EL SALVADOR, TINY BEAUTY.: TRAVELS, TRANSPORTATIONS AND AVIATION.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS

A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international treaty organization to facilitate the movement of individuals or small groups of persons across international boundaries. Travel documents usually assure other governments that the bearer may return to the issuing country, and are often issued in booklet form to allow other governments to place visas as well as entry and exit stamps into them. The most common travel document is a passport, which usually gives the bearer more privileges like visa-free access to certain countries.

Before you head to the airport, you need to make sure your travel documents are in order. The last thing you want is to be held up at customs because something's missing or expired, and no one likes being subject to "enhanced screening." Here's what you need to take with you, and how to make sure it's up to date.

⇨Make Sure Your ID Is Accurate and Up-to-Date.

Take a look at your driver's license or ID card. Make sure it's accurate, and there are no inconsistencies with the rest of your travel documents. Also, make sure it's not about to expire (or expired.) Expired ID can definitely get you held up at a border crossing, especially if you don't have a backup form of identification. I've seen people stopped at the airport because their ID card was expired, or close enough to expiration that foreign customs had reservations about them.

⇨Traveling Internationally? Get Your Passport, or Get It Renewed in Time for Your Trip.

If your travel plans take you abroad, you'll need a passport book or a passport card. You can see the differences between the two here. If you don't have either, your best bet is to just get a passport book—it's acceptable for all types of travel, and won't expire for 10 years. If you do apply for a new passport, make sure there's enough time to get it processed and mailed to you before your trip. Fill out the form online, then submit your application by mail, or at post offices and courthouses.

If you already have a current passport, keep an eye on its expiration date. Many countries, including most European countries, won't let you in if your passport expires within three to six months of your departure and return dates. Check the State Department's Country Information database for where you're headed for specific rules. You may want to get your passport renewed, just to be on the safe side. If you have the option, apply or renew in August-September, or December-January. November is a tough month since holiday travel is in full swing, and the warm months of the spring and summer are almost always packed with travelers.

⇨If You Need a Visa, Apply Early.

A visa is a special card or stamp in your passport that grants you entry to a specific country. Visas are best obtained far in advance, and depending on the country, the process can be complicated. Americans traveling to most European countries don't need a tourist visa, but you may be surprised which countries do. Head over to the State Department's travel portal and type in the name of the country you're planning to visit. The information page you get will show you if a visa is required.

⇨International Student IDs and Driver's Licenses.

Your local driver's license or college student ID won't cut it abroad. If you're a student, you can prove it, and you'd like to make use of student-friendly services like discounts on transportation, lodging, tourist spots, and technology, you'll need an International Student Identity Card. It's internationally recognized, includes some basic trip insurance, and can even be used as a pre-paid credit card. It's extremely useful, especially if you plan to study abroad. You can search the ISIC database for specific benefits where you're going to see what you're eligible for.

If you plan to drive while you travel, you'll need an International Driver's Permit. Many countries don't recognize US driver's licenses. Applying for an IDP is easy enough: contact the AAA or National Auto Club. Be careful though, they're short-term permits and may expire before it's time to come home. Also, check with your auto insurance company to see if you'll be covered. In general, you won't be unless you're visiting Canada or Mexico. However, car rental services abroad will sell you the minimal coverage required in most countries.

⇨Tickets, Rail Passes, and Boarding Passes.

Of course, your tickets and boarding passes are critical too. Don't assume you'll find a place to print your return tickets—print them and make copies at home. Depending on where you go, you may be required to show proof of your return date when you enter. It's better to just keep your tickets on-hand and together, in a safe place.

If you're planning on doing some sightseeing, do your homework before you leave and see if there's a rail system to get you around easily. All you have to do is show your pass when necessary. The same applies for local subway and metro systems. Find out how to get the travel cards or documents you need when you arrive so you're not fumbling when you need to actually get somewhere. Your hotel or hostel may be able to help you out as well.

⇨Protect Your Documents.

