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It is now taking 10-13 weeks for non expedited passport applications and renewals. Expedited: 7-9 weeks and an extra $60.

Mailing times are not included in processing times. Processing times only include the time your application is at one of our passport agencies or centers. The total time to get your passport includes both processing and mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport in the mail after it is printed. Consider the total time it will take to receive your passport when you are booking travel.

Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months to prevent you from overstaying in a foreign country. Suppose your passport expires during your travels, then you are left without a way to return home until you receive an emergency travel document. To avoid this from happening, most countries have imposed the six-month passport validity” rule. You will be denied boarding.

Check your passport now.

From the excitement of the big city of Chicago to the hushed silence of lakeside dunes and the gentle elegance of the Grand Hotel, explore Michigan's unique wonders, Canada’s scenic rail and journey to the heart of Henry Ford country. Conducted by Mayflower Tours, who led our excellent railroad trip last summer. Your YMCA Alumni host: Jean Carmichael, YMCA Alumni National President. Don't delay on this one as limited space is available.

Your Travel Club works hard to book trips for all budgets. This is a luxurious river voyage aboard a Scenic Space-Ship and your cost includes everything. It’s hardly surprising that one of Europe’s longest waterways is home to so many wonderful attractions. Start with a three night hotel stay in Prague to experience the wonder of this magnificent city, then travel to Nuremberg to embark on your 5-star luxury river cruise. Explore Vienna, with its remarkable array of elegant buildings, and the beautiful city of Budapest. Our trip will be hosted by Bob Cook of Go Travel, our Travel Club Committee consultant.

Warm up your winter early in 2024 with an 8-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida into the Southern Caribbean. Visit different, delightful ports of call like Aruba, Curacao and more. Take in all the fun of Royal Caribbean's ultra-popular Symphony of the Seas. The ship is as much the destination as the ports she visits, and is a perfect ship for new cruisers or those looking for lots to do on board. Our Travel Club is offering significant savings off regular Royal Caribbean pricing for this trip.

Less than a century ago, ocean liners were the only way to travel between the United States and Europe. Today, you’ll relax and play your way traversing the entire Atlantic Ocean from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Rome, Italy on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, the most awarded ship in the world. Here's an option: You'll arrive in Italy in time to seamlessly join our YMCA Alumni "Italy by Rail" tours including Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre.

Book this trip before June 1, 2023 and you will receive a $150 per cabin shipboard credit that can used for anything on board.

A unique visit to Italy...Your Way. For its sheer breathtaking beauty and tempting, mouth-watering cuisine, Italy is hard to beat. Iconic, instantly recognizable monuments, medieval towers and palazzos, and pastel-colored villages clinging to cliff sides are just some of the images this enticing country conjures up.

Join YMCA Alumni on this affordable tour as we visit Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre for 8 nights by Trenitalia, Italy's national rail carrier, via high-speed train into the heart of the destination.

Join us on an unforgettable musical motor coach journey to America’s Music Cities. From Nashville, the Home of Country Music, to Memphis, the Birthplace of the Blues and on to New Orleans with its deep Jazz roots, you will be entertained and energized every step of the way. Our trip also includes a guided tour of Vicksburg Memorial Military Park, a visit to Graceland and a jazz cruise aboard the Creole Queen.

Sept. 20-28, 2023 Mackinac Island & Grand Hotel

Oct. 15-25, 2023: Gems of the Danube & Prague

Jan. 27-Feb. 4, 2024: Winter Warm-up in Caribbean

April 21-May 3, 2024: Atlantic Crossing

May 6-12, 2024: Italy by Rail

August 2-8, 2024: Scottish Dream & Tattoo

Sept. 27 - Oct. 4, 2024: America's Music Cities

Jan. 26-Feb. 2: 2025: Alumni Reunion at Sea Cruise

(Editor’s note: The following story is excerpted and abridged from an article in Forbes Magazine.)

Traveling to a new place often goes hand in hand with getting out of your normal routine. These tips will help you stay healthy when you're on the road.

Stay hydrated. While drinking water throughout the day, aim for eight-8 ounce glasses or about 2 liters to avoid dehydration. Certain foods can also help with hydration. Fruits such as mangoes, blueberries, papaya and blackberries are not only hydrating but packed with vitamins and minerals.

Wash your hands. Washing your hands regularly is one of the easiest things you can do to avoid getting sick while traveling. Remember to give them a thorough wash before meals, after using the restroom, and after you’ve touched a lot of different surfaces (like handrails, elevator buttons, and countertops). If getting to a bathroom to scrub up isn’t an option, carry hand sanitizer with you.

Get vaccinated. Being updated on your vaccinations can help protect you from getting sick while traveling. Since different areas of the world have different risks, it's important to check with your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see what vaccinations are recommended for the countries you're visiting.

Pack non-perishable snacks. Foods such as nuts, freeze-dried edamame, roasted chickpeas, protein bars and jerky are portable and nutritious. Having a source of protein or a healthy fat on hand will maintain your blood sugar levels, keep you full, alert and ready for traveling.

Eat breakfast. Traveling to a new place often goes hand in hand with getting out of your normal routine. While tasting the local cuisine is part of the experience, start your day off with a balanced breakfast.

Pack OTC medication. It’s always a good idea to keep a few basic medications with you while traveling. Things like ibuprofen, antihistamines, decongestants, and motion sickness meds might come in handy. Keep prescription medications with you at all times in their original containers with the doctor’s prescription written on the label.

Prioritize sleep. Sleep is key to staying healthy while traveling. Sleep helps keep your immune system strong and prevent any illnesses. Lack of sleep hinders your body’s ability to produce infection-fighting cells, increasing risk of illness.

Avoid junk food. Try to avoid foods high in refined carbs or added sugars. A candy bar or chocolate chip cookie may be tempting, but can also lead to glucose spikes.

Exercise. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, use the bathroom farthest from you on the plane, do an extra lap before heading to your gate or at a rest stop. And while in the destination, walk, ride a bike, swim—do something active every day.

Avoid risky foods and beverages. When you're traveling, it's important to be cautious about what you eat and drink. Avoid tap water and ice cubes made with tap water. Stick to bottled water, and only drink beverages that have been sealed. Be careful with raw fruits and vegetables, as they may have been washed in contaminated water.

Be prepared for emergencies. No matter how well you plan, there's always a chance you could get sick while traveling. Be sure to have travel insurance in case you need to see a doctor or be hospitalized while on vacation.

Plan right NOW to be part of YMCA Alumni’s Reunion at Sea aboard the fabulous Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas Jan. 26-Feb.2, 2025 for a 7-night cruise into the beautiful Western Caribbean. We’ll sail from the brand new and stunning Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal in Galveston, Texas with port stops in Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel. The Harmony of the Seas set a new standard with deck-defying stunts at the AquaTheater, the robot-helmed Bionic Bar, dazzling Broadway performances and globetrotting dining experiences that go from Asia to the Mediterranean, and beyond. 

All this plus reconnecting with friends and former colleagues at special YMCA Alumni ship-board workshops, speakers, events and fun. Great prices, too, on all staterooms now. The reunion is hosted by the West Region YMCA Alumni Chapters and chaired by Carmelita Gallo, YMCA Alumni Vice President/West. We understand it seems a long way off, but if you want to be sure of a stateroom of your choice at today's pricing, don't wait. You may cancel if necessary up until October 2024.

GOING PLACES is written, edited and produced by

craig altschul + associates (ca+a).

Next issue of GOING PLACES: July 15, 2023