If you are native to New York, check out the CitySightsNY.com Coupon on Price Pickle. It will give you 5% off your total ticket order. Take a double-decker bus tour through a section of town, with lunch included, or take a private tour. Private tours are a little more and for smaller groups, but you can go incognito like a celebrity in a limousine and folks will stare and wonder what important person you must be.

Right now, some parts of New York are recovering from hurricane Irene, so check for availability of your route when scheduling. Book a big bit in advance to show your support for the businesses.

You could always go under the guise of entertaining out of town guests, but you might just surprise yourself in discovering new eateries and sites that you just haven’t ventured out to see yet.

You might not have experienced vacation travelin such cramped quarters, but surely that double room with two beds and a cot looked very good on paper. You know – you calculated the number of suggested beds for the exact number of bodies and forgot that the “don’t breathe near me” factor involves dad sharing a bed with the boy kid, and the one that feels they are too old to share with their mom or dad sleeping on the floor and making noises all night to emphasize their dramatic huff.

Another idea, that is often better if you have a dog or even two dogs and an unusual pet is to look into renting a whole house for a week instead. While it may seem expensive, per week it often is comparable or a bit less expensive than a four night hotel stay, especially when you consider that everyone may have their own room, or you only have to double up and not triple up. The pups may even get a yard to run in, or at least a neighborhood where you don’t have to worry about walking them along a busy thoroughfare. The cost of meals plummets when you can cook. You can even rent a house, in some cases, for just a night or two. If you click for a Homeaway promo code, there are a few that are redeemable for $30 per night Florida stays, $85 in Mexico and you can even get a discount on listing your guest house or property for a period of time. It just may make ends meet for the house you bought as an investment somewhere and now can’t part with.

Have you ever swapped houses or rented a home for a quick getaway? If you did, tell me what you thought, especially from the pet’s perspective.

For those of you with fathers that you hardly see, especially if you keep putting off doing so, there is another round of fresh discount codes and coupons at http://www.savings.com, particularly for airfares and hotel stays. I was contemplating what to get Dad for Father’s Day. I am lucky enough to have my dad around, but I know that there are friends that regret either not living where they can see their parents at least every few weeks, or their dad passed away and they would do anything to have gone and seen him.

Don’t let the days slip by (and with the savings, bring your pup or cat, too). Little did I know a few years back that my Great Grandmother wouldn’t always be there forever, that my grandparents would be in their 80s despite the mental picture I have of them having been 60 for the past twenty plus years, or a woman I admire who is close to my age would have triple negative breast cancer. I thought that was only supposed to happen to “old people,” not the kind that don’t have to cover their gray yet…that is, if we choose to.  There are about ten people on my list that I it has been long enough not to see them.  Who is on your list?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If your sweetie is an insanely good guesser and you are looking to surprise them with a getaway where the family dog can be included, I know exactly where to go. Firstly, it cannot be TOO much of a surprise. You do have to tell them to take a day off of work on May 13th. You wouldn't want Aunt Matilda to stand on the door for Sunday dinner holding a casserole believing you've been kidnapped, or maybe you do.

Pack the dog in the car and only tell them, "It's fun to stay" where you are going. Then say, "It'll be great. We'll be safe. They'll be a representative of the law enforcement profession there, and we'll experience some exposure to a native culture, as they'll be tribe chief there as well."

"What? If I knew we were going to some sort of lecture at the Anthropology Museum, I would have just stayed home."

"Okay, okay, the jig is up. We are going to spend a weekend with The Village People!"

The Village People will perform May 15 in Branson, Missouri, along with Maxine Nightingale and Janice-Marie. The Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, pictured at left, and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel are running special packages for you to stay for the weekend.

Both properties accept pets, according to hotel staff, so you need not incur the expense of a pet sitter. Of course, you can't just leave your dog unattended for the weekend, but you will be able to leave them in your room during the concert and when you go out to eat.

If your sweetie is less impressed with the idea than you are, take a sidetrip to Talking Rock Cave or the World's Largest Antique Toy Museum, both in Branson, to sweeten the deal.

