Friday, March 23, 2007

Traveling with Pet

Something which I received through my email. I find this quite useful tips especially if you will be traveling with your pet.

Pets have special needs when they travel, so planning ahead is essential. This advice can help you make sure your pet is prepared to travel long distances locally.

Taking your pet on a holiday


Your pet should be wearing a collar with its name and your contact number on it. In Australia we use the microchip system, which is highly effective and recommended. Recently laws have changed and it is illegal to have unchipped animals. If your dog is returned to the rspca or to the local vet, they can scan the microchip and find your contact details. This is really important as your pet may become disorientated or panic and run away or get lost.

Car Sickness

In particular if your pet is a kitten or a puppy they won’t have traveled in a car before so its a good idea to get them used to the feeling. To do this take them for short rides. Use this experience to familiarize them with where they sit in the car. If your dog or cat is particularly anxious in the car bring there bed or basket so that they can settle down in there own space in the car.

Some people prefer to use carriers for there pets especially on long drives, put something of your pets inside the carrier to reinforce that traveling is a postive experience. Sometimes using a small treat to get them comfortable in the carrier can be helpful. Don’t feed your pet right before leaving. Feed the night before as this will mean your pets stomach is settled. If you travel with your pet regularly and they have persistent carsickness your vet might prescribe motion sickness medication. To combat motion sickness and travel fatigue in your pet remember to give them frequent stops at parks so they can walk around go to the toilet.

At these stops it is better to walk your pet on a lead as they might be disorientated and run off. If you are intending to take your pet on a long plane journey and know it is very anxious then you may be able to speak to your vet about having a tranquilizer prescribed.

Packing for your pets holiday

Before leaving home you need to pack some practical things like a water dish, feed dish, plastic bags, a lead and your pets favorite blanket or perhaps a favorite toy to make the journey a lot more comfortable. If you pet requires any medication remember to carry this. If your move is permanent you can arrange to get a copy of your pets records from your vet so that you can give these to the vet in your new area.

Search for pet friendly accommodation

If you are going on a long journey use the internet to search for pet friendly hotels or camping along the way. This is also a good reason to have your pets health documentation with you, as campgrounds, hotels or kennels will need to see these before they allow your pet to stay.

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Taking The Family On Holidays

Avid travelers are full of wanderlust and refuse to give up their love for exploring the world, even when busy raising a family. And why should they? Traveling with children can be a joy and taking the family on holidays near and far can produce a lifetime of unforgettable memories.

It’s true, however, that enjoying a vacation with kids is a bit different than an all-adult excursion. That’s not necessarily a bad thing! Traveling with children requires a bit more thought and you may be slightly restricted as to your choice of destination. But all the other perks of introducing your children to different world cultures far outweigh the sacrifices you may need to make until they grow up and you can venture off on your own once again.

Finding the Best Fit for Your Family

Where you choose to take your family on holiday can depend on lots of factors including your preference of activities, like sightseeing, sporting/active pursuits, cultural opportunities, and so forth. Begin your search for a good holiday destination by considering the things you’d like to do while you’re away from home. These may be activities you enjoy on a regular basis or things you rarely get to do except when you’re on vacation. Are you:

An adventurous family? If so, choose a destination where you can participate in fun and daring activities like trekking, climbing, diving, jet boating, and camping under the stars. (Provided the age of your children can support these activities.) You may be just the right family for an African safari or a trip to South America’s Andes Mountains. Closer to home, your family may be ideal for a camping trip through the National Parks or a whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River.

An artsy, cultural family? If so, select a vacation destination that can provide your fill of cultural activities. Big cities are always ideal, because you can usually find plenty of museums, theaters, concert venues, and such. Try one of the great cities of North America, like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto, or Vancouver. Or, if you prefer, choose a wonderful, historic European city, like London, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Moscow, Barcelona, or Budapest. All have something a little different to offer.

A fun-loving family? If so, you’ll want to travel to a destination where your family can play together from morning ‘til night. Maybe you enjoy amusement and water parks, taking in a local major league sporting event, playing volleyball on the beach, tobogganing through the snow, or taking part in fun and unique local festivals. There are a number of wonderful places for fun-seeking families to visit including resorts like Walt Disney World or the other Disney properties, the wacky beaches of Southern California, or even a quaint ski village in the Alps. The beauty of being a fun-loving family is that you can probably turn just about any vacation into a rollicking good time for all!

