Travel Tips

10 Places to Travel With Your Dog

Published

7 years ago

August 16, 2017

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PHOTO: Quasarphoto | Dreamstime.com

Why leave Fido or Fluffy behind when you can bring your pooch BFF on vacation? Many U.S. cities are head-over-paws with their doggie doting. Here are some paw-some favorites—featuring dog parks, doggie spas, yappy hours, dog-friendly hotels, specialty doggie boutiques, and more. Oh, to be a dog for a day! —Barbara Noe Kennedy

PHOTO: F11photo | Dreamstime.com

Austin

WHERE: Texas

The world’s capital of live music is also one of the world’s greatest places for canines and their hipster owners. Rover is welcome nearly everywhere in Austin, from restaurant patios to outdoor concerts to stores. One of the most popular off-leash playgrounds (explaining the overcrowded parking lot), 13-acre Red Bud Isle Park is situated on a peninsula, allowing dogs to frolic and play to their heart’s content. For humans wanting to socialize a little too, Doghouse Drinkery Dog Park might be a better bet; this dog park also features a bar and game room. But the most unique activity has to do with Congress Avenue Bridge’s famous bats—more than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home here mid-April through October. Take a dog-friendly kayak tour to see the batty scene.

PHOTO: Stevegould | Dreamstime.com

San Diego

WHERE: California

Running free on a beach is one of life’s great dog joys, and Patch will find no better place to kick up her paws than San Diego. The top-dog beach is paws-down Dog Beach at Ocean Beach, one of the country’s first to be declared off-leash. But there are many more ways that San Diego stands out as a dog-friendly destination. Hotels here love their four-legged guests, most notably the historic U.S. Grant Hotel, with a Pet Welcome that includes cookies, water dish, and dog bed upon check-in. Perhaps the number 1 thing for Star to do, however, is a doggie paddle, sitting in the kayak’s prow with the sea breeze rushing between his ears as you and your doggie BFF share an exhilarating glide across the water.

PHOTO: Cute dog, Key West
by Elin B [CC BY 2.0]

Key West

WHERE: Florida

Hemingway may have had his cats, but today’s Key West is decidedly a dog’s town. Fido, for example, has his pick of 48 dog-friendly restaurants, including Island Dogs Bar with its pooch-popular porch prime for people-watching. Among 50 hotels offering dog-friendly services, the Sheraton Suites Key West makes sure Princess has fun with a nearby doggie beach—and there’s no extra pet fee. But it’s the unusual doggie activities that make Key West so alluring. Take, for instance, Wild About Dolphins, which offers a dog-friendly eco-charter to watch dolphins playing in the surrounding waters; the captain’s golden retriever joins most trips. And only in Key West do you celebrate the end of the day with the famous sunset celebration at Mallory Square, where dogs are absolutely invited.

PHOTO: Carmel-by-the-sea dogs by LoriCaliforny [CC BY 2.0]

Carmel-by-the-Sea

WHERE: California

This charming seaside village with its fairy-tale cottages should be at the top of every Fido’s Bucket List; indeed, it’s already rated as one of the nation’s top pooch-friendly towns. Maybe it’s because fabled movie star Doris Day lives here—the second she became a co-owner of Cypress Inn in 1986, she made sure dogs of every size and breed were welcome inside; dogs are even invited to the hotel’s signature afternoon tea. But Fido is beloved everywhere in town—at 25 hotels, inns and B&Bs, and 44 restaurants, bars and coffee houses, to be exact. There are high-end services for Scout, as would be expected in such a chi-chi town, including a doggie spa, massages—even a dog psychiatrist. But for every dog’s dog, head to the beach. One of the state’s few remaining off-leash beaches, Carmel Beach is crowded with all sizes of dogs. If you’re lucky, Fifi may be invited to one of the popular dog parties organized by their owners.

