According to a record keeping study that was started in May of 2005, by the US Department of Transportation, 96 pets were either injured, lost, or had died during air travel. Out of this number, exactly 17 pets were lost, 49 died, and 30 were injured. This information is probably a big surprise to most of you, considering that boarding your pet in a crate for airline travel is supposed to be safe.

Would you like to purchase some dog clothes.

Animal air travel is not always as dangerous as the above poll numbers. In fact, dog enthusiasts and breeders routinely fly their dogs without having any trouble at all. The airlines make every claim possible that dogs that travel on-board will be perfectly safe. The same claim are held by the Transportation Association of America.

However the AKC(the American Kennel Club) feels differently though on this issue. The AKC spokesperson does claim that with precautions that owners can take with a few guidelines that air travel can be safe for dogs.

You can pick up some great deals on fancy dog dresses.

The premier suggestion is that dogs should only travel by airplane if it’s absolutely necessary because many veternarians and humane associations raise the issue that dogs can chew or claw their way out of crates resulting in injuries, pets becoming lost, or death.

It is much safer to bring your dog inside of your car or SUV when traveling inside the country. You can take breaks as needed so that your dog can stretch his legs, use the bathroom, and remain free of stress and anxiety. Your dog will also be surrounded by its family which helps provide comfort and security during the long trip.

Of course there is a large number of successful trips made by dogs on airplanes, but every now again a true horror story emerges. One of the most important things you can do is to have your dog thoroughly checked out by the veterinarian for any medical issues.

This check-up should be scheduled approximately 9 to 10 days before the trip begins. Many dog owners have no idea that there pets may have a pre-existing condition that could become a problem during the flight.

A perfect example is older dogs. They could be at the beginning stages of kidney disease and you would never know because early in this condition, the dog compensates by drinking tons of water. And if an older dog in this condition sets foot on an airplane without water to drink, it may experience renal failure.

You love your pet so you will probably want to check out some of these dog sweaters.

Are you looking for creative family vacation ideas this year? A fun trip that all ages will enjoy? Perhaps you’re interested in an enjoyable vacation time at a lesser-known destination that requires travel.

If so, keep reading for a list of some of the best family-friendly destinations in the state of Michigan.

Air Zoo Museum

On your upcoming Michigan family vacation, make a stop at the Air Zoo - it’s a massive facility dedicated to flight and space travel. Your kids can explore a huge replica of the ISS (International Space Station), take a ride in a flight simulator or simply explore all the exhibits throughout the museum.

The Air Zoo is open every day of the year, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The facility is sponsored and operated by the Smithsonian Institute. It’s targeted toward both kids and adults, making it a popular stop for families who want an activity that’s both fun and educational.

Tickets can be expensive though. Expect to pay $19.50 for an adult admission ticket and about $15.50 for a child’s admission. Kids under the age of five can enter for free. If you’re on a budget, then try purchasing your tickets at least three days in advance from the Air Zoo website. You’ll save 10% off the ticket price, which can be a significant savings for large families.

The Henry Ford Museum

The Henry Ford Museum is all about celebrating the American experience and history of ingenuity, commerce and progress. The museum is not only educational, but also fun. However, it’s targeted toward families with children over the age of 5 - so younger kids might find the experience dull. There are different activities and itineraries for kids and adults, depending on their age and interest.

The museum is open every day of the year, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Expect to pay $14 for an adult admission, $13 for a senior’s admission, $10 for a youth entrance and nothing for children under the age of 5. For more information, you can visit their website at thehenryford.org.

Indoor Water Park Hotels

Michigan is full of indoor water park resorts and hotels. You can hit the budget friendly Gold Rush or the family-focused Great Wolf Lodge along with numerous other water parks that are open all year-round.

Expect to pay more than you would at a standard hotel, but enjoy the benefits of relaxing by the pool while your kids are entertained with water sports and fun.

Autumn Corn Mazes

If you’re traveling to Michigan in the autumn, you have to check out a corn maze. The state has some of the biggest in the country, and they add a great touch to a Michigan family vacation. For more information on some of the best mazes in the state, you can visit bestmaze.com and get all the details you need.

The Antietam National Battlefield is the site of one of the most savage battles of America’s most bloody war. It was here, on September 17, 1862 that Union and Confederate forces would engage in a fight that would become cataclysmic in proportions. At the end of the day, 23,000 soldiers would be dead, wounded or missing, making it the battle in which the most American’s lost their lives, even more than D-Day in World War II.

