Hotel reviews

Traveling with dogs can sometimes be a challenge. In our case we have two dogs that are as different as day and night. One is an 80 lb. Labrador and the other a 5 lb. Papillion. So you might imagine what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other.

Living in South Florida we have been known to have our occasional hurricane. I’m here to tell you that I HATE storms. They announce one coming and the dust is trailing behind me! To complicate my fear of storms we have the 2 dogs and an elderly father that lives with us. So our exit out of town needs to be well thought out.

First of all, its important to have a list of necessary supplies. By having the list you aren’t rushing around at the last minute worrying that you’ve remembered everything. Things you might include on your list are your dog’s or cat’s vaccination record. If you don’t have one, at the very least have the vet’s phone number. He or she can always provide the information to you, should the need arise. Have a list of any medications your pet may be taking and the proper dosage. Water and food dishes, leads, collars and a few toys are a necessity when traveling with your pet. You want them to feel as comfortable and “at home” as possible.

For our lab, we have the option to take one of the back seats out so that he has plenty of room to stretch out. The Papillion gets an old pillow to rest on, or you may have a dog bed. Try to keep as much familiar for them as possible. This assists in keeping restlessness to a minimum.

We research our route well before heading out to make sure of which hotels are pet friendly. Be sure and call the hotel ahead of time. We have found that hotels we visited in the past, stopped accepting pets. We also found a wide range of additional fees for the stay. Holiday Inn Express is one of our personal favorites. I can not stress enough the need to phone ahead!

While in the car be sure your pet is always secured. We keep our dogs on a lead and have found this very helpful. Especially when someone is exiting or entering the car you don’t want the pet to dash out into traffic or up a tree and be harmed.

Like people, pets appreciate stretching their legs and the chance to relieve themselves. Most rest stops have designated areas for you to use. Be sure you take this time to water and exercise them. A happy pet makes for a happy owner and a pleasant trip.

Find PetFriendlyHotels and DiscountHotels at our HotelFinder website.

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A great vacation getaway location that you own, but don’t have all the responsibility for. What a concept! It used to be that timeshares were considered a fad. Some even thought them a scam. But now, years after their first introduction, thousands and thousands of timeshare owners are loving their investment not only for the great locations that are available, but also the financial benefits they can provide.

Those who invest in timeshares technically own a piece of the property with a lot of other investors. However, just like regular real estate, the values can go up - a lot. And, there are other financial benefits as well.

Timeshares tend to be located in some of the best vacation locations in the world. From the metro areas of Europe to the beaches of Florida, California and beyond, timeshares are generally found in the big tourist areas. They also come in a variety of sizes from regular hotel room type set ups to full condos, complete with kitchens, living areas and more. The flexibility on choice is simply amazing.

Investing in a timeshare brings financial benefits both to those who actually use their timeshares for their vacations and those who don’t. Let’s take a look at both.

Investors who use their timeshares can reap these financial rewards:
* Avoidance of hotel fees while on vacation. Since the property is already paid for through its monthly payments, a vacation location is guaranteed.
* Possible avoidance of exorbitant meal fees. Since a lot of timeshares come with their own full-size kitchens, many who use them can avoid the high cost of eating out. Of course, they might have to do the dishes, but the cost savings can be incredible.
* Resale value. Depending on the location and the timeshare’s condition, the value on these properties can really skyrocket. In areas like Florida where the housing market is going insane, property values are holding and getting better all the time.

For those who don’t use their timeshares for personal use, there are these advantages:
* Regular income from rental fees. Timeshares, of course, come with an allotted time each year (or several) where the owner can take advantage of the condo or room’s use. Owners who don’t use them, tend to rent them out. This can cover payment costs and sometimes even exceed it. If the timeshare is paid off, the benefit is cold, hard cash in the pocket.
* Trade value. Timeshare weeks can be traded with others. So, if you happen to own a timeshare in Florida and you’d like to spend a week in the Caribbean, it’s possible you can swap out with another owner for free.
* Resale value. As it is for the owner who takes advantage of their vacation time, the resale values can be quite high. The initial investment is generally returned and then some.

Timeshares are more than a passing fad. They’re the way thousands and thousands the world over now enjoy the benefits of “owning” their own vacation property without having to deal with all the hassles of upkeep and maintenance. Getting in on a timeshare can also bring with it some real financial benefits, as well.

Copyright (c) 2006

Aaron Vaughn writes about Timeshares and you can find more news and information about timeshares at the website Timeshare Spaces.

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Arizona is one of the most colorful places to vacation.
Between enchanting sunrises and sunsets and the colorful
fields, pine forests with the ever-changing climates and
moutain ranges that seem to change colors by the minute,
it is art for the eye.

There is much to do in this great state. Outdoor activities
include golfing in world class courses, walking, canoeing,
and trout fishing. There are even areas where the
temperature is such that you can snow ski and water ski in
the same day.

A popular spot to sight see is the Apache Trail, which was
originally built in the 1930s to support the development
of the dams built along the Salt River. The drive is a
loop drive of 80 miles that is partly unpaved. This
section provides the most amazing views of mountains with
dense forestry. Along the way, you will pass Fish Creek
Canyon. RV companies do not permit their vehicles to be
taken on this drive due to the way the road hangs on the
side of this steep canyon.

Other destinations on the Apache Trail are the Goldfield
Mining Town, which is a re-creation of an old west ghost
town that existed over a hundred years ago. The Mammoth
Mine produced three million dollars of gold in the
years it operated between 1892 - 1896.

Park lovers will love The Lost Dutchman State Park for
exploring the mountains and hiking nature trails. There
are a limited number of campsites and picnic facilities.

swimmers and boaters will enjoy Canyon Lake with its cool
clear water and steep canyon walls. Camping and
picnicking
is ideal here also.

Roosevelt Dam was originally built between 1905 and 1911
and restricts the water of the Salt River forming
Roosevelt Lake. This dam was considered the world’s
largest
“cyclopean-masonry” dam, which means it was created in
Greco-Roman style, using very large, irregularly shaped
blocks. It is covered by concrete today.

There are other stops along the way, such as Tortilla
Flat, another old-west style settlement and Apache Lake
formed by the Horse Mesa Dam. And we must not forget
Tonto
National Monument. This 2 story ruin, known as Sinaqua
Indian Cliff looks down on Lake Roosevelt and is
breath-taking to view.

One of the better known places to visit is Sedona.
Beyond the beauty of this land, you are apt to feel the
beauty of the people. This city is known for its artistry
as many artisans have moved their home here. Many of the
Native Americans believe the Sedona area is a spiritual
one as they believe there is a vortex of energy coming
from the earth’s electromagnetic fields.

Whether you believe there is anything to this belief of a
heart being affected by this magnetic field or not, this
enchanted area is sure to feed your soul with its
atmosphere. whatever the time of the year, Arizona has
something for everyone to enjoy.

Alicia Bankford is founder of All About Arizona an
excellent resource site dedicated to information on Arizona

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