PHOTO: Shotover Jet/New Zealand Tourism

Denver

WHERE: Colorado

What dog (and owner) wouldn’t enjoy dog-obsessed Denver? Downtown boasts 179 restaurants that welcome dogs at their outdoor tables; among the many popular off-leash parks are Greenway Park and Chatfield State Park, with its breathtaking mountain views. Kimptons everywhere are famed for their warm doggie welcomes, but lucky canine guests at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver also get maps for walks about town. Flash will enjoy strutting in the Lucky Mutt Strut and getting an earful of music at the Woof Fest, among other local events. Baby may prefer exploring her creative side at Paw Prints and Cocktails in Denver’s Arts District, an evening of pet-friendly painting.

PHOTO: Sandtrooper | Dreamstime.com

Chicago

WHERE: Illinois

In this super pet-friendly town, Star can enjoy romping around Wiggly Field, a popular dog park named after Chicago’s iconic baseball park, home of the 2016 champions. Or, for White Sox fans, there’s Bark in the Park, when four-legged fans are invited to take in a game at Guaranteed Rate Field (special doggie treat included). There are more than 20 dog-friendly venues sprinkled around town (you’ll need to obtain a permit from participating Chicago vets), including Montrose Beach, where Spike can splash in Lake Michigan’s cool waters. What dog wouldn’t want to do that? After, dogs and their owners can sun on the spacious deck at The Dock at Montrose Beach. For dogs itching to get out on Chicago’s lake and river, the Mercury’s Canine Cruise departs every summer Sunday and includes a lively narrative describing Chicagoland’s canine-friendly highlights; amenities include fresh water bowls and a newspaper-lined restroom.

PHOTO: F11photo | Dreamstime.com

Bar Harbor

WHERE: Maine

For pups and their owners who love the outdoors, there’s no better place than picturesque Bar Harbor, snuggled amid Acadia National Park’s sea and mountain splendor. While many national parks are not dog friendly, Acadia decidedly is. Here, dogs and humans alike can camp, hike, kayak, bird-watch, climb, skijor, fish and more. One of the favorite off-leash venues is Little Long Pond, a private space to run and play along wooded trails, meadows, and a nice big pond. Dogs are even allowed on the park’s buses and carriages to get around (they just need to be leashed). There are plenty of dog-loving dining and sleeping establishments as well, notably the back deck at Stewman’s Lobster Pound, offering gorgeous ocean views for dog and human alike; the doggie menu includes a cheeseburger patty. Just one of many hotels that love dogs, West Street Hotel’s dog package includes a jar of doggie biscuits and a dog-friendly patio restaurant.

PHOTO: Sepavo | Dreamstime.com

Asheville

WHERE: North Carolina

Snoopy loves this funky town in the Appalachian foothills, with its plethora of hotels and restaurants that welcome all dogs with open paws. The 1.7-mile Urban Trail through town showcases Asheville’s artsy and historic sides—with stops for Fido including Three Dog Bakery and Funky Mutt. French Broad River Park has a beautiful area for stretching four legs. But, in this town famed for its palatial Biltmore House and Estate, perhaps the coolest thing to do is stroll the 250 acres of landscaped grounds; yes, dogs are allowed (on leashes). And if Spot’s parents want to visit the grand estate, he can happily wait for them in a self-service kennel.

PHOTO: Sepavo | Dreamstime.com

Nashville

WHERE: Tennessee

Nashville may be country music’s capital, but your furry friend will probably be more interested in the fact that some 75 dog-friendly patios are open just for her. Chief among them is aptly named Fido, a trending coffee shop and casual restaurant in Hillsboro Village. Spike can meet some new pup friends at Centennial Dog Park. Even better, the Trails at Fontanel, ten minutes from downtown Nashville, showcase a 2.5-mile path through the woods with an obligatory stop at dog-friendly Café Fontanella & Wine Bar.

As far as hotels go, there are more than 50 that welcome dogs in Nashville, though it’s hard to beat the Sheraton Music City, whose lobby, bar and patio area around the outdoor pool are all open to dogs. (And don’t forget the grassy area out back. Or the Sheraton Dog Bed.) And for those paw-thumping pooches who really do care about the music, Belle can kick up her heels while enjoying free dog services, including nail trims, splash zone and natural dog treats, on Saturday afternoons in May, June, September, and October at Musicians Corner in Centennial Park. The free, six-week-long Live On the Green concert series at Public Square Park near City Hall is another fun option.

