Category: Pictures and Video

What You Need To Know About Europe’s New Entry/Exit System (EES)

by Anil Polat | Jan 22, 2026 | Pictures and Video, Travel | 0

Europe has been rolling out an Electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) over the past few months that will affect many travelers who have been used to visa-free visits. The EES is fairly straightforward and the more you know about it ahead of time, the smoother things will go for you. Still, there will be delays so here’s what you need to prepare for.

You should watch the video above and then read below.

European Union But Really Schengen

To understand the EES you need to have a solid grasp of what the Schengen Area is. I’ve written in detail about the Schengen but in short, when you visit one of the 29 European countries you are only crossing a single border (as far as your passport is concerned). Those of you who have visa-free travel to the Schengen Area (any of these nations, including the United States) can stay 90 days within every 180 days. That’s not for a single country but the entire area.

What The EES Is

With the EES, you’ll now have to register you fingerprints, photo, and scan your passport upon entering Europe. The kiosks may also ask your reasons for visiting the Schengen Area and once you’re approved (on the spot) you’ll continue on. There will no longer be passport stamps – everything is recorded digitally – and for most people, you won’t meet a passport control officer.

There’s nothing you have to do ahead of time but expect delays as everyone gets used to (or shocked because they didn’t know) about the new system.

What’s The About?

Your bio-metric data will be stored by the EES for 3 years so on any subsequent visits all you’ll have to do is scan your passport and either fingerprint or face. The data is stored within in the European Union and you can request a copy of the data they have of yours. Going through the EES is mandatory for all visitors and is aimed to bolster security while also preventing people from overstaying their visa-free allowance.

Ridge’s Tracker Card Is A Better AirTag For Your Wallet

by Anil Polat | Dec 11, 2025 | Pictures and Video, Security, Tech | 0

Apple’s AirTag is one of the best but subtle pieces of travel tech to come out from the past few years. AirTags let you track your luggage, purse, backpack with a breezy setup and forget it till you need it design. The problem with the little white puck is they aren’t shaped to fit what’s likely your most valuable pocket-able possession – a wallet.

Leave it up to Ridge, a slim wallet maker at its core to come up with the Ridge Tracker Card, an AirTag for you wallet.

Setup And Shape

The Tracker Card is a ever so slightly thicker than an average credit card, about the same weight, and has a plain black exterior with some Ridge branding on the front. Around the back there’s a very small “Find My by Apple” logo but this is a discrete tracker. There is a small pressure based button on the front for the initial set up, which works with Apple devices on the Find My network.

Ridge Wallet Tracker Card - Tile Slim Tracking Card Compatile...

Like An AirTag… But

The Tracker Card set up is much like an AirTag. You go in to the Find My app, add a new device, give it a name and optional emoji, then you’re done. Now you can see your Tracker Card on the Find My map. Like an AirTag, the Tracker Card is using any Apple device around it to ping its location and let you see where it is. This is a seamless process and you can basically forget about the Tracker card (until you have to wireless charge it every 5 months or so).

Worst Case Scenario

Automatically Find My will send you notifications when your Tracker Card isn’t near you any more. (Of course you need one of your Apple devices around to let you know.) That’s useful for a possible pick-pocketing situation or forgetting your wallet at the hotel. The alerts let you know something might be wrong and you can then pull up Find My map to see where your card is.

Once you’re within 10 meters (30 feet) you can set your Tracker Card to emit a beeping sound that can help you further locate it. Unfortunately, due to the lack of ultra-wide band capability like an AirTag, you won’t be able to see the precision location tracking arrow when you’re in close range. That’s a limitation of the physical slimness of the Tracker Card but it’s the closest, and best, AirTag alternative for your wallet.

Where To Stay In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Luxury Hotel Review

by Anil Polat | Oct 2, 2025 | Lodging, Pictures and Video | 0

Saudi Arabia boasts some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and the country is expanding its accommodation sector rapidly. The buildings though are going up before the prices reach them in the lower atmosphere. In particular, Jeddah, a main hub along Saudi Arabia’s western coast is where you can find luxury hotels for reasonable rates.

You can watch the full tour in the video above before reading the summary below.