Even so, I am sure many folks think of Switzerland if they were considering traveling to Europe over the holidays. While it is not exactly the balmy Bahamas, the ski hills of Switzerland just don’t seem “right” or what we all picture without a little snow. Just be sure when booking, you don’t google Interlaken hotels and end up reserving a spot along a Michigan lake. That’s where the music festival is, but if you are already on a plane to Switzerland, you will find yourself reservation-less.

If you are looking to see several countries, try one of the Basel hotels. The airport is actually on French soil, and the city lies along the French/German/Swiss border. It gives more meaning to a “tri-state” area than NY/NJ/CT ever could. While you won’t be close to some of the most famous attractions of France and Germany, nor will you be at the foot of the Alps, its definitely worth visiting if you are on a time squeeze to see as many countries as possible.

Peruse the list of Lucerne hotels if you are more interested in famous Swiss watch making, medieval bridges and art. Lucerne is the home of the gigantic Edouard Castres circular painting, commemorating the Franco-Prussian war.

The following are the legs of the journey needed.  Check back for updates:

The journey will occur on Saturday, July 24, 2010 from Franklin, GA to Hattiesburg, MS.  A volunteer form the Maine Coon Rescue will meet the last person on the transport. Are you on this route? Can you help drive just an hour or two? Contact details are below. Contact my friend Emily to help out.

THIS POST WAS UPDATED 7/21 at 4:58 PM

View Larger Map

SATURDAY July 24, 2010

15 minutes has been added to each leg for handoffs
All legs are flexible!

Leg 1 Filled – Thanks Heather!
Depart: Franklin GA 8:30 am EDT, 7:30 am CDT
Arrive: Oxford AL 9:45 am EDT, 8:45 am CDT
1 hour 15 min

Leg 2 Filled- Thanks Kris!
Depart: Oxford AL 9:00 am
Arrive: Birmingham AL 10:00 am
1 hour

Leg 3 Filled — Thanks Debbie!
Depart: Birmingham AL 10:15 am
Arrive: Tuscaloosa AL 11:15 am
1 hour

Leg 4 NEEDED
Depart: Tuscaloosa AL 11:30 am
Arrive: Meridian MS 12:30 pm
1 hour 30 min

Leg 5 NEEDED
Depart: Meridian MS 12:45 pm
Arrive: Hattiesburg MS 2:15 pm
1 hour 30 min

End of Transport – Foster will drive to rescue

TRANSPORT COORDINATOR:
Emily Cherry Goff (cherryharley)
cherryharleysavinganimals @ yahoo.com
(334) 744-5590

PLEASE PROVIDE:

Day and Leg(s) you are offering to take
Name
Address
City/State
Home #
Cell #
Can you receive text messages?
Email
Do you have email access after 5 pm and on weekends?
Emergency Contact phone #
Vehicle Desc
License Plate #

THIS POST WAS UPDATED 7/21 at 4:58 PM

While families are still doing things that matter to them, money is tighter than usual for some families I know. However, instead of forgoing the long-planned family vacation, they are just doing it more frugally.  They are selecting hotels that cater to pets rather than having them stay at the pet resort and they are not staying as close to the attractions. Of course, some pets are better off close to home, but the social butterflies love to come along. Disney is packed in some of the hottest months when kids are not in school. The hottest deals for peak times for rooms is actually in Kissimmee. Just a south of Disney, the hotel selection is plentiful.

When people book, they only think of Orlando, even though some parts of it are far flung from where they want to be. Surprisingly, many hotels in Kissimmee are closer to park gates than their Orlando counterparts. You are also not so immersed in the park that you forget about nearby beaches, and other attractions such as Cape Kennedy. . If you book a pet-friendly hotel, you can relax at night with family and pets and then, at some hotels with walking services, you may leave your pet behind during the day, or take your pet to a Disney Kennel. They are located at the park entrances at several of the parks.  They are reasonable and clean and you return to take your dog for bathroom breaks.