Age-Appropriate Holidays

The ages of your kids will help determine where you head for your next holiday. Teenagers can do just about anything….but will they? Be sure you allow your fickle teenager to be a part of the planning so that when you arrive at your destination, they’ll be looking forward to participating in the activities they’ve read about during the planning process. Be ready to compromise. Your teen’s first choice may not be yours, but perhaps you can find a destination that has a little something for both of you.

Traveling with elementary school-aged children can be a treat! Unlike their teen counterparts, they’re excited about everything, eager to learn, and willing to try new things. Kids from about age 7 to 12 are the easiest with whom to travel as they’ll make the most of their new adventures.

Trips with babies and toddlers can be challenging. There’s so much to plan before you depart and it often seems as if you need to carry the entire house with you on your trip. Remember, unless you’re going to a third-world country, you can buy diapers and other essentials when you reach your destination. Pack lightly and choose a simple destination, like a beach, where you can enjoy fun in the sun. All-inclusive resorts, found in places like the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, often have special programs for toddlers and also offer certified in-room babysitting services so that parents can enjoy a dinner or evening alone.

Remember not to push your kids too far. Little ones have a limit. So do teenagers. When you’re tempted to do just one more museum or spend just a half-hour more in the sun, consult your kid. If they’ve already said they’re tired or hot or cold, call it a day. Your trip will run much more smoothly when your children are happy.

Food

While domestic travel rarely presents a problem when it comes to food – even for the pickiest of eaters – international destinations where the food is “foreign” can be a real challenge for parents traveling with children.

Even the well-traveled child has likes and dislikes and you can’t expect your child to go without a meal. That’s why it’s always best to bring along a few staples just in case. Peanut butter is always a good bet, as is cereal, especially the small boxes that fit easily in your suitcase. Crackers work well, too. Any of those foods can be eaten at any meal and their familiarity will provide comfort to a child who’s overwhelmed by the foreign-ness of the food on the table in front of them.

Also be sure that the food and water your child is consuming is safe. Kids are more prone than adults to intestinal disorders caused by impure water and other food-related concerns. There’s nothing worse than a sick kid in a foreign country!

Plan Well

Truly, good planning can be the difference between a good holiday and a disastrous one. When you’re traveling with adults, it’s okay to leave things to chance, like a hotel reservation or a train ticket. With a family, however, the more complete your plans, the better.

That doesn’t mean, of course, that you need to schedule every minute of every day. Kids are spontaneous and just when you think an activity or attraction might consume 15 minutes of your time, your children may love it and you may wind up spending an hour or two at that particular task. Go with the flow and let your children take the lead. Thanks to them, you may discover things you’d have never found on your own!

About the Author: David Beart is the owner of
www.professorshouse.com. Our site covers such topics as Family Holidays, relationships, home care and other household issues.

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Monday, March 12, 2007

Quick Tips For A Cheap Disney Vacation

As far as family vacations are concerned, there is no worthy competitor to the best theme park destination of all time. Disney World has drawn millions of people throughout its history, and its continued commitment to customer service and expansion insures that millions more will flock to this vacation wonderland. Planning a trip to Disney World is relatively easy with the wide array of online tools available, but finding the cheapest Disney vacation options requires a little more research. Here are some simple strategies to getting the best discounts on your Disney World trip.

Do all of your research before booking your vacation. The most common mistake made by first-time Disney vacationers is allowing the excitement of their trip to lead to impulse decisions. Most reservations involved with your vacation will require some sort of security deposit. Failing to investigate all of your available options could lead to unnecessary expenses. Unfortunately, if you do find a better deal, you will likely lose your deposit from the original reservation.

Create a comprehensive budget for your vacation. It is impossible to find the best deal for your family unless you know how much you have to spend. Estimate the costs associated with all aspects of your vacation. This includes obvious categories such as lodging and travel, but should also take into account expenses associated with park admission, rental cars, dinning, souvenirs, and fun money. Remember that all of these items typically cost about 30% more in the prime Disney tourist zones. You will become a better shopper once you have an understanding of your family’s needs and financial limitations.

Consider using a Disney vacation package, but beware of the fine print. Vacation packages are a great way to streamline the costs of a Disney World vacation. Disney offers a number of different options within their “Magic Your Way” packages. Each option offers different levels of inclusive costs, such as lodging, park tickets, and meals. While this can be a great alternative to the pay-as-you-go strategy, the items included with each package tend to have strict restrictions. Make sure you are able to use all the package benefits in the time you will visit Disney. Too many people waste their money by upgrading to packages with features they will never use. This is the trap that marketers hope you will fall into – leaving hundreds of unused dollars on the table.

