Tips and tricks from the experts on having easy, fun and affordable pet-friendly vacations. See the reasons that taking your pet could make this your best vacation ever!

Looking for a way to spend some of that extra cash in your wallet. First of all, lucky you to be doing so well! And secondly…why not go for a vacation rather than the latest hot designer shoes or tech gadgets? You know why: getting away, whether it’s just a few days or a full-on vacation, can do wonders for rejuvenating you, easing away the built up stress of the work, and just add some balance to your life.

Vacationing tends to be something that dwindles as people get older and acquire more responsibilities, such as children and pets. While traveling with young children can be challenging, many people feel that taking their pets along is downright not worth it. We really feel this perception exists largely due to hearsay. If a friend had a hard time taking along the whole family on a getaway, pets included, it can turn their friends and family off the idea, even without any research. Really, pet-friendly vacations can be very easy! They can also be very affordable, even less stressful than leaving the animals behind with hired caregivers, and more fun! Whether your tastes run to full-service resorts or camping in national parks, there are no limits to pet-friendly vacations.

Travel

The first thing to consider is how will you get to your destination. Taking a car is the easiest: just pack up the pets in their carriers, along with some food and water bowls, old sheets and towels from home, and a few favorite toys. Load everyone up in the car and go! Taking a plane or train takes just a little more planning. When researching flights, check out the websites for the airlines under consideration to see what their policies are for animals. Some will stow all crates in storage, others will allow cats and toy breed dogs to stay with you in the cabin.

Accommodations:

There are plenty of options of places to stay on your pet-friendly vacations! Click on our listings page to see all the regional and national chains that allow animals. As with airlines, different chains will have different requirements. If you plan to take your pet out with you during the days, you won’t have to worry about any pet sitters. However, if you have plans that can’t include your animal, such as a day at the theme park, research local doggie daycare facilities near your hotel or motel. Don’t let hearsay from others prevent you from having fantastic, relaxing and fun pet-friendly vacations. In fact, taking your pet with you and walking them around can help you get around and explore without feeling pressure to “do” too much. Pet-friendly travel can make your vacation totally relaxing. Animals have a great ability to calm their owners – taking your furry friend with you may be the best decision you ever made. Ready to start planning? Click here to see all the pet-friendly vacation links you need.