Friday, February 23, 2007

Pet Friendly Hotels

It was not too long ago that it was nearly impossible to travel
with your pet. No matter what type of pet it was, cat, dog, or
another type of pet, they were absolutely not tolerated in
hotels, at least not the upscale, more trendy hotels. If you
were traveling with your pet, it meant that you generally only
had the choice of low budget, less trendy hotels. Things are
definitely changing for the better.

Hotel chains are beginning to realize that for most pet owners,
their pets are a big part of their family. This means that it is
very rare for a pet owner to travel without heir pet. Take a
look around you, at celebrities, and other people. You will see
that more often than not, their pets go with them everywhere
they go, this includes on vacation.

Hotels are seeing this and stepping up to the tasks. Many hotel
chains now not only accept pets, but also have several amenities
geared directly towards pets. For instance, if you are out and
about at meetings or functions, the hotel may have someone to
watch your pet for you until you return.

For busy people, the hotel may also provide a service for
walking your pet or taking them for exercises. If that was not
enough several of the more trendy and upscale hotel chains offer
even more for your pet. For example, you may find the hotel
offers a pet spa, in which your pet can enjoy pampering and
relaxation during their vacation as well. Your pet can enjoy all
the same amenities that you do in some of the more popular hotel
chains.

Can you imagine the time has finally come when pets are
considered a very important member of the family? Your pet may
have their own bed; turn down service, or even their very own
robe. The hotel may even provide water and food dishes for your
pet or even an ID tag that lists the contact information of the
hotel you are staying at, in case your pet were to become lost.

Gone are the days of having to choose only seedy or low budget
hotels, just because you are traveling with your beloved pet.
Today, pets are welcomed at most hotels across the world.

About the author:
Article written by Mark Hammond of National HotelsArticle
written by Mark Hammond of National Hotels href="http://www.nationalhotels.co.uk"
title="http://www.nationalhotels.co.uk"
target="_blank">http://www.nationalhotels.co.uk UK Hotel
Finder and Travel Resource.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Would You Move to Mexico With Your Kids?

Would You Move to Mexico With Your Kids?

How does moving your kids to a foreign country effect them?


Those are very good questions. Why would you want to sell
everything and move to Mexico (or any different country) with
your kids? My husband and I thought long and hard about that
question because we knew it would effect the rest of their lives.

It was not like we didn't have a choice; it was not an employer
requesting our move. There was no major reason, no urgency ...
only our desire.

Basically, we just wanted to do it! We actually felt the need to
show our children a different country, a different way to live
and a different culture. Plus, we are adventurers at heart. All
that being said, what would life be like for our kids?

In case you are considering moving to another country with your
kids, here is what we have found after almost five years of
living in Mexico, and we live with the results of our choice
every day.

We made the move from Canada to Mexico when our son was eight
and our daughter was eleven. Our son was very laid back and
loved the idea of moving to a place with palm trees. Our
daughter was horrified. After all, at age 11, she had friends
and a life.

It wasn't at all easy, as there were language barriers, new
schools, and new ways of thinking for all of us in our newly
adopted country. We have however, managed to get through it all
thus far and learned a lot in the process. Now our son is 13 and
our daughter is almost 16 and, as we suspected, their lives are
permanently altered. My husband and I like what we see though.
The kids now have a second language and a real understanding of
cultural difference and different ways of life. They don't see
one as being better than another, just different. That kind of
view has got to be good for the world.

They adapt to different situations without a lot of stress. They
are free thinkers; they question a lot and take very little at
face value. The downside is that they sometimes question their
parents' statements and challenge many of the beliefs we carry.
Our son now considers himself Mexican and has asked to school in
Canada for a year in grade ten. He tells us it will help him
understand the world better! We did not anticipate that - but he
was only eight when we moved and most of his memories are now of
Mexico.

Our daughter threw us a curve ball; she wants to continue her
university education here in Mexico. I didn't expect that. I
guess I just figured they would go back to Canada for university
or maybe somewhere else in the world to continue an exploration
on their own. But she wants to perfect her Spanish and pursue
teaching and possibly translation work. She also wants to
perfect her English skills by whatever means so that it benefits
her teaching and translation skills, and so that she can be a
writer as well. At this point she considers her home to be
Mexico.

Would I do it again? Things or situations crop up and I actually
ask that question - but the answer always come back to yes, I
would do it again.

Suzanne Marie Bandick is a life coach and the author of an
exciting ebook called "Only in Mexico, You Say? The Humorous
Side of Living in Mexico." To order or get further information
on living in Mexico, visit www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com

About the author:
Many people daydream about moving to a different country to find
a quieter life with fewer taxes, less stress and fewer rules.
The Bandick family did it! For the past five years, Suzanne
Bandick, husband Shawn and their children, now ages 14 and 16,
have been living their adventurous dream in Mexico. Suzanne is
an author and live your dreams life coach.

Friday, February 09, 2007

What to consider when looking to rent a RV

There are many things you should consider when renting a RV.
This will guide you through the decision making process.

When renting a RV from a provider, you are looking for
reliability, affordability and dependability to begin with. But
there are many other issues you will need to consider before
making the final decision on which rental service will meet your
needs entirely.

