October 4–10, 2026

Felder Travel Weekly

A quick roundup of travel ideas, timely information, and practical tips to help you travel smarter.

Featured Deal

Last-Minute Getaway to Cancun: 3-night all-inclusive escape with nonstop air from Chicago, October 12 to 15, 2026, $1,167 total for two

Last-Minute Cancun Getaway

3-Night All-Inclusive Escape + Nonstop Air

$1,167 Total for Two

$583.50 per person, including taxes and fees

Dates:: October 12–15, 2026 (3 nights, 2 adults)
Route:: Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Cancun (CUN)
Flights:: Round-trip nonstop Frontier Airlines
Resort:: Viva Maya by Wyndham All Inclusive, Superior Room

Round-trip nonstop airfare from Chicago O’Hare to Cancun
3 nights at Viva Maya by Wyndham All Inclusive
Superior Room
All-inclusive meals, drinks, and resort amenities
Shared round-trip airport transfers
Free Wi-Fi
Taxes and fees included

Frontier carry-on and checked baggage fees may apply.

The resort lobby is undergoing renovation through October 20, 2026. Reception services are temporarily relocated during this period.

Pricing and availability are subject to change until payment is received.

Cherry blossoms over a calm pond with a wooden boat and a pagoda on a wooded hill in a Japanese garden

Travel Inspiration

The Art of Japanese Gardens

In Japan, a garden isn't simply something beautiful to look at. Every stone, bridge, pond, pathway, and carefully shaped tree can be part of a larger composition designed to slow you down and draw your attention to the landscape.

From the celebrated temple gardens of Kyoto to peaceful landscapes tucked into Japan's cities and countryside, these spaces reflect centuries of tradition, artistry, and a deep appreciation for the changing seasons.

Autumn brings brilliant color to many of Japan's gardens, while spring transforms them again with blossoms and fresh greenery. For travelers interested in culture, photography, architecture, or simply finding a quieter side of Japan, the country's gardens can become some of the most memorable stops of the journey.

Explore the Art of Japanese Gardens

Worth Knowing

Europe's New Border System Is Here, But ETIAS Isn't

Travelers headed to Europe may be hearing two acronyms more frequently: EES and ETIAS. They are not the same thing.

Europe's Entry/Exit System, or EES, is operating and electronically records information about non-EU travelers entering and leaving participating European countries, including biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints.

ETIAS, Europe's upcoming travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, including Americans, is different. ETIAS is not currently operational, and applications are not yet being accepted.

Felder Travel Tip: Be cautious of websites claiming they can obtain an ETIAS for you before the official system opens. When ETIAS becomes operational, we'll cover it here.

Passport & Visa Watch

Passport Processing Times Have Improved

Verified as of: October 4, 2026

Current U.S. passport processing times are substantially shorter than the lengthy waits travelers experienced in recent years.

Service	Processing	Standard Return Delivery	Faster Return Option
Routine	4–6 weeks	Up to 2 weeks	1–3 days*
Expedited (+$60)	2–3 weeks	Up to 2 weeks	1–3 days*

Routine

Processing:: 4–6 weeks
Standard return delivery:: Up to 2 weeks
Faster return delivery after issuance:: 1–3 days*

Expedited (+$60)

Processing:: 2–3 weeks
Standard return delivery:: Up to 2 weeks
Faster return delivery after issuance:: 1–3 days*

Before processing: Allow up to 2 additional weeks for your mailed application to reach the passport agency.

*1–3 day return delivery only speeds delivery AFTER your passport has been processed and issued. It does not expedite passport processing.

Plan for the Total Time:

Routine: 4–6 weeks processing + mailing

Expedited: 2–3 weeks processing + mailing

Felder Travel Tip: Don't count backward from your departure date using processing time alone. Build mailing time into your passport-renewal plans, too.

A Special Reminder for Cruisers

Verified as of: October 4, 2026

Don't assume that because your cruise leaves from the United States, you don't need to think about your passport.

Document requirements can depend on the entire itinerary, including the countries your ship visits and countries through which you travel.

Even when a passport isn't technically required for a particular closed-loop cruise, carrying a valid passport book can make an enormous difference if an emergency requires you to fly home from another country.

Felder Travel Reminder: Check your passport now rather than the week before your trip. Also verify that the name on your reservation matches your travel documents or that you have the appropriate official documentation establishing a legal name change.

Travel requirements can change without notice. Information above was verified as of October 4, 2026. Passport, visa, entry, and transit requirements may vary based on citizenship, itinerary, and individual circumstances. Travelers should verify current requirements before departure.

Travel Tip

When Weather Changes the Cruise, Not the Vacation

Recent Pacific hurricanes have forced cruise lines to modify Mexican Riviera itineraries, including canceled ports and substitute stops.

Cruise itineraries can change before departure or even while a ship is underway because of weather, port conditions, or other operational concerns.

Felder Travel Tip: In the days before your cruise, monitor messages from your cruise line and make sure your contact information is current. If a particular port is especially important to you, remember that no cruise itinerary can guarantee that every scheduled port will ultimately be visited.

Coming Soon

A New Way to Stay Connected While Traveling

Felder Travel is working on another travel resource designed to make staying connected abroad easier. We'll share the details as soon as everything is ready.

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Ready to Go Somewhere Amazing?

Whether you're planning a cruise, a resort stay, or something completely different, Felder Travel can help you sort through the options and build the trip that fits you.

Prefer to talk? Call 803-574-1398.