PHOTO: Quasarphoto | Dreamstime.com

Washington, D.C.

Republican and Democrats alike will rejoice in all the nation’s capital has to offer its furry friends. The two-mile-long National Mall is a doggie’s delight, with pathways, shady trees, and plenty of grassy areas to stretch four legs. (Dogs are supposed to be leashed, though you see plenty playing Frisbee.) Doggie fans of Fala will be rewarded with a sighting of a statue of FDR’s cherished pooch at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Or hop aboard for a narrated, pooch-friendly Capitol River Cruise; what better way to admire the nation’s gleaming white monuments than aboard a boat with the wind ruffling through your ears? Dogs are VID (Very Important Dog) at the Fairmont Georgetown, where the “It’s a Dog’s World” package includes handmade welcome treats created by the Executive Pastry Chef; suggestions for nearby pet-friendly parks, restaurants, and sights; and 5% of the room rate is donated to the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Travel Tips

The Luxurious Way to Experience Tokyo’s Cherry Blossom Season

Published

7 years ago

August 16, 2017

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Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Blossoming Tokyo package immerses guests in the beautiful cherry blossoms that bloom throughout the city during the spring months. Over the course of a three-hour tour, guests will be chauffeured to Tokyo’s most scenic sakura-spotting locales in a luxury car.

Interested in taking your Instagram to the next level? The hotel’s concierge can, at an additional charge, arrange for a professional to photograph guests among the blossoms. No filters necessary!

The package (which features additional add-ons such as a workshop on mochi making, a lesson on the art of flower arranging, as well as a seasonal bento box lunch tasting) is available from March 1 through May 31.

To learn more about the Blossoming Tokyo package visit Palace Hotel Tokyo.

PLAN YOUR VISIT with the Tokyo Travel Guide.

Travel Tips

Today Is National Plan for Vacation Day!

Published

7 years ago

August 16, 2017

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Today marks the first-ever “National Plan for Vacation Day,” created by the organization Project: Time Off, which estimates that 55 percent of employees in America do not use all of their allotted vacation days.

In fact, Americans skipped out on 658 million days in 2015, many of which couldn’t be recouped the next year because they didn’t roll over. What’s the reasoning behind the overzealous work ethic?

For one, employees are glued to their computers and phones, available at all times, and able to work anywhere that has Wi-Fi. We also have fears associated with taking time off: work will pile up while we’re away, or employers will see us as replaceable.

And some of us are bad at planning—by the time we get around to thinking about vacation, our calendar has already filled up for the year. Making time is worth it, though; as it turns out, vacations are actually quite good for employees and have benefits similar to meditation. Many employees found their own concentration had improved and were able to get more done after returning from vacation.

It’s still early days for 2017, so Project: Time Off is urging employees to work out a schedule today, so you can make sure that PTO doesn’t go to waste, even if it means having a conversation with your boss.

Now, the fun part: where should you go with your pent-up wanderlust? Our staff recommends places like Bordeaux, Cape Town, and Kiev, (but maybe skip Dubai and Times Square).

Travel Tips

Test Drive Google’s Totally Amazing Arts and Culture App

Published

7 years ago

August 16, 2017

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Picture yourself standing within inches of Chagall’s magnificent ceiling at the Paris Opéra, examining every last detailed brushstroke of the surrealist masterpiece. Or strolling through the back streets of Paris in the company of urban explorer and photographer David de Rueda. This is the stuff art dreams are made of, experiences that only the luckiest of art aficionados may have the chance to enjoy—if they’re really, really lucky.

But thanks to a new Google online platform, you don’t even need to leave your home to relish in some of the world’s most amazing art. Since not everyone has the time or money to travel the world appreciating global culture or the connections to access such masterpieces, the Google Cultural Institute has partnered with more than 1,100 institutions, making available more than 400,000 artworks and 5 million photos, videos, manuscripts and other documents online, to everyone, for free. And not just make available, but curated with virtual tours, online exhibitions, a searchable database, and a bounty of other ways to experience the world’s foremost cultural treasures. It’s a platform called Google Arts & Culture, available via website and app.