1) Permitting pets, which goes without saying.
2) Permitting pets to stay in your room unattended. Of course you are NOT going to just leave your pet, but there are times when you need to run out for n hour or two to get dinner, or go somewhere the pet cannot, such as the grocery store to stock up. Some hotels are very reasonable about short absences, but others are not.
3) Hotel computers. I don’t like to bring my computer along and sometimes when I do, the wireless internet doesn’t work correctly. In-room or at least in-lobby computers fill the gap.

The Larkspur River Place hotel has a pet policy, but doesn’t list fees or stipulations on its website. I dialed them and here is what their rep had to say:

1) Pets are permitted. There is no restriction on type, but inquire if its anything unusual.
2) Size is limited to 75 lbs per pet in the residential suites. Other rooms have no restrictions.
3) 2 pets are permitted per room.
4) A $50 cleaning deposit per stay.

So, if you are visiting the area, add this one to the list of those with verified pet policies.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you been thinking of a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day, but have run into a little snag? Aunt Matilda will take the kids, but she and Uncle Chester are a bit iffy when it comes to taking care of your cat, Bertha, or your beagle, Ginger?  A little while back, I discovered that the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing will let Bertha and Ginger settle right in. It might not sound too romantic to have the “kids” glued to you at all times, but a crate fits in the bathroom, or you can always get a suite to have private grownup time away from the furkids.

There is an icon on the site that indicates the hotel is friendly, but the website doesn’t give all the details. I am sure that things have not changed dramatically since I called, but you may want to verify when making a reservation. Dogs are required to be kept on a leash at all times when the dog is outside of your room.  There is a $75.00 fee per room that is a deposit against pet damage. The front desk will give you a special hanger for the door that will tell staff that there are pets in the room, so they do not disturb them when they are alone.

As far as the number or size of the pets, they allow pets up to the size of 75 lbs.  While this is good news in general, it is bad news for owners of the giant breeds.  However, typically those whose lifestyle includes an XXL companion, they have learned to adjust that their dog will not be welcomed everywhere. There are some great pet resorts that you can take your friend to while you are away if that is the case.

The hotel’s sister property, Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, seems to have the same rules and regulations. It is such a relief to be able to find a luxury property that offers a spa and restaurants that accepts our four legged friends as guests.  To me, the deposit is a very small price to pay for having a best buddy around, and certainly is a savings over a week at the kennel.

That being so, luxury vacation rentals seem even more out of the question. However, I stumbled across Masterpiecerentals.com. Not all of the accommodations are mansions, some are more modest, but they are all private residences or condos. You can rent a house out for a night or for a few weeks with no worry about cleaning staff coming in and out of the room and potentially stressing your pet. Not all properties allow pets, but a very fair amount of them do. While in some cases, it is more expensive than a night at a hotel, when you stay for a week and way the expenses you would have dining out, it is obtainable. Also, many of them can sleep more than two people. Just doing a spot check, I saw that many slept six. Some large homes and cabins sleep up to 16. There is a great potential to go with a few family members and save a lot of money.

For this Thanksgiving and Christmas, if there are numerous relatives out of town, or if no one lives in the same city, what about all meeting at another location and having a few days of togetherness? Maybe its not for everyone, but there would be room. Of course, you would have to see how many bedrooms the arrangement had to determine if there were privacy or it was a case of fold out sofas.

Whatever you decide, I think renting a home would be a great way to include the pets during the holidays across the miles.

In Hong Kong, there is a show called Professor Paws Pet Cadet, featuring the Dr. Dog program, where well mannered and well trained dogs act as ambassadors for their species, as well as animals in general. Since the SARS outbreak, and the way pets were treated, they need all the human friends that they can get.  It is supposed to be a fascinating show.   Of course, we can’t see it over here, but if I was sitting in a hotel in Hong Kong I could.   I was just sort of joking around about it, but at a party this weekend, my cousin who has traveled the world told me that Hong Kong is a great place to visit if you have never been to Asia. Of course, she speaks three languages and has traveled the world, so she can always find someone to chat with.   When I read that the Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific was going on, she was really pushing me to go.