Voco Jeddah Gate

Located in a barren part of Jeddah, just outside of the current downtown, the Voco Gate is the largest luxury hotel in town. Eventually the area around the Voco Gate will become the center of business and commerce in Jeddah though right now it is an absolute bargain. You can find rooms for $150 a night that include a kitchen, washer-dryer combo, spacious rooms, and an incredible breakfast buffet.

Amenities Everywhere

From the pools – yes, plural, – to the multiple outdoor hot tubs, large gym the Voco Gate is spacious. All of the aforementioned areas are open to everyone but in line with Saudi cultural norms, there are also optional women’s only gyms, hot tubs, and pool as well indoors with privacy. There’s also a central lounge serving coffee and mocktails, a separate wedding area with groom and bridge preparation areas, multiple conference rooms, and large party halls.

Breakfast Open

The breakfast buffet at the Voco Gate might be the largest I’ve ever seen and even if you’re not staying at the Voco Gate, you can purchase a pass to experience it. There is local and international food, several stations with cooks serving up a variety of dishes on demand and more varieties of bread than you knew existed.

Overall, I would expect the rates at the Voco Gate in Jeddah to go up as the area around the hotel expands but for now if you’re visiting, don’t miss the best accommodation deal in town.

Everything You Need To Know About Attending STLV: Las Vegas’ Star Trek Convention

by Anil Polat | Aug 28, 2025 | Lodging, Pictures and Video, Travel | 0

STLV Trek to Vegas is the world’s biggest Star Trek Convention on most years. It’s a sprawling event covering 5 days in Las Vegas and is a must-visit for any sci-fi fan (and certainly Trekkie). The scope of STLV, not to mention a trip to Las Vegas, means a lot of moving parts that can make it hard to wrap your head around what one actually does at a Star Trek convention.

You can watch the video above for your complete guide to STLV and read on for the highlights.

What Is STLV?

STLV one of the many fan conventions run by Creation Entertainment. It’s not a pure Star Trek convention (STLV does have guests and panels covering other fandoms) but is mostly about the show Gene Roddenberry created. STLV takes place every year in the early part of August and goes from Wednesday to Sunday at the Rio Hotel and Casino which has recently been acquired by Hyatt.

stlv trek to vegas vendors

Planning Your STLV

The first step is to sign up for a World of Hyatt rewards program account if you don’t already have one. You can earn and use Hyatt points for booking at the Rio, but you can’t claim points after a stay (unlike most airline mileage programs). You’ll want to book a room at the Rio – which is off the strip and makes staying a other properties much less convenient – at the very latest in mid-May to ensure you can find a room to meet your needs.

Once you’re at the hotel, you can sign up for a Rio Rewards card. That will not only let you earn points for any purchases at the hotel (minus your room) but Rio will send you free stay offers throughout the year. Using a Rio Rewards promotion you can often get at least one day of your booking before or after the convention for free.

The STLV tickets can be purchased as general admission or under a variety of tiers, each with perks of their own. For general admission, the busiest days are Saturday and Sunday so I recommend purchasing tickets at least a month in advance. Throughout the year around many United States Federal Holidays, Creation also runs sales on tickets. You can sign up through their website to get notified of any promotions.

Personally I like to get to Rio the Sunday before STLV, plan some side trips like Area 51, and leave the Tuesday after the convention. (There’s an unofficial Star Trek pool party on the Monday after STLV which helps with recuperating after the long weekend.)

What’s STLV Like?

STLV is like a Star Trek buffet, you can pick and choose how you want to make your plate. There are panel interviews with actors, crew, and writers who will take audience questions, a packed vendor’s room full of merch, science talks, concerts, and more all happening often at once. You’ll need to pick and choose in between all the events and any photo ops or autographs signings you have scheduled.

Photo ops are fun but if you want to interact a bit more with a given Trek personality, getting an autograph is the better way to go. You’ll pay for the autograph but many will take a selfie with you for free. Plus you get a few more moments to chat with the Trek actor, writer, or crew.

Money Saving Tips

An extra day before STLV gives you time to visit a nearby grocery store and buy snacks plus any alcohol you want. The Rio, like most Las Vegas resorts charges high markups for food and booze so going to a nearby grocery store can save you hundreds of dollars over an STLV. I’d also recommend bringing or buying a filtered water bottle so you can drink from the room faucet. The convention spaces all have free water available but having a bottle will cut down on waste.

