A few weeks ago I was eating breakfast with my friend Sandy. When talk turned to travel, I quickly realized how skilled she was at sleuthing out great travel deals. “You should be a travel agent,” I told her.
As it turns out, I’m not the first friend to have told her this. So, when Sandy admitted that she secretly harbored a desire to become an agent but had no idea how to get started, I offered to introduce her to respected Virtuoso travel advisor, Susan Kelly, owner/agent at Luxury Adventure Trips and my personal go-to gal for trip planning for the past fifteen years.
Have you ever wondered what it would take to get started in a career as a travel agent? I asked Susan if she’d be willing to share with Sandy her thoughts on how, if she were starting today, she would go about it. In typically generous Susan style, she not only encouraged Sandy to go for it, but also allowed me to publish her insider tips and recommendations.
Luxury adventure travel advisor, Susan Kelly, on safari at Okonjima/Africat, Namibia.
Editor’s note: What follows is an e-mailed reply by travel advisor, Susan Kelly, to a reader’s question about how to become a travel agent.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Americans’ favorite four-legged companions have evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry, as hotels and businesses throughout the world seem to be rolling out the red carpet for pet guests. Travelocity(R) travel insiders report that hotels in particular throughout the U.S. and abroad are cashing in by catering to the four-legged set.
Accommodating this exploding trend, Travelocity has compiled a list of pet-friendly places for travelers who can’t bear the thought of leaving Fido behind as well as a few animal-themed attractions for the wildlife lover.
“Travelocity found that one in four people travel with their pets, showing that this is a big part of the growing travel market,” said Amy Ziff, Travelocity’s editor-at-large. “Travelers are no longer limited to walking their dogs in the backyard or local park. Now the entire country can be their pets’ playground.”
With special menus, a kitty concierge, a doggy translator and more, Travelocity’s editor-at-large Amy Ziff names some of the best hotels for pet lovers and animal experiences in North America.
San Diego, CA: This spot tops the list as a year-round pet lover’s paradise. There are a number of pet friendly hotels, from the boutique Hotel Solamar to the W San Diego, which is part of the chain’s PAW (pets always welcome) practices and has special events like doggie happy hours and menus. But it’s not just the hotels that embrace animals — Sea World, with the legendary Shamu shows, swimming with Dolphins, shark encounters and more, tops the list for animal interaction. The San Diego Zoo’s animal park has a summer Roar N’ Snore overnight program where visitors can sleep in the park for extra access to the animals. There are also numerous pet-friendly beaches, dog-runs, salons, and restaurants.
Boston: Beantown has a reputation for making way for our furry and feathered friends with the Boston-based book Make Way for Ducklings. There are the Swan Boat Tours and the Boston Duck Tours which guarantee a view of the area’s more active feathery friends. Beyond the gardens and the commons, Boston has pet friendly hotels such as the Fairmont Copley plaza with a canine companion named Catie. For more animal sightings, visit the Franklin Park Zoo with gorillas, warthogs, Cotswald sheep, Pilgrim geese and more. Zoo details: http://www.zoonewengland.com/.
Chicago: It’s home to the Shedd Aquarium, the world’s largest indoor aquarium featuring Beluga Whales, Black Piranha and Leafy Dragons. It opened in 1930 and added the Oceanarium in 1991, nearly doubling its size. Enjoy a stay at the Hotel Monaco and partake in the Guppy Love program, which makes a Goldfish every guest’s companion for the duration of their stay. Or, consider a Canine cruise for dogs and their people, operating Sunday mornings June - September through Mercury skyline cruises at www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com. Walk along Magnificent Mile, Lakefront Trail, or the Riverwalk Gateway to learn the city’s history.
Denver & The Mountains: Though the mile high city and surrounding mountains are welcoming to visitors of all kinds, remember to keep pets hydrated at high altitudes. The Monaco hotels in Denver have a line of pet paw-licies that detail special pet services from gourmet canine cuisine to massages and pet-sitting. The Teatro will serve pets food in a personally-monogrammed dish and walk them as needed. When in the mountains, try spotting elk, moose, deer, coyotes, cougars, black bear, hawks and more.
Miami / Ft. Lauderdale: Miami’s SoBe catwalk is full of pooch pride. Dine at the News Cafe with your furry friend or window shop. The Ritz-Carlton, Royal Palm and the Aqua welcome pets as well. Broward county, the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, boasts more than 70 pet-friendly hotels, numerous parks and recreation areas and even restaurants that cater to pets. For pet R&R, check them into the Camp Canine Country Club & Spa in Ft. Lauderdale or the Tail End Pet Resort & Spa in Davie. Pets dine on gourmet fare from Bone Appetit in Ft. Lauderdale or Three Dog Bakery in Plantation. There is even canine couture found at Tea Cups in Hollywood.
