Lifestyle Magazine

Pets are often regarded as being a part of the family, and for many people, the thought of going on holiday and leaving them behind is abysmal. Bringing your pets with you on a trip however has become so much easier since the introduction of the PETS passport scheme, and all that is needed is a little bit of prior research.

If your pet already has a passport, then you are halfway there. Once you have decided on a likely destination, one of the first things that you will want to do is to research all the airlines. Some airlines have certain restrictions on pets, and others have less, so you will want to find out all information beforehand. All airlines will require that you notify them prior to the flight, and also to book the animal in. Some airlines will allow you to take your pet as hand luggage, and others will keep them in the cargo hold or cabin.

The pet travel scheme allows pets to enter the United Kingdom from certain countries without having to be quarantined. You will want to find out which countries this would apply to; as you may not want your pet all of a sudden taken away from you when you fly back home. To get a pet passport, your pet will have to be fitted with a microchip, as well as be vaccinated against rabies. Once your pet has had a blood test, you will need to wait for a period of six months to see whether the vaccine has worked before your pet will be issued with a passport. Therefore if you are planning a holiday with your pet, make sure that you start planning a few months ahead of time.

When planning a family holiday, there are many things that you need to consider. You will need to choose an appropriate destination that will not only be somewhere that you want to visit, but somewhere that the children can enjoy too. Many hotels around the world offer children free accommodation which may be a great option if you are on a budget. Hotels may also offer free meals for children up to a certain age, and may also provide babysitting services and playgroups. This may be ideal if you want to do some sightseeing that may be tiring for the kids. (more…)

Our world is divided up into several different time zones, and when you travel by plane you often cross over a number of different zones. Many travellers experience jet lag when flying for long periods of time, as their body clocks are disrupted in the process. Flying in a westward direction is often easier than travelling to the east, as your body typically adapts better to the process of elongating the day. When you fly to the west, you typically add hours to the day, and most travellers find it easier to delay sleep for a few hours to get their body clocks in sync. Flying eastwards will shorten your day, and many of us would find it hard to force ourselves to go to sleep. Symptoms of jet lag vary, but can include altered bowel habit, insomnia, tiredness and irritability. (more…)