I still shook my head, but I did then read that I could potentially get a hotel room for less than less than what I would pay here.  There are hotel rooms available for as little as $84 a night in Hong Kong, and for as little as $30 in the other Asia Pacific localities. Where have you heard of Accor hotels before?  The own Motel 6, among many other properties.  There don’t appear to be any Motel 6 locations in Hong Kong, but the sale makes you sure think you have snagged a similar bargain at their other properties.

My cousin went on to say that if I was nervous about going to Asia because of the language barrier, and didn’t want to be insulated within a tour group, Hong Kong was definitely the place to go.   In some ways, the laws are more similar to home, and there is enough international business where if I got really lost or stuck I could probably find someone who spoke English.  Of course, I always try to learn the language of where I am at, enough to get around, but sometimes you have an unusual situation far beyond your knowledge of asking to be directed to the bathroom or airport.

Who knows.  If I go, and am lucky, maybe I can go to a taping of Dr. Dog, or to lend a hand some how.

I better hurry, because today is the last day of the sale.

It was a big deal to some kids to go shake hands with Mickey Mouse. At the time, Bernard and Bianca, the mouse stars of The Rescuers were a bit more important to us as the movie had just come out in the past few years, and we had seen it every time the library showed it. In retrospect, I should have had a sit down with Pluto and Goofy, as there are burning questions. Is Goofy a dog? If so, why does Pluto act like a dog, and Goofy acts like a person (sort of). What does Pluto think about that, or does it not dawn on him? Perhaps Goofy was a genetic mutation or his Grandma was Little Red Ridinghood’s Granny and his Grandfather was the Big Bad Wolf. Heck, Kermit and Miss Piggy got married, so why not?

When I went twenty-five years later, I took my own five year old with me. My dog! Believe it or not, Disney is friendly to dogs. In the front of all or most parks, there is a kennel. You can leave your furry kid there during the day while you explore the park. The kennel was very clean and the dogs were all kept inside. The set up was more like a vet’s office bank of cages versus a kennel with runs. The dogs are not allowed to stay overnight. The opening and closing of the kennel coincides with park hours.

During the day, you yourself go and walk your own dog outside of the park. It easy to plan your jaunts around various parts of the park to three to four hours at a time. I found that seeing my pup was a welcome break, and it helped me beat the fatigue of running around. You will need to bring your dog’s blanket and any desired toys or food with you. They don’t supply them, which is no problem. It is better to have the comforts of home anyways. I think it also keeps the facility extra clean, and keeps the staff’s eyes on your pets versus the laundry. When I picked up my dogs for the final time that day, he gave the lady at the desk a big kiss.

You can pay per day, or you can buy a package where you dog can “park hop” right with you. After you buy your Disney Tickets (I found some great package prices at orlandofuntickets.com), be sure to call the kennel a few days before to make sure they have room. It was relatively empty when I went, but I am sure it will catch on.

Typically, websites such as this give you the basics of where to stay and what to do, but they don’t really give you an idea about what kind of outreach or charity work that is being done in the area.  For me, that would certainly lead to some writing fodder.  Through cruising around, I saw a listing that was titled “Equine Assisted learning.” I found that there is a group in the area, Caballos de Milagros, that targets “at risk” children and folks with mental health related issues. Through learning about horses, they learn boundaries, peer negotiation, and confidence.

While it doesn’t appear the program is a non profit, they do use rescued horses.  It is believed that someone who has gone through trauma can relate to a horse who has had a tough time as well.  Their story may cause someone to connect and open up when they otherwise may not have.

I am very intrigued by this, and am going to have to check them out, as well as a few of the 22 wineries I am very surprised I am in the area.  Have you been to the Boerne area?  If so, write and tell me what you did!

