Holidays with dogs: Take a trip with your four-legged friend

The best destinations for holidays with your dog

It's pretty simple: if it's anything to do with travelling long distance, then it's probably not suitable for a holiday with dogs. A long flight is already exhausting for humans. For dogs - with their sensitive ears and noses - it can be very stressful, especially if they have to endure the flight in the cargo hold, far away from their owners. Spare yourself and your pet this agony.

However, car journeys with dogs are generally not a problem as long as you take your time and take enough breaks along the way. Some dogs even enjoy car rides. But even for road trips, you need to keep the length of the journey in mind and not travel further than necessary.

There are also a few other things to keep in mind when travelling with dogs:

• The thin air in the high mountains can be difficult for dogs with sensitive ears and noses if they aren't given sufficient time to acclimatise before and afterward, so it's not recommended.

• High temperatures in southern countries are also very stressful for dogs from temperate climates, making them unsuitable.

• Taking the above into consideration, we wouldn't recommend the Alps or the Mediterranean region for your next holiday with your dog.

Should I stay in a hotel or a holiday home with my dog?

The choice is really up to you, but we always think it's easiest to book a holiday home. Depending on the holiday provider, these are sometimes only available by the week, which can unfortunately make this accommodation option quite expensive. However, if you're travelling with several people, you can split the costs to make things more budget friendly.

When it comes to hotels and guesthouses, these often charge a fee for dogs to stay with their owners. This is why booking a holiday home or rental apartment, even for a short holiday, is generally easier, more convenient and more cost effective. The advantage here is quite obvious. Your dog will always be close by and you won't need to supervise it as much compared to if you were in a hotel room or guesthouse.

Other tips and tricks for travelling with dogs

If your pet is a bit more nervous or doesn't handle change well, we have a few more tips and tricks for helping them feel more comfortable quicker. Firstly, make sure that at least one of their usual caregivers is present. Then you should spend lots of quality time with your dog at the beginning of the holiday, giving them cuddles and having lots of playtime. This will help them feel calmer in their new surroundings.

Packing list for holidays with dogs:

• Their usual food (and feed them according to their normal routine)

• Their dog bed/blanket from home

• Any other blankets they usually lay on around the house

• Their favourite dog treats

• A few of their favourite toys

Holidays with dogs: Pros and cons for car, plane and train journeys

Travel by car:

Costs: No additional costs

Breaks: Breaks can be taken regularly

Stress factors: Relatively stress-free, as the dog travels with its owners

Conclusion: It's the best option!

Travel by train:

Costs: Dogs larger than hand luggage pay half the fare

Breaks: No guaranteed breaks

Stress factors: Noises and strangers may be more stressful for your dog

Conclusion: This can be a stressful option, depending on your dog's behaviour and nervous disposition

Travel by plane:

Costs: Full ticket price for dogs under 5 kilograms travelling in the cabin. If your dog is bigger and needs to travel in the hold, then this can cost approximately £150, depending on the airline

Breaks: No breaks

Stress factors: Many - there's extreme noise, small spaces and cold temperatures in the hold

Conclusion: Not recommended