Traveling with Your Pet: Fabulous Food Finds Part 3

If you thought lodgings in North America were bending over backwards to cater to Fido and Fifi wait until you learn what international hotels are doing to win over the likes of Snoopy and Sugar (and their respective owners). Pampered pets are prized guests at Los Cabos, Mexico’s Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort. The upscale property offers menu selections including the Rin Tin Tin (braised beef short ribs with farro risotto and gravy for $19), a “Ruff” con Pollo (chicken breast with rice and tomato, $19), The Claw Cleaner (albacore tuna, chopped egg and sour cream, $4) and … Continue reading →

Traveling with Your Pet: Fabulous Food Finds Part 2

According to the latest National Pet Owners Survey taken by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63% of U.S. households, or 71.1 million homes, own a pet. The survey also found that that 19% of dog owners and 3% of cat owners take their four-legged friends with them when they plan to be away from home for at least two nights. What’s more, AAA lists more than 13,000 lodgings throughout North America, which offer pet accommodations. And we’re not just talking about beds for Fido to flop on. Dozens of hotels across the nation are catering to cats and dogs … Continue reading →

Traveling with Your Pet: Fabulous Food Finds

Who says pet owners are the only ones with discriminating taste? You’ve heard of hotels catering to gourmet travelers, but what happens when those foodies want to bring Fido and Fifi along for the ride? Thanks to clever marketing managers an increasing number of hotels throughout North America and Europe have created in-house gourmet menus fit for a royal pet. For example, if you are traveling with your favorite shaggy friend to Arizona you might consider staying at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix where for $11 Fifi can feast on Zen, a hearty vegetable stir-fry with poached … Continue reading →

Are Travel Clubs Really Money Savers?

With the price of airfare skyrocketing to new highs it’s no wonder travel clubs are attracting more interest than ever before. Commercials and print ads for travel clubs offering, “super deals and deep discounts” are virtually everywhere. The advertisements promise huge savings on everything from airfare and cruises to rental cars and hotel accommodations. If you are a cash strapped traveler who has always dreamed of taking a Caribbean cruise or a fantasy flight to Paris, then one of these flashy ads or mailings (typically in the form of a postcard) may have caught your attention—-especially the ones that promise … Continue reading →

Where to Roam in Rome

When in Rome… well, you know the rest. If you are planning a trip to the ancient city in the next few weeks you have the opportunity to be one of the first to experience the restored ruins of two opulent Roman villas and private thermal baths that recently opened to the public. Each villa boasts a 3-D reconstruction that offers a virtual tour of the luxurious residences found in downtown Rome. Local archaeologists uncovered an ancient neighborhood, where historians believe senators and knight used to live. The 2,000 square-yard complex dates back to the 2nd century and is now … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Stockholm, Sweden

Tourism officials looking to attract new visitors to the northern reaches of Sweden are getting help from a local businessman. If you’ve traveled to the area to take part in the sport of moose hunting then you too will appreciate what the business owner has come up with. By this time next year not only will you get to enjoy the hunt for a moose to eat, but you’ll have the ability to eat in a moose as well—a massive, wooden moose. Once complete the proposed tourist attraction/restaurant will measure 148-feet tall and 155-feet long. The moose structure will have … Continue reading →

European Walking Tours

There’s nothing I enjoy more than ditching a diet prior to leaving on vacation. And what better way to gorge on regional delicacies and not have to deal with the guilt (or extra calories) that comes with doing so than by taking part in a walking tour. One of the leaders in the walking tour industry, Breakaway Adventures, offers more than 200 cycling and walking tours each year in 30 countries. The tour company keeps groups small and personal (there’s rarely more than eight people per group) so you can move at your own pace. The guided tours include pick … Continue reading →

Another Educational Destination

How many times has this happened to you? You plan a family trip to an amusement park only to be left holding on to massive stuffed animals in the sweltering heat; being begged for money to buy just one more choco-taco; and listening to whiny kids complain about walking in wet shoes after getting soaked on the Roarin’ Rapids ride. Is it time for an education vacation? In previous blogs I’ve spotlighted several popular destinations around the nation that offer hands on learning experiences for children… and their parents. This time I’m turning my attention to Boonesboro, Kentucky. If you … Continue reading →

Tasty Travels

If you are a fan of pizza pies then you might consider hopping on the next flight to Naples, Italy. It’s no secret that the city makes some of the finest pizzas in the world, but this weekend chefs there are offering a one-of-kind pie to honor a special visitor. Naples’ world-class pizza makers have invented a pontiff’s pizza in recognition of Pope Benedict XVI one-day visit to the city to celebrate Mass and attend a meeting. Chefs at one of Naples’ most famous restaurants, the bastion of Neapolitan cooking Ciro a Santa Brigida came up with the idea on … Continue reading →

Weird and Wacky Travel Tales

Yet another reason why you should NOT send text messages while you are driving… A man in Eugene, Oregon learned that lesson the hard way. The really hard way. As in slamming-into-a-freight-train-with-a-car hard way. According to police reports, the man was texting a pal from his cellphone while he was driving his car. At one point he looked up from his message and saw a freight train. Eugene police say the man tried to brake for the train, but it was too close and he crashed his car into the side of the Union Pacific freight train about 2 a.m. … Continue reading →