5 Tips For a Complete Vacation With the Pet

On several occasions when I decided not to travel with my beloved Jack-the-Ripper, (ahem, that's my most loyal and beloved pet dog, who bears no involvement in the infamous London controversies), I missed him dearly. At other times, he'd gleefully give me company, wherever my toes took me to. Those were the best of my travel experiences. With kids, honey and the two juniors, it's a perfect getaway package for me.

But before taking the pet aboard on the flight, I consider 5 things to be of utmost importance:

1. Take him to a veterenarian and check if he's in a perfect condition to travel. I don't want to take the risks of flea, heartworm and other stuff.

2. Pack his favorite toys, food and the LEASH.

3. Get a special, I always go for the fancier ones, identification tag for him, and write my contact details so that, in case we're separated, I could be contacted.

4. Have him micro-chipped. It's totally harmless and cheap.

5. Make prior and proper arrangements with the airlines for transfer and subsequent pick-up.

5 Things We Carry While Traveling With Kids

Their questions never seem to end, but they are cute and lovable. Still, while on travel, sometimes kids get unmanageable, especially if they're hyperactive. But there are a few essential things that can help save a lot of mess while traveling with kids. Here goes my top 5 -

1. Just like me, they are nuts about music. Hence, their i-pods are a must. I make sure to load 'em with their favorite tracks, so they don't get bored.

2. Games, toys, joke books and stuff? That's a YES. We let them choose their own things and allow them to manage their tiny backpack. It's fun. On proper management of their stuff, I'd reward them with something special on return.

3. Book kid friendly hotels and resorts, where there are plenty of activities to keep them busy.

4. While eating out, we make sure that the restaurants have a kid friendly menu. Stomach problems can be a pill, and we always want to avoid it.

5. Pack healthy kid food such as fruits, fruit juice cans, pretzels, cheese and stuff...the usual home menu. That's the best!

Las Vegas for the Family

Who doesn't want to take a fall vacation. But with so many options open, it becomes a task to narrow down our choices and hit the nail on its head! If you're cooking up weird ideas, stop for a while and consider what I have to say. Please! Las Vegas might not be on your list, but I have a great Vegas idea.

True, Vegas is synymous with uninhibited hedonic indulgence, however, it could be a treat for the kids this December.

With the National Rodeo Finals getting underway from December 6-15, the whole family will have fun experiencing professional rodeo at its sublime heights! Vegas is never this much of a cowboy heaven as it is during this time. If you don't believe me, check it yourself- all the roping, riding, bucking, racing and wrestling at the Thomas and Mack Center will assault your senses.

One Stop Resource for Travel Tips Worldwide

Howdy (as wordpress says)! I just happened upon some cool budget travel tips for destinations worldwide. It's not only for Caribbean or Africa. Cheapoair's budget travel tips page has nuggets and suggestions for visitors to far away places like India and the whole of Asia. From the main page one can navigate to any destination for which you might need tips for. We can read 'em before heading out, which will go a long way in enhancing our experiences.

Travel Tips

Is it Safe out There? Security at the Hotel

I bet lugagge theft at hotel is a major pill for all of us. Sometimes, when we check-in at some obscure hotel devoid of in-room safes, electronic doorlocks and stuff, it keeps us worrried about our belongings all day long.

How to check whether a hotel is secure or not? Peer review is by far the best choice, but when you're the first among peers to visit, you might be at a loss. The first thing to do here is NOT to book a hotel where non-guests keep walking up and down the halls.

Next, always inspect the room carefully before agreeing to it. Check out if the locks so weak as to give way. Locks, they must be sturdy! Plus, the door must have a good latch from inside. You can't compromise here. Windows are barred or lockable? Is there multiple entrances to the room? If yes, just avoid.

Finally, the thing you might overlook are peep-holes. Yes! There might be peep-holes in the walls and in the windows. I've found many naughty hotels with special peep-hole rooms customized for female guests and couples! If you find a hole after you've boked, do one thing. Stuff that hole up with paper, or the chewing gum! Yes, I'm chewing, so, it came to my mind.

What's Next? New York City Cheap Eats

The exciting Broadway shows must have left with the feeling of "I want more". But the Big Apple has much more beyond Broadway to keep you on your toes. Most of my peers visiting New York City end up calling me for one question, "dude, tell me where are the best cheap eats in New York?"!

