Solo Travel with your Dog
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Solo travel with your dog is special at home and abroad. The good news? It is becoming easier. It had to happen. After “Gal Getaways” and “Mancations”, the Travel Channel noted this trend with “Petcations.”Recently, the US national railway, Amtrak, started allowing non-service dogs on select trains. Pet-friendly lodgings from 5-star hotels to economical bed and breakfasts are everywhere. In fact, many of those with the words “Pet-Friendly” in their name are already booked for months like the US Oliver Pet Friendly Rental or Italy’s B&B Millefiori – Pet Friendly.
Solo Travel with your dog:
Luxury Options:
The UK is a destination known to be filled with dog-lovers. Can you envision Queen Elizabeth without an entourage of faithful Corgis? In the heart of chic London, the 5-star Ampersand Hotel awaits your arrival with your best friend. There is no extra lodging charge for pets. Even in such a welcoming environment, Spot may be liable if he chews the leg off an antique Queen Ann side chair. In that case, travel with your dog may have some challenges. Moreover, pets may not have the run of the place. At an elegant Caribbean resort last summer, I saw a prominent “No dogs” sign by the swimming pool. I watched with glee as a baby carriage arrived carrying a tiny shaggy dog. No one seemed to notice when he joined his mom on the chaise lounge.
A chic US property welcoming pets is The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Check out our Booking.com search engine on our Home Page.
Solo Travel with your dog:
Informal Alternatives:
Europe, in general, is a very pet-friendly environment. I recall on a visit to Amsterdam. I stopped in at a local cafe for a sandwich at lunch time. While waiting, I started to sit down on a bench near the front door. I suddenly realized a large Lab had already claimed that spot. I was about to sit on top of him!
In Vienna, when I joined friends for dinner at a casual restaurant, their Golden Retriever went with us. Unlike my wild hounds, he was very well -behaved never howling or begging food from nearby tables. If you are, however, traveling with your best friend, there are options in addition to 5-star hotels and select modern high-rise chains.
Other Options in Europe included:
B&B Rosalpina in the Dolomites Northern Italy 51 options ski area.
The US and especially the West also had multiple economical offers, including:
Rodeway Inn at Nevada State Capitol
The one common factor? Destinations for hiking, skiing and outdoor trips more frequently offered pet-friendly environments. In cities, I have more often noticed its availability in 5-star properties.
Solo Travel with your dog:
What’s in a name? Some destinations appear to be special-purpose for, or at least easily confused as to, putting out the welcome mat. An example? Dog Beach, Key West, Florida, had no less than 16 properties advertised as pet-friendly.
Solo Travel with your dog:
The definition of “pet-friendly” may vary from place to place so do check ahead of time. There may very well be a size restriction as happens with many apartment-buildings. I once rented an apartment with a “no dog” policy. One day I happened on a neighbor walking what looked like a German Shepherd. I asked her how she was able to keep him. She explained that her pet was not a “dog” but a “timber wolf”. Evidently the rental application had failed to exclude that category of “pet”.
Remember to check out the pet-policies before you leave home. If traveling abroad, you may even need a “pet passport”. In any case, if you are more likely to watch the “Puppy Bowl” than the “Super Bowl”, a petcation could be just the vacation for you!
