Pet Owner's World 2008 - (Page 5) The local Visitors Bureau is an excellent resource for uncovering local attractions, events and restaurants if you are seeking a new adventure in your hometown. If you opt for a weekend getaway, Visitors Bureaus can provide information on lodging options as well. Better yet, you will likely find fact-filled brochures, maps and even coupons and discounted pricing on local entertainment, events and eateries. When you begin planning your trip, contact the Convention & Visitor’s Bureaus in the cities closest to you about discount coupons and “CityPass” programs that can add value to every dollar you spend. The Great Outdoors Do you like to camp or commune with nature? Camping is an excellent weekend getaway that is fairly inexpensive. Just pack up your tent, sleeping bags and a cooler full of goodies, and off you go! Or, if you prefer, you can always rough it the easy way and find a cabin or lodge in a mountainous setting. Rent accommodations with a kitchen and shop for groceries to serve for breakfast and lunch. Then treat yourself to dinner out. It’s a great way to conserve your hard-earned cash. Travelocity also offers ideas for parents who would like to spend time outdoors with their children. “Our latest project is called Children in Nature.” Brown said. “This program gives many different recommendations for parents wanting to get their kids outside and away from the computer. If traveling to a national park isn’t feasible, you can always enjoy a nearby state park or local preserve.” For the novice camper, tips on making your camping trip a success can be found on many Internet sites or at your public library. On the ’net, just Google “camping tips” for comprehensive info for beginners and camping pros alike. What About Fido? Now that the suitcases are full and the car is packed for your mini-vacation, what do you do with your pets? If you can’t take them with you, the next best thing is to hire a professional pet sitter. Six reasons travelers hire professional pet sitters • Pets are happier and experience less stress at home. • Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted. • Travel trauma for both owner and pet is eliminated. • Pet’s exposure to illness is minimized. • Untrained or unwilling friends/family/neighbors need not be called. • In-home professional pet care provides added peace of mind. Where do I find a professional that I can trust? Pet Sitters International, the first international association for professional pet sitters, has more than 8,000 members who proudly believe in PSI’s principles: • Professional Excellence • Outstanding Service • High-Quality Standards Pet Sitter Locator To find a professional pet sitter in your area, simply visit the PSI Web site (www.petsit.com) and click on the Find A Pet Sitter icon. Then it is as simple as entering your ZIP code and clicking a button. If you wish to narrow your search, select the services you require and only pet sitters matching your requirements will be displayed. If you would like to learn more about Travelocity and the exciting trips it has to offer, please visit www.travelocity.com. with Travelocity’s Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor Q: What is the most popular vacation travel destination in the United States today? A: Two destinations consistently top the list – Las Vegas and Orlando. One’s a playground for adults, one’s a playground for the kids, but they both enjoy immense popularity regardless of the season. Q: What is the most popular international vacation destination? A: It varies by season, but Mexico and London are always near the top of the list. Q: What is the most economical vacation destination available today? A: Cruises are an excellent value and allow you to visit several destinations on one trip. For example, on a sevennight Western Caribbean cruise, you may visit Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico all on one sailing. The cruises can routinely be found for about $700 per person for an inside cabin – that’s $100 per person per night including your accommodations, food and transportation between ports. If the Caribbean doesn’t interest you, there are Mediterranean cruises that call on European ports, Alaska cruises that are full of wildlife viewing and pretty much everything in between. A Travel Q&A 2008 • Pet Owner’s WORLD http://www.petsit.com http://www.travelocity.com
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