Sale

Survimate 5-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Filtered Water Bottle,...

No Cosplay Needed

You don’t have to dress up but if you want to, there’s no limit to how creative you can get. At STLV you can be a different character every day but just be sure to wear good walking shoes. The steps down the long Rio hallways add up quickly and be sure to pop down to the Masquerade Bar in the evenings where most everyone at STLV passes through at some point to unwind.

For any Star Trek fan, STLV is a convention to visit at least once. Creation does run other regional ST-Conventions in other U.S. cities also worth considering but for the biggest show for the best show, there’s no place like STLV Trek to Vegas.

What You Need To Know About Turkey’s eSIM Ban

by Anil Polat | Jul 24, 2025 | Advice, Pictures and Video, Tech | 0

The Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) recently banned several popular eSIM providers. These changes could make it more difficult for you get mobile data in Turkey, so here’s what you need to know.

What This Ban Is

The Turkish government did not ban eSIM technology or all eSIM providers, just these 7, so far:

Airalo
Alosim
BNESIM
Holafly
Instabridge
Mobimatter
Saily

More may be added to this list but for now, you can still use any eSIM provider not listed if you’re already in Turkey.

Outside Of Turkey

You can still use the Turkish-banned eSIM providers if you purchase and activate your eSIM for Turkey before you enter the country. Purchase your eSIM while outside of Turkey, then activate it the day before you arrive in the country to maximize the time on your eSIM plan. You data plan will still work provided you activate your eSIM before entering Turkey.

Already In Turkey?

Other than using an eSIM provider not on the banned list, you can also use a reliable VPN to access the eSIM online shops. Purchasing has been confirmed and in most cases, activating your eSIM (assuming your VPN is on the entire time during the process) should also work. It may take longer than usual (e.g. 5 minutes) however. Still, if possible it’s best to purchase and activate outside of Turkey to be sure or use a non-banned eSIM for now.

The video above covers why the ban may be happening and what could be some of the next steps for the Turkish government and the eSIM providers.

What Really Works To Prevent Jet Lag

by Anil Polat | Jul 10, 2025 | Air, Pictures and Video | 0

Jet lag is undefeated but there are some steps you can take to reduce its effects, though not everyone will agree with this advice. I’ve taken notes for flights over a decade and tried to determine what works and doesn’t.

These are my best – and probably unpopular – jet lag prevention tips.

1. Start Strong

First, try to get your sleep schedule at home stable, at least a week before you fly. That means getting up and going to bed at roughly the same time every night and avoiding caffeine after noon and alcohol in the evening. You want to build a base of good sleep and rest.

The more tired and off schedule you are at home the more likely it is to take longer to recover from jet lag because your body has triple duty. It has to recover from the initial poor sleep and then adjust an already chaotic sleep schedule while simultaneously being asked to accept that it’s now sunny at 3am. That’s a lot for your body and just like it’s not a good idea to run a half marathon the day before you run a marathon, the more recovery time your body needs prior to skipping time zones, the longer everything is going to take.

2. Schedule Wisely

Try to schedule your flights for the evening or arrive in the morning based on your personal body clock. Morning people who are most alert during the day should try to schedule arrival times in the morning. The opposite for you night owls. You can use your body’s natural response to light and dark to trick your sleep cycle into adjust quicker to the local time.

3. Nap… Or Don’t

Don’t nap after 2pm and if you do, keep it to 20-40 minutes. There is a big caveat though, if you’re not someone who regularly naps don’t start when you’re jet lagged. You’ll likely oversleep and feel groggy but if there’s time, learn to nap now. Napping is a skill anyone can develop.

4. Compression And Run

Using a good pair like Nabee, I noticed I feel a lot better after a long flight. My feet and legs are less swollen and to better aid circulation (and get naturally more tired or awake) a good walk or run immediately after you’ve dropped your bags off at your destination is one of the most counterintuitive but effective things I’ve tried.

5. Avoid Airplane Food

Rather, bring your own snacks and try to be a little hungry when you land. The high sodium in airplane food can have you feeling more bloated upon arrival so stick to your own snacks and pack yourself a meal before heading to the airport.

You can watch the video above for the rest of my jet lag tips and let me know if you have any tricks of your own down in the comments.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More