Enter to win Travelin’ Tunes, the econolodge road trip music sweepstakes and you might just find yourself at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Country Music Hall of Fame. The grand prize includes airfare for two, three nights at the appropriate Econo Lodge, $1,000 in spending money, and a VIP tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

I researched a little, and found that the VIP package at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame usually costs $500, and I believe that is per person.  You have the opportunity of looking at items that are in the vault that are not on public display as part of your in depth tour.  There are items that are sometimes rotated in to ever changing exhibits, but I am sure there are some items that are not.  After the VIP tour, you can wander around the museum at leisure.

As for the pets, you can crate them in your room and then go back to take them to a walk around town before dinner.  They would love it.  If your pet is 17 lbs or under on airlines that accept them, they can ride in the cabin in their carrier under the seat in front of you.   If your pet is bigger, you might want to take them to the pet resort for a vacation of their own if you win, or forego the plane and drive.

Good luck!  If you win, let me know what your pets do, too.

I just discovered that there are prepaid cards, like the Vision Premier Prepaid Visa, that offer direct deposit.  They act in lieu of a bank account and the money gets placed right on the prepaid Visa instead of going into the bank. I always was curious as to why someone would not want to have a bank account. Are they running from the law? I recently discovered there are other reasons why you might want to cash checks somewhere else.

If you are a student away at school, you may not have a local branch of your bank near school. It also has benefit to people who spend months traveling by RV. You don’t have to worry about someone being at home to deposit your checks, and if you cannot find a bank branch on the road, you can still have instant access to your money. It you lose the card, no one will have access to your nest egg because it is entirely separate, yet you will still have the funds from your check available on it.

I am wondering if the prepaid cards would work for the purpose of tithing.  I am wondering if someone could set it up where part of their check gets deposited to an organization’s card.   That might be too complicated and there would be too much of an exchange of personal information, but you never know.

- Bill Cosby, Himself

Just like the immortalized “Jeffrey,” one rotten apple can spoil the whole bushel.  Unfortunately, hundreds of children and pets who travel well, and the adults who make it happen, go unnoticed. Instead, many people think that the world is made up of Jeffreys.  I have covered pet travel frequently, but baby travel is something equally, or even more important to consider due to the amount of planning involved.  If you follow these tips, your trip will be more pleasant for your family and those around you.

Young babies are often excellent travellers, because they often sleep through a plane or car ride. To prevent a baby from crying when he or she feels a pressure change on the plane, be prepared with a bottle. Feeding the baby alleviates pressure in the ears, just like sometimes swallowing or chewing gum does for us. In fact, there was a well prepared couple on my last trip, and I didn’t even notice the baby was there!

Babytravel.com, a site that rates hotels for child safety and amenities, had a great suggestion.  Always bring masking tape with you when travelling with a baby or a toddler.  You can easily use it to baby proof a hotel room. Of course, a child should never be left unattended, but it is possible for a parent to miss something.  The tape can be safely used to cover electrical outlets.   An additional use is to tie up the cords to window blinds safely out of reach, without damaging hotel property.  Corners of glass tables can also be made just slightly safer as well.

Young children can sit on a parent’s lap on the plane.  However, if your child is a squirmer, please pay for a seat and bring their car seat if it is the correct size for the plane.   It will help the child relax.   There is even something called a Travelmate, which turns a car seat into a wheeled piece of luggage.  BabySafeTravel.com shows handy items like it on their site as well.  You can wheel a toddler through an airport.  It saves money and bulk because you don’t have to rent a car seat at your destination and is much easier to navigate through a crowd.  Also, you can leave the stroller at home, too, depending on your destination.   It is okay for inside but doesn’t suit the purposes of an all terrain journey.  They have stroller rental at theme parks, of course.

Another bulky item that you may also want to leave home is the baby gate. If you are visiting a relative whom you plan to visit frequently, purchase one at a local store and leave it at your destination for pets and kids.  Leave the baby gate at home, versus struggling to fit it on the plane.

By thinking ahead and making the proper calls and making the right decisions, a trip with a young child doesn’t have to be something to cry about.