A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

By Barbara Wade

Look to all four corners of the globe and you’ll find the world has gone pet crazy. Once upon a time, a feline friend or canine kid was considered a family member.

Today, they have achieved the level of status symbol. With stars such as Paris Hilton and Oprah Winfrey making their love of pets widely known, it is becoming significantly more common to find a local, pet-friendly hotel: Monaco to Memphis and Paris to Portland. Luxury hotel accommodations are even readily available for those who wish to pamper their four-legged babies.

Traditional Lodging for Pets

In years past, neighbors or family members traditionally shared the care of pets when owners left town. As the need for quality pet care grew, kennels began to sprout worldwide. These facilities generally offered basic shelter and food for dogs and cats. A wire kennel only big enough
to turn around in, along with food and water bowls served as the accommodations for boarded pets. Wanting better for their loved ones, pet parents continued to make their wishes for care known and thus, luxury pet lodges were born.

As appealing as this option is, what many owners really wanted was to simply take their pets with them when they traveled. Providing that option, along with many pet amenities, is the fundamental premise behind a truly pet-friendly hotel. Monaco, Rome and countless other
cosmopolitan destinations, for example, have pet-friendly hotels that allow guests to house pets in their rooms. While a much better option for some than leaving pets behind, other hotels go miles farther to make the pets’ visit as outstanding as the owners’.

Amenities for Pets

Right here in the U.S., pets can receive exceptional treatment when traveling with their families. For example, one Portland luxury hotel has a K-9 Director of Pet Relations whose job it is to make all pet-guests feel right at home. This social golden retriever named Art ensures that all pets - and their owners - understand the amenities available to pets, including a food bowl with coordinating mat, dog bed, complimentary dog treats, bottled spring water and dispose-a-scoop cleaning supplies.

Scheduling a massage for yourself? Don’t forget your pet. Canine and feline massage specialists are on staff to de-stress your pet after a long day of travel. While you’re at the hotel fitness center, your pet can enjoy a delightful stroll around the block at the hands of a trained professional. While you and your family are out with business or sightseeing during the day, your pet can visit with a pet sitter so loneliness and boredom don’t set in.

When booking pet-friendly hotels, be sure you ask about extras such as deposits or additional cleaning fees. You’ll also want to inquire about weight limits imposed on dogs and other pets.

Luxury doesn’t have to be for humans alone. When you travel with your family, bring everyone along - pets and all. With the luxurious accommodations available for pets, there is no reason the entire family can’t enjoy a vacation together.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.

About The Author:

Barbara Wade writes articles for the newly renovated Hotel Monaco Portland luxury hotel. With well-appointed accommodations and innovative pet programs, the Hotel Monaco offers a convenient, central location.

It’s not going to be any easier to fly in the future, even with the busy summer season over after Labor Day.

Read this article and be sure and check the tips at the end to make it easier to travel by air. Tips include such suggestions as fly direct to avoid missing connections, get confirmed seats so you don’t get bumped, take essential items with you in case your bags get lost, etc.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.

By Lawrence Westfall

The top 10 reasons to book your hotel online are:

1.It’s Fast

Click, click, click and you are done. You can look at pictures of the hotel and rooms, read reviews, and safely book your hotel room.

2.It’s Secure

As mentioned above, booking online is safe and secure. Just look for the little lock in your bottom toolbar and check that the site is “https”. This will guarantee your safety.

3.You Can Compare

It is very easy to comparison shop for your hotel online. Either by taking notes or opening multiple browser windows. Find the best price for your vacation lodging.

4.It’s Instantaneous

Well, almost. You usually receive an email confirmation within the hour that you can print out and present at check in. Don’t forget to bring this with you.

5.It’s in Your Language

This is all done in your language. So, you don’t have to call a foreign country and hope that they understand you.

6.It’s Cheap

Using one of the many hotel consolidators, you can book your hotel for less than booking directly with the hotel. This is the same concept as booking your flight through a travel agent instead of directly with the airline.

