How to Travel Cheap - Traveling With Your Pets Across the Country

Have a new job and need to move your pet across the country? Trying to decide on the best and cheapest way to accomplish this? This article will provide some insight of how to travel cheap with your pets across the country or even just across the state if that's how far you need to go.

Many people look upon their dogs, cats, and other pets as children. I know I do! I could never consider moving to another place without taking my pets along. Whenever I hear about someone taking their dog to the shelter because they are "moving" I really can't fathom it. So let's see what you need to do to get your animals moved with you!

First, be sure your pet is healthy. You need a health certificate, license, and proof of vaccinations, so pack those along for each pet.

If you are flying and wondering how to travel cheap on planes, the best thing is to take your pet on board with you if they are small enough. I recommend avoiding planes if your pet cannot be taken on board with you. But if you have no other options, shop around well in advance for discounted airfare for pets.

Remember that you will be in a strange place so - this is very important - check all collars and make sure they are very secure and with identification tags attached. See that the collar cannot slip over your pet's head. You will be getting out of the car to let them potty in, most likely, different rest stops on the interstate and I have heard of many horror stories of dogs getting lost at rest areas. Please be extra careful the minute you open the door. Dogs are amazingly adept at backing out of collars so use a harness if possible.

Plan ahead for your accommodations. Many books feature pet-friendly hotels, or you can look them up online. However, be sure to call ahead to verify and also make reservations so you won't be left driving late into the night looking for a place to stay. How to travel cheap at pet-friendly hotels? Compare prices before leaving home and make your reservations well in advance to take advantage of specials.

Consider a seatbelt for your dog if he or she is not traveling in a crate. I am a volunteer with english pointer rescue, and we require all our traveling pointers to be secured in the car with a doggie seatbelt. You can easily find one in your local pet shop or online.

With a little extra effort, and a little research on how to travel cheap, you can easily move you and your furkids across the country without a lot of trouble.

Want to find out how to travel cheap? Wonder how everyone else finds such great deals online? You can't afford not to check out http://www.the-cheap-traveler.com for secrets straight from a fired travel agent to you.

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All Inclusive Cruises - 7 Tips For Smooth Sailing

With prices going up everywhere we look, we all want to save as much money as we can. We might spend hours surfing the Internet or strolling through shopping centers and malls, looking to save a buck here or there. But sometimes it makes sense to pay a higher price for something if we can get a lot more value in return.

All inclusive cruises that include absolutely everything you would want on your vacation could save you a lot of dollars and often make a lot of sense.

Because they can be a terrific value, vacation cruises, in general, have recently become very popular. And all inclusive cruises can save you even more money and your choices are almost limitless. There are all inclusive Caribbean cruises, all inclusive wedding cruises, all inclusive Alaskan cruises, and more.

However, especially if this is your first cruise, you should adequately prepare before you disembark from your home port. With the proper groundwork you can enjoy everything from luxurious cabins to delectable meals along with fantastic entertainment.

Tips For Smooth Sailing

1. Twenty-four hours before you go, confirm your airline reservations. If your flight will be delayed past the ship's departure time, get in touch with the company you booked your cruise with. They will often allow you to change your reservations on the internet.
2. To easily locate your belongings, fasten a colored ribbon to each piece of baggage.
3. Bring the most comfortable clothing. Pack swimwear and light cotton attire. A beach robe is great for lounging around your cabin. Sneakers or low-heeled shoes are perfect when you explore different ports of call.
4. If you're going to a colder or damper climate, pack a raincoat or poncho, sweaters or sweatshirts, and lightweight jackets. It's often best to layer your clothing. For example, you can wear a T-shirt, a flannel shirt, and a light jacket.
5. For casual evening events, most men wear sport coats and slacks while women wear casual evening clothes. For formal dining, men can often rent a tux on board to save packing space. However, women should bring a cocktail dress or gown.
6. Keep your cruise documents and passport (if necessary) in your carry-on baggage, so they are easily accessible.
7. Your port of arrival may be more conservative than your own country. So it's better to dress up then to dress down. By dressing casually but stylishly you will exhibit respect for other cultures,

Follow these simple steps and you can be sure that your all inclusive cruise will be one of the most satisfying adventures of your life.

