By Ereh Winowitz
This summer season, millions of Americans will be hitting the roads to spend time with friends and family, vacationing in cities and national parks, and many will be bringing their companion animals with them. It turns out that more than 70 percent of us go on vacation or travel with our pets on a regular basis. And while pet-friendly hotels and a wide range of supplies make traveling with pets easier, it still requires planning.
Should I Bring My Pet?
While it’s tempting to want to bring your pet with you, some animals aren’t suited to travel. So before you bring your ‘best friend’ with you, go through the following checklist first:
Is traveling safe for my pet?
This means you have to make the call if your pet is fit enough to travel.
Is my pet used to traveling?
If your dog runs and hides when you open the car door, consider hiring a pet sitter and leaving him at home.
Will this trip be appropriate for my pet
Some destinations just are not pet-friendly.
After going through the questions, and you feel the trip will be good for your pet, or if the trip is a must because you are relocating, it’s important to plan and minimize the risk to your ‘best friend’.
Do Your Homework
If your pet’s only experience in a car has been a trip to the vet, you will want to acclimate him to riding in the car a few weeks before your trip. Start with short trips, such as 5 or 10 minute drives. When you get home from these short trips, don’t forget to give him a treat , then start lengthening the next trips.
Safety on the Road
We fasten our seatbelts, so why not our pets? It’s a must for you to restrain your pet as you travel. You do not need to always go with those metal travel crates, as there are other options nowadays that offer more comfort and mobility . Safety harnesses, which attach to any seatbelt, allow your animal to sit or stand comfortably, while safety gates, made either of metal or mesh, give him mobility in a restricted area. Sturdy, well ventilated crates are a must for smaller animals, such as cats, that normally don’t travel as much as dogs.
If you roll using one of those big RV’s, you do have more freedom and flexibility, but you still need to be aware of the basics. All objects, including food and medicine, should be properly stowed, and all closet and cabinet doors should be securely closed. To avoid injury to loose animals during sudden stops and turns, block off small areas with baby gates. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, you will need to stop every few hours for a pet pit stop. And always remember to put the leash on your pet before you open the vehicle’s doors.
Bring a Pet Travel Kit
Don’t forget to pack a separate bag for your animal. To avoid an upset stomach, take some of his favorite food, as well as a gallon of water because water characteristics change regionally. Cats can generally travel up to 10 hours without having to use a litterbox, but it never hurts to bring along a disposable litterbox for emergencies or overnight stops. You will also need to bring a pet first-aid kit and some extra towels, in case of accidents. Also bring a favorite toy or object that you feel will make your pet more relaxed as he travels to new surroundings. Keep a current health certificate for your pet handy during interstate travel, because many states require one.
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Backpacking The Challenge
By Alec Townsend
The concept of a backpacking and outdoor camping vacation sounds really great. You’ll be out and about in the backwoods sampling a taste of the wildlife and getting in contact with mother nature. Unfortunately, there is one factor a good number of people overlook when they contemplate trekking and camping holidays,they will have to take along all that equipment on their backs.
Unless you’re mindful, that can mean becoming fatigued and aching by the days end. You will need to think very hard before you begin adding only the items you really require.It’s important that you keep your camping gear down to the bare essentials on this type of camping venture. Exactly what do you need to take along on your backpacking and camping trip that is vital?
There is of course the backpacking tent, which should certainly be the most compact and lightest that you can manage, together with necessary items to secure your tent. One good example of a one man backpacking tent is the the Coleman Kraz X1 tent. It is the perfect tent for lightweight backpackers or cycling campers thanks to its light weight and compact pack sizeYou will certainly need a good sleeping bag, sufficient food, utensils, such as pan, plates, cups and cutlery,camping stove, clean water, clothes, toilet gear, first aid kit, compass, and last but not least a waterproof cover for your gear
All your camping equipment should be as compact and light as possible, the less weight you have to carry the better. The items mentioned are a must and although even at this stage it sounds a lot it is a bare minimum.Remember whatever you take needs to fit into your backpack.Your backpack needs to be up to the job and large enough to take all your gear comfortably. It needs to fit securely and be adjustable, you dont want it slipping around when you’re trekking up hills and down the dales.