To start with, you will have to know exactly how long you are
going to want the motor home; this begins with planning where
exactly you would like to go. You will need to know this so you
can work out the distance you plan to travel, how many miles you
estimate you will do each day and therefore how long it will
take you to get to your destination and back. Once you have
worked out the minimum amount of time that you would require a
RV, you should then add on a few extra days. This is not only in
case of emergencies (for example, if you break down or extra
unplanned-for traffic slows you down and permits you from doing
your estimated number of miles that day) but also because you
may decide to stay in one certain place longer than you intended
or you may just want to relax and have no specific schedule that
day. If you add these extra days then you don't have to panic
about getting the RV back in time; this will also give you some
time to fully appreciate and explore your destinations.

When deciding on which RV rental company to go with, you will
first need to consider which sort of rentable motor home you
would need and then decide on a provider, who can give you the
best deal on this kind. Most people go with a Class C RV but
there are many other varieties available; for example, Class B
motor homes, which tend to be smaller, or a larger version
(Class A) may be what you call for. After you have picked the
style of RV you want, then you should go to each rental company
and compare prices, quality and features. Then you should build
a shortlist of the best companies and judge them on the other
issues that are mentioned below.

There are many other factors that you should really consider
besides the price and quality. For example, you may need to tow
a car for a day trip, or bring along a pet that you can't leave
behind; many companies will not be able to fulfil these
requirements. You will also need to know how expensive the fuel
will be and how many miles you get per gallon. It would also to
wise to check if you have to buy insurance or if that's covered
in the price. While on the subject of insurance, if the company
provides that for you, you should also identify what exactly is
covered in the insurance and how much the deductible is. You
must also be aware of what the deposit for the RV is and what
the deposit return policy is if for some reason you can't go
ahead with your trip. If your trip will be during the summer, it
would be a good idea to find out about air conditioning, and
similarly find out about the heating if you plan to go during
the winter. You will probably also require a generator for
electronic devices, such as a television, stereo or DVD player,
you should ask about the availability of these as well. You
should also check exactly what is included in the price, for
example, you may have to rent the generator and electrical
products separately.

About the author:
Michael Saville has written more articles on Recreational
Vehicles. These can be found at
http://www.recreational-vehicle.biz . The site provides
information and advice for people looking to rent or buy an RV
as well as for experienced owners in this increasingly popular
activity.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Tips for Traveling with the Tots

While many parents avoid traveling with young children, a bit of
preparation can ensure a successful family vacation. By making a
checklist of all your necessities and planning for any
difficulties, you and your family can enjoy your vacation
instead of worrying about what could go wrong. Here is a list of
travel tips to help you prepare for your family vacation. By
following some of these suggestions, you and your family will
always remember your family vacation for all the right reasons.

You certainly can't expect your children to be perfect,
so set some reasonable expectations for your family vacation.
Perhaps one of the best ways to keep your children interested
throughout your family vacation is to involve them in the
planning process. Your children will be excited to have a hand
in the itinerary and will learn about the destination before you
depart. Once you arrive, you can be confident that your kids
won't complain about the chosen activities.


Regarding air travel, you might want to try securing seats in
the front row of the aircraft. The front row of seats will grant
your family some extra space and privacy, which are especially
helpful if traveling with infants or toddlers. Your children
should also be able to wander with more ease at the front of the
cabin, but ask the flight attendant if you aren't sure what is
acceptable.

While non-stop flights are recommended
by many for family travel, a break can sometimes be useful. If
your family is traveling to the Caribbean, an hour or two in an
airport can take some of the edge off a long day. Not only will
your children be able to walk around and stretch, you can also
stock up on snacks and any items you may have forgotten.

If you are traveling with older children, you might want to
consider an early morning flight to prevent any delays. When
flying with infants and younger children, many families prefer
late night flights as they correspond with the child's natural
sleep schedule.

When traveling to the Caribbean
or any other international location, pack all the medicines your
children might need - both prescription and over-the-counter
varieties. As many countries have different medicines than the
U.S. and packaging may be considerably different, don't take any
chances. Check the carry-on restrictions and pack whatever you
can in your carry-on baggage. It is also a good idea to pack a
change of clothes, a blanket and a pillow for your young ones to
ensure that they are comfortable on the airplane.


One of the greatest difficulties of family travel is the
transport of large items like strollers and playpens. Before you
leave for your trip, contact the concierge of your Caribbean
resort regarding the availability of cribs, strollers, car seats
or anything else your baby might need. If your hotel is unable
to acquire any of these vacation essentials, there are a few
international organizations that arrange delivery of such rental
items.

Organize a selection of toys like dolls,
stuffed animals and books in one of your carry-on bags. To
prevent any unnecessary embarrassment, try to avoid packing
noise-making toys or those with small parts - like model kits,
building blocks or board games. Portable DVD players and CD
players can also keep your children occupied and entertained. It
is also a good idea to pack some healthy snacks for your
children, as it is often difficult to please with airline food.

Your preparation should also include planning for
unforeseen events, such as someone getting lost or sick. By
planning all the small details - down to what type of trail mix
to eat on the airplane - and more serious issues affecting your
itinerary before you travel, you and your family won't have to
spend your family vacation worrying. You will simply enjoy every
minute of it.

About the author:
This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select
pieces about travel in the Caribbean and Mexico for the href="http://www.paradisebymarriott.com"
target="_blank">Paradise by Marriott