Want to save even more money every time you take a cruise? Then check out 2 Things To Look For To Find A Hot Deal. And, to make your wildest vacation dreams come true, take a look at http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com now to learn how.

(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Family Cruises - 4 Tips For Fantastic Family Cruises

Although there are all sorts of different kinds of cruises you can go on family cruises are by far the most favorite. What can be better than bringing all the kids with you on an adventure of a lifetime?

Not only are there are so many different and exciting places all over the world to visit -- it's one of those relatively inexpensive family vacation ideas.

All inclusive family vacations can be great if you go with the right company. With the right cruise line you should be able to get everything on your family cruises for one price.

All your meals

Entertainment

Exciting shipboard activities

And more...

Call a travel agent to help you plan your trip.

Especially if this is going to be your first cruise you will probably want to hire a cruise specialist.
That way you'll be comfortable knowing that all the little details are taken care of so you will be able to get the very most out of your family cruises.

Basic Information

There are a number of things that you will want to go over with your travel agent before taking one of these all inclusive family vacations. You always want to check.

The size and location of your stateroom

If there are guardrails on the beds.

This is especially important if you have younger children who will be sleeping in them. No child is really too young to go on a cruise but you will have to decide as to whether you feel it's safe to bring a newborn baby or a toddler on one of these kid friendly cruises. Remember that you are going to want to look after them the whole time and that can be kind of tough.

Documentation

You will also need to ask your travel agent what kind of documentation is necessary for the family cruises. You will have to bring along all this necessary information for every family member.

Be especially careful you and your children are crossing borders if you are the only parent on the trip.

If that's the case even more information is usually required.

Budget

Family cruises are affordable family vacations and you can get great family cruise deals.

If you want to have the best family cruise you still need to decide where you want to go, which cruise line you want to travel on and how much extra money you will need to put aside to spend on your trip.

Bring a comfortable amount but don't go overboard. It shouldn't affect other bills because this can only end up causing problems. Keep in mind though that you will need to budget for some additional things like shore excursions, tips, extra food, along with infant care if you decide to bring babies along.

To learn how to save money every time you take a cruise check out Cheap Cruises Vacations - 4 Secrets For Finding Fun and Saving Big. And to find out how to get the lowest possible prices on airfare, car rentals, hotels and cruises, take a look at a review of "Save on Airfare" at http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com now and learn how to make it happen.

(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Camping Offers Many Choices to Enjoy the Great Outdoors

You have probably read a number of articles written by me about camping. If so then you already know that I am an avid camper and think camping is one of the best weekend vacation getaways you can take with your family. You probably already know that camping is also one of the most affordable trips you can take as well.

So what does all this mean? It simply means you should be doing more camping. However there are varying degrees of difficulties when it comes to camping. You can take the leisurely weekend getaway at a local state park with water and electric hookups, to hiking in to your campsite along the Appalachian Trail where everything you have is all on your back, more on that in a moment.

If you are looking for something in between, maybe you do not want the luxuries of home so that you are given the sense that you are in the great outdoors, yet do not want the feeling that you will be living off of tree bark for three days, do not worry, those options exist as well.

I recently camped with my brother, father and a family friend at Pennsylvania's Promised Land State Park. I would categorize this campground into the latter part of what I just wrote. We did not have water and electric hookups so we were left to cook off propane, gas or an open fire (whichever you choose), yet it had bathroom and shower facilities within reasonable distance so not to seem like we were in the middle of nowhere.

Pennsylvania's Rickett's Glenn State Park is the same as Promised Land as noted above. Also I want to mention that both campgrounds have beautiful lakes with acres of water to take a small boat out and go for some pan fish, maybe a pike or a bass or two. If fishing is not your "thing" then the miles of hiking trails they both offer will keep you busy during the day so as not to leave you sitting around the campsite doing nothing.