7.The Variety

Hotel consolidators will provide you with hotels in every shape, size, and price range. They will also provide the location to make it easier for you to decide. This makes it easier for you to compare and get the best value for your money.

8.The Specials

Unpublished specials are provided to the hotel consolidators that are not available directly through the hotel’s web site.

9.You Get Local Access

If you want to contact the hotel consolidator via a telephone, most have toll-free numbers and personnel that speak your language.

10.It’s Convenient

You can do this at home sitting in your boxer shorts. You can also read current reviews and see what others have to say about you future home away from home.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.

About The Author:

Larry Westfall is the owner of Bangkok Accommodations and a frequent traveler to Thailand. You can find great Thailand hotel prices at Larry’s site Thailand Accommodations.

If you are traveling to Puerto Rico, be sure and read this article about 3,200 suspected cases of dengue fever on the island of Puerto Rico.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.

By E Cho

Niagara Falls, or les Chutes du Niagara, is probably one of the most well known and visited natural wonders of the world. Located on the border of Canada and the United States, these beautiful waterfalls are on the Niagara River. The Falls actually consist of three separate
waterfalls, the first two, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls accessible from the states, and the last, Horseshoe Falls, divided from the others by Goat Island, on the Canadian side.

Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three, water cascades down 170 feet to the pool below, eventually moving into Lake Ontario. The strength and height of American Falls is roughly half of its counterpart, at 70 feet, the drop from Bridal Veil Falls even less. It is interesting to note, however, that the actual height of the American Falls is 9-10 feet larger than that of Horseshoe Falls, even though the waterfall itself is not. This is due to the existence of large rocks found at the base of the falls.

Niagara Falls draws tourists from all over the country; as many as 20 million annually are enthralled by the sight and sounds of the falling water. Both Canada and the United States benefit from the force of the waterfalls, using it as a source of power. The hydroelectric stations that share the water produce around 4.4 GW of power, making Niagara Falls the most powerful, and valuable, waterfall located in North America.

The beauty and power of the waterfalls can be seen in daylight or dark, as Canada uses spotlights to illuminate both sides of Niagara Falls until midnight each night. There are different colours used for illumination, making the falls a must see during evening hours. Three bridges connecting the Niagara Falls, New York and the Falls in Canada afford the best views of the waterfalls. Two, the Rainbow Bridge, and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, are open to both pedestrians and vehicles, the third, Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, is open only a limited number of hours, exclusive to Nexus Pass-holders.

After enjoying the wonders that nature has to offer, you will enjoy the modern comfort and convenience found at the Holiday Inn Niagara Falls By The Falls. The inn, located a few steps away from the waterfalls, allows guests to choose from three different restaurants, ensuring each person’s tastes are catered to. They also boast a swimming pool and whirlpool, to enjoy at your leisure. Ideally situated in the Niagara Falls Tourist District, the Skylon Tower adjoins the property, along with the IMAX Theater. This makes the Holiday Inn Niagara Falls By The Falls a perfect base for shopping, touring, and relaxing as you visit Canada.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order or renew your passport.

By Chonticha Marijne

If you’ve never been fishing in Canada, then you don’t know what you’re missing, nor have you experienced the ultimate in fishing adventures. Canada, with hundreds of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams, offers a wealth of fishing possibilities that you wouldn’t believe.

Whether you’re fishing for salmon, trout, pike, halibut or dozens of other freshwater varieties, Canada has a variety of fishing opportunities waiting for you. Weather’s no detriment either, for in Canada you can fly fish, reel fish, and ice fish to your heart’s content. Salmon is the fish catch for Alaskan and Canadian waters in the fall, and spawning season produces millions of varieties of salmon ranging in size from 18-24 inches and 8-12 pounds. King salmon range between 30-80 pounds, so make sure you’re fit before attempting to fish Canadian waters!

