Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
New Year's Eve:
By some estimates,
more people are now crowding the Strip in
Las Vegas to ring in the New Year than in
Times Square. I personally think both
groups are nuts; standing around in the
cold, crowded together with hundreds of
drunk people, is not my idea of a good
time. But if the idea appeals to you, know
that a large swatch of Strip is closed for
the festivities and to erect a large stage,
on which some major rock star gives a
concert. The evening is capped off with
something called “America's Party,” basi-
cally a gargantuan fireworks display in
which firecrackers are blasted from the
roofs of 10 Strip hotels in succession,
leading to a finale in which all of them
turn the sky into one massive crackling,
glowing, glittering canvas. You'll find
information on special New Year's activi-
ties at the tourist board's website (see
p. 303).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR
NON-AMERICAN CITIZENS
Be sure to check with the U.S. embassy or consulate for the very latest in entry
requirements, as these continue to shift since 9/11. Full information can be found
at the
U.S. State Department
's website,
www.travel.state.gov
.
VISAS
As of this writing, citizens of western and central Europe, Australia, New Zealand,
Brunei, and Singapore need only a valid passport and a round-trip air ticket or
cruise ticket to enter the U.S. Canadian citizens can also enter without a visa; you
simply need to show proof of residence.
Citizens of all other countries will need to obtain a tourist visa from a U.S.
consulate; depending on your country of origin, there may or may not be a charge
attached (and you may or may not have to apply in person). To get the visa, you
must have a passport valid to at least 6 months from the end of your scheduled
U.S. visit, and you'll need to complete an application and submit a 1
1
⁄
2
-inch square
photo. It's usually possible to obtain a visa within 24 hours, except during holi-
day periods or the summer rush.
For information about U.S. visas, go to
www.travel.state.gov
and click on
“Visas.”
PASSPORTS
To enter the United States, international visitors must have a valid passport that
expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of your visit.
For Residents of Australia:
You can pick up an application from your local post
office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at
the passport office to present your application materials. Call the
Australian
Passport Information Service
at
%
131-232,
or visit the government website at
www.passports.gov.au
.
For Residents of Canada:
Passport applications are available at travel agencies
throughout Canada or from the central
Passport Office,
Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (
%
800/567-6868;
www.ppt.gc.ca).
Note:
Canadian children who travel must have their own passports.