I mentioned before about hiking into the Appalachian Trail, and although I won't go into detail about my trip (I will save that for a future article), if you are looking for this type of hiking/camping trip, then the Appalachian Trail is a good bet. The trail my friend and I chose was challenging to make it fun, yet not over challenging to make it feel like work. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Maine to Georgia so you can see you have plenty to choose from. Along the way you will encounter much wildlife and various bodies of water. I have heard stories of people hiking the entire trail, although I have never met one personally myself, nor have I ever even come close to hiking the entire trail.

As you can see you have many choices when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors. First figure out what you want to, find out where you can do it and then as Nike says, just do it!

About the Author:
Mr. Tucker is the senior editor for Vacation Nation, an online vacation resource where you can learn about various destinations and travel tips.

He is also a regular contributor on Mike's How To Blog, a free resource on how to do just about anything.

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Southern California Beach Camping

Southern California offers the best beach camping in the United States. The mild temperatures and abundant sun offer an ideal setting for outdoor activities, and the Southern California shore line offers a place for family and friends. Imagine spending the afternoon relaxing in the sun and swimming in the ocean. Then cozy up around the campfire with family and friends to roast hot dogs and plan your activities for the next day.

Thrill seekers and sports enthusiasts also love camping on Southern California beaches because there are plenty of outdoor activities available including sailing, jet skiing, kite boarding and, of course, surfing. Camping at San Onofre beach is ideal for surfers - it boasts the world famous Trestles Beach surf break. At Bolsa Chica, campers can spend their week exploring the shoreline by riding their bikes down the miles and miles of oceanside bike trails. An old, historic pier at Gaviota Beach is used for fishing and diving. For people who would rather spend their time on the water rather than in it, there is a boat launch by hoist from pier.

Nature lovers should also consider the camping on the beaches of Southern California before planning their next vacation. There are plenty of state parks boasting hundreds of acres of protected wilderness - a haven for hikers! Point Mugu which is located in the Santa Monica Mountains has over 70 miles of hiking trails and phenomenal views. The McGrath campgrounds are well known by bird watchers around the world. Nature lovers looking for something a little different may want to explore the wetlands at Bolsa Chica. One of the most exciting opast times can be had at Carpinteria where sea lions and whales are often seen in season by the patient eye.

Not many people think of camping as an option for a honeymoon, but a tent near the ocean on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world makes for a very romantic getaway. Bluff top camping at San Elijo State Park allows for breathtaking views of the ocean and a perfect place to watch the Southern California sunsets. Jalama Beach in Santa Barbara has very secluded campsites, making it a perfect getaway for newlyweds who want to enjoy each other's company in peace.

These public campgrounds line the Southern California Coast from Pismo Beach to San Diego. Camping is a great option for families on a budget at only $20 per night. During the summer months, the California cost is a popular place to be, so it is important to secure reservations for your campsite well in advance of you vacation. However, in the off season it is possible to drive straight to a campground and have many choices of available camp sites.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Southern California beach camping, please visit Camping Info Online for current articles and discussions.

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How to Make a Very Cheap Water Steriliser

What would you do if you were travelling in a foreign country and you needed water but were not able to buy clean water and you did not have any water purification tablets with you? Or maybe the public water supply has been damaged due to a severe storm, earthquake or other event so you are not sure whether the water really is fit to drink. How could you make it drinkable without having to spend a fortune?

Making A Water Steriliser

Firstly, let's hope you are never in this situation but if you are and if you have access to a clear plastic water bottle, you can make a fairly effective water steriliser. Here's how. Fill the bottle with the cleanest water you can find. If the water is murky, you may have to filter it through some clean cloth to remove the sediment and some suspended solids. Even better would be to pass it through a coffee filter paper optionally filled with clean sand.

