Holidaying abroad with dogs

In the past, pets travelling abroad had to be kept in quarantine for 6 months on their return. However, the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) means owners are now able to order an EU Pet Passport for their dogs, cats or ferrets. First the pet must be micro chipped, which will help the vets to identify them if lost, as well as vaccinated and tested for contagious diseases such as rabies. Once this is complete, healthy pets are permitted to free travel with their owner around Europe.

Photo by Jon Rawlinson

You should check the pet rules of your destination country before you set off. Some countries allow dogs in restaurants; some require dogs to be muzzled in the street.

Travel companies have begun to cotton on to the trend for holidaymakers to take their pet with them, and there are ‘pets packages’ available, including selected destinations, resorts and activities specifically designed for pets and their owners.

However, there are health risks to take into account if you decide to go abroad. The different temperature overseas can be uncomfortable for a dog, particularly short-snouted breeds such as the pug, which will overheat very quickly in the sun. For even the most happy-go-lucky pet, unfamiliar surroundings and changes in routine can be very stressful. Also take into account the different, often very busy traffic conditions abroad, and keep your dog on a lead at all times around the roads.

When choosing a destination, avoid humid areas with sandfly populations (for example Southern France and the Mediterranean), and use fly repellents, because a bite from these creatures can cause your dog to become seriously ill as much as 7 months later.

A word of safety: only take well-trained dogs on holiday (whether at home or abroad) that you can be sure will return to your call or whistle. Watch out around heights and water, and always keep your dog on the lead in dangerous or unfamiliar areas.

You absolutely must visit a vet before going abroad to explain your holiday plans. Make sure your dog is micro chipped, which will help the vet to identity lost pets and reunite them with their owner. The vet will also top up their flea and worming treatments, and advise you of any vaccinations or medicines (for example prophylactics, anti-tick treatments) necessary to prevent or treat potential diseases in the destination country. This includes rabies (minimise the risks by avoiding strange dogs), heartworm, a parasite that can lead to heart failure in dogs if left untreated, and diseases spread by ticks. Many vets offer special ‘holiday clinics’ tailored to advise you on overseas health.

Invest in good pet insurance in advance of your trip.

Holidaying in Britain with dogs

The most exciting pet-friendly destination is right here on your doorstep: the Great British countryside. Pets are free to travel anywhere in the British Isles, making this a convenient and safe holiday option.

Walking holidays are as exciting for your four-legged friend as they are for you! With miles of open space to run and jump, new sights and smells everywhere and new friends to play with, when you look through your dog’s eyes it’s not hard to see why his tail will be wagging for the whole trip.

The Cotswolds, Pembrokeshire, the Highlands are all pets’ playgrounds, with stunning natural landscapes, plenty of pet-friendly pubs and tearooms and all the fresh air and exercise that they could need. Many Bed and Breakfast owners in these areas anticipate visitors bringing their faithful companions, and will welcome well-behaved dogs with open arms (but do check with them first).

We spend so much time indoors and at work that few of us spend as much time as we would like simply enjoying the company of our pets. A pet-friendly staycation grants you the valuable opportunity to spend extended quality time with your furry friend and will also give you an excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh air together.

Victoria Jones works alongside World Walks walking holidays in the UK and abroad. A keen animal-lover, she enjoys long walks with her dog in the scenic British countryside.

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St-Jacques’s Path, Midi-Pyrenees

There are four paths leading pilgrims to St. Jacques de Compostelle, through southern France and northern Spain. Rumor has it that the most beautiful is the via Podensis, in the Pyrenees. Starting from the medieval town of Figeac, the walk will take you through fields of safran, among herds of goats and sheep, and you will come across many interesting monuments along the way.

St-Jacques’s Path, France by Hk kng

The calanques, Bouches-du-Rhône

Situated between Marseille and Cassis, in southern France, the calanques are steep and uneven limestone formations, which bright pale color contrasts beautifully with the deep blue Mediterranean sea. The panorama is spectacular. Piece of advice: do not forget to bring sufficient amount of water since the heat can get intense and there is no fresh water available anywhere in the calanques. Preferably, choose to go there off-season, between March and May. The temperature will be fresher, and you’ll avoid most of the calanques’ annual 2 million visitors.