New York City: Home to the most notorious of dog shows, the city is over-run with dog lovers each winter for Westminster. From Central Park to Battery Park and Hudson River Park to Washington Square Park, dog runs are as common as play grounds in Manhattan. Visit www.urbanhound.com for the low-down on playing with pets in the city. Visit the famous Central Park zoo featured in Madagascar and the bigger Bronx Zoo as well. Hotels like 70 Park, the Muse, the Affinia 50 (and all other 8 Affinia properties in Manhattan) as well as the five W hotels all welcome pets. The Affinia hotels run a Jet Set Pet program with a special welcome and extensive list of services whereas the W’s offer signature programs including robes (for you and your pet), treats, and a Where-to-Woof guide of dog parks, groomers and pet boutiques.
San Francisco: Take pets to the Golden Gate Park Dog Run, Mountain Lake Park or the Presidio. Even enjoy a jog at Baker Beach, Fort Funston or Ocean Beach — just be aware of the strictly enforced leash laws. Visitors and their pets can hop on and off the public transport while seeing the sites. Numerous local hotels such as the W San Francisco and the Kimpton hotels are pet friendly. Perhaps the most notable treatment is at the Fairmont where guests can sign up for the Doggy Translator which enhances pet communication.
Puerto Rico & Vieques: These destinations are a diver’s delight — for lovers of the deep blue ocean and all of the creatures beneath the water. Not only does the Caribbean offer coral reefs and brilliant fish, they have bioluminescent bays for nighttime dives as well. Bays can be brimming with phosphorescent single-cell animals that glow in the water when they are agitated or moved. Witness the phenomenon from two bays in Puerto Rico: Fajardo and Guarnica. In Vieques, the healthiest of the bio bays in the Caribbean is Mosquito Bay. Stay at Puerto Rico’s Normandie House.
Washington, DC: Even our nation’s capital welcomes pets. The White House has a history with animals from Calvin Coolidge’s pet raccoon that was purportedly walked on a leash to Woodrow Wilson’s herd of sheep. There have been gifts as outlandish as a herd of elephants and tiger cubs. So, it should come as no surprise that the Mall is a two-mile long playground for pets (although no pets are allowed IN the monuments). The city’s National Zoo is a great place to visit more than 2,400 kinds of animals. The city has numerous pet-friendly hotels including the Fairmont, Hotel Palomar, The Topaz, The Rouge, the Monaco and more.
Vancouver: Rover can roam the stunning city of Vancouver and enjoy many of the parks — even off leash! Local dog lovers have united to develop the Vancouver Dog Owners’ Association Web site with useful information including where and when to take pets to the park and which are leash free. Also check out the Doggy Style Deli on Denman Street specializing in a dog diet akin to “raw food.” Dine in or take out with meals that range from $2.50 - $6. There are many pet-friendly hotels including the Fairmont, The Delta Vancouver, The Sutton and the Metroplitan. At the Pacific Palisades Hotel, the V.I.Pets program welcomes dogs for free and offer biscuits, a Frisbee, pick-up bags, dog bowls and plenty of places to take pooches.
Even if Fido can’t come along, some great animal sightings, experiences, and festivals include:
— South Dakota Bear Country (Rapid City, SD)
— Ostrich Festival (Chandler, AZ)
— Camel Racing (Virginia City, NV)
— Sting Ray City (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
— Sail with your pet on Cunard’s QM2
Travelocity’s editor-at-large also has a number of tips for traveling with pets:
— Check with your vet before traveling as it can be stressful to
furry friends. So, make sure it’s OK and they have what they
need (including a letter that documents they are up-to-date on
their shots and vaccinations).
— Be aware that while many hotels welcome pets, some charge
extra. The Fairmont’s fees are from $25-$40 and the W has a
$25 fee and a non-refundable $100 cleaning fee.
— Traveling with pets can be stressful so take care to acclimate
them. Bring items from home to comfort them. Consider Comfort
Zone’s spray & diffusers, for more information visit
www.petcomfortzone.com.
— If flying with a pet, make reservations in advance and get an
airline-approved container.
— For U.S. dog parks, visit
http://animal.discovery.com/features/dogpark/map/map.html.
— For pet forecasts, including the best time for walks, visit
www.weather.com.
For more information visit: www.travelocity.com/animals.
Source: Travelocity
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion — before, during and after the trip and guarantees everything about a customer’s booking will be right. If it’s not, Travelocity will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. — booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM) and GetThere(R) for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
Want to bring your pet/dog along on your next vacation? Check out these websites listing pet-friendly accommodations and much more!
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
You’ve probably visited a few of the National Park Service’s network of almost 400 environmental, cultural and recreational sites. But did you know that you can apply to live inside a national park as a special guest for a few weeks without paying rent? Imagine being surrounded by sea views and dramatic cliffs in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, or observing elk, bighorn sheep and the endangered California condor in the untamed wilderness of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Simply apply to be an Artist-In-Residence at one or more of the 29 National Parks currently participating in the program.