Explore the many different options available outside of Disney World. The area surrounding Disney world is filled with great attractions and alternative lodging options. Becoming familiar with them will open up many avenues to saving money on your vacation. Consider spending two or three days directly on-site of the park and then transferring to a cheaper off-site hotel. This will not only save you money on lodging and dinning, but it will also add some new excitement to your vacation.

Planning ahead is the most crucial part of securing the cheapest Disney vacation. It is amazing how many people simply sign up for the first package offer they find on the internet. This is not to say that these families won’t have fun, but the smart shopper can greatly enhance their vacation with a little research. If you are unfamiliar with the resources available online, or simply don’t have the time to bargain shop; then visit disneyvacationspecials.com. Here you will find all of the information you need to make informed planning decisions for your Disney World Vacation.

About the Author: Xavier Gallery, with so many things to do and places to stay at Disney World, you are bound to need the help of an expert.
Disney Vacation Specials offers a comprehensive guide to saving money while maximizing your vacation at Disney World.

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Friday, March 09, 2007

How To Travel Safely With Young Children When You Rent A Car

Holidays are meant to be relaxing, but when you’re travelling abroad with young children and need to hire a car at the airport of your destination, you should take a few moments to read the following tips in order to guarantee a safe and comfortable journey.

The most important thing to bear in mind is to protect your children at any time inside and outside the car. Do not allow any exceptions just while you’re on holiday.

When you book your holiday car make sure to reserve a car seat in advance. Child seats are considered additional services which are offered locally, but most car hire companies do not guarantee availability of the appropriate safety seat if this service was not booked in advance. Remember that occasionally they may go quickly, especially when you’re travelling in the high season and/or school holidays.

If you travel with small babies (less than 6-8 months old) please make sure that the car hire company confirms the availability of the appropriate size for the height and weight of your baby. Many car rental companies buy child seats in bulk and offer one standard model which is generally suitable for children from 8 months to 4 years, but these seats are not adequate for babies which are not able to sit upright. If the car hire company cannot guarantee the availability of the type of child seat you require for safety reasons you should consider bringing your own restraint. There is no way of travelling safely with such small children without the appropriate car seat.

In many cases you will be responsible for installing the car seat yourself, a rent a car does not normally come with the child seat pre-installed. Most car hire companies will hand over the safety seat when you sign the car rental agreement at the airport counter. For this reason we strongly recommend to previously do some practicing at home mounting your safety seat in your own car. Most parents fit the child seat in their car only once and forget how it was done. It is very frustrating not to be able to figure out how to fit the child seat in the hire car, especially after a long journey with yelling children in a badly illuminated car park at some unknown airport.

Here are some other important tips to bear in mind when you’ve packed the car and are ready to leave the airport:

- under no circumstances should children be left in the hire car without adult supervision.

- do not install a child seat on the passenger side if it comes with an airbag or check with the car hire company how to turn the passenger airbag off.

- before driving away double check once again that the child seat is installed correctly. I case of doubts try to get advice from the local car hire supplier.

- for children under 12 years it is always safest to travel in the back seat of the car.

- modern vehicles come with child locks on the back doors. Always try to use these locks if they are fitted.

- do not store any loose items in the rental car as these may cause serious injury in case of accidents.

- keep your children out of the way of all airbags and keep toys and other objects from getting between your kids and an airbag.

- do not forget to check the child’s position throughout the journey.



Travelocity Offers Family Getaways From $478. See our list of featured family getaways!

About the Author: Rudi van der Zalm is the founder of one of Europe's most popular online car rental services who help travellers find low cost car hire in Malaga.

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Monday, March 05, 2007

Top 5 Attractions In Delhi

Located on the sprawling banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India, represents an intriguing blend of a myriad of ancient and the modern civilizations, reflected not only in its diverse cultural heritage and historical monuments but also in the present social structure and lifestyles. The city chronicles the history of the various civilizations and dynasties that flourished here for over 3000 years. Their legacy survives in the many ancient monuments left behind by their rulers, each a chronicle of the glory of its times and a reflection of the prevailing cultures. The remains of seven distinctive capital cities can be seen here.

Here is a pick of the top five tourist attractions in Delhi:

Qutub Minar

A mammoth minaret (238 feet tall) built from the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples during the years 1193–1369, commemorating the victory of Qutab-ud-din over the city's last Hindu kingdom, Qutub Minar is one of Delhi’s oldest monuments. Decorated with calligraphy representing verses from the Koran, it tapers from a 50-feet diameter at the base to just 8 feet at the top. The first three floors are built with red sandstone, and the upper two with white marble.