Sentier des muletiers, Puy de Dôme, Auvergne

Highest point of the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of extinguished volcanos in Auvergne, center of France, the Puy de Dome used to be an important place of worship in the Roman empire. You can hike up to the top using the historic sentiers des muletiers, the ancient path that once conducted worshipers to the temple of Jupiter, which ruins are still existing on the summit. The sentier des muletiers is a fairly easy hike that can be achieved within an afternoon, back and forth. The view from the summit is amazing; but brace yourself for crowds of tourists. The Puy de Dome is one of the most visited spots of France, which is the most popular destination of the world. So do not expect to be alone up there!

Mont Dore, Chaine des Puys, Auvergne, France by Sébastien Bertrand

While you are in Auvergne, seize the occasion to explore the surrounding Chaine des Puys. There are countless mountains hiking tracks, all more beautiful than one another: breathtaking panoramic views, waterfalls, pristine lakes, etc. It is well worth it.

Contentin Peninsula, Normandy

With over 436 km in total, the path that takes you around the Cotentin Peninsula, in Normandy, would take over 20 days to be walked completely. But you can easily choose to walk short sections of the path. The landscapes are splendid, the air is fresh, the view, panoramic, arouses an incomparable feeling of freedom and peace.

About the author:

Mireille Mayrand-Fiset is a travel, music and theater enthusiast. She writes for the stage and television, and is working as a freelance blogger for Tourism Montreal, which provides all kind of information to plan your trip in Montreal. You can find more information here.

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Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Francisco Seoane Perez

Pilgrimage Sites

Cross-country walking is a fun and leisurely pastime. Christians have long treks to shrines and reliquaries and this is more of a spiritual venture more than a physical activity. Long trails that lead to pilgrimage sites are now developed for both the pilgrims and recreational hikers. There are many tourist destinations that have these pilgrimage routes that can serve you well in your spiritual venture as well as your purpose of spending a holiday with your family.

Pilgrim Destinations

After every pilgrimage trail awaits a site that has a religious significance. British pilgrimage trails are known internationally such as St. Cuthbert’s way. This pilgrimage route can make you trace the journey of the said saint from the Abbey in Melrose to Lindisfarne.

Also, you can follow the path of St. James’ which ends in a place where he rested during his journey.  A cathedral stands on where the apostle’s venture ended known as “Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela”. You may want to try a longer trek and there are more pilgrimage sites where you can bring your family.

You want to take a 480 mile path and Camino Frances is your destination of choice. This pilgrimage site starts from Southern France. There are also routes starting from Portugal and Southern Spain that lead to the same destination- “Camino Frances”.

Pilgrimages Today

Pilgrimage still exists up to this era. Religious people like you go for a spiritual venture which is an opportunity to reflect and achieve inner peace. The setting of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s apparition in 1917 is now a well-known pilgrimage site. Pilgrim paths start from Lisbon leading to Fatima. Also there are other routes from Spain and Portugal leading to the shrine of the Blessed Virgin.

Tourism in Pilgrim Destinations

Europe has a vast rural terrain that serves as a venue for Pilgrims. Pilgrimage sites usually have historic significance. Pilgrimage routes offered jobs to many locals who serve as tourist guides as well as companies that offer pilgrimage tours. These tours may be self-guided or traditional guided walking tour. Various packages await you and this has become a boom in the tourism industry.

Pilgrimage Tours

Pilgrimage started as a traditional practice centuries ago and remains as a religious activity which is a practice to many people like you. Today, it is easier to choose a pilgrimage site and book for a travel to your destination. Travel agencies can provide you with trail maps, handbooks and almost everything you need in your journey.

It is easier to plan out for a holiday pilgrimage or a recreational hiking trip to pilgrim destinations in Europe. Walking cross-country can be a worthwhile activity for you and your family.

Leslie loves hill walking and writing his routes on the web.  He has been running the main Camino de Santiago and Walking in Scotland site since 2006. Click on WHW walking route to know more about pilgrimage sites and routes.

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Saint-Tropez, France by Zoé de Saint-Tropez

1 – Convenience

If travelling from the UK, you can reach Calais and Le Havre in a few short hours or less. By comparison, a trip to the South of France can involve a longer flight, and day or two of driving. In this way, the North of France is recommended for people that want a quicker getaway, or don’t want to have to transport young children on a long journey.

