A nice family holiday can be a great way to spend time together whilst exploring new terrains, and when it comes down to it, pets are family too. If you don’t want to holiday without your furry friend, you may be interested to know that many places in Europe are the perfect place for pet-friendly trips.
With many types of transport suitable for animals including planes, boats and trains, traveling with pets within Europe is a very plausible option. Extra planning is needed for such holidays, but a little additional effort is more than worth it when you’re away and soaking up your trip with your whole family. From cultural hotspots to walking holidays, there’s plenty you can do with your pets in tow, wherever you decide to go.
United Kingdom
With gorgeous scenery, rolling hills and picturesque lakes, the United Kingdom can be a great place to enjoy walks with your family dog, giving them a bit of a holiday too! Cliveden in Berkshire will provide a dog-sitter who can take your beloved pet on walks while you enjoy the spa or take a trip with your family. Higher up in the North, Peebles in Scotland is another popular destination for walking holidays with canine’s palettes even being catered to by the chefs. Big UK cities may not spring to mind as boasting lush green scenery perfect for pets to run wild, but the beautiful Cannock Chase is just a stone’s throw away from Birmingham airport, where you can find stunning countryside, ancient woodland and myriad hiking trails.
France
The French are great dog lovers and with the Eurotunnel permitting pets onboard, France can be a great country to explore with four-legged friends. A lot of restaurants will allow well-behaved dogs inside, whilst most country hotels allow pets with an occasional surcharge. Certain routes should be checked before you book to ensure pet-friendly places are available and an Export Health Certificate will need to be provided alongside your pet’s passport.
Switzerland
With their love of pooches, it only makes sense that dogs are welcome on all trains in the Swiss country. This holds no exceptions and if your pooch is under 30cm, it can travel for free in a carrier. This allows you to have a rambling holiday across the country without worrying about how to get your pet from A to B. If your dog isn’t quite so tiny, a half-price second-class ticket is required alongside an Export Health Certificate and your pooch’s passport.
Belgium
With it being the first country in the world to establish a police dog force, Belgium is without a doubt one of the most dog-friendly spots. The city of Ghent provides a special water fountain for dogs and is a great place to take your canine for picturesque walks whilst soaking up the culture of a Flemish city with gothic architecture in abundance.
With so many pet friendly holiday options in Europe, there’s no reason to leave your little pooch behind.