If parting with your dog at the kennels puts a downer on your holiday every time, then consider taking your best friend with you.
The most pet friendly destinations let Fido join you in the bedroom and for breakfast, lunch and dinner- Helen Raine
Recent changes to the pet passport scheme have made it easier than ever to holiday with your dog, and some savvy hotel owners are getting the message that dog owners would like their pets to be welcomed with open arms rather than merely tolerated.
Gone are the days when your dog needed to be tied to a lamppost, mournfully watching you eat dinner through the window, and dogs are no longer relegated to the car overnight either.
Now the most pet-friendly destinations let Fido join you in the bedroom and for dinner. Some even provide gourmet food and a dog robe. Put your best paw forward in these establishments.
Sardinian doggy dips
At Residence Capriccioli you’ll be greeted by two massive Newfoundlands, Teti and Dory, which will leave you in no doubt of the genuine enthusiasm for dogs at this property. Your dog will soon be exploring the dedicated doggy wet area, swimming pool and extensive grounds.
You’ll need to keep him on the lead, but the grounds are fully enclosed so if Fido slips the leash, there’s no danger of him meeting his maker on a nearby road.
A free on-line consultancy is also available to discuss any doggy disorders or training issues.
www.residenzacapriccioli.com.
Wondrous walks in Devon, UK
The UK is well known as a nation of dog lovers and nowhere is this more obvious than at the Port Light Hotel near Salcombe. They won an award from the Dogs Trust for their pet-friendly approach.
You don’t need to pay extra to take your pooch and they are also allowed into the bar and conservatory at meal times, which makes for a great evening as dogs and owners get to know each other.
Dog biscuits are provided in the room and there’s a fridge for pet food as well as a place to hang up your dog towels. Despite the numerous canine visitors, the place remains spotless.
The location is perfect for long coastal walks and there are nearby beaches which allow pets; expect a sandy, wet and ecstatic dog.
www.portlight.co.uk.
Run of the place in Cornwall, UK
Helsbury Park, near Camelford, was designed with dogs in mind. There are five cottages with the requisite wooden beams for a rustic feel. Slate floors help to ensure that dog paws don’t do too much damage and there is a utility room for washing and drying damp dogs.
Delivery of your dog’s favourite food can be arranged and each cottage has its own kennel. Dog bowls, soap, treats, blankets and poo bags are also available.
The grounds are the real draw though, with 100 acres for dogs to go wild in. You can also walk the Camel Trail to Padstow. It runs for 27 kilometres and your dog will love it.
Pampered pooches at Italian spa
The Fonteverde Spa Hotel in Siena, Italy, goes the extra mile for your pooch. For a small nightly fee, they can stay with you and partake of the spa facilities. That includes doing doggy paddle in their own thermal pool, which is reputed to help with a range of skin conditions and other disorders.
www.fonteverdespa.com.
Canine travel agency
Chien Bleu is a travel agency for pets. Their breaks don’t just “accept” pets, they make the dog part of the holiday. For €350 per person you will get a couple plus dog two nights of accommodation on full board at the Old Swan and Minster Mill in the Cotswolds, UK.
The price includes a welcome pack with doggie treats, a dog basket and a photo session with dog photographers ‘Waggy Tails’. There are also free guided hikes and a torch-lit ramble with a local historian.
While you enjoy three-course meals, your canine companion will be wolfing down doggie dinners selected from the chef’s canine menu in your room.
www.chienbleutravel.com.
Dog travel essentials
The EU pet passport has dramatically reduced the hassle involved in travelling with a pet. It’s available from any vet. To enter the UK, Ireland and Malta (on your return) your dog will need a microchip and must be vaccinated against rabies after being microchipped.
Some countries such as the UK have additional requirements such as asking pet owners to wait 21 days from the date of the first rabies vaccination before entering the country. A vet must administer a tapeworm treatment before travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta and the UK. Details of this and the rabies vaccination must appear in the pet passport.
For more information, visit http://europa.eu/travel/pets/index_en.htm . You should also check all the details with your vet.
To avoid canine meltdown, there are some essentials to pack:
• A collar and lead are critical as even the most dog-friendly places will need you to put the dog on a lead occasionally.
• Your dog will want food and water en route and you should keep a stash of poop bags in your pocket.
• You’ll need a pet box that meets airline requirements. If you hire a car, the box will also come in handy.
• Build in some extra travel time to allow for toilet breaks and walks.If you are taking public transport, make sure you check their policy on pets meticulously, as some trains and buses don’t allow them.
• Once you get there, blankets are useful to keep dog hairs and mud off the furniture. Orvis make a rather marvellous ‘paw plunger’ which makes for easy cleaning of dog paws before you head into the hotel (www.orvis.co.uk).
• Another ingenious invention is the Kodiak inflatable kennel (www.firstrax.net), which will provide your pet with a home away from home.
• You should consider fitting your dog with a GPS. ‘Tagg’ is a little gadget which fits on your dog’s collar and allows you to see the location of your pet at all times. You can set the device to notify you by text and e-mail if the dog strays outside of an area you pre-set.
www.pettracker.com.