Once the bottle has been filled, screw the cap on. Now place it where it will receive full sun for around 6 hours. Put it on a dark background, if possible.

Does it really sterilise the water?

Yes - to a degree. With sufficient good sunlight it will kill pathogens such as bacteria and cysts which can cause disease; however, it will not remove toxic chemicals if these are present in the water. Mind you, if it comes to a choice of dying from thirst or drinking chemically contaminated water you would drink the water and worry about the chemicals later.

How Does It Work?

There are two mechanisms at work here. The first is the UV which acts to kill bacteria. While there has been some discussion in various forums as to whether sufficient amounts of the right sort of UV actually penetrate the plastic, it is probably safe to say that some UV will definitely enter the water. It's effectiveness will be reduced if the water is turbid or murky - hence the requirement to run it through some sort of filter.

The second mechanism does not rely on UV but heat. Leaving a bottle in the sun will raise the water temperature to over 65°C. Maintaining this temperature for at least 1 hour will kill bacteria and cysts.

In summary, in an emergency situation, a plastic water bottle and sunlight will provide a temporary method for sterilising water or at least making it drinkable. Obviously it is better to have a proper water purifier for this situation. There are portable water purifiers which are light enough to be taken on trips. Some will purify the water without requiring chemicals or electricity, while others require water purification tablets to ensure water safety.

Portable water purifiers should be light enough to take anywhere, simple to operate, and easy to maintain in the field. Water purifiers meeting these requirements can be found at http://www.crystalclearwater.com.au/waterpurifiers/camping

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The Best Camping Gear For Your Camping Vacation

The best camping gear for your trip largely depends on what kind of camping vacation you've planned. You could be car camping, RV camping, back country camping or even canoe camping and each trip has special considerations.

The easiest trip to plan for of course is a trip in your trailer or RV. A vacation of this type is fun because it it gives you all the luxury of home in a sort of "condensed" space. Even in a a smaller trailer though the floor plans and sleeping arrangements are very well thought out giving you maximum sleeping comfort and space. Kids love to be in trailers and RV's so this type of camping vacation is really perfect for you and your family to get away from home for a few days. The kids will love it and both parents are going to be comfortable and cozy. As far as the camping gear goes when you're in an RV you can bring pretty much anything at all that you wish to bring without it being a huge burden. Many are equipped with running water and all the basic necessities of home so in that sense this is really the easiest type of camping vacation to go on. I suppose though you do need to know in advance which campsites support RV camping.

Of course some folks don't believe that camping involves sleeping in a bed and having your home kitchen at your disposal and would rather "rough it" a little bit. My thoughts exactly... But the thing is you need to pack a little lighter in order to get everything you need. You can buy specialty camping cookware and sleeping pads, camp stoves, and sleeping bags that are all of an ultralight nature and they are therefore easier to pack and carry. You don't need to pack like this so much if you're using your car as a homebase or even a site that you can drive up to directly but if you decide that camping and hiking will be the vacation for you then you definitely should consider using some of this gear. It really does make life easier when you're on the trail.

Of course there are the folks that prefer canoe camping or kayak camping. Well this is a lot of fun, and very relaxing in it's own way but if you plan on having to do any portaging on your trip then it may be done more easily if you brought along a set of wheels so you don't have to unpack your boat every time you come to the next shoreline. As well you would be extremely wise to use drybags for your gear that you can clip right to your boat. This will not only do an excellent job of keeping your stuff dry but will keep you from losing it all in the event of an upset. Boats do tip over on occasion and you need to be as prepared for it as you can be by wearing a life jacket, clothing that dries quickly when wet and all of the required safety items. You can even buy drybags that double as a backpack! As far as your camping gear goes I've always felt that the ultralight gear is best suited for this type of trip but let's face it, if you're the type of person to go on a backwoods adventure for a few days away from everybody, then you likely won't mind spending a few extra bucks on the right gear to help you do it more easily.