I'm no NYC specialist, but when it comes to those trendy and affordable eateries, I bet, I can blow my own speakers!

Most New Yorkers will agree that Mamoun's Falafel on Macdougal Street stands unrivaled when it comes to cheap falafel and shawarma. Does anyone serve better falafels for TWO bucks? (119 Macdougal St , New York , NY , 10012)

Taim, at Waverley Pl, is yet another great place for the same. A popular kosher Israeli spot, you'll be able to choose from green, roasted red pepper and spicy harissa. It's non greasy, and there are loads of hummus, lettuce, and tomatos for a perfect pita. (222 Waverly Pl , New York , NY , 10014)

If you love Mexican, here's the address:
Los Pollitos II
148 5th Ave , Brooklyn , NY , 11217-3501

You'll find a much cheaper slice of Shanghai at:
Fried Dumpling
99 Allen St , New York , NY , 10002-3028

If British fish-n-chips is your idea of a perfect snack, you must go and check out:
ChipShop
383 5th Ave , Brooklyn , NY , 11215

Are you looking for hot dogs, grilled corn and cobbler? Here's the address to go:
Westville
210 W 10th St , New York , NY , 10014-6411

What's So Special About Family Travel?

Americans are getting more active. Recently, families in the US are going beyond traditional getaways in the quest for newer, broader, more engaging and meaningful experiences.

So, what makes us gear up for that vacation? Is it merely the desire to breakout from the grind and spend time off with the family? Or are there deeper meanings inherent? You'll agree that most family travel planners want to introduce children to different cultures, customs and lifestyles. They want to experience this together and create memories that last for a lifetime.

Unlike a typical nuclear family getaway, a modern family vacation is where we go all out on a multi-generational trip to include grandparents. We all love our parents but we rarely get a chance to show how much we care. So, taking them along with the kids is an incomparable experience. How long we've been craving to see that smile on their face! Besides, grandparents are also traveling with kids, without Mom and Dad.

Moreover, adult children are increasingly traveling with their parents. More and more families are traveling together with family friends as one large group. There's a spurt in blended family vacations, too, where divorced/remarried parents with their new spouses and children are traveling together.

Another important factor is that families are being increasingly drawn to active pursuits, meaning, they're heading out for more outdoor and adventure spots.

France is the Smokiest- Say's Tripadvisor Poll Report

If you're tossing ideas of vacationing with your kids in Paris, but you're too finicky about exposing them to the "harmful" puffs let loose by smokers, you might need to give a second thought! According to the results revealed by Tripadvisor's smoking survey of over 1400 travelers worldwide, France is the "smokiest" country in the world by an uncontestable 25 percent of the vote with U.S. and China following with with seven percent each.

While 86 percent of the travelers surveyed are non-smokers, 14 percent identified themselves as smokers, and 23 percent admitted to "social-smoking". Interestingly, 22 percent of travelers admitted that visiting a city or country where smoking is prohibited is "always" a consideration, and 34 percent said it is "sometimes" a consideration. But this is an important issue mostly for smokers to see whether smoking in public places is prohibited or not.

True, hotels and restaurants need to be clearer about whether they are smoking or non-smoking establishments, with specially designated zones for smokers.

What is most interesting to see is that one third of the respondents support smokers' rights in open-air restaurants and lines.

Fun for Kids and Some Tips for the Road

How to keep your kids engaged on a road trip? One of the best ways, as I learnt from one of my school-days friends is to let the little ones chronicle the journey from their point of view. For instance, we can have them take pictures of all the stops along the way. While the pictures make great souvenirs, this can also keep them busy later in form of a scrapbook.

It's quite easy to leave our worries behind while on vacation. But not beofre you teach the kids some "How To" stuff.

So, at first, we want to teach them
**how to dial “911”
**how to use a cell phone, in case of emergency.

Also, isn't it a great idea to take a few moments after settling into a hotel room to show them how to operate the hotel phone. Also, your tots should know how to contact the front desk, how to get an outside line, and how to call for an ambulance.

Vegas Strip to be a Passe, But not Before 10 Years

You heard it right. The Las Veas Strip is soon going to loose its charm, if Steve Wynn goes ahead with his intention of building a gigantic hotel casino complex just a few miles northwest of the famous Strip.

Casting shadows on everything around, the Wynn's envisioned casino complex will cover nearly 823,000 acres and accommodate...hold your breathe...over 6 million guests!!!!

