Planning a Vacation for Your Whole Family – Including Pets

“I can’t travel because I have a dog” were the words that inspired Lynn Byrnes of Palm Tree Travel. With 20 years experience as a travel agent and avid dog owner and foster provider to other dogs, she realized that vacationing with your furry family should not be a hindrance, but part of the fun.

Lynn and her pups have lots of firsthand/paw experience. She and her dogs have traveled to many destinations including walking the historic grounds of Mount Vernon. Overall, she recommends traveling by car to keep your pets safe and under your direct control. The distance can vary according to your and your pet's preferences, but there are options near and far. Before hitting the road, there are some things to consider.

There is no perfect vacation for everyone. When planning a vacation, she says it’s important to think about what you like to do. For example, if you like to be pampered, then there are spas that cater to people as well as their pets. Hiking and pet-friendly beaches are options for the more actively inclined.

The biggest growth seems to be somewhere between posh and primitive. Unlike Cleveland, many cities are becoming more and more pet friendly. The number of hotels welcoming pets is growing. There is no need to think about leaving them in the room. Walking tours, horse and buggy rides and outdoor restaurants are common vacation activities you and you pup can enjoy together. Chicago even has K-9 cruises out on Lake Michigan. There are special events much like the Adopt-a-thon. Think of the bragging rights on Facebook as you post your dog winning best “wiggle butt” in an out-of-state competition.

Mackinaw Island is a favorite with Palm Tree Travel clients. The whole island is pet, people and bike friendly; only cars are not allowed. Ghost tours are also growing. This might be a chance to test the sensitivity of both man and animal to supernatural activity.

On an everyday level, people are often happier and more relaxed if they take the whole family on vacation with them. If you are an animal person, then you know that means your four-footed family as well.

If you have questions about pet-friendly reservations, activities, or even moving overseas with your pets, you can contact Lynn www.doggievacations.com  or call  440-895-1822. She gets inspiration from her current menagerie – a yellow Labrador, a retriever mix and a pug, while her cats supervise, but she still answers email and phone calls herself.