That legacy is preserved today by the National Park Service. Almost 100 monuments give testament to what happened here, the enormous loss of life and the impact that the battle, and the war in which it occurred, would have on American history. As a result of this battle, Lincoln was motivated to sign the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation that set the slaves free and that sent the Civil War raging to its bloodiest heights.

The Antietam National Battle Field has opportunities for guided tours, self-tours and even tours that are guided via an MP3 downloaded to a personal music player. The park rangers are always willing to share their vast knowledge of the site.

Starcadia Entertainment Park Offers Days of Family Fun. Starcadia Entertainment Park located near Macon, Georgia is the only amusement park of its sort in middle Georgia and gives a variety of fun-filled activities for the whole family. A wonderful part of Atlanta Georgia tourism.

This six acre amusement park is located just off I-75 and includes many attractions for kids of all ages. Adults will love what the park has to offer as well. There is a miniature putt-putt course and a fully loaded electronic video game arcade that features the most challenging games available on the market and will keep the video game enthusiast entertained for hours.

For the more athletic and adventurous, take on the rock climbing walls and test your climbing skills and fitness range as you make your way up a challenging rock climbing course that is safe and supervised. Race enthusiasts will get their thrills at the Speed Racer Go-Kart course where they can race others around a racing oval in fully functional Go-Karts. Small kids have a separate rookie track so they are not left out of the racing excitement.

Starcadia has a children’s park that is designed to thrill younger kids. Families can relax with a ride in the bumper boats, which guarantee you will get wet after bouncing and bumping into other boaters on this wet-filled ride.

Starcadia has a picnic location and full catering facilities for events and can accommodate large groups for parties or corporate events. For more information on Starcadia Entertainment Park call (478) 475-9880.

The Afton Museum might be a small venue but the history to which it is dedicated to preserving is an important part of the history of the United States as a whole. The small New York town was home to one of the world’s most famous religious figures whose legacy lives on to this day.

Afton, New York was, for a time, the home of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints and the religious movement known as Mormonism. This was the city in which he began to author the Mormon Bible, guided by “visions” he claimed to have had. From these humble beginnings he founded the church which eventually engaged in a pilgrimage westward, establishing Salt Lake City in Utah and becoming a large religious and political force in the American West.

Relics from the age of Smith are held at the Afton Historical Society’s Afton Museum, which is open seasonally. The Historical Society also engages in many community activities that are fun for the whole family and is available to open the museum on appointment with interested visitors to this historic town.

The Caribbean is one of the first destinations people look to for their dream cruise vacation and it’s a perfect choice for just about any occasion whether it be a honeymoon, family holiday or just hanging out with friends.

One of the drawbacks for many is Caribbbean cruise costs and while cruise costs in general are way down on what they used to be, if you can save money without looking cheap then we say why not. Cruise holidays range in length from a few days to a couple of weeks and the tips presented here can be applied to any cruise destination.

Cutting Carribbean cruise costs can simply relate to avoiding some of the services presented to customers on board which you really don’t need. In fact, always look at whether they are cheaper elsewhere and most times they are. Here’s a short list of things to watch out for.

Saving On Carribean Cruise Costs

- To begin with, you should start of by first searching for cruises that take place in the Off Season. In addition, you will also need to decide on a destination and because prices during Off Season are very low you will not encounter any big difficulties in finding some very sweet deals.

- Another option worth checking out in regard to cheap Caribbean Cruises is to look for relocation cruises which are cruises that go to places that are most in demand by travelers. In such deals it is quite common for a cruise intended for Hawaii to go to the Caribbean because of more demand for the Caribbean.

- Most cruise lines will also charge low in order to entice more customers and in the case of a cruise line offering a trip aboard its latest cruise liner the prices too will often be slashed in order to induce customers to come aboard their ship.

- For those people that are employed by the Army, trying their base Tickets and Tours agencies is a good option because then it becomes possible to get low fares as well as a chance to make payments in installments (interest free). Another good way of finding a cheap Caribbean Cruise deal is to check out the big cruise operators that generally have lower prices and a good example of big holiday travel companies is Travelocity that provide travelers with best prices.

- Lastly, you could avoid Caribbbean cruise costs by taking advantage of early and late booking for low price deals. One last tip in regard to Caribbean Cruise and cheap rates is to consider getting employment aboard a Caribbean Cruise line; especially, Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines that are the two biggest as well as most popular cruise lines operating in the world today.