2 – Cities

There are many excellent cities in both the North and the South of France. The North’s distinction comes through it being the location of Paris. However, travels to the South can take in the similarly large, if not quite as diverse, cities of Nice and Marseille along the French Riviera. Travellers going to the South West of France can also enjoy the historic city of Bordeaux.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France by Trey Ratcliff

3 – Temperature

Those wanting to enjoy the sun and the beach are probably better off heading south than trying the climate of the Northern part of France, which is broadly similar to the UK. The South’s Mediterranean climate is much hotter, and features many more sandy beaches. Marseille and Nice are particularly popular for tourists. Visitors to the South and France’s Eastern border with Switzerland can also enjoy the sun and the skiing opportunities of the French Alps.

4 – Cultural Differences

While there are no major differences in terms of language and shared culture between the North and the South of France, there are a few contrasts that should be taken into consideration. The South of France is generally more tourist driven, and most French people will travel to it as part of their own holidays. The pace of life in the South is also slower and more relaxed in the larger cities and resorts. Cities like Monte Carlo are more expensive than the towns of the North. Food in the South is similarly more Mediterranean in terms of the use of spices and local fish delicacies.

Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, France by marcovdz

5 – Travel Options

Being based in the North or the South of France will create different opportunities for further travel. On the other hand, being based in the North means that you can easily travel onto Belgium and Germany, while also gaining access to the Netherlands. By contrast, a trip to the South of France creates the chance to travel to Switzerland and Germany via the Alps, as well as heading west to Spain and Portugal. The South of France is also a good base for journeys on to the North of Africa and parts of Greece.

Conclusions

Taken together, those wanting a short journey, and the opportunity to enjoy Paris and cooler temperatures should consider the North of France, while those after sun and beaches, and a more Mediterranean holiday, can head south. Again, however, there is no reason not to enjoy both during the course of a longer trip.

Brought to you by the bloggers from Cheznous. Offering holidays in France.

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Most impressive and largest aqueduct at that time was undoubtedly the Pont du Gard in Provence, in southern France. It dates from Roman times – was built 2000 years ago. It is not only beneficial structure, but also an architectural gem. It can certainly be called wonder of the ancient world. This building has been preserved almost in working conditions until today.

Aqueduct transferred water from the Eure spring to the wells in Nimes (48 km). Noteworthy is that the height difference between spring and wells is only 17 m, which proves truly outstanding calculations of the whole system.

A part of the aqueduct is a huge, three-storey bridge over the river Gard, which is also the most interesting part. The bridge is 275 meters long, 49 meters high and at the highest part it is 3 meters wide. It consists of three rows of arches – the arcades. Blocks of stone are embedded into each other with millimeter accuracy while no fasteners were used.

At the time of the Roman Empire the city of Nimes had approximately 50 000 inhabitants. Aqueduct was able to supply about 400 liters of water daily for each person.

The bridge is now a major tourist attraction and one of the most visited monuments in France with more than 2 million tourists per year. In 1985 it was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can even stay in camping which is situated right bellow the Aqueduct.

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The Millau Viaduct serves to the speed up and calm the traffic. Before its construction it was necessary first to descend into the valley and then climb again on the other side, which greatly slowed down the transport, and meant a significant traffic load in the valley.

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The Millau Viaduct consists of 8 road fields, supported by seven pillars, which have the shape of an inverted Y. The road is 2460 m long and weighs 36,000 tons. Each field is 342 meters long (2 outer field has a length of 204 m), in the middle of these fields there is a pillar. 90 m high pylons rise above the road (each weighs over 600 tons) and with ropes keep the roadway between the pillars. A maximum height of the road above the ground is 246 meters.

The actual construction work began in October 2001, but weather conditions greatly complicated the construction which finally lasted for 3 years.

Millau Viaduct is not only the tallest bridge in the world but also the world’s longest cable-stayed deck.

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Saint-Tropez is located on the French Riviera, and it is known today for its famous and extremely wealthy summertime guests. It has been dubbed the ‘playground to jetsetters, fashion models, and millionaires’, and it is most-enduringly known as the place the iconic Brigitte Bardot “discovered” and for its role in the liberation of southern France during World War II. During the 1960s and the 1970s, the famous film series Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez with Louis de Funès further contributed to the town’s reputation.

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The port is now primarily a tourist spot besides being a base for many well know sail regattas.

The inhabitants of Saint-Tropez are called Tropéziens[1], and the town is familiarly called “St-Trop”.

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