Summer is generally the most popular and expensive time to travel to other countries, however due to the economic downturn this year travelers will find an abundance of travel bargains and opportunities. They will also find new and tighter passport regulations which include a requirement that all travelers be able to present an official passport book or card, or another travel document approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Forms of identification that were previously accepted at land crossings — including voter registration cards and birth certificates — will no longer be acceptable to gain entry or re-entry to the United States. Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea will be required to have a passport, passport card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to specific populations and situations.
New U.S. Passport Card valid for cruise port and land border crossings
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".