The AS Rome (Associazione Sportiva Roma) is the football club of the Italian capital Rome.
It was founded in 1927, when the president of the club Fortitudo at that time, Italo Foschi, decided to bring together the three clubs Alba Audace, Roman and Fortitudo, in order to get the championship title. By doing so, the AS Rome was founded. The team of the club is often called “the Giallorossi” (The Yellow-reds) due to the colours of the club and strip.

The club is playing in the A-league, which is the best league for Italian professional football. The only time that they’ve ever has to play in B-league was in 1951, but in 1952 they went straight back up to the A-league. In this league the club managed to win the championship 3 times (1942, 1983 and 2001) and have managed to be runner up at least ten times. Since 2006 they managed to win this position 3 times in a row.

An example of a famous player of the current team is the striker Francesco Totti, but there have also been some very well known people playing for the team in years gone by. One of them was the ancient director of the German national team, Rudi Völler.

The AS Roma Ultras hass the biggest and oldest fan group of Italy. It has also a lot of tradition. They support the AS Rome as good as they can and they are well known among other football fans. The home matches of the club take place at the Olympistadium in Rome. This was re-opened in 1960 during the Olympic summer games. It has space for approximately 83.000 football fans. It is not however one of the biggest stadiums in the world ( the Gelora-Bung-Karno-Stadion in Jakarta is on ranked 10th place, having 88.306 seats). Nevertheless it is well worth a look.

If you are in Rome and you have the chance to watch a match of AS Rome in the Olympiastadium, you should definitely take the chance! In order to have a perfect stay you should have a look for accommodation (Unterkunft Rom) in advance. If a Hotel in Rom is too expensive you might want to look for an apartment (Ferienwohnungen Rom). Here you’ll have a lot of space and you can save some money in comparison to a lot of the hotels in the city. Enjoy your stay and remember to support AS Rome. Have a great time in Rome, and make sure to make the most of your time there.

Probably one of the most important questions you will ask before going on holiday to any destination is where to go and what to do when you get there. While knowing which restaurants, which bars and which tourist attractions to go to once you get there is a very important thing to know, knowing your way around the city in terms of areas is probably just as important. Below is a list of the so called ‘quartieri’ in the city of lights, so that you know where it is you’re walking around.

Ancient Rome
This ‘quartiere’ is the one of the most visited by tourists. This is because of the high number of archaeological sights in the area, such as the Coliseum and the Capitole. Traditionally inhabited by the working class and poor of the city, this area has now come into its own and has developed its reputation as one of the most popular areas in the city. Don’t forget to take a stroll down its lit up streets at night – truly beautiful.

The Historic Quarter
Another tourist hub, this area is a must see on your trip to Rome. Home to the Piazza Navona, the Campo dei Fiori, the Via Giulia and the Palazzo Farnese. This area has some of the most stunning architecture in the city and has a multitude of little squares and fountains; the perfect place for a romantic evening with a loved one.

Termini and San Lorenzo
If you’re arriving to Rome by train, then this is the first part of the city you will see as this is where the main train station of the city, Stazione Termini, is situated. This area was developed in the 1930’s and boasts suiting architecture. This is where you will also find the National Roman Museum and a multitude of winding roads with numerous fashion boutiques. San Lorenzo is an area that has certainly kept its Roman characteristics. Traditional in many ways, you will surprisingly see a high presence of students in the area due to the fact that the city’s main university is situated there. This is therefore one of the best areas to go out at night.

These are three areas that I really do recommend anyone visit if they’re in Rome as each one has a different thing to offer. Make sure to book your accommodation (alojamiento Roma) well before hand as the apartments (apartamentos Roma) and hotels (hoteles en Roma) do tend to get booked up quite quickly. Make sure to make the most of your time in this great city.

Thanksgiving may be the season for sharing gratitude, but it’s difficult to feel grateful when you remember the usual hassles accompanying this holiday. Cooking is the largest dilemma and in most cases, it unfortunately falls on just one or two women’s shoulders to prepare a huge spread for the entire family. And then there’s the matter of preparing the house to accommodate all visiting friends and loved ones.

Spend Thanksgiving Away from Home

If you want a hassle-free weekend this Thanksgiving, treat yourself and everyone else to a relaxing weekend escape for the holiday. Perhaps an Hawaii vacations. Here are a few vacation deals to give you an idea of what to look for.