Clothing too needs to be carefully selected, you don’t want to take the wardrobe but what you do take should be adequate for your needs. Several pairs of socks is always a good idea. You need to take care of your feet you don’t want blisters otherwise it may ruin your holiday adventure.When it comes to food, freeze dried is good as it is light and cooks easily, it costs a little more but doesn’t take up too much space. Ensure you always have a sufficent water supply, you may even want to find out in advance were you can stop to top up.
There are plenty of alternatives when it comes to a camp stove and cooking utensils, again small is good. Make sure you have fuel for the stove and a method of lighting it.Before leaving on any backpacking trip do a dry run, write a check list and make sure everything is packed properly. If you haven’t done any backpacking before you may want to do some regular walking over distance prior to setting out.
Once you’re out on your backpacking trip get into a routine when unpacking and repacking your backpack, you don’t want to forget anything, it could be frustrating to realise you have left something behind.
Don’t attempt to cover too much distance straight away.You’re not in race,set reasonable targets and take frequent breaks. In the event that you’re becoming weary, stop early and make camp, assuming there is suitable terrain.
This article was written by Alec Townsend Backpacking tents
Irish Holiday Guide
By Thomas Regan
Ireland is a small island located in Western Europe. It is divided into 32 counties, 26 of them are part of the Republic of Ireland and are governed by the Irish Government and the remaining 6 (Northern Ireland) are governed by the British Government. There are approximately 5 million people living on the Island. The unit of currency in the Republic is the Euro and the unit of currency in Northern Ireland is the British Pound. Both English and Irish are official languages. The weather is unpredictable but generally the winters are mild and the summers are cool.
The following counties are part of the Republic of Ireland.
Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
The following counties are part of Northern Ireland.
Antrim, Armagh, Derry (a.k.a Londonderry), Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Smoking is now illegal in the Republic of Ireland in restaurants and bars and any public area that does not have an open roof. Usually the pubs have a designated area outside where you can smoke.
Dublin is the capitol city and there is a thriving nightlife in the city centre, temple bar is a bustling cultural, residential and small business district. Comprising of 28 acres, this area is brimming with arts, culture and entertainment along with some of Dublin’s top restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels and shops.
Blarney Castle in Cork is famous for its stone - The Stone of Eloquence - which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. Attracting visitors from all over the world, the castle is situated 8 km from Cork City. In the grounds of the castle the Rock Close and gardens convey ‘druidic’ charm and magical delights of centuries past.
Dingle in County Kerry is a favorite with tourists. You can see Fungie, a bottlenose dolphin who’s been living at the mouth of Dingle Harbour since 1984. Dingle Oceanworld is a state-of-the-art aquarium overlooking Dingle Harbour and the Dingle Marina. It is Ireland’s premier purpose-built sea life centre and sanctuary for the rare fish life often found stranded along the shores of the Dingle Peninsula.
The Aran Islands comprise three islands (Inis Mr, Inis Mein and Inis irr) located at the mouth of Galway Bay. The names are Irish language for ‘the big island’, ‘the middle island’, ‘the south island’ respectivly. The Aran Islands are rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland. The islands can be reached by sea by catching a ferry at Rossaveal, or by air at Connemara Regional airport near Inverin.
A good website to book holiday accommodation (Hotel, B&B, Guesthouse, Hostel or Self Catering) in Ireland is www.accommodation.ie
The Cliffs of Moher are situated in County Clare and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara.
The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim lurking below the gaunt sea wall where the land ends, must have struck wonder into the hearts of the ancient Irish. The Causeway is a geological freak, caused by volcanic eruptions, and cooling lava. The ancients knew differently: clearly this was giants’ work and, more particularly, the work of the giant Finn McCool, the Ulster warrior and commander of the king of Ireland’s armies. Finn could pick thorns out of his heels while running and was capable of amazing feats of strength. Once, during a fight with a Scottish giant, he scooped up a huge clod of earth and flung it at his fleeing rival. The clod fell into the sea and turned into the Isle of Man. The hole it left filled up with water and became Lough Neagh!
Thomas Regan works as a tour guide in Dublin City and recommends www.accommodation.ie to book holiday accommodation in Ireland.
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When planning a holiday in Peru, many people stress that they are keen to “get out of Lima as quickly as possible” but while historically Lima has had a bad press, and while it may not be the most beautiful or the most easy city in Peru, you certainly aren’t short of things to see and do and the place has a real buzz about it. Indeed, for many people, Lima ends up being a real highlight of their Peru holiday.
