Don't forget travel insurance!

Family trips aren't the same if you don't have every member of the household along for the ride, and that includes pets. In fact, bringing cats or dogs along for vacation has become an increasingly popular option for travelers. Luckily, traveling with pets is surprisingly easier than you would expect.

Size of Your Pet

If you have a smaller pet, some airlines allow the pets to travel in the airplane cabin with you while larger pets may have to go in the cargo area. It may be easiest to call an airline directly or work with your travel agent if you plan to bring your pet along with to make sure you are following all the guidelines of the airline.

Plan Your Itinerary

Sites like BringFido.com allow you to find hotels, restaurants, activities, and services that are pet-friendly. You wouldn’t want to bring along your pooch and then have to leave them in the hotel room all day, would you?

Talk With Your Vet

Once you have your airline reservation meet with your vet to make sure your pet is up to date on all shots and that they are healthy for travel.

Choose a Carrier

Bring a crate or carrier that will work for your pet on the trip. Many pet stores offer airline approved carriers. It’s a good idea to try out the carrier a few times before your flight so your pet is used to it by the time your trip arrives. This will help to minimize their stress.

Pack their Bag

Don’t forget to pack the important things like food, medications, and water. In addition, a few things from home like a favorite toy might help to ease the stress of being in a new place.

Purchase Travel Insurance

For the unexpected travel mishaps that can occur, be sure to pack a travel insurance plan from Travel Guard. A travel insurance plan with 24/7 assistance may help to take some of that stress off your mind so you can concentrate on enjoying your vacation. Travel Guard’s around the clock assistance can go to work on your behalf re-booking flights and pet-friendly hotels, finding lost luggage and more. Plus a travel insurance plan can cover you for things like travel delays due to inclement weather, trip cancellation/interruption and medical expenses so you can book your vacation with confidence. To find out more simply call Travel Guard at 800.851.0048, visit travelguard.com, or ask your travel agent.

Expenses incurred from third-party vendors for assistance services not part of a filed insurance plan are the responsibility of the traveler.

Want to immerse yourself in countryside with miles of vineyards and picture-perfect scenery? Of course you do, so be sure to check out Croatia. Enjoy incredible seafood, pizza and pasta dishes topped with truffles – a delicacy for which Croatia has become famous. There is even a 10-weekend truffle festival in Livade town to celebrate this popular treat!

“A day before returning back from Italy, my husband and I found that our connecting flight was cancelled because of a strike in Madrid. The airline re-booked my husband on one airline and me on another, with an overnight stay in Madrid. I tried reaching the airlines by phone [so we could coordinate our trip back on the same flight]; we even went to the airport personally, all to no avail. Our needs weren’t being accommodated. Finally, I called Travel Guard’s travel assistance center. Travel Guard’s representative took over and within a couple of hours, she was able to schedule us on the same flight on the day we had originally planned to return. We were able to enjoy the little time we had left without the stress and worry that we had previously experienced. I will highly recommend Travel Guard.”

- Rosemary R.