Tentatively named "The World - Las Vegas," construction is expected to start this fall and the first of 16 phases is scheduled to be completed by January 2015.

The World- Phase I Highlights

Total A/C space: 1.4 trillion square feet
Guest rooms and suites: 1,969,744
Casinos: 612
Golf Courses: 153
Swimming Pools: 258
Restaurants: 2171
Special features and activities: 400 foot waterfall, 87 acre water skiing lake, Olympic scale luge track, enclosed Formula One race track and an indoor skydiving platform.

Six Unavoidable Items to Pack While We Go, Do You Dare?

Whenever I'm going on a vacation, I never dare to go without packing some items in my baggage. So what are these articles, which I'm so finicky about?

1. Flashlight
This is to illuminate dark places where shady elements could be lurking. I can run it down the window of a parked vehicle and see what lies within. Besides, it could be used to identify others around and help get to safety during a blackout, which is a common phenomenon in most of the developing countries.

2. Portable Smoke detector
For added security in the hotel room.

3. Smoke hood
Although I've never used it, I keep a smoke hood, so that on event of a fire, I can use it. It allows a limited supply of breathable air and keep smoke from burning one's eyes so that we can see better while escaping from a fire.

4. Duct tape
One of the main advantages of a duct tape is that I can use it to seal my hotel room against the intrusion of smoke, the real killer in building fires.

5. Door lock
I always use a portable door lock as an added security device for my hotel room. A cheap rubber doorstop is a also a great substitute for a portable door lock. It's more handy and easier to deploy, too.

6. Cellular telephone
You will agree that a cell phone provides instant access to someone who can send aid.

Responsible Tourism, Tourism for Tomorrow, Save the Planet

This morning I was reading a write-up on Responsible Tourism. I'd have surely missed it but for the word "responsible". I know that travelers are getting somewhat irresponsible in their conduct. Very few tourists care about the eco-system and eco-tourism. So much so that our highest mountains have been transformed into veritable garbage, with very few working on restoring the natural balance.

The phenomenon has assumed global proportions. But it's all in our hands. That's why Responsible Tourism was the highlight of this year's Global Travel and Tourism Summit, held recently in Lisbon, Portugal.

It was way back in 1989, when the Federation of Tour Operators established the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in an effort to encourage the industry to protect the environment, recognize leading companies for their leadership in developing responsible tourism worldwide.

Indeed, this has been met with considerable success. Today, we have numerous ecolodges and tour operators doing sustainable tourism and following the best practice models.

For the year 2007, the awards go to:

Great Barrier Reef, Australia- Destination Award
Aspen Skiing Company, USA- Conservation Award
Nihiwatu Resorts, Indonesia- Investor in People Award
Lindblad Expeditions, USA & Global- Global Tourism Business Aware

The New Seven Wonders

"Our Heritage is our Future"- after months of speculations and conjectures, the final 7 have been declared. With the ultimate verdict coming from the world community, the coveted new seven wonders are listed, followed by the their significances.

1. Chichen Itza, Mexico- Served as the political and economic hub of the Mayan civilization.

2. Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- A 38 meter tall statue of Christ, perched atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it took 5 years to construct the statue, and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931.

3. The Great Wall of China, China- Dating from 220 BC, this is the largest man-made monument ever to have been constructed and "is the only monument visible from space".

4. Machu Picchu, Peru- Built in the 15th century by the Incan Emperor Pachacútec, this is an extraordinary settlement lying halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. A wonder in itself, going by its location in the clouds!

5. Petra, Jordan- Situated on the edge of the great Arabian Desert, Petra was the sparkling capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). The tunnel constructions and water chambers, a 4000 capacity Graeco-Roma-styled theater, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, exemplifies the high culture of the Middle East.

6. The Roman Colloseum, Italy- Dating from over 2000 years, this amazing amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire.

7. The Taj Mahal, India- Completed in 1658, this majestic mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. It's an epic of love created in white marble.

But my own judgement is somewhat different-

Instead of the Roman Colloseum, I vote for the Acropolis, Greece. The symbol of the Greek Civilization, the Acropolis was believed to radiate power and protection for its citizens.

I think, Kremlin/St. Basil, Russia, deserves to be in place of the Christ Redeemer!


