When we have a family, it is difficult to plan a vacation without having each and every one of its members. Dogs are also part of the family nucleus, and they deserve a vacation as much as you do. Although it seems that it is difficult to think of destinations considering that we are going to travel with our furry, I assure you that yes, that traveling with dogs and enjoying is completely possible.
Although the policies of many establishments do not make it easy, there are infinite options to enjoy the vacation period with our furry friends. Then, I share some recommendations of places that I myself have visited with my dogs:
Switzerland
You have to bear in mind that if you are going to travel with dogs you will not be able to visit museums or cultural centers, therefore, it will be less frustrating if you plan the trip from a point of view more focused on nature and city tourism.
Switzerland is perhaps one of the best options to enjoy long walks through the beautiful and picturesque streets of Bern, or walking along a path in a Natural Park, such as the Gantrisch Nature Park or Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Natural Park.
Personally, I recommend you walk to the lake Oeschinen, which is only 66 kilometers from Bern. The place is heavenly, full of fresh air, and the water is crystal clear. Without a doubt, it is an ideal location to disconnect a bit from the city and have a good barbecue in the company of your whole family.
Italy
Italy is one of the countries that I have visited the most with my furry ones. They, of course, will not value the trip from an artistic point of view, but they will enjoy a lot if you take them to give long walks through national parks such as Abruzzo, or the Italia Dolomiti BelunesiAlthough to access these areas you will have to rent vehicles and a good GPS, since they are far from the tourist centers.
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If what you want, on the other hand, is to take a trip in which you can enjoy the particular architecture of Italian villages, and at the same time walk a bit through nature, I recommend that you take into account the Cinque Terre, a portion of the coast of the Ligurian Sea made up of five villages, in the province of La Spezia.
My dogs had a great time skirting those crystal clear waters along the narrow trails, and we enjoyed like kids watching how they ran and they unloaded their inexhaustible energy.
If you decide to go here one day, do not forget to try its famous cones of fish fry, and their creamy Italian ice creams. Even dogs will be able to enjoy them, because in two of the five villages (Monterosso and Riomaggiore), There are ice cream parlors that serve ice cream for dogs!
Spain
If you are from Spain, you don't have to go very far to enjoy a good vacation in the company of your furry friends. There are many towns and Natural Parks that I have visited with them, and the experience has always been magnificent.
In Catalonia, for example, it is very easy to plan routes in the middle of nature through the Montseny, the Catalan Pyrenees or Aigüestortes. The climate is cool and there are many rivers in which you can bathe, drink water, and cool off before continuing on the exotic trails.
However, where we have enjoyed the most together, it has been by Asturias. I have always thought that this Autonomous Community of Spain is like a small Canada: full of mountains with infinite shades of green, and amazing rivers and lakes.
Go up to Enol lake, located in the Picos de Europa, is an excellent idea to recharge your lungs and enjoy the views. Do not miss the Lake of the Ercina, which is not very far. Both lakes form the group known as Lakes of Covadonga, two wonders of the Principality of Asturias that you will not regret seeing.
But if what you are looking for is a type of trip focused on enjoy the particular towns of Asturias, eat cachopos and taste their traditional cabrales cheese tapas with a good wine, plan routes near the parish of Tielve, belonging to the council of Cabrales, go up to the picturesque parish of Bandujo, in the council of Proaza, or enjoy the fresh air of Somiedo Pola, where, if you are attentive, you can see brown bears. In each and every one of these towns, my dogs were as well received as we were!
Travel wherever you want in a motorhome
Actually, any European city can be visited with dogs if we avoid having to face the most complicated aspects of traveling with animals: flights, look for accommodations and enter restaurants.
Traveling by motorhome is undoubtedly the most comfortable option so that our furry can enjoy the most in the company of their whole family, since you will not have to manage or pay the exacerbated prices of flights with dogs, or look for accommodation and restaurants petfriendly. On the other hand, your furry ones will save the tedious trip in the hold of an airplane.
The motorhome offers a lot flexibility to go practically where you want and stay in the most beautiful campsites in Europe. And to cook, you just have to start up your small kitchen or stove, and enjoy a good hot dish. Of course, don't forget to give your dog a good piece of steak too, who is also on vacation!
Recommendations for traveling with dogs by car or motorhome
- When traveling by car or motorhome, the best idea is to take him in a cage so that he is more protected in the event of sudden braking. Although seat belts for dogs work well, the best idea is to carry a cage to protect them more and better.
- If you have finally decided to put your dog in a cage, don't worry too much about it. They do not usually mind, unless they have not exercised or run for a long time. It is important that tire him out well before any long journeyThis way he will go all the way asleep in his cage and he will get up more rested. Also make sure that the cage is in perfect condition so that it does not get hurt.
- Never feed him two hours before going on a long journey. Our furry dogs usually love the food we give them, but the movement of the car can make them vomit and feel bad.
- Pleasure stops every now and then for him to stretch his legs and drink some water. If for whatever reason you have to leave it in the vehicle for a while, always remember keep the windows downespecially if it is a very hot day. Dogs become dehydrated very easily.
- So that your furry can stay calm during the trip, think about bringing him things he likes, such as his favorite stuffed animals, bones or toys, or objects that make him feel comfortable, such as blankets or baskets. Don't forget to give her pampering and massages from time to time to relieve her stress.
- Do not medicate him unless it is his veterinarian who prescribes a drug. Dogs can also acquire chemical dependencies. It is always preferable to use patience rather than medicine to calm the possible stress that our furry dogs may be subjected to when we travel.
- Lastly, remember always communicate new situations with sympathy and attention, and maintain a good energy, which is the first thing dogs pick up on. Never present the cage to him as if it were a prison, he has to feel comfortable in it, invite him to enter with kindness and do not give it too much importance. The cage has to understand it as a place to be quiet, not as an unwanted place.
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What other trips in Europe or the world would you recommend to travel with dogs?