Finally, keep all of these documents safe and protected. Don't hand them over to anyone who doesn't actually need them for official business (it's not uncommon for train conductors to take them if you're traveling overnight across borders, or for hotel staff to hold on to yours your first night.) Never hand over all of your documents at once unless you're crossing a border and talking to a customs official. Make photocopies of everything, and use them whenever you're not dealing with an official who needs the real thing. In many cases, photocopies are just fine for unofficial ID. Also, you don't have to buy special passport wallets or money belts, but they definitely help. You may also consider keeping dummy wallet on you, so if you're mugged you can hand that over while the real stuff is safe.

If something does happen to your papers, contact your closest US embassy or consulate to have your passport replaced, immediately contact your banks to cancel cards and see what they can do for you, and contact your airlines for duplicate tickets. If you have a photocopy or digital photograph or scan of your passport and other travel documents, getting replacements is easier and faster. If you're really stuck and without much left to your name, you can recover from that, too, it'll just take more time.

➼Clic here for more information: Travel Documents

➼Video: International Travel - What Documents to Take.

TRANSPORTATION MEANS

The main transportation means used are:

➮Car traveling is usually an independent mean of transport. The driver decides where, when and how he is going to get to a destination. It is usually cheaper since roads fees are not directly paid but rather from taxes. It is the only transportation mode that does not require transfers, in the sense that the whole journey, from door to door can be achieve without even stopping. Car transport is the dominant mode in world tourism (77% of all journeys), notably because of advantages such as flexibility, price, and independence. Tourists will often rent cars to journey within their destinations, which has triggered an active clustering of car rental companies have emerged adjacent to main transport terminals (airports, train stations) and touristic venues.

➮Coach traveling uses the same road network as cars. Coaches are well suited for local mass tourism but can be perceived as a nuisance if in too large numbers since they require a large amount of parking space. They can be used for short duration local tours (hours) but also can be set for multi-days journeys where the coach is the conveyance.

➮Rail travel was the dominant form of mass public transport before the age of the automobile. Even if trains are very fast, the network is not too flexible, pre-established routes have to be followed. The railway network usually reflects more the commercial needs of the national economy then the holiday tourist flow which can make it a second choice as a traveling mode. The railway systems of several countries, notably in Europe, have seen massive investments for long-distance routes and high speed services. Due to the scenery or the amenities provided, rail transportation can also be a touristic destination in itself. Several short rail lines that no longer had commercial potential have been converted for tourism.

➮Air transport is by far the most effective transport mode. Notably because of prices, only 12.5% of the tourist travel by plane. But for international travel this share is around 40%. Air transport has revolutionized the geographical aspect of distances; the most remote areas can now be attained, any journey around the world can be measured in terms of hours of traveling. Businesspeople are among the biggest users of airline facilities, but a low cost air carriers have attracted a significant market segment.

➮Cruises are mainly concentrated towards short sea journeys of about a week. Cruising has become a significant tourist industry; big cruisers are like floating resorts where guests can enjoy luxury and entertainment while moving towards their multiple destinations. The international market for cruising was about 18.3 million tourists in 2010, which involves an annual growth rate above 7% since 1990. The main cruise markets are the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, which Alaska and Northern Europe fjords also popular during the summer season. This industry is characterized by a high level of market concentration with a few companies, such as Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises who account for about 70% of the market. The impacts of cruising on the local economy are mitigated as the strategy of cruising companies is to retain as much income as possible. This implies that tourists spend most of their money in the cruise ship itself (gift shops, entertainment, casinos, bars, etc.) or on island facilities owned by cruise shipping companies.

Mass Tourism and Mass Transportation

Tourism transport can be divided in two categories:

Independent means of travel; controlled by individual tourists.

Mass travel; where tourists travel in groups.

Check here for more information: Mode of Transport

TOURISIC ROUTES

There are a lot of touristic routes around the world, here are some beautiful places to visit and do tourism.

Lombard Street, San Francisco, USA

Enjoy every twist and turn on Lombard Street in San Francisco, the world’s most crooked lane. Stretching just one block between Hyde and Leavenworth streets, this small section of road contains eight hair pin bends down a pretty steep hill.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Not only is this 150-mile stretch of tarmac one of the most famous tourist routes in the world, it’s also the world’s largest war memorial, built by soldiers returning from World War I. Running between Torquay and Warnambool in south-eastern Australia, jump in a 4-wheeler and get exploring the natural beauty of this rugged coastline.

