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 following post was submitted by AndASmallDog.com “fan”, Sonja Lishchynski, the CEO of Paws ‘n Cause. She recently traveled with her small dog, Montecristo, to southern Florida.

Naples, Florida is one of those places that, as a Canadian you associate with the term Snow Bird.  So, at the tender age of 37, it seemed that perhaps this was a slightly premature destination choice for my husband, our long haired Chihuahua Montecristo and me.   But, when my cousin offered us her place near the Venetian Village for two weeks for free… adding the words “It’s really dog friendly” to her invitation – it was simply too good an offer to refuse.
Are we ever glad we went! Naples is a truly clean and lovely town, the older part is full of historic charm, and the entire place is really easy to navigate and by North American Standards it really is a “bring Fido” kind of town.  They even have outdoor Dog Bars!

Recently, Naples, Florida passed a bylaw allowing restaurants, pubs and other food vendors with patios to decide for themselves if they want their establishment to be dog friendly or not.  With only a few exceptions, we found that all the patios’ welcomed our little 2.38 pound Chihuahua with open arms, smiles and a nice cool bowl of water. It was truly a treat to be able to, like in Europe, go out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and drinks in the evenings with our little four legged tourist.

The stores are equally kind; asking mostly that you either hold your small dog in your arms, or at the least hold them on a leash.  From the doggy boutique on 5th, to the outlet mall, to the art galleries on 3rd; everywhere we went people smiled warmly and in welcome.  Everyone from the expected Snow Birds, to the locals and their families made all of us feel truly at home.

The one thing that “didn’t fit” with the dog friendly attitude was truly the “no dogs on the beach” law. That included all public and private beaches and the spectacular historic pier – Naples heart and soul.   We managed to sneak Montecristo onto the beach later in the evening for a sunset or two – but this was a huge risk since the fine can be relatively hefty.  After all breaking the law has consequences.  (Editors Note: Sanibel Island isn’t too far from Naples and all the beaches on this small island are dog-friendly.)
What is on offer is a dog beach near Bonita Springs; a small strip of white sand surrounded by thick mangroves at the foot of a bridge.  Here a lot of really big dogs run, play and cavort.  Montecrsito was alarmed at the rush and amount of slobber present but soon, he was swimming in the ocean, and watching the dolphins in the distance with us until the sun set.  Bonita Springs is about a 30 min drive from Old Naples and well worth it if you wish to spend a day on the beach with your dog. It’s free, and it’s self “policed”.  Bags are provided for picking up your dogs waste, although brining your own is a good idea since they run out frequently.  A special bin is available for disposal.
As our stay came to an end, we visited our friend at the “The Villagio Cafe” one last time.  This coffee house in the Venitian Village not only had great java, but the owner was beyond dog friendly, bringing Montecristo treats and putting cool fresh water in the bowl daily.  We would often grab a sandwich there, with the little one at our feet, enjoying the sun overhead, the glimpse of the large pelicans flying by and the water fountains spurting their dance to some pre-christmas jingle.

We left Naples, swearing we would visit again; soon.

Thank you, Sonja, for your contribution!

Have a story or travel experience you’d like to share? Please just contact me for more information!

Just a small selection of the available shells!

We recently took a quick getaway to Sanibel Island – about a 3 and a half hour drive from Orlando. The small island of Sanibel (only 12 miles long and 4 miles wide) is located off of the coast of Fort Myers in Florida. I have lived in central Florida off-and-on for over twenty years but had never ventured to this side of Florida. I am glad I waited until now so that my small dog, Bodie, could come!

We had a great day at the beach – all the beaches on Sanibel are dog-friendly! There’s no loud music or spring-breakers and cars aren’t allowed on the beach (unlike in Daytona!). Instead, Sanibel is unspoiled and natural. It is a top destination for shelling – all along the beach are piles and piles of shells to be sorted through (go at sunrise to get the best ones!). But it isn’t just a shelling beach – there’s still plenty of sand.

Helping us shell-hunt (the only hunting we do!)

There’s a long list of pet-friendly accommodations – mostly small motels or cottages. Don’t expect over-the-top luxuriousness – head to the other coast for that. Instead, everything is small and quaint, and authentic Floridian – the way it used to be. There’s no traffic lights on Sanibel (but two traffic cops instead) and you won’t see very many of the big chains on the island. I think Dairy Queen was the biggest name that we saw! Instead, there are plenty of good restaurants and cafes and most allow dogs on their patios (check out Over Easy Cafe and their delicious breakfasts served until 2pm!).

A couple of the Castaways colorful cottages!

We stayed at the Castaways Beach and Bay Cottages. The units were cute and the location was peaceful and quiet (on the northern tip of the Sanibel – right next to the small bridge to Captiva Island, a more remote and residential island).

To read more about our trip, check out these two articles on Examiner:

Sanibel Island – more details on what to see and do on Sanibel

Castaways review – with photos!

If you need assistance planning your next vacation, please just email me with your request. I am a travel agent who specializes in pet travel (and human travel, too!).

Happy Travels!

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

Planning your spring or summer vacation? Why not take your pet? More and more hotels are allowing pets – as pets are part of the family too! It can be a bit of a pain to find the right hotel – especially when traveling with large dogs, multiple pets or exotic animals – but I am here to help! I have a background as a travel agent for humans, but now specialize in the growing niche of vacations for the whole family – including your pets. Just email me with your travel request and I will do the research so you don’t have to! Items to include in your email are:

• Chosen destination(s) – or if you need help, just let me know!
• Dates
• Type of pet(s) and their weight(s)
• How many travelers in total
• Any additional information that will help me suggest the perfect vacation spot for you and your whole family

If you are looking for things to do with your pet at your chosen destination, head over to GoPetFriendly.com to find some ideas!

Happy Travels!

Leila

Recently I contributed my first guest post on GoPetFriendly.com’s blog – Take Paws. Check it out by clicking here - GoPetFriendly.com blog.

And if you read the article on GoPetFriendly already and this is your first time visiting AndASmallDog.com – Welcome! I am here to help you with all your pet travel plans – from researching and reserving appropriate accommodations and transportation to finding pet-friendly things to do in your chosen location. I always travel with my small dog and so I have a lot of experience dealing with all the ins-and-outs of pet travel. Please feel free to email me with any questions or if you need help with planning your trip – my services are free!

Happy Travels!

Leila

This holiday season treat you and your dog (or cat) to a weekend getaway at a Loews Hotel. All Loews Hotels (except the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando) are offering a special holiday-themed package called “Houndly Holidays”. This package includes one night accommodations, a special meal for your pet (brought to you by room service, of course) and many other extras. To read more about the package, please check out my article about it on Examiner.com.

If you need help with reservations at a Loews Hotel, or any other destination, just email me. I am a certified travel agent who can help you with all your travel plans  – whether you are taking your paw friends or not!

Happy Holidays!

Loews Hotels offers “Houndly Holidays” package this holiday seasons.

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!