Micron Associates Travel Tips for traveling with pets

Many people find it very satisfying to bring their pets with them while traveling. They worry too much if they leave their pets behind.

Micron Associates Blog made some helpful tips to make traveling better for both the pet owners and their pets.

1. Double-check your pet's requirements

Every pet owner must bring their pet's rabies vaccination certificate and other vaccination shot records as well as the dog license because some states require the pet's vaccination records with them for interstate crossing.

Dog licenses are required by law and must be renewed every year. Normally a dog license identifying number is given to the owner, along with a dog tag having the identifier and a contact number for the registering organization.

Make sure to check if the states you will be traveling have any requirements or restrictions for your pet.

If you wish to travel by air, you can check with the airline for their requirements. They might require a health certificate from your veterinarian.

2. Check your destination

Make sure that your destination is pet friendly because there are some places that aren't. But don't worry since lots of attractions and parks will let you bring your pets with you.

Your pets must also be parasite free and should be treated against them because some places where we travel have fleas and ticks, and other type of parasites.

3. Don't leave your pet in a parked vehicle

Never leave your pets alone because many incidents could happen. They can be stolen or if the car temperature is high, they can suffer from heat stroke, brain damage or death in just a couple of minutes. Remember to bring a bottle of water in your car for your pet.

4. Protect your pet while traveling

Make sure that the seat of your pet is secured by putting a harness on it and protecting it with the safety belt. Just in case of sudden stops or accidents, this will protect your pet from any harm.

If you wish to put your pet in a crate or carrier while traveling, make sure that it is well-ventilated and your pet can stand up or sit down, turn around, and lie down.

Never allow your pet to put his head outside the window while traveling because they can be damaged by flying objects or even blinded by small stones. Furthermore, don't let your pet to run free around your vehicle.

You can bring your pet's bed, favorite toy or a blanket to cuddle while traveling if he or she is a nervous traveler. You can also seek the advice of your pet's veterinarian for a possible sedative.

Micron Associates travel blog noted some items that you need to bring for your pet such as a copy of your pet's vaccinations and license, pet food, bottled water, water bowls, extra collar, harnesses, and leashes, baggies, pooper scooper, pet's medications and first aid kit, pet's favorite toys, treats, and bedding, and lastly, have a list of veterinarians in the area where you are traveling.

5 places to rest and relax

Micron Associates Travel Guide suggests locations that will cleanse your soul, whether you’re after the spiritual benefits of yoga, complete silence, or enjoying a tropical breeze.

Gaia House in Devon, United Kingdom

This remarkable Buddhist retreat is set in a former convent in the peaceful countryside of South Devon, and has all the elements you need for an effective meditation retreat, including a serene meditation hall, clean and humbly decorated bedrooms, healthy vegetarian food and lots of spaces to lose yourself in.

Expert tutors offer highly affordable meditation days, weekend retreats and week-long stays and specialize in teaching Vipassana, or Insight Meditation. Some retreats mix meditation with yoga and qigong, and most are open to those who have never meditated before as well as advanced practitioners. As at all bona fide Buddhist meditation retreats, be ready to help out with basic daily chores such as gardening, cleaning or preparing meals.

Gladstone's Library in Flintshire, United Kingdom

Britain’s largest library in North Wales is a peaceful retreat for mental wellbeing, especially for readers, writers, or people looking for open-minded discussion. The vaulted library has a calm, inspiring and silent environment, which is recommended for writers.

The lounge has deep leather sofas, open fire and honesty bar which are perfect for relaxing away from your laptops and smartphones. The renovated rooms are quiet and comfortable. The meals are delicious and the surroundings are so beautiful. You can stay overnight too.

Cortijo Romero in Spain

Established as a retreat in 1986 and center for alternative holidays, it is a refreshing place just outside Orgiva. Cortijo Romero is set amongst the colorful, vibrant mountains of southern Spain. Days can be filled with whatever you like to do such as yoga, reiki, reflexology, shiatsu and aromatherapy. There are also workshops available with language tutors, life coaches and therapists, to help you discover your inner self, learn to write, live from the heart, practice bioenergetics or just speak Spanish. It is blessed with the most amazing light and warmth which, alongside the locally sourced healthy vegetarian meals, refresh mind, body and soul.