If you feel you need more guidance there are websites and e-books available on the internet to help get you started on your camping adventure.

So I guess the bottom line is this. All camping gear is not created equal. What you may use for camping with your kids and family may not be the best to use when back country camping. The same thing applies the other way around. If you're new to it then the best thing to do is research what people are using and why and make your decisions based on that. You don't have to spend the most money on an item to get quality but if you "nickel and dime" yourself on your gear it will likely come back to haunt you in that the gear simply will not last. Do your research, spend a bit but not more than you need to, and you'll find your gear will last you for years and years to come.


Ian Kurz is an enthusiastic camper and is the owner of the website http://www.everything-about-camping.com. Be sure to check out his site and in particular his camping for beginner page for more tips and advice to help make your camping vacation a success!

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Six Good Backpacking Habits

When backpacking, habits matter. A better sleeping bag may keep you a bit warmer, and a cell phone or GPS unit definitely makes a trip safer, but the things you regularly do while on the trail are just as important. Here are six habits you should develop for wilderness travel.

1. Foot Care

Blisters and other foot problems are not always just painful inconveniences. If they happen far enough into a trip they can slow your hike out to the point where food runs short or you just can't continue. You may know how to treat a blister or trench foot, but good habits can prevent these from ever happening.

Make stopping several times daily to air out your feet a part of your routine. Take off your shoes and socks and set them in the sun. Pull out your insoles if you can. Soak your feet in a cold stream if they are very hot, but be sure the skin is entirely dry before putting the shoes back on. Change socks if necessary, and let the wet pair hang from the pack to dry. Cover "hot spots" with moleskin before they become blisters. This regular attention to your feet may seem time consuming, but it will allow you to travel more miles more safely.

2. Water Planning

Dehydration is always a possibility when hiking in the wilderness. It is dangerous in hot weather and it can even lead to hypothermia in cold (we need enough fluids for our bodies to heat themselves properly). Plan ahead so you never get the point of being thirsty and without water.

Carry two water bottles, and develop the following good backpacking habit. Anytime you cross a stream or are near a water source, if one water bottle is less than half full, finish it off and fill it. If you are using a water treatment chemical like iodine, while it does its job you will still have the other bottle full of water. If there is a long stretch coming without opportunities to collect water, drink up both water bottles if practical, and fill them both. Also be sure to start each trip fully hydrated. One more habit is to watch your urine. Unless you are taking vitamin pills it will usually only be bright yellow when you aren't drinking enough fluids.

3. Watch The Weather

It is a good habit to watch the weather reports before you go backpacking. You can get the forecast for anywhere in the world now online. But you also should be looking at that sky from time to time, and be aware of any changes. It is common to have lightning almost every afternoon in some mountain areas, for example. If the trail you are on is heading up high and you see the clouds forming, you might want to wait where you are until after the storms.

Learn to observe the skies in the direction where the weather is coming from, and also where it will affect you. If the streams you are crossing are fed by the mountains in the distance, and you see heavy rain clouds there, you might soon see a rise in water levels. Also, if you see the whole sky clearing out at sunset, you may be in for a cold night. Learn and observe.

4. Cell Phones

When backpacking, it's a good habit to fully charge your cell phone before you leave. Then turn it off. The primary reason to even bring it is to have a way to call for help. Preserve the batteries for just such an event. It's not fun to continually hear the phone ringing in the wilderness anyhow.

5. GPS

If you have a GPS unit, put fresh batteries in it before every trip. Then "mark" your car or the trailhead just before you hit the trail. A GPS can walk you right back to the vehicle if you remember to enter it as a landmark. Otherwise, it may not help much to just know your coordinates.

6. Leave An Itinerary

One of the backpacking habits most important to your safety, is to let someone you trust know where you will be and when you expect to return. That way if all else fails, help will be sent out there to look for you. Just be sure to notify that person as soon as you do return, so they don't think you are still out in the wilderness.

Copyright Steve Gillman. To get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets" for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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