Travel News

Ask Peter: Better Beaches, Cleaner Hotels, Bigger Road Trips

Locations in this article:  Nashville, TN

Jane in Winston-Salem North Carolina asked: “My husband and I will be traveling this year. Our doctor suggested we take Clorox wipes to wipe down items in rooms to prevent illness. Will we be able to pack them in checked luggage?” Also, does prescription medicine need to be current to be in carry-on luggage?”

If you’re going overseas, bring a letter from your doctor explaining why you’re taking those drugs just in case you’re checked by an overzealous customs official.

It’s a great idea to bring the Clorox wipes, but you also need to know what to wipe down. Turns out the number one item in a hotel room that is full of bacteria is the TV remote control. Then wipe down the telephone handset. The bedspread is equally dirty, so the minute you walk into the room, take the bedspread off. Another important thing to do is to to rinse the water glasses in the bathroom out under HOT water for 2 minutes.

To stay healthy, follow up with Peter’s tips for How to Deal with Dirty Hotels.

Jean in Hendersonville, Tennessee asked. “How do I find dog-friendly hotels for a trip from Nashville, Tennessee to Key West, Florida?”

It’s easy with the help of a few websites: Petswelcome.com has a neat feature where you can search for hotels by route. Dogfriendly.com provides information on pet-friendly accommodations, camp grounds, and attractions. Outside the U.S. try bringfido.com, which lists pet-friendly accommodations worldwide.

And, I can tell you for a fact, if you stay at a Kimpton hotel, they love dogs. They will actually feed your dog in the lobby and walk it for you. And they have doggy turn-down service. Some people might think that’s kind of pathetic. I think it’s kind of cute and far better than some of the service I’ve gotten in the past.

For more ideas, check out Peter’s tips on Pet-Friendly Resources.

By Peter Greenberg for Peter Greenberg Worldwide