ROAD TRIP LESS TRAVELED
When it comes to family travel, one size doesn’t fit all. And what better source for insider tips on the ins and outs of vacationing than families who’ve trekked to the destinations, stayed at the hotels, and saved — or needlessly spent — the money. A new Web site cuts through the travel-brochure hype to give you the real scoop from parents who’ve been there and done that.

Wejustgotback.com bills itself as a “Web site with a difference.” The comprehensive site offers recommendations, reader-submitted and expert advice, and tips on every aspect of traveling with children, from keeping restless ones entertained to what to look for and what to avoid when booking a family-friendly resort. A new destination or theme (say, Disney resorts or river-rafting excursions) is featured every month. Other regular highlights include a travel toolbar that allows users to share insights on places they’ve visited, and insider guides with kid-centric best-of listings for many domestic locales. So before hitting the road with the kids in tow, be sure to go online and check out wejustgotback.com.

Finding Fido
When your beloved dog wanders off out of sight, it creates anxiety and frustration. The Global Pet Finder offers peace of mind for owners of dogs prone to taking extended forays.

The Global Pet Finder uses GPS and wireless technology to track dogs gone astray. Users can set up a “fence,” or boundary coordinates on the small, unobtrusive collar unit. If poochie wanders out of range, an alert will appear on the user’s cell phone, PDA, or other wireless device. Owners can also initiate tracking on their cell phone or PDA; the pet’s location will pop up in real time every three minutes (depending on the wireless carrier). It’s compatible with all cellular providers and works wherever you have wireless coverage.

The current model is designed for dogs weighing 30 pounds or more; the company has plans to release collars suitable for cats and small dogs. The Global Petfinder collar and accessories cost $290; for info and to purchase go to globalpetfinder.com.