Canada fishing trips offer anglers from around the world rustic or luxurious accommodations, and the great thing is, there are so many choices that you may opt to try several different locations for your fishing trip. Rustic cabins or even tent camping is available for those who wish to head into the interior, and if you want a plane to drop you off and then pick you up at a later time, booking with a variety of tourist and fishing businesses anywhere in Canada is no trouble.

If you’re looking for a little more pampering than that, try any number of fishing or hunting lodges and resorts that offer everything from fine dining to spa treatments and massages.

Weather in Canada is typically mild, expect for the winter months, and that also will depend on where you’re staying. For the most part, Canada in summertime offers a very pleasant 50-80 degrees depending, again, on location. Coastal areas maintain temperatures that are usually below 75 degrees, while the interior may reach into the 80s.

Canadian fishing lodges offer a perfect wilderness setting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the peace and quiet, accompanied by spectacular scenery and wildlife often makes visitors feel as if they’ve stepped into another world. Whether you come alone, with buddies, or with your family, there are options for entertainment, lodging and dining that will suit just about any need or desire. Many resorts offer day or weekend fishing trips, or rentals for visitors, at very reasonable prices.

When planning a Canada fishing trip, make a list of priorities and then search for lodging or fishing packages that will cater to your desires. Check several options within each category for your vacation plans, such as what kinds of fish you’re wanting to catch, or what types of lodging you’re looking for, down to what you want to eat.

Most travel agencies or online fishing adventure websites will offer to send printed information to you free of charge, so gather adequate resource material before sitting down to plan your trip. Leave your options open, if possible, and prepare to be surprised, delighted and excited about fishing in Canada.

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Planning a trip to Canada? You’ll need a passport? Click here for passport and visa requirements for traveling to Canada.

About The Author:

Ready for the best Canada fishing trips of your own? Chonticha recommends you find out more at Canada Fishing Trips.

By E Cho

The oldest museum in Australia, and one of the most highly respected natural history and anthropological institutions in the world, the Australian Museum has exhibits to appeal to the future Nobel Prize candidates in several fields of natural science.

Its palaeontology, anthropology, mineralogy, and zoology exhibits are displayed in a suitably Neo-classical stone edifice, on suitably named College Street in Sydney, where it has stood since it opened to the public in 1857.
Changes at the Australian Museum

The ensuing century-and-a-half has seen the Australian Museum transformed from a warehouse for scientific and cultural artifacts to a modern sandstone complex housing research, administrative, and educational facilities. The collections are still there, of course; they are growing every year, and even better, are now accompanied by temporary exhibitions and educational programs.
What Will You Find at the Australian Museum?

The permanent displays at the Museum include the Indigenous Australian exhibit, which preserves a record of the many native Australian tribes; the Birds exhibit, with its examples of Australian avians of every shape, size, and plumage colour; and the Skeletons: Framework for Survival exhibit, covering every life form from insects to mammals.

The self-explanatory Insect Exhibit, is a great favorite with Sydney school children, as is the More Than Dinosaurs collection of giant reptiles and megafauna, among which were giant kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian Devils.

The Biodiversity: Life Supporting Life, display shows the interconnectedness of the tremendous variety of Australian life forms. The permanent exhibits take up three entire floor of the Museum and are expansive enough that the Highlights Self-Guided Tour Brochure is recommended.

While you probably won’t have time to give each exhibit the attention it deserves, make sure you find a way to stop in at the Search and Discovery Room, where you’ll be able to put your hands on some CR-ROMs, magazines, and books, as well as live exhibits. There’s even something for the pre-school set at Kid’s Island, where youngsters up to five years of age are free to explore.

Recommended Hotels near Australian Museum

For visitors to Sydney who want to take a fascinating look at the natural and cultural history of Australia, from prehistory to today, a visit to the Australian Museum is a must. And the Sydney Marriot, at 36 College Street, will provide you with five-star accommodations just a short walk away!

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Planning a trip to Australia? You’ll need a visa. Click here for visa requirements for traveling to Australia.

About The Author:

E Cho recommends you book your Sydney hotel reservations at The Hotel Club.