Specialty Travel Resources

* U.S. Army Family and MWR Command (http://www.armymwr.com) runs four Armed Forces Recreation Centers (in Florida, Hawaii, Germany and South Korea) and offers discounted hotel accommodations, tours and attractions through its travel service partners.

* U.S. Central Command Rest & Recuperation Leave Program (http://www.armyg1.army.mil/WellBeing/RRLeave/index.htm) is an official site run by the Army G1 (Personnel) Office, providing information on R&;R leave in the United States for soldiers deployed to combat/hostile areas; it provides links to R&R programs in Europe.

Among other resources we found:

* The U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Citizen Services and Communications (http://www.usa.gov/Federal_Employees/Travel.shtml) has info on government room rates and active and retired military-specific deals.

* Military.com (http://www.Military.com), a free nongovernmental military membership organization, lists discounts and travel tips and hosts travel discussions.

* The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association endorses NARFE Travel (800-607-4538, http://www.narfetravel.com), which arranges cruises, land tours and other trips for members.

Pets

The Humane Society of the United States has a page on its Web site devoted to pet care and traveling with pets (202-452-1100, http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/caring_for_pets_when_you_travel). The society's companion animal issues specialist, Kelly Connolly, also recommends the following resources:

* TripswithPets.com (877-717-2964, http://www.tripswithpets.com) features pet-friendly accommodations and travel tips. Also included are a link to finding animal hospitals in travel destinations and an "Ask the Travel Dog" section dealing with pet-caregiver questions.

* PetsWelcome.com (http://www.petswelcome.com) lists pet-friendly accommodations and travel tips. There's also a pet-sitter component, which could come in handy on the road.

* PetsOnTheGo.com (http://www.petsonthego.com) lists pet-friendly lodging and trips, and offers a blog written by staff members.

* The magazine Fido Friendly (http://www.FidoFriendly.com; $15 per year), devoted to traveling pets, highlights travel accessories and accommodations, and offers travel tips.

Among other resources we found: