onto this list for a reason. 

Tresor is and underground (literally sub-terrain) techno club where night could melt into day and you'd never even know.

The smoky, concrete interiors and eclectic crowd make this intense EDM experience completely unmissable. 

 

A post shared by Lucy Delamere (@lucydelamere) on

2. Nordbahnhof S-Bahn Station, Invalidenstraße 131, 10115

This subway station doubles up as a museum, which focuses on detailing the sorry tale of the train stations which were walled up during the building of the Berlin wall.

Trains still passed through these stations but didn't stop, making them gone but never forgotten.

It's a creepy, poignant and eccentric part of Berlin's history. 

 

A post shared by Sergei Zyubin (@burning.alchemist) on

1. Urban Nation, Bülowstraße between U-Bahn stations Bülowstraße and Nollendorfplatz, 10783

Nestled in downtown west Berlin is a street art bonanza. 

Thanks to the work of Urban Nation, these ever-changing displays of art serve as Berlin's exterior gallery.

Feature image: Get Your Guide

Oh, and while we have you; don't forget to have your say in the inaugural SHEmazing Awards this May! It's time to vote, and you can do it right here!

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An impending strike action from Ryanair is the LAST thing we want to think about as we pack our bags, preparing to run to the beach, but it could become a reality later this month. 

Before you go changing any plans, breathe. There's still time to potentially rearrange a few things and look at getting some potential compensation, should your flight get cancelled.

HolidayGuru.ie have compiled a set of tips to follow, which may be helpful, should you be affected.   

Here's what you need to know: 

Can I claim compensation due to a strike?

This depends on whether the airline is legally obliged to provide compensation if the flight is affected due to reasons beyond their control e.g volcanic eruption, a strike, extreme weather.

Depending on who is striking you may be able to claim up to approximately €530 in compensation from your airline.

  • With Ryanair, you may be eligible to claim monetary compensation if your flight was delayed more than 3 hours on arrival or cancelled within 14 days of departure.

  • They say “If the delay or cancellation was unexpected and therefore outside of our control (extraordinary circumstances) no monetary compensation is due under EU Regulation 261/2004.”

What am I entitled to if my flight is cancelled?

Under EU regulation you are entitled to:

  • A full refund of the cost of the ticket within 7 days (fees may apply)

  • A substitute flight to your destination from another airport (additional travel costs will be covered by the airline)

  • A replacement flight outside the strike duration (usually limited to a 12-month period)

Fill out the Ryanair Claim form

If your flight is cancelled and you have to make temporary arrangements in a different city, make sure that you keep your spending costs low and keep the receipts. You can claim a reimbursement from the airline when you return home.

Ryanair has a claim form which can be found on their “Contact us” page. To claim your expenses, you have to provide the flight number, date of the delay or cancelled flight and proof of your expenses such as photos of receipts, PDFs etc.

What happens if the airline rejects your claim?

  • Use an adjudicator or regulator to take the claim further.

  • Take the claim to court: If the airline still reject your claim or you are unhappy with the outcome of your claim then you can take them to court. The court may refuse claims if they date back more than 6 years in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (five years in Scotland) so be sure to keep this in mind.

  • Your insurer may be able to help. Check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to see what situations it will cover. You may also receive payment to cover hotel costs or alternative transport you require; the airlines should provide this by law, however, as previously stated.

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If you are heading on your holidays, let's hope it isn't on July 12.

Ryanair cabin crew have signalled that they are joining pilots in their strike action. 

Earlier this week, Ryanair was served a notice of industrial action on behalf of Ryanair pilots by Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA).

The union revealed that 99 percent of their member supported the ballot calling for the action.

The results of Tuesday's ballot confirmed that a 24-hour strike would take place on Thursday, July 12, at 1 am. 

Cabin crew have now announced they will accompany pilots in their work stoppage if their demands are not met.

The Ryanair staff penned their requirements which covered pay, work rotates, annual leave, pensions and compensation.

Last night it was submitted to management.

The move to create a list of demands was branded "pointless" by Ryanair.

Commenting on the development, union official Oliver Richardson said:

"We are a federation. We don't call strike action… strike action is called by our affiliates.

"As a federation, would we support as best as we could those affiliates in taking that action? Of course, we would."

The airline has stated talks are already underway with unions to negotiate the issues raised.

Fingers and toes crossed it gets sorted!

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The Leaving Cert holiday is a rite of passage for most Irish teenagers.

To celebrate school finishing forever, you head off with your mates to Santa Ponsa or Aya Napa for a week with no parents and no rules.

Or so Mick Molloy thought.

Mick's mum was one step ahead of the other parents who simply give you a lecture before you get on the plane. 

She decided to set down a few rules of her own that her son could take abroad with him. 

Mick, from Gorey, shared the list on Twitter and it is pure gold. 

The orders include to ''stay away from dodgy tattoo parlours with dirty needles'', to ''avoid balconies completely'' and also to ''walk away from fights.'' 

Also notice that the ''use condoms'' rule had double stars next to it – Mammy Molloy isn't taking any chances!

Best of luck on your trip lads, but better luck with sticking to those rules. 

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Tbh, we don’t know how our parents planned holidays way back when.

No price comparison online, no filtered results to find the perfect hotel – our travel experiences have been fuelled by technology.

And the tech industry continues to innovate, which will transform our jet-setting plans in incredible ways.

Here are five of the most exciting tech innovations in the travel industry, according to Holidayguru.ie:

1) Augmented Reality (AR)

While we always have notions of picking up a few key phrases before travelling to a foreign country, we have to admit, it doesn’t always happen.

AR is a lifesaver in many ways because, using this, Google Translate lets you take pics of signage you need to be translated. Let’s face it – we’re mostly talking about menus here. Gotta get that holiday grub.

As well, there are also apps like VisitScotland and England’s Historic Cities that can help you learn about cultural sites you’re visiting.

2) Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI makes travel handy as can be, and it’s what allows Dutch airline KLM to send your boarding pass and other updates through chat apps like Facebook Messenger.

It’s also making waves in the hotel industry. Hilton Hotels’ ‘Connie’ makes guests’ stays feel personal with assisted check-ins and tips.

3) Virtual Reality (VR)

Want to travel without having to go halfway across the world? Well, airlines like Lufthansa have created stunning 360-degree videos so you can experience the amazing visuals of distant destinations without leaving the comfort of your own home.

If you have a VR headset, you can practically have your own holiday looking at what apps like Google Earth VR, NASA, and Boulevard have to offer.

4) Blockchain

Blockchain is a way for digital info to be distributed safely not but copied.

This means that in the future we could possibly say goodbye to passports and boarding passes, and instead verify our identities online at the airport. Imagine how quickly we’d get through to our gate!

5) Voice Control Interface

No, Amazon’s Alexa isn’t just for asking silly questions (though we do really, really enjoy doing that). When asked, she can look through Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights available.

Google Assistant can look for flights and help you practice those handy phrases in foreign languages. Siri is able to check the status of your flight and look for hotels in the area.

So what’re you waiting for? With all of this futuristic tech at our fingertips, holidays are easier than ever before.

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