The finalists-

The Acropolis, Greece
Alhambra, Spain
Angkor, Cambodia
Statues of Easter Island, Chile
Eiffel Tower, France
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Kiyomizu Temple, Japan
Kremlin/St. Basil, Russia
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Statue of Liberty, USA
Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Timbuktu, Mali

Whatever our individual judgments be, let's work for the restoration and preservation of these monuments that symbolize the human race itself.

Brutal Bitters, Dead Guy Ale and the blabberings - America's Best Brewery

It was on the eve of one of my great brewery tours that I thought of researching on America's best breweries. With less boozehounds in the neighborhood and lesser bacchnalians in my friends club, I had only one option - go online. In forums and communities, I found a bazillion names, some remote and some very well known. But it took a lot of thoughtful moments to skim through the entire lot and pick the BEST.

I even read reviews by fellow travelers and after all the drudgery, the winner is none other than the brewers of Brutal Bitter, Rogue Brewing Company, Oregon. Rogue was founded in 1988 by the trio of Jack Joyce, Rob Strasser and Bob Woodell, with the first brewpub in Ashland - a 10bbl brewsystem. Currently, Rogue brags the following brews: Brutal Bitter, Chocolate Stout, Dead Guy Ale, Half-e-Weizen, Honey Cream Ale, HazelNut, Brown Nectar, Imperial India Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, Juniper Pale Ale, Kells Lager, Mocha Porter, Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale, Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, Morimoto Soba Ale, Old Crustacean, Oregon Golden Ale, Saint Rogue Red, Santa's Private Reserve, Shakespeare Stout.

If you're curious about Rougue's latest offering, look for the bottles of Rogue Dry-hopped Red. This is going to replace Saint Rogue Red, both in retail stores and on tap.

You can join Rogue at:

20th Annual Oregon Brewers Festival, July 26-29.
13th Annual Bones and Brews, August 4-5.
3rd Annual Great American Distillers Festival, August 25-26

Ancient Cities III: Copan

Copan takes us to what can possibly be called the Mayan world of rituals and ceremonies. This was basically a religious center inhabited by priests and other members of the Lowland Maya ruling class.

This culture, which reached its pinnacle during the period between A.D. 600 and 800, was nurtured by a chain of city-states running south from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to Honduras.

Today, on a tour of Copan, one comes face to face with the mammoth pyramids, streets and causeways, each replete with tales of humiliation and torture perpetrated on the captured rivals as well as the bizarre rituals of a bestial nature, where the rulers cut or pierced the ears, cheeks, tongues and genitals of the captives.

However, the most interesting part of your visit to Copan is the Ballcourt - the place where teams played a rubber ball game in front of spectators from the royal family. Another must see is the Hieroglyphic Stairway, depicting the royal lineage of Copan.

Where is Copan?

Copan is located in western Honduras, just 5 miles from Guatemala.

Book cheap airfares to Guatemala

Ancient Cities II: Tikal

Going forward, if Chichen Itza is the paradigm of Mayan adaptibility and city architecture, Tikal gives us an insight into what the largest city of the Classical Period of Mayan culture could have been.

Rising all of a sudden from the unforgiving Peten forest of Guatemala, during its prime, Tikal served as home to an estimated 50,000 residents! Time was when Tikal was dominated by pyramids soaring towards the sky, paved streets, water reservoirs and intricate stone carvings reflecting the rulers and the founding myths of the Mayan society.

Thanks to the archaeologists and researchers, many of the ancient temples and structures have been meticulously restored. What you can't miss on a tour of Tikal is the Temple of the Great Jaguar. This is the tomb of Ah-Cacaw, the greatest king that Tikal ever saw. A sight of the statue of Ah-Cacaw on the apex of the Temple of the Great Jaguar illumined by afternoon sun is a feats for the eyes. Besides, over 3,000 buildings and 200 stone monuments remain concealed in the surrounding forest!

Where is Tikal?

Tikal is located in Peten, Guatemala, 60 miles west of the Belize border.

Where to Stay?

Tikal offers fantastic accommodation facilities. Check these hotels:

1. La Casa De Don David
Aldea El Remate
Tel: (502)306-2190

2. Hotel Isla De Flores
Avenida La Reforma
Tel: 926-0614

3. Hotel Bar and Restaurant El Faisan
Ciudad Flores
Tel: 926-1322

Book cheap airfares to Flores

Ancient Cities I: Chichen Itza

History has been good to us! For families who're looking for a historical vacation, an ancient kind, the Americas alone brags some of the most spectacular cities from the ancient world.