Orchard Road, Singapore

Long gone are the fruit orchards that this famous neon street was named after; nowadays Orchard Road is Singapore’s premiere shopping destination. Beside designer boutiques and big brands, here’s where you’ll find high-end hotels and haute-cuisine. If shopping’s not your bag, pop in to the Istana, the official residence of the President of Singapore, on this glitzy thoroughfare.

Las Vegas Boulevard South, Nevada, USA

Roll up and enjoy the show, as you cruise along one of the most iconic boulevards in the world, the infamous Vegas strip. From street magicians to the spectacular fountain shows, like the one outside the Bellagio, watch the madness unfold. You won’t even need to leave your ride to grab a burger, a soda refill or even a marriage; everything is drive-thru, from off- licenses to wedding chapels.

Abbey Road, London, UK

Come together, and take a drive down Abbey Road in north London, home to the legendary Abbey Road Studios where the Beatles recorded their 11th album, titled ‘Abbey Road’. The famous photograph of the band on the zebra crossing was taken on the street outside of the studios. Join the fans who flock here all-year-round and recreate the famous pose.

Trollstigen, Norway

You might be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed in Middle Earth when you take off along Trollstigen, which translates as Trolls’ Path. This mountain trail snakes through 11 sharp bends and down a steep incline in Møre og Romsdal country, Norway. Stretch your legs and take in the 1,050ft Stigfossen waterfalls from Trollstigen viewing platform.

The Eiffel Tower

Is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level's upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or lift (elevator) to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the climb from the first level to the second. Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually only accessible by lift.

Route 66, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Arizona, USA

America’s Main Street, also affectionately nicknamed Mother Road, Route 66 was actually removed from the United States Highway System in 1985 when it was replaced by the Interstate System. Nevertheless, the sections that remain in Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Arizona now form ‘Historic Route 66’ and still stand as a shrine to all things Americana. Make a stop at Lou Mitchell’s in Chicago for some cracking omelettes before you hit the road, or stop by Shea’s Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, to see a mass of road related memorabilia.

The Taj Mahal

Meaning Crown of the Palace is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–1658), to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is the centerpiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.

El Cairo Egypt

Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt. The city's metropolitan area is the largest in the Middle East and the Arab world and 15th-largest in the world, and is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis are located in its geographical area. Located near the Nile Delta, modern Cairo was founded in 969 CE by Jawhar of the Fatimid dynasty, but the land composing the present-day city was the site of ancient national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo. Cairo has long been a center of the region's political and cultural life, and is nicknamed "the city of a thousand minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture. Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning, Al-Azhar University. Many international media, businesses, and organizations have regional headquarters in the city; the Arab League has had its headquarters in Cairo for most of its existence.

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC; these, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built 220–206 BC by Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.

TOURISTIC ROUTES IN EL SALVADOR

El Salvador has different tourists’ options such as its historic cities, nature zones, beaches and landscapes in varied relief, a variety of local international and traditional gastronomy, and friendly people with culture and traditions. The modern hotel infrastructure, outstanding technology, warm climate and a strategic geographic position in the Heart of Central America are reasons to visit the country.

El Salvador has more than 180 miles of beaches, colorful lakes and rivers that contribute to the green landscape and allow the development of aquatic activities.

Archaeology is composed by different archeological sites around the all country.

Nature. Our old and young, active and inactive volcanoes are the cause of the excellent fertility of our lands.

Cultural & Historical. In these routes, the tourist will experience the Salvadoran idiosyncrasy, its history.

Adventure. On the natural resources that the country has, it is possible to enjoy the adventure.

Surf. The strength of the waves in El Salvador and our love and passion for the waves and nature.

AIRLINE CODES

When searching for airline tickets it can help to already know the two-letter code for an airline. Knowing the code could assist in finding a good price on business class tickets or airfare. You can search through this airline ticket list below to easily find each airline. It could make spending the extra money on business class tickets worthwhile.