Advice for Travelling to Italy with Dog - Ferry? Train? etc

[dom9]

Hi all,

Some of you may remember Bella the black Labrador who I rescued whilst living in the US. She is now terrifying squirrels, foxes and rabbits in leafy Surrey and we've been back 2yrs, unbelievably.

Mrs9 and I need a holiday and we don't like leaving Bella with anyone for more than a couple of days, so we'd like her to come with us. We'll rent a little place near the Lakes in northern Italy, so have some driving ahead of us!

Having been brought back to the UK with me, when she was a pup, I've got Bella's passport sorted (chip etc) and topped up her rabies anyway. So, she's good to go.

What I'm not sure about is the method of getting across the channel. I don't want to fly her again (she hated it last time, though it was 10hrs on the plane) and it would be good to have a car to do some exploring anyway.

That basically leaves us with Ferry or Chunnel.

Cost isn't a huge issue but I don't like the idea of locking her in the car on the ferry and then leaving her there on her own (which I read in another thread). Am I right in thinking you stay with them, in the carriage, on the Chunnel?

Any other suggestions?

Are there any methods of transport where you can wander around with them? I'm sure I saw a dog-friendly over night ferry to Spain on TV at some point.

Look forward to hearing any suggestions and any other tips (somewhere to stop off to let her have a whizz etc on the way through France?).

By way of an updated on Bella, here is what Mrs9 woke up to this morning:

[Jasandjules]

If you want to drive, we used the Chunnel. Easy enough. Dog on back seat with a seat belt. Drive, stop every couple of hours at services for a pit stop and hotels of an evening...

[dom9]

Thanks J&J, Chunnel it is.

She's used to long drives. She used to go back and forth in the car between Houston, TX and northern Arkansas, which was about 10hrs, if memory serves...

Just need to find somewhere to take us over-night on the way down. I think my best mate's place in Provence may be a little too out-the-way.

[Stedman]

Chunnel. No brainer.

[SGirl]

Stedman said:

Chunnel. No brainer.

Definitely this. Our dogs are quite happy in the back of the car with us during the trip when we take them to Europe.

[Jasandjules]

dom9 said:

Thanks J&J, Chunnel it is.

She's used to long drives. She used to go back and forth in the car between Houston, TX and northern Arkansas, which was about 10hrs, if memory serves...

Just need to find somewhere to take us over-night on the way down. I think my best mate's place in Provence may be a little too out-the-way.

Plenty of hotels will allow dogs. We stayed in two in France, two in Spain as well and we just ask them (email) as they don't all say so on their website... The Hotel Companile generally accept dogs.......

[dom9]

Thanks all - Chunnel doesn't seem bad value, really.

Just need to finalise dates with Mrs9!

Have a load of Avios to spend, so perhaps can find hotels with them on the way down.

[jock mcsporran]

Tunnel for us too and then a cheap stopover in one of the Formule1 or Ibis Budget places that have no issues with dogs and usually close to somewhere for a bite to eat.

[RESSE]

jock mcsporran said:

Tunnel for us too and then a cheap stopover in one of the Formule1 or Ibis Budget places that have no issues with dogs and usually close to somewhere for a bite to eat.

+ 1.

Chunnel and dog works very well. Ibis perfect for overnight stops.

We are heading off for a family road trip to Spain via France on Wednesday and have pre-booked Ibis.

I am sure you are aware of the requirement that your dog has to have a worming tablet form a vet and that their passport has to be stamped accordingly by said vet.

[dom9]

Thanks guys - Will have a look for a place to stop and stay over, today.

Her passport is here, so I'll also see if I can track a vet down for the worming tablet on the way home!