In the same complex stands a mysterious Iron Pillar, bearing fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions from the period of King Chandragupta II, that has intrigued scientists to no end because it has withstood centuries of climatic upheavals and remained rust-free till today. A popular legend says that if you can encircle it with your arms while standing with your back touching it, any wish will be fulfilled.

Red Fort

Popularly known as Lal Quila and built by Shah Jahan during the years1618–1647, Red Fort, with its massive sandstone walls and exquisite architecture, is the ultimate reminder of the sheer wealth, splendor and power of the Mughal Empire. There are many must-see places within the fort, resplendent with intricate decoration, with separate rooms and balconies for the womenfolk, swimming pools, and natural air conditioning. It also houses an Archaeological Museum.

Jantar Mantar

Built in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, this esoteric, awe-inspiring salmon-colored stone-and-brick structure is an observatory used by the king for measuring time and calculating the positions of the stars and planets, and for prediction of eclipses. It houses multiple buildings with unique architectural combinations of geometrical forms, each meant for a specialized purpose of astronomical measurement.

Purana Qila (Old Fort)

Believed to have been built on the ruins of the ancient original city of Delhi (Indraprastha, founded in 3rd or 4th century B.C.), by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah during the years 1538–1545, the Old Fort with its massive walls and three imposing gateways gives a fair idea of its lost grandeur. It houses a small octagonal red sandstone tower, used by King Humayun as a library, the Qila-i-Kuhran Mosque, and a small archaeological museum.

India Gate

Built in sandstone, India Gate is a war memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of Indian soldiers during World War I. The sheer grandeur of the architecture of the neighboring Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhawan must not be missed, either.

So, start planning your trip!

About the Author: By Gabriel Adams, find
Budget Hotels in Delhi at http://www.budget-hotels.biz/

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Saturday, March 03, 2007

How to get a really Cheap Business Class Airline Ticket

Being allowed to fly and stay at the front section of the plane is a dream come true for most flyers that only have an economy ticket. This is so because a regular business class ticket does not come out cheap, therefore flying will have to remain to be a dream until one can afford to purchase and avail of business class travel.

When you imagine yourself free from the crowded part of the economy class, you need not even have to worry about your face hitting the back of the seat in front of you when you lean down and fix your shoe laces or when the seatbelt sign is off. You certainly would wish you had not taken a cheap and small seat that allows you to have a single sitting position.

When you are pampered in an international flight with a deluxe service eating great gourmet meals and drinking sparkling wines you certainly are in the best hands. When you are suddenly granted access to the lounge, and savoring every minute on a comfortable seat without really spending big time on the airline ticket, then you are lucky!

Despite all the travel do you still eagerly harbor the question and hope of possibly getting a really cheap business class airline ticket; this could be your lucky day. Read on so you will know.

The first thing you need do to get really cheap business class airline ticket is to consider an all-business flight. An all-business flight is a combination of the economy class and the first-class flight. This type of flight service and accommodation is relatively new and gaining a fast popularity. It offers cheap airline tickets compared to regular business class tickets from other well-established carriers. However, it is important to note that some all-business flights are owned and controlled by large airline carriers who offer them at stiff prices. For other carriers, there is a cheap airline ticket alternative available that is offered for selected destinations with top amenities, yet they are limited.

Anther option one can possibly take is by flying off-beat. Off-bean means disregarding the giant flag carriers like American Airlines, United Airways, Delta, British, Continental, and other large airline carriers who could not offer you business value for your money. If your target is to get in to the business class seat with your cheap airline ticket, go instead for a non-American airline.

There are some airlines carried by other countries with several selections like Icelandair among others. If you are frequent flyer, try to invest on your future flights by looking for business class seats that will earn you enough mile points and avail of cheap airline tickets. But remember, in order for you to maximize these mile points, you have to use it wisely.

One last thing that will take you to business class seats with cheap airline ticket on hand is by joining the frequent flyer elite. Here, all you have to do is climb up to the elite status and avail of a cheap airline ticket on your next flight. Make sure that you will use this properly so that you can have the best savings possible.

The best way to get business class tickets at a really cheap price is within your reach. Learn these tricks and you will know what it feels like to fly business class at economy prices, that is quality service at a rice you can get.

About the Author: If you liked this article, you might also like my other must-read guide to getting cheap airline tickets. click here:
http://Airline-Ticket-Guide.useful-tips.com/ Article Written By: Jed Baguio

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