Congress is considering an extension on the passport deadline that would require U.S. cruise passengers to carry passports:

Passport Law Could Strain Border Ties

SmarterTravel announced its Top 10 Luxury Hotels list today. These are the hotels that SmarterTravel editors deem splurge-worthy:

Forte Village (Sardinia) (pictured)

Ladera Resort (St. Lucia)

Mount Washington Hotel (Bretton Woods, NH)

Hotel Secreto (Isla Mujeres, Mexico)

New York Palace Hotel (New York, NY)

Casa Santo Domingo (Antigua)

Wentworth By the Sea (New Castle, NH)

Four Seasons Resort Nevis (West Indies)

Prince of Wales (Ontario)

Cheeca Lodge (Florida Keys)

While the hotels on the list are no doubt gorgeous and splurge-worthy, this list of hotels and resorts picked from “around the globe” doesn’t mention any properties outside North America. Just a head’s up.

Perhaps you’re jonesing for some of that French rap you heard in gay Paris or the Afro-Peruvian beats you soaked in on Peru’s coast. Hey, you may get back there someday to hear your favorite international music genres in person, but in the mean time, check out National Geographic’s World Music department. You can listen to a bajillion genres you’ve never even heard of, listen to and download your favorites. And there are free downloads offered each week. Cool beans.

I learned of this new development via World Hum. Must give credit where credit is due.

American Airlines has announced a fall fare sale for destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean (right in time for hurricane season, natch). To snag the fare deals, you’ve got to buy your ticket by Aug. 16, 2006 and travel by Dec. 13.

AAdvantage members can book roundtrip tickets from the U.S. to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean for 25,000 miles. Not bad.

American Airline’s Mexico & Caribbean Fare Sale

The AAA is warning would-be travelers abroad not to fall prey to international driver’s permit scams, which can result in fake licenses for as much as $350. Why would you want to fork over a hunk of change when a real international driver’s permit costs only $10?

All you need to get your international driving permit is your U.S. license, $10 and two original passport-size photos (or let them take ‘em for you at the AAA office). You can apply for your permit in person or by mail.

The permits are valid - as long as you have your U.S. license to show alongside the international permit - in 150 countries for up to one year. They also have your information printed in 11 different languages - helpful if you’re traveling outside English-speaking countries.

AAA International Driving Permit

Budget Travel highlights InterContinental Hotels’ program for travelers in the throes of wedding planning. The Honeymoons On Us program offers free nights at 28 of its North American hotels to newlyweds who hold their wedding reception at an InterContinental property. The number of nights you’re entitled to depends on how much you spend on your reception. According to BT, spending $15,000 translates into 3 nights, while $25,000 nets honeymooners seven nights.

Honeymoon Help

Book a flight and hotel package for at least six nights in Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii or Mexico through Travelocity, and you can save $200 through the Great Getaway Sale promo. Book by July 27, 2006 for travel before Jan. 7, 2007 and enter the promo code GREAT200 at check-out to receive the discount. It’s pretty cool that the deal is valid for travel over Christmas and New Year’s…

Travelocity Great Getaway Sale

You’ve been known to jump out of planes, scale cliffs and brave rapids. Some might call you an adrenaline junkie. You wish your middle name was danger. Expedia’s got the deals for you. Click the link below for 10 daredevil adventures from swimming with sharks in Nassau to skydiving in Vegas. Not for the faint of heart.

10 Daredevil Adventures

Okay, unless you’re going to Hawaii, Marriott’s Stay For Breakfast summer promo isn’t being offered in the U.S., but it is good for Marriott hotels in the UK, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa. Here’s the deal: Book a two-night stay at a participating Marriott, JW Marriott or Renaissance hotel with your Visa card between May and September, have breakfast at the hotel, and you’ll receive a $100 pounds, Euro, etc., toward a future stay. The deal is also good for Marriott Courtyards, but you’ll only get $50. There are some pesky restrictions, but regular Marriott guests should take note.

Marriott Stay For Breakfast promotion

Ever wonder what getting a tattoo looks like up close? Now ya know. Taken from TravelPoster Travelling_Kat’s blog post Saints and Signs in San Cris.