Admittedly, the site is a little confusing to navigate. The best thing to do is just play and see what you discover. You will be rewarded wherever you end up. The homepage changes daily with different features, while the hamburger menu provides navigation to artists, art movements, partner institutions, and the like.

Here’s a primer on the absolutely-do-not-miss highlights.

Explore a Database of Artworks

You can sort through thousands of masterpieces from thousands of museums in more than 70 different countries. Use the search tool to search for anything: shoes, all things silver, Egyptian cats, Bordeaux, whatever you choose. You also can search by artist, medium, art movement, museum (search by partner), even object. Or scroll through an artist’s repertoire by time period (for example, see Rembrandt’s evolution as an artist, one painting at a time, here) or color (see here).

Zoom in to See Masterpiece Secrets

Google has devised advanced technology to hone into the extraordinary detail of images, paintings, artifacts and more, far beyond what you can see with the naked eye. One of the most amazing stories concerns Paris Opéra’s ceiling by Marc Chagall. Chagall’s son, David McNeil, had always heard that his father had painted a picture of him as a baby but he never knew where it was – until they found it embedded in the Paris Opéra ceiling, near the Stravinsky panel, during this Google project. Take a peek here.

Take a Virtual Tour

Get up close and personal to hundreds of art institutions and cultural icons—the Statue of Liberty, Sagrada Familia, Fenway Park—where you can drag your finger around the image and tap to move through an exhibit or location in a museum-themed version of Google Street View. It’s like you’re personally visiting the site, studying what’s on the walls, on the floor, in the next room, whatever interests you, without actually being there. And it’s not just big museums here–check out, for example, the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph, Missouri. Some also require the use of a virtual reality viewer to enhance the experience (such as Google Cardboard; the website shows you how to make your own; see here).

See Secret Spaces in 360

Join urban explorer and photographer David de Rueda in an exploration of Paris’ secret side in a feature called Curio-Cité, best seen on your mobile phone with a virtual reality viewer and headphones. This is just the first of many such explorations to be created.

Get Good Old-Fashioned Museum Info

Should you be planning to physically visit a museum, you can check opening hours, its location on a map, and daily events.

Enjoy an Interactive Online Exhibit

Google offers a series of different online exhibits in which you can delve into archival materials, objects, and stories typically not available to the typical museum visitor. There are straightforward museum visits as well as curated exhibits centering on various themes. The American Democracy collection, for example, brings together more than 70 exhibits and 2,500 artifacts from 44 institutions dedicated to the preservation of U.S. political history and American democracy. Take a peek here. That said, the behind-the-scenes tour of London’s Natural History tank room, curated by Oliver Crimmen, the museum’s Senior Curator of Fish, has to be one of the more unusual tours you’ll find. Among the things he’ll show you are specimens collected by Charles Darwin during his voyage aboard the H.M.S. Beagle.

Read Fascinating New Stories About Art Every Day

Google experts post featured new stories every day, offering insight (and photos) into different angles of art and culture. Recent ones include: “Weird Histories: The Peacock Room,” exploring the history of Whistler’s beautiful London dining room, currently at home in Washington’s Freer Gallery; ”Virtual Herbal Garden,” taking you to the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences; and “Black and British: A Forgotten History,” a four-part series delving into Britain’s slave narrative. As you will see, these are not light and fluffy fillers!

Enhance a Personal Visit

If you find yourself taking a physical tour of a museum, check out a new feature that several museums are offering through Google Arts & Culture. With Art Recognizer, you point your phone at a painting to access a bounty of info about it. For now, this is available only at Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art, Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales, and London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery. But Google is planning to roll this out in museums around the world, so stay tuned.

There’s Much, Much More

Just play around with the website and you’ll come across all kinds of fascinating offerings. The folks at Google are constantly innovating–there’s even a page that shows their experiments at the crossroads of art and technology. You can bet this site will continue to be massaged and improved upon and enlarged. Stay tuned!