Bolilanga Island in Indonesia

Bolilanga is one of the Togian Islands in Sulawesi. It has a radiant atmosphere and it is indeed a little piece of paradise — with white beaches, transparent water and great snorkeling just off-shore. The staff played games with the guests, sat on the beach at the fire, played the guitar and had a really good time together.

The Vine Retreat in Cambodia

The Vine is a very peaceful place. The rooms are simple but elegant and the salt water swimming pool is relaxing. The location is stunning and immediately soothing. It has best accommodation, genuine food from their garden, great drinks with fresh fruits. You can have hours of blissful and insightful yoga per day, also you can ride bicycles around for free. It was the perfect combination of peace, people and peace.

Tips on how to save money to travel the world

Love to travel but your savings account seems to be a problem?

Check out these tips by Micron Associates Travel Guide on how to save money to travel the world.

1. Make a travel fund

Create a different bank account for your travelling expenses. Put in a sum of money on these bank accounts to save up for your trips every month. This is certainly great if you are a starter since you won’t be digging into your personal savings to travel, so you’ll always have money anytime you return. The more you put in every month, the quicker the fund will grow.

Eat less expensive foods and shop less so you can put more into your travel fund. If you can’t bear not to buy branded bags or shoes, and have a fancy dinner with your friends, then perhaps travelling isn’t your main priority.

2. Change your point of view

You should start thinking of your expenses in your travel fund and change the way you spend your finances. Take into consideration the following to control yourself from spending a lot of money.

- The price you pay for an expensive bag can be a return ticket to nearby countries.

- The costly coffee you pay for every day could go to a new and captivating dish you can try in a foreign land.

- The fancy dinner you spend with your friends every weekend could go to the accommodation you’re going with your travel partner.

3. Book you air tickets in advance

Travelers are endlessly seeking ways to crack the code of the unpredictable airline pricing searching for the cheapest fare.

Tuesday is definitely considered the best day of the week to book tickets for several airlines because airlines often announce deals on Monday evenings, so by Tuesday, other airlines are scrambling to match those deals.

The age-old strategy of booking ahead of time can also be a money saver. Domestic flight airfares in the America are the lowest to 50 to 100 days prior to the departure and within that window the best day to book is 57 days ahead. For international flights, it’s smart to book 150 to 225 days ahead, and within that window the best day is 171 days ahead, according to the Micron Associates Travel Guide report.

4. Compare the prices of air tickets

Flying budget is not cheaper at all times. It is worth using some time on using fare comparison sites or visiting the individual airline pages to discover the lowest price for your travel dates.

5. Buy ticket bundles or deals to attractions and activities

Search for deal websites to get major discounts on attractions and activities. Some ticket-booking websites also offer bundles to many points of interests with considerable savings. Just remember to read the fine print.

6. Take public transport

You can save money if you were to take a bus, subway, rail and even boat service instead of a car rental or your own personal vehicle.

7. Don’t waste money on a fancy hotel room

Why go to an expensive hotel room if you’re only going to shower and sleep there?

If you really want to enjoy yourself in the culture of a certain place, go for local homestays or individually-run small guesthouses instead. Not only they are cheaper but you’ll get the chance to socialize with the locals. It is the best way to gather information such as travel tips, food and attraction recommendations and knowledge on their ways of life.

8. Stay away from touristy restaurants. Eat where the locals eat.

The most important thing when you are travelling is to try the local cuisine. Look out for eateries filled with local folks, rather than tourists.

9. Head to supermarkets the hour before they close

In large supermarkets, you will find cooked foods like chicken wings, pizzas, and sushi on discount.

10. Shop wisely

Do street shopping. You will always fine a variety of items that you can wear at a fraction of big chains’ retail prices plus you won’t see someone with similar thing back home.

11. Keep your excess foreign currency

Lots of people like to change their foreign currency back to their own local currency upon return. Micron Associates Travel Guide recommends that you should keep it for future travels instead. By doing this, you just need to change less for the upcoming trip.