Bolton, Landing, New York: The Sagamore

This Lake George facility has a variety of special getaway deals to offer. Expect to pay at least $349 but this also comes with breakfast and, of course, holiday dinner. Children below 18 may stay in your room without extra charge and those with three-night bookings can stay for an extra night for free.

Crested Butte, Connecticut: Resort Quest

Dial the number for Resort Quest, request the Crested Butte Thanksgiving Package, and families of four will pay less than $800 to ski their way to their two-bedroom suite and make use of lift passes for three wonderful days. But first you have to pray that winter comes early!

Florida: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Amelia Island

Groups of four won’t have to spend more than $180 when they get to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The 2,400-acre facility promises a comfortable night’s stay in a 2-bedroom suite and endless fun for all the family with their kid zone, boogie boarding, kayaking, a personal visit from Santa, and many other family-centered activities. In Amelia Island, you’ll just have to fork over $50 for a one-night stay and the privilege to pretend that Thanksgiving took place in summer while you sail off in a rented boat or play racket ball or volley ball under the beautiful Florida sun.

New York: Regency Hotel

A suite good for six to eight persons can go as low as $539. Dinner at the hotel is priced at $49 with a 50% discount for children but you can always have the hotel serve your Thanksgiving dinner for you and nineteen other guests in your suite. Don’t forget to watch Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade.

Orlando, Florida: Walt Disney World

Magic is always in the air once you stepped inside the Walt Disney World. Suites are quite comfortable, starting at just $39 but you should also consider availing of packages that include discounted theme park passes. To celebrate in the spirit of Thanksgiving, watch out for holiday fireworks and parades - but don’t miss the tree-lighting ceremony held every night.

Puerto Rico: Wyndham El Conquistador Resort

Since there’s no laws that say Thanksgiving has to be experienced in winter wonderland, why not fly off to this Puerto Rican resort? For a little less than $200 per night, you can experience the resort’s ongoing Family Getaway By Request promo. The special package also includes a 50% discount if you book a second room for your kids, two-for-one spa, complimentary children’s camp, and many other features. The promo also waives payment for your fourth night and children below 12 years old can get meals for free.

Dumfries, situated, on the banks of the River Nith, not that far away from the Solway Firth is, by a large amount, the biggest town in Scotland’s southwest (the population is in excess of 30 thousand people). Dumfries, in a similar way to Ayr, has a close associated with the life and times of Robert Burns.

For people wishing to take a vacation in Dumfries we have listed below information about 3 popular visitor attractions; Robert Burns House, Dundrennan Abbey and Lochmaben Castle:

Dundrennan Abbey

King David I founded Dundrennan Abbey in 1142. During this time, Scottish abbeys were usually built of a reddish sandstone, but Dundrennan Abbey was constructed of very hard-wearing, local grey sandstone. This is probably the reason why many of the unique architecural forms and mouldings have survived. The first monks to reside in the Abbey, originally come from Rievaulx, Yorkshire. Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night on Scottish soil at Dundrennan Abbey in 1568. She then found her way across the Solway Firth to Workington, and was eventually captured and imprisoned by the English. The land passed into the hands of the Crown, following the Scottish Reformation in 1587.

Lochmaben Castle

The Lochmaben Castle, that is left today, was not the first Lochmaben Castle. The first was commissioned by the Bruce family, Lords of Annandale, in the 1100’s. In 1298, King Edward I of England seized the castle, and then constructed another Lochmaben Castle in a more efficient defensive location. This second castle was finished in the beginning of the fourteenth century, leaving the old castle derelict. From 1306 to 1588, the castle was either in the hands of the English or the hands of the Scots. It was in 1588 that James VI attacked and seized the castle from the Maxwell family. The castle was eventually left derelict after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

Robert Burns House

One of the most famous men in Scotland, Robert Burns, lived in Dumfries during the last years of his life. The home that his family and he once lived in has now become a place of pilgramge for his fans from across the globe. He died prematurely at the age of 37 years in 1796, at home. Today, one can catch a glimpse of how his family and he lived, back in the late 1700’s. The chair and desk where he sat and composed are on display, as are many of his orginal manuscripts. On display there are personal items as well, that once belonged to his family.

If you are in the process of planning to take a vacation in Scotland and you plan to spend a few days in Dumfries you may want to book your accommodation online and you will discover listings of hotels and accommodation in Dumfries at http://dumfries.hotelreservationhelper.com.