Bodie and I at the gorgeous Chateau de Villandry, Loire Valley, France

Hello AndASmallDog followers! I know I have been quiet (except my rant about KLM losing our dog) but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been traveling. In fact, we’ve been on the road a lot of this year – first NYC, then Europe (Belgium and Holland this year), followed by a week in South Florida (the Keys and Miami). We’ve settled back home for a while until it starts again in NYC in March!

Of course, Bodie comes with us on these trips. We also took him all over France last year including the Loire Valley, Bordeaux and Burgundy areas. He got to explore the beautiful gardens at the Chateau de Villandry, see the cute castle of Chateau de Chennonceau (from the outside only), drive around the famous wine regions all over France (think his favorite part), visit the Armagnac distillery… Ooh la la! We stayed at some gorgeous pet-friendly properties including in the prestigious wine town of Puligny-Montrachet.

In Belgium, we did our own self-guided brewery tour. We lost count of how many breweries we visited but it was at least 12+! He wasn’t allowed inside the breweries but we’d leave him at our vacation rentals while we went in. Or just did a quick visit while he slept in the car (weather was cool enough for us to do that!).

Bodie enjoying the view

For the past two years, we’ve stayed on houseboats when in Amsterdam. Bodie loves (?) barking at the boats as they go by haha! We enjoy the feeling of space the houseboat gives us and its lovely to feed the passing ducks and swans out of the window (Bodie is not so keen and in fact tried to leap out of the window as I was throwing bread to ducks once. Luckily I grabbed him before he went overboard. So now I have to give him bits of bread each time so he doesn’t get jealous!)

He really doesn’t care where he is though as long as he is with us. He loooooooves being in the car and will sleep on our laps on the long journeys. I’m glad that he is so good about that!

Anyways, I am here still to assist you with your next vacation – whether you are taking your pet with you or not. AndASmallDog.com is my “pet project”. I have a couple other sites including GoYourOwnWayTravel.com (my main hub) and WineBeerTours.com (food/wine/beer travel). Feel free to check them out as well! They are the reasons why I have been quiet on here. Plus I’ve been busy helping my clients travel!

Happy Travels!

Leila Coe, CTA

The Pet-friendly Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando

Loews Hotels wants to pump you (and your pet) up!

Did you know that 50% of dogs and cats are overweight and obese (according to a 2008 study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention)? Loews Hotels have created a special package to help you, and your pet, get in shame.

The Pumped-Up Pets Package includes a deluxe room, workout tips for both humans and their pets, a Zisc dog Frisbee, and a specially created “Scratch My Flat Belly” meal for pets.

The Pumped-Up Pets Package is available at 17 Loews Hotels in the U.S. and Canada from now through May 1st, 2010. Rates vary and are subject to availability.

Two of Orlando’s Loews properties are offering this special pet package – the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and the Loews Royal Pacific Resort – both on Universal Orlando property.

All of Loews hotels are pet-friendly and guests (the four-legged kind) receive special gifts at check-in including a pet tag, a bowl and of course, a healthy treat!

There is a one-time pet cleaning fee of $25 and a maximum of two pets per room are allowed. For a complete listing of their pet rules, visit the Loews Hotel Pet Policy.

For more information about the Orlando resorts, check out my article on Examiner.com.

If you need assistance with your travel plans, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am a travel agent specializing in pet travel. My small dog, Bodie, goes with us on every trip we take and so far has been lucky enough to visit 12 countries!

You can follow us on Twitter @AndASmallDog

Relax by the fire with your dog at Paws Up

Catchy title, eh? It caught my eye and so I thought I would share it with all you dog lovers. Looking for an escape to the wilderness with your pet? How about Montana! The Resort at Paws Up is hosting a “Wine and Bitch” weekend in April that is full of doggie fun including a fashion parade, wellness seminars, pet (and human) massages and more. Humans will enjoy the fine wine tastings, gourmet food and having some peaceful time with a good book.

Montana is a bit far for most of us, but if planning a trip in that region check out Paws Up – dogs are welcome always so if you can’t make it to their event in April you can go there another time!

Read more about the Wine and Bitch Weekend here!

Keep up-to-date with all the doggie vacation offers by following us on Twitter – @AndASmallDog and remember I am here to help you with all your travel plans! After all, pets need vacations, too!

Swiss Family Robinson-style accommodations

I’ve always wanted to go to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico, but haven’t since our dog, Bodie, always comes with us when we travel. I had checked into options for Jamaica – a popular area for all-inclusive resorts – but found out that dogs (and other pets) are forbidden to even enter the island. So on a whim, I looked into Mexico – and lo and behold the Xpu-Ha Palace Resort allows dogs! It is the first of its kind, that I know of. The Xpu-Ha Palace is an eco resort – all the rooms are located in what looks like treehouses. The property is surrounded by lush vegetation, and natural flora and fauna. There’s even a mini zoo on-site. The beach is next to the resort but not its main appeal (from what I’ve read, its been washed away from hurricanes but guests staying at one Palace Resort have the option to use the amenities of other Palace Resorts in the area which are on “better stretches” of beach). Pets (dogs and cats, only. Sorry ferrets!) up to 55 lbs are allowed with a maximum of two per room. The all-inclusive package (which is free for the first pet, and $50 for the second) includes a special pet bed, waste bags for dogs, litter box, pooper scooper and scratching posts for cats as well as grooming. There is also an on-site pet care facility which offers veterinary care, boarding and obedience classes.