The Anasazis, the Incas, the Mayas, Aztecs, and Olmecs — all of them were master architects, astronomers and mathematicians, with their cities showcasing their art of building cities. No doubt, human achievement is fleeting, but the tides of time do bring us face to face with fragments of past achievements.

So, the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (southeast of Merida)is a miracle of ancient achievement. You'll be surprised to know how the Mayas settled and adapted to the hostile nature of this region. The region consists of merely a few inches of soil on hard limestone and receives little moisture. However, the adaptability of the Mayas is sensational!

Chichen Itza was developed as a powerful city and trade center dealing in for cloth, slaves, honey and salt, which reached its pinnacle from circa 800 to 1200.

What's most prominent here, today, is the ruin of El Caracol, a sophisticated astronomical observatory. Did you know that Chichen Itza has one of the largest ball-playing courts of the Mayan world. This is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the city. A bas-relief at the site depicts the captain of a losing team being decapitated before the ruling-class audience. Another cool sight here is the the image of a serpent created by shadows on Kukulan Pyramid.

So, next time when you think about Mexico, think beyond Cancun and Acapulco!!

Build a Tree House Instead!

Tree houses never captured our imagination as they do today. This is true particularly for the children. Treehouses symbolize freedom. Have you ever felt how lifting it is for our spirits and inspiring for dreams? We know we can't fly with the birds, but at least we can build a nest like them! I think building a treehouse and spending a few nights behind the leaves could be a great pastime activity for families. True, it's going to be the most exciting adventure for your kid, that too, right at your backyard.

Imagine going to sleep with the birds and waking up to their songs. Instead of indulging in rampant consumerism at theme parks breaking the bank with a beach trip, this is a better idea to please your kids!

For starters, Tree Houses You can Build by David R Stiles and Jeanie Stiles can be a very good guide to start building your own treehouse. The best part is that you don't have to be carpenter at all! In the book, the authors explain the basic building procedures through clear, simple instructions and non-technical line drawings, explaining every step, from the earliest sketches to the final cedar shingle. Even the safety issues have been considered. Isn't it then time to start building our treehouses!?

Latest Trends in Family Travel

Latest trends suggest that for those family vacationers, for whom Disneyland or any other theme park, for that matter, is a passe, the new buzz is Central America, Africa and Asia.

Going by industry news, it's evident that an increasing number of families is choosing adventure trips to these exotic destinations. Today, many parents want their kids to relish a slice of culture and history. Hence, there's an increasing number of bookings to Panama, Chile, Thailand, China, India, Tanzania, Zambia and other such destinations.


After all, we want kids to visit temples, ride elephants and see the stark realities of poverty than tour amusement parks, ride roller-coasters and indulge in mindless consumerism.

Besides, ego trips getting more and more popular. One would gleefully dive with tiger sharks in Fiji (without a cage!!), snowboarding down an active Chilean volcano or and even scale Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. There's a desire to do something unique, experience things that were never thought of before. From here stems a strong sense of accomplishment.

So, instead of touring South Beach or Daytona Beach, many families scurry to Panama
to experience ecotourism, and take a peek at the fascinating history of pirates. And who would ignore the 80 km long shopping wonder known as the Panama Canal!

For those touring Asia, China is definitely the first choice. Not just a bite of dimsum at a plush restaurant in Shanghai or Hong Kong or an amble down the great Wall of China, more and more people are getting attracted to the gorges of Yunnan province, the beaches by the South China Sea and the terracotta warriors of Xi'an.

Highway 1: America's Best Road Trip

If you're toying with the idea of doing a road trip with your family this summer, I have a superb suggestion. Highway 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco has been favored by many as one of America's best road trip.

If you haven't taken a road trip yet, this might cause an overnight transformation - you'll end up being a big road trip enthusiast. It will keep you guessing on what lies beyond the turns. This 380-mile road trip will weave memories that's going to last for a lifetime.

The mesmeric views of wide, clean beaches, and cliffs plunging to the frothing ocean will be etched on your mind forever. As the story unfolds, you'll be treated to sights of vast tracts of green farmland—lettuce, and strawberries. Certainly, this is a pilgrimage for surfers, food groupies and adventure hungry souls.