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Traveling with Pets

Article Submitted by Larry Janian of Life as a Pet

A furry pal makes an excellent travel companion. He never asks, ‘Are we there yet?’ His expectations are always met. And he never argues about which road to take to get where you’re going.

Traveling with a pet has other pluses. It can open the door to meeting new people — animals are a terrific conversation starter. With pet in tow, you’ll be more focused on the great outdoors, so your holiday will challenge you to approach a destination with a new perspective. Of course, not all resorts welcome Rover with open arms. If you’re planning a trip with your pet, don’t leave home without a copy of “Mobil ‘99: On the Road With Your Pet,” (Fodors, $15) a comprehensive guidebook that offers more than 4,400 destinations for travelers with dogs, cats and other pets. It’s smart to verify pet policies ahead of time, since they are subject to change.

Before you even consider jumping in the car with Fluffy, Andrea Arden, director of the Manhattan Dog Training and Behavior Center, offers these fail-safe tips for making your holiday a tail-wagging success:
* Is your pet is a good traveler? Taking a pet along is a responsibility, to the pet, as well as the public at large. The best candidates for a road trip are pets who are even-tempered, well behaved, sociable and in good health. If your pet is anxious, aggressive or easily stressed, best make other arrangements. Also, if your pet is less than 12 weeks old, they aren’t ready to hit the road just yet.
* Consider the weather. A trip through the Grand Canyon in summer will be unbearable for your animal. Choosing a different time of year would make all the difference.
* Be willing to devote time and attention to your pet. If your plans involve a lot of socializing, you may want to think twice about bringing Sparky along.
* Opt for pet-friendly destinations. Camping is a great choice for pet travel, as long as you know in advance if the site permits pets. Since your pet will be in unfamiliar territory, and there might be wild animals around — keep him on his leash while at the campsite.
* Be prepared to leave a deposit with the hotel/motel owner in case of any damages incurred by your animal companion. This is standard procedure — don’t take it personally.
* Train your pet for the trip. Hopefully he has a head start already, but be sure your pet can greet people, settle/calm down on command, get into a carrier or crate if necessary, walk on a leash, come when called and get down to their business without too much delay.

Always clean up after your pet — no exceptions. Avoid walking your dog in flower gardens, public areas, etc. Wipe his feet before coming inside. It’s a good idea to get a vet referral for your destination, in case of an emergency.

Who Will Take Your Pet if your traveling with a plane?
If you are considering flying with a pet, be sure you are familiar with the airline’s policies, which vary considerably. Choose direct or nonstop flights wherever possible and try to travel off peak, when you and your pet will get the attention you need. If your pet weighs in at 20 pounds or less, he can fly in the main cabin provided you use an approved soft-sided carrier, such as the Sherpa bag. You’ll need a health certificate from your vet before the airline will accept your pet as a passenger.

The Basics of Eco Tourism

Traveling and experiencing new cultures is quite possibly one of the most influential experiences in life. Ecotourism promotes discovery of new destinations while bridging the gap between traditional tourism and local culture. Reducing the social and environmental impact, ecotourism aims to preserve communities while allowing travelers to broaden their horizons. Ecotourism can include traveling to exotic places and volunteering your time for conservation or just incorporating sustainable practices into your travels. No matter how you go about it, being a responsible traveler is the backbone of ecotourism.

Start by researching several destinations and activities of interest. Consulting travel books and searching the web will allow you to make informed decisions before and during your adventure. When researching accommodations and tour guides seek out businesses that work to protect the environment and benefit the local community. Many of these companies are affiliated with Green Globe, an international ranking system for the travel and tourism industry. Once you have chosen your destination do your homework prior to arrival by learning several words and phrases in the native language of the area you are visiting. Also, consider taking time to research local customs and culture. Once you have arrived at your destination continue your sustainable practices by buying local products, hiring local guides, honoring customs, and avoiding purchase of items made from threatened or endangered animals. Incorporating these tips will ensure a unique experience and prevent leaving a negative mark on the environment or culture. Remember when executed properly, ecotourism will boost local economy while continuing to protect the natural environment.

Traveling in the spirit of humility and having a genuine desire to experience new cultures can be an inspiring and life altering experience. No matter who you are, a truly successful trip will change the way in which you see the world

Get Travel Codes and Save Money on Travel

Travel codes or promotional codes can help you save hundreds sometimes even thousands of dollars on travel. A travel code is a number or a combination of letters and numbers you input into a booking site like Expedia.com upon checkout. Sometimes they give you a percentage off your total other times they provide special incentives like hotel room upgrades. It works just like a coupon except it is done online instead of at a physical store. Students and other special groups have more options for obtaining these type of savings. Some schools for examples make travel codes available to their students and alumni on school websites. Even charities like animal groups for example make use of travel codes to reward donors and volunteers.

Everyone else can take advantage of travel codes with a little homework. Coupon sites like CouponCabin.com list promo codes for travel as a service to their visitors. CouponCabin.com also offers printable coupons you can take on your trip to save on dining. Large sites such as entertainment sites like Entertainment Magazine sometimes offer special deals to their visitors as well. They can do this because travel companies provide them with exclusive deals to enhance their websites. So it pays to surf the net and watch out for special travel deals.

You can save on all types of travel. Everything like airfare, car rental, hotel, dining and even ferry rides. You don’t have to hunt for travel codes if you don’t want to. These codes can be obtained at booking sites like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com too. Just read the terms and conditions to find out if your travel need qualifies for a discount. Also keep in mind you could get a better deal at another site even if it does not offer a coupon code for the particular service you are seeking. Certainly, it pays to shop around.

Exotic Caribbean Destinations

For a special getaway, a trip to the Caribbean offers an exotic escape to an array of volcanic islands. While almost all boast sandy white beaches set against turquoise water, some of these tropical isles offer even more tantalizing, unforgettable features.

Martinique
Topped by the smoldering Mont Pelee volcano, Martinique is one of the isles of the Caribbean that transports visitors from hum-drum everyday life. Adorned in a breathtaking display of colorful flowers such as hibiscus and frangipani, it’s no wonder this island of flowers becomes a once in a lifetime memory. While it offers all the usual array of outdoor activities, it also offers a chance at relaxation. Known for its rum production, Martinique tempts visitors with tantalizing drinks as they sit and enjoy the sunsets. Because it is still part of an active volcano, many visitors are also able to experience the grey ash falls, something special to remember.

St. Lucia
This tiny island has a host of natural sights that range from coral reefs to gorgeous cliffs. In addition, it offers a wondrous look into a rain forest where visitors may view wild orchids, natural ferns, and birds of paradise. St. Lucia boasts the Soufriere volcano, a one of a kind in that visitors may drive into it. What makes this island even more special is the fact that it is one of the less publicized Caribbean Islands, making it an undiscovered treasure. St. Lucia is also known for its international jazz festivals.

Curacao
Offering some of the best diving in the world, Curacao is surrounded by crystal clear water with excellent visibility. For those who are not into diving, the experience of seeing tropical fish from a boat is also a breathtaking experience. In addition, the island hosts an array of painters and artists who thrive in the sunny island’s friendly environment.