8 Dream Travel Destinations to Visit with Your Dog

Let’s face it—leaving your dog at home with a sitter or at a boarding kennel while you go on a long trip isn’t exactly what they want or what you want for them. Your dog may be fine if it’s just a weekend, but they’re likely to end up anxious and missing you during your absence.

Fortunately, the world has become much more pet-friendly in recent years, and protocols for bringing pets in planes and public transport are now clearer and more permissive than they used to be. Even better: more businesses and attractions around the world are now permitting pets on their premises, and some are outright encouraging pet owners to bring them.

Wherever you decide to go, pet safety is primarily your responsibility as a pet owner, and you shouldn’t travel with your dog if they haven’t been socialized and vaccinated. Make sure to invest in secure customizable dog collars, carriers, and other critical essentials before you leave home, even if you’re going to a pet-friendly country.

That said, where exactly can you go for your dream vacation with your dog, and what should you look for in a dog-friendly destination? The insurer Swiftest has some compelling metrics to consider, including the number of pet-friendly facilities per million people, the ratio of vets, laws on animal rights, and prevailing risks of rabies, to name a few. The list below takes cues from Swift’s Index, but also prioritizes variety to suit the tastes of different dog owners. Consider treating your pet to an unforgettable trip to one of these awesome global destinations:

1) Italy

Italy’s pet-friendly vibe is at least as old as the Roman Empire, and you’ll see loads of hotels, restaurants, and other facilities in major tourist areas that cater to dogs and their owners. A few historical sites and museums are even open to dogs, though you will want to confirm this before you visit.

2) France

France has been dog-crazy for centuries, with the country originating more than its fair share of dog breeds. A high proportion of hotels are pet-friendly (over 50 percent in Nice alone) and the majority of trains, buses, and restaurants in the country allow dogs, though there may be some reasonable guidelines to follow. Notably, you can take your dog to a majority of the country’s public parks, and you can even let them frolic under the Eiffel Tower.

3) New Zealand

New Zealand is so pet-friendly that a recent survey indicates that there are more companion animals than humans in the country. While the country itself is quite young, pet ownership is part of the national DNA, and you won’t have trouble finding accommodations and diversions in major cities and settlements.

4) Great Britain

The eccentric Brits have been pioneering pet-friendly holidays before they were mainstream elsewhere. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have more than their fair share of dog-friendly hotels and tourist sites, and dogs can even travel on trains for free.

5) Germany

Germany is the origin of many of the world’s most beloved dog breeds, so it’s no surprise that the country is chock-full of dog lovers. You’ll see dogs in virtually all public spaces being handled responsibly by their owners. If you do pick Germany as a destination, it’s best you follow dog handling etiquette, as locals take a very serious view of responsible dog ownership.

6) Australia

Dogs are welcome across an incredibly wide array of Australian destinations, including some beaches and national parks. This is doubtless because Aussies have a strong culture of pet ownership themselves, with this being particularly evident outside major cities.

However, the country does have strict laws regarding the transportation of animals into the country, largely to protect their unique fauna and critical livestock industries. If you choose to visit Australia with your pet, be sure to plan ahead so that you can comply with the country’s strict biosecurity laws.

7) Mexico

If you’re travelling from the US, taking your dog with you to Mexico is a rather simple affair compared to many of the other destinations on this list. The country also has a small, but growing selection of dog-friendly hotels and facilities, largely thanks to the massive demand from the US and Canada. And while there aren’t that many pet-friendly restaurants in most areas, the country’s amazing street food culture means that this isn’t as big a problem as it would be elsewhere.

8) Singapore

Singapore is one of the most dog-friendly Asian destinations, but there are a lot of caveats that many American dog owners may not be comfortable with. For one thing, certain dog breeds are outright banned from the country. Keeping your dog unleashed in public is also illegal and can expose you to severe penalties. That said, the country does have a large number of dog-friendly spots—particularly in the eastern half, including abundant public gardens and surprisingly expansive nature trails.

Taking your dog with you on your overseas travels will be a challenging but uniquely rewarding experience, especially if they’ve been properly socialized and are used to confined spaces. With careful planning, you can create unforgettable memories together, exploring new sights and cultures across the globe.

*This is a collaborative post