To read more about the Xpu-Ha and its pet-friendliness, check out my article on Examiner.

If you want to find out more information, including rates and availability, please email me! I am a travel agent who specializes in pet travel.

Hola Mexico!

Leila – Info@AndASmallDog.com

Bodie at The Shores Resort and Spa

Last week we enjoyed a couple nights stay at The Shores Resort and Spa located in Daytona Beach Shores, a quieter stretch of the beach but only a few miles away from the action. We were looking for a place to relax and not have to do anything, and that is exactly what we experienced. This AAA Four-Diamond Resort offers total calm from the moment you walk in. You are greeted by a personal concierge who not only handles your check-in, but can also recommend places to dine and sights to see.

We stayed in an oceanfront king bed room and our view was great. It was right over the pool area also so our dog had lots to look at. The weather was pretty bad while we were there (bad for Florida that is – cloudy and windy thanks to the trails of Hurricane Ida) but we enjoyed our stay nonetheless. Try a hot-stone massage at their on-site spa, a boutique style spa that has many options available for individuals and for couples.

To read more about our stay at The Shores Resort and Spa, check out my Examiner.com review. Additional photos can also be seen at this link.

We also visited a pet-friendly beach park near the resort, and you can read about that also on Examiner.com.

I highly recommend The Shores Resort and Spa if you are looking for a place to rest, relax and rejuvenate. If you need assistance with reservations or have any questions, just email me at info@andasmalldog.com. Not only do I write pet travel articles, but I am also a full-time travel agent.

Dog-friendly area at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort

Earlier this week we had the pleasure of staying at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort on St Pete Beach in Florida. This fairly large resort is the pet-friendliest hotel we’ve ever encountered so far on our travels. It features a Pet Play Zone – an off-leash fenced area complete with fire hydrants, tables and chairs, and room for your pet to run around. The resort also has a designated pet walk area that goes around the waterway, over a bridge, and past the dunes on the beach. Pets aren’t allowed on the beach itself, but there is a roped off area with sand and a hammock to make your dog feel like he’s on the beach! One of my dog’s favorite things about this resort, however, is the doggie (and cat) room service! Each species has three gourmet meal choices including Mutt Meatloaf and Kitty Kasserolle. Read my full review of this pet-friendly resort on Examiner.com – Beach vacation with a dog – the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort at St Pete Beach Check out the slideshow and video at the bottom of the Examiner article!

We enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning. This AAA Four-Diamond property offers a “Fido’s Fabulous Adventure” package that is valid until December 24, 2009. It includes 2 nights accommodations for you and your pet. To read more about this package, read my Examiner Article: Fido’s Fabulous Fall Adventure – pet-friendly resort offers packages for you and your dog

If you would like more information about this resort, or would like to request rate information or make reservations, please email me. I am a travel agent specializing in pet travel and I can help you with all your travel plans!

Check out the full review on Examiner.com featuring a slideshow and video of the resort!

Or watch the video on YouTube!

Bodie thoroughly enjoying the Fido's Fajitas

Pet-friendly hotels don’t have to be cheap motels and hotels. Check out the Loews Hotels hotel chain which currently has eighteen luxury pet-friendly properties around the U.S. and Canada.

Check out my article about the five Florida Loews Hotels here!

Subscribe to my articles so you don’t miss any information about pet travel!

For assistance with booking these hotels, or for more info please email me!

Hawthorn Suites Weston/Ft Lauderdale

Are you planning a trip to South Florida and are looking for an affordable, pet-friendly option? Then look no further than the Hawthorn Suites Weston/Ft Lauderdale! Read more about this hotel and where it is located here!

Time for a dip at the Holiday Inn Sunspree LBV pool?

Are you looking for a hotel near Disney for your next family vacation? And are also thinking of bringing Rover along? Well, look no further than the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort at Lake Buena Vista. Not only do they have bunkbeds for the kids, but they also allow up to two pets per room (size restrictions apply)! 

To find out more about this great hotel option, please read my article on Examiner.com - just click here!

And if you have any questions, or would like to make reservations at this hotel, please email me!

Our Hotel on the German-Poland Border

1. Does the hotel accept pets?
- The answer to this question can usually be found on the hotel’s webpage – most likely under “Policies” or “FAQs”. If not, then a quick call to the hotel will get your answer.

2. What is the fee? - Hotels normally charge a pet fee, often as a “cleaning fee”. This can range from $10/night to $200/night so its important to check beforehand so you aren’t too surprised when you get your bill.

3. What size pets are allowed? - Most hotels only allow pets under a certain size. The norm is under 40lbs but it all depends on the hotel.

4. Are pets allowed to be left alone? - Some hotels won’t allow the pet to be left unattended, or if they do they might require the pet to be in a crate. Whilst others hotels allow pets to be left alone.

5. What type of room is required? - Hotels often require guests with pets to stay only in smoking rooms, or only in rooms on the lower ground. It is wise to check beforehand in case the room type you are wanting won’t be available for you and your pet.

This is just a short list of the important things to be aware of when looking for a hotel for you and your dog. It can be quite time consuming to look through all the options for your destination, which is why I am here to help! Just fill out the Contact Form for professional and personalized travel assistance!