To find out more about Artist-In-Residence programs, visit:
http://writersdigest.com/articles/kane_artist_in_residence.asp
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Packing up the dog for the trip to Grandma’s? Here are some ideas for stress-free travel with your pet from 4everPets®, makers of natural nutrition products for dogs and cats:
Crate expectations: Whether traveling by air or car, a familiar crate will relax your dog. Never put a leash in the crate, as your pet could get tangled in it.
Hello gorgeous: Brushing your dog and clipping its nails before you leave will make traveling more comfortable.
Make a list: Bring water, your dog’s favorite food, bedding, toy and dishes, pet first-aid kit and old sheets to cover car seats and furniture.
Check it twice: Identify your dog with a current tag or microchip. Carry current health and rabies certificates and a recent photo.
Stair hazard: Did you know that a dog’s claws and fur can get caught in escalators? Pick up or crate your dog, or take the elevator.
No tranquilizers: The ASPCA advises not to use sedatives, because they interfere with balance and can hamper breathing. Instead, use Missing You herbal formula to relax your dog without dizziness or drowsiness.
Chow time: Traveling by car? Feed a light meal three or four hours before you leave. Never feed a dog in a moving car. Dogs should fly on an empty stomach.
Open wide: Do a health check every day you’re away from home, says the American Veterinary Medical Association. Look for runny nose and eyes, scratching or biting, lumps, limping or loss of appetite. Check any concerns with a local veterinarian.
About 4everPets
Based in Kelowna, B.C., Canada, 4everPets serves pets and their owners with all-natural nutrition products for dogs and cats. All 4everPets products are made in North America with human-grade ingredients. Gateway Nutrition Products of Everson, Wash., distributes 4everPets in the United States. Web site: http://www.4everpets.com/
Source: 4everPets
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Car sharing clubs, which have been around for years in European cities, are becoming popular in North America with Zipcar, one of the fastest-growing newcomers to the market.
Zipcar is a car sharing service that has thousands of cars, available by the hour or by the day. You can choose from over 20 different car models to fit your needs. You don’t pay for gas, insurance, or the Zipcar’s reserved parking space. Zipcar members have reported savings of over $5,000 per year by using Zipcars.
Right now, Zipcar is operating in and around Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Toronto, Chicago, Vancouver, and San Francisco. It’s also in London. Other cities will soon join the list as the result of a recent merger between Zipcar and Flexcar.
Whether you need to attend a meeting, visit friends in the ‘burbs, or take someone out to lunch, Zipcar is an efficient way to handle your transportation needs. It’s also handy when you visit a distant city — your membership is valid wherever Zipcar goes.
Check it out at http://www.zipcar.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Do you want your next adventure more than just a visit to a new place? Do you want to make a difference?
Check out these eye-opening South Africa tours at The Cultural Explorer , specialists in cultural and philanthropic travel.
Animals and Art — VENDA INDIGENOUS ART TOUR
For adventurous travelers who love art and animals, too! Travelers stay in one-of-a-kind hotels, visit mystical regions few tourists see, and view animals in luxurious, eco-friendly safari camps. This is a unique opportunity to get to know various South African artists and visit with them in their studios. This trip includes optional cultural excursions to local villages and philanthropic projects. This exclusive itinerary really gets off the beaten path on this trip and venture into mystical parts of South Africa where most tourists don't go. If you like art and culture and also want to spend timeout on safari with the animals - this trip is for you!
• May 17-31, 2008
Mothers&Daughters - South Africa Adventure
For women only. This tour is designed to introduce Cultural Explorer travelers to the women and children of South Africa as they tour this spectacular country. It is a rare opportunity for families to learn and explore together. Both educational and fun. The May trip is scheduled around the 2008 Mother's Day holiday on May 11. For ages 15 and above–because travelers will witness and discuss the impact of AIDS on families and communities.
• May 3-17, 2008
* June 7-21, 2008
Making a Difference — South Africa
A special two week hands-on tour that gives travelers the opportunity to get involved and make a difference, while they explore and learn about South Africa. Here is what travelers can expect: Visit rural schools and develop plans to help with computer work stations or the library. Tutor students in English. Visit local orphanages and learn how to help AIDS orphans. Come up with a plan to get electricity to Zulu villages. Take a group of township kids on a field trip to the ocean or Robben Island. Observe animal rescue. Experience life in the townships; see what it is like to live without electricity or running water. Visit projects active in helping women develop much-needed work skills. Give developing entrepreneurs business or marketing advice and suggestions. Plus travelers will hike the Drakenberg mountains, walk Indian Ocean beaches, tour Robben island, shop Cape Town, and visit with the African Jackass penguins.
• February 9-23, 2008
• March 1-15, 2008
• September 6-20, 2008
• October 18-November 1, 2008
The Cultural Explorer (http://theculturalexplorer.com/)is a member of the African Travel Association (ATA) and is based in San Francisco. The company offers both group and individual trips and specializes in cultural and philanthropic travel experiences.
The Cultural Explorer
211 27th Avenue, Suite 301
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-387-1335
Fax: 415-386-8334
International Cell: 415-994-0019
E-mail: Pat@TheCulturalExplorer.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".