If you are intending to travel outside of the United States, you will undoubtedly need a passport. Obtaining a passport involves certain steps which must be followed. They are not too difficult, but the waiting period to obtain your passport may take a while. If you have an international trip planned for the future, the sooner you get on your passport the better!

To get a passport for your trip, follow these steps:

First, you must fill out a DS-11 form to apply for your passport. This can be filled out online, or by hand. Do not sign it until you are instructed to do so.

Second, submit your form in person at an Acceptance facility, or a passport agency.

Third, you will need to submit proof of citizenship. This can include your birth certificate. You will also need to submit photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license.

Fourth, you will need to pay the application fee. This fee differs depending on where you go.

Fifth and last, they will take a photograph of you for your passport. In most cases you are not allowed to smile with your teeth showing.

After everything is done, you will most likely receive your passport in the mail several weeks later. Once you get it, be sure to keep it in a safe location where you will not forget it, or lose it.

Keep your passport with you at all times while traveling, and enjoy your trip! For more tips, visit this site.

As the summer months are rolling around, you have probably been putting some thought into where to take your summer getaway vacation…

Instead of going to the same old spot year after year, why not branch out and try something new and exotic? The experts have provided us with a list of 2011′s “must visit” destinations around the world. So put away that camping gear, and your map to the Grand Canyon–check out the most exciting getaways of the year!

1. Doha, Qatar come in at number one, boasting some of the most pristine beaches and delicious restaurants that you can imagine. This world class getaway is also going to be the site of the 2022 Fifa World Cup!

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is number two, and is sure to add some spice and excitement into your vacation.

3. Stockholm, Sweden. Castles. Swedish meatballs. Enough said.

4. Atlanta, Georgia is number four, and one of the top cities in the country for culture, museums, and history.

5. Kent Coast, England.

6. Hokkaido, Japan.

7. Cesme Peninsula, Turkey.

8. Nahanni National Park, Canada.

9. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

10. Ponza and the Pontine Islands, Italy.

To read up on these incredible sites, and maybe even do a little planning, check out this site for more details.

If you are going on a sunny getaway this summer, avoiding sunburned, damaged skin is a very important step to having a fun vacation! Nothing is worse than the terrible pain and discomfort that comes with sunburned skin. If you want to feel great every day on your vacation, it is time to learn how to properly protect your skin!

Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The more sensitive and fair your skin is, the stronger the SPF number should be. Do not forget that sunscreen washes off in the water, and needs to be applied again every single time you get wet, or even sweat quite a bit.

Choose sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum,” meaning that it protects against two types of harmful rays: UVA and UVB. Both of these can cause damage to your skin, which can lead to cancer.

Cover up your body! If you do not like wearing sunscreen, cover up that skin. Choose a cute hat with a wide brim, and wear a rash guard in the water. There are plenty of ways to stay covered on the beach, while still looking cute and stylish.

If you do get burned, slather on the aloe, and do your best to stay out of the sun until it heals. A happy vacation is a healthy vacation!

Where are you going on your summer vacation this year? We want to hear from our awesome readers about the trips that they have planned, or even just a great vacation idea they may have.

Whether you are going hiking in the mountains, or surfing in the sun, let us know what you have planned!

If you love waterfalls and the beautiful scenery that surrounds them, here are some waterfalls that you are not going to want to miss when planning your summer vacation. After all, now is the time to begin planning your trip–why not settle on one of these breathtaking locations?

First, there is always Niagara Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the United States. It borders both New York and Canada, so you could plan a trip to either border. Summer crowds can overwhelm, so visit during the shoulder seasons instead. You can’t go wrong in May, June, and September.

Next, check out Hanakapi’ai Falls in Kauai, Hawaii. If a tropical locale is what you enjoy, this is the haven for you. This thin veil of water plunges 300 feet from volcanic-rock cliffs cloaked in tropical rain forest. Avoid hiking the trail to the waterfall in August, when temperatures can climb into the 90s.

If you want something more stateside, check out Yosemite Falls in California. This three-tiered fall stretches 2,425 feet from top to bottom. The waterfall itself is gorgeous, but it is the surroundings — granite cliffs and Giant Sequoia trees — that make it one of the most striking sights in the country.

Want something a little more foreign? Visit Sutherland Falls in New Zealand. Its water drops 1,904 feet and shifts to the right at one point and then back to the left at another, forming three distinct sections. The best way to see the trio is by hiking a three-mile portion of the Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s most popular trails.

Check out one of these amazing natural wonders, and spend a week relaxing in nature this summer.