Florida has to be one of the funnest, most exhilarating places to take young children. With the success of the Harry Potter books and movies, Universal Studios has opened a Harry Potter attraction, filled with rides and scenes from the films, such as Zonko’s and Ollivanders. Not only does Universal Studios feature Harry Potter rides, it also features the extremely fun Spiderman 3D ride as well as a plethora of other amazing attractions.

Feel like seeing one of the most fierce yet stunning creatures to walk the planet? Take a trip to Gatorland. Here you can experience the true size and power of these magnificent animals with live feeding shows through out the day. If space is more your thing, take a day trip to the awe inspiring Kennedy Space Centre where you can get a close look at the Shuttles used for space exploration. Seaworld is a great place to relax while seeing what life underwater is like, and is also home to the world-famous Killer Whales, with shows showing the size and power of these beautiful mammals. Make sure you get to these places early to see everything.

A great place for young children who enjoy not only looking at, but also learning about all types of wildlife, Australia provide incredible views as well as the pristine waters found at The Great Barrier Reef. If you have ever wanted to live out the hit motion from Pixar, Finding Nemo, The Great Barrier Reef can provide that with an excellent place to soak up some sun and relax. Australia Zoo is another place to see some of the most dangerous yet beautiful animals to roam not only Australia, but also other parts of the world. Feel like watching a live show? Visit the world famous Sydney Opera House. Australia offers older children great opportunities to try mountain climbing, cycling and canoeing plus many more fun and exhilarating activities for them to enjoy. Bondi Beach is a great place to spend an entire day admiring the beautiful water, building sand castles and eating ice cream and other treats.

One of the most magical places to go on holiday with young children, Disneyland can offer not only hours and days of fun, but breakfast with famous Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Hotel accommodation is also available so children wont have to stray too far from the park when it comes time to sleep, and for the adults, spas and restaurants are available in most of the hotels. There is no shortage of shows performed by your favourite Disney characters, rides to go on, parades and, depending on the time of year, a magical fireworks display behind Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. For all you young children who wish to become Jedis, train at the Jedi Academy in the ways of the force and see if you can defeat the evil and all-powerful Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers. If you have trained well you can be part of a live show to show your Jedi skills.

JapanFor any young child who has a passion for computer games, retro games and arcades, Japan can offer them this plus lots more. Most young boys are fascinated with the Samurai and Ninjas. Why not take them to a Samurai Dojo where they can fully immerse themselves in the mysterious world of the Samurai. Japan also has some of the nicest natural scenery as well as extraordinary buildings. With the amount of popular arcades around kids will surely tire themselves out playing Dance Dance Revolution and the many other interactive arcade machines. Japan can also be a great way to introduce children to different foods and drinks, some drinks are exclusively released in Japan including a wide range of strange but interesting flavored Pepsi.

How could New York not be mentioned? For all you young fans of the film Night at the Museum, why not take a day trip to the Museum of Natural History? You can experience the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton used to create Rex in the film. Central Park is also a great place to have a picnic and relax in the surroundings with the whole family. F-A-O Schwarz is the famous toy shop feature in the classic film Big. Remember that scene where Tom Hanks plays Chopsticks of the giant floor piano? Well, here’s your chance to relive that moment for yourself!

You have to travel a long distance and your pet will be going with you. Like most people, you probably have some misgivings about the whole undertaking because of the potential effects on both you and your pet. Is it fair to bring your pet along on a long-distance trip?

What will happen when you take them with you?

Of course, sometimes there’s no choice. If you’re moving, you want to bring your dog, cat, or other pet along with you. Most of us consider our pets to be members of the family, and can’t imagine going to a new location without them. Other times you’ll be away a long time and either don’t want to leave your pet with someone else, or your pet needs special care, like medications, and you want to make sure they get administered.

In most cases, travelling long distances with your pet will be just fine – if you’re willing to make some preparations ahead of time and adjust your travel schedule to accommodate your pet.

If travelling by car, you will not be able to stop only for petrol. A pedal-to-the-metal trip may be fine for you, but your pet needs more frequent breaks. Remember, he or she has a much smaller bladder than you!

They have smaller bladders!

A good idea is to take a few small trips with your pet in the car before the long haul. Go to a park, the grocery store, or a friend’s house. This way you can determine if your pet rides without a problem, or has a tendency to get sick. Just like humans, some animals do better in a moving vehicle than others do. But medications like Dramamine or even Xanax can be prescribed by your veterinarian to help your pet during the ride. If your pet gets carsick, it’s a good bet an airplane ride will have the same effect, so this is a great way to prepare for a flight, as well.

Whether travelling by plane or car, pack some of your pet’s normal food and bring it with you. This is not the time to try new foods! Canine and feline stomachs react much differently to a change in menu than do human tummies, so keeping to the same food your pet has been eating is very important.


Make sure you feed them as you would normally

Another must is a complete check-up by your veterinarian. You want your pet in top condition before the trip, and only your veterinarian can give the proper examination. Tell the vet about the trip, when you’ll be leaving, where you’re going, and how you’ll be travelling. The vet will be able to give you suggestions to make the journey easier on both of you.

If you’re travelling by plane, the airline may require a letter or certificate from your veterinarian stating that an examination was done and that your pet is in good health. If you’ll be flying with your pet, doing your homework ahead of time is critically important. Find out which airlines will transport pets, what types and sizes of pets they’ll carry, and under what conditions. Some airlines won’t transport during very cold or very hot weather, so the timing of your trip may need to be flexible.


Check if you can bring your pet…

What kind of carrier or crate does the airline require? How will water be provided? How long will your pet be in the crate before the plane takes off? What if your pet needs medication during the trip? How will you pick up your pet once the plane lands? Getting answers to these questions is a minimum, and you may think of more.

Crates are the safest place for your pet to be, whether travelling by road or air. Get your pet used to the crate and make it a pleasant place. Put in a favourite blanket or pillow and perhaps a chew toy if you’ll be taking a dog. In the weeks leading up to your trip, let your pet take rest breaks at home in the crate, and sleep in it overnight. Your pet will associate the crate with warmth, safety, and his “people”. Being able to stay in this safe place that’s associated with good things will go a long way towards calming your pet.

Consider how your pet reacts to strangers. Driving with you in a car may be preferable to flying, where strangers will surround your animal. Also, remember that the hold of a plane can get cold, so if your pet will not be travelling with you in the plane’s cabin, make sure blankets are available in the crate.


Keep them warm
If flying, re-confirm the procedures for claiming your pet when the plane lands. See if the ground crew at the departure airport can give you instructions regarding the layout of the arrival airport. Your pet will want to see you as soon as possible, just like you’ll want to see her!

If travelling by car, be sure to take frequent rest breaks. Once per hour is not too much. Everyone enjoys a chance to get out and stretch the legs, and some water – though not too much – should be given at each stop. This is also an excellent chance for you to evaluate how your pet is handling the trip. If need be you can administer a motion sickness pill or find a shady spot to let your pet cool down. Summer travel can be especially hard on your long-haired friends, even with windows open or air conditioning running.


Or keep them cool

Once at your destination, make sure your pet gets prompt attention. Offer hugs and water immediately, and a chance to find a nearby bush. Everyone in the travelling group will enjoy a few minutes to check out the scenery and get their bearings. A treat or snack may be in order, but a large meal for your animal should probably wait, especially if your furry best friend was plagued by motion sickness, even minimally. In a couple of hours offer a small meal of his or her usual food and see how your pet tolerates it. Work your way back to a normal feeding schedule from there.

With just a little planning and a few simple adjustments, you and your pet can have a safe journey and be ready for adventure as soon as you reach your destination!