Newcastle , UK to Lake Como, Italk - Advice please
Apr 18th, 2012, 01:47 AM
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Newcastle , UK to Lake Como, Italk - Advice please
Hello,
I am planning a road trip from Newcastle Upon Tyne to Lake como in Italy to celebrate my 30th Birthday. We plan to leave on Aug 26th and return on 5th Sept 2012. We will be travelling in a VW Transporter.
I plan to catch the ferry from Dover to calais then have an over night stay in Reims and Lucerne before arriving at Lake Como on day 3 for 5 nights camping at Magic Lake near Dongo.
We have a dog who is coming with us and i have checked the rules on travelling with a pet and will get the apropriate vaccinations but are dogs allowed to swim in the Italian Lakes? Does anyone have any advice on travelling with a dog around Italy, are they allowed on trains? We plan to visit Florence and Milan but would rather not drive to these places and that brings me to worrying about the heat with the dog? My partner will not leave the dog in a kennel so that isnt an option.
Any general advice on travelling from the UK to Italy would be much appreciated as this is our first trip and i want to research it properly.
Thanks!!
I am planning a road trip from Newcastle Upon Tyne to Lake como in Italy to celebrate my 30th Birthday. We plan to leave on Aug 26th and return on 5th Sept 2012. We will be travelling in a VW Transporter.
I plan to catch the ferry from Dover to calais then have an over night stay in Reims and Lucerne before arriving at Lake Como on day 3 for 5 nights camping at Magic Lake near Dongo.
We have a dog who is coming with us and i have checked the rules on travelling with a pet and will get the apropriate vaccinations but are dogs allowed to swim in the Italian Lakes? Does anyone have any advice on travelling with a dog around Italy, are they allowed on trains? We plan to visit Florence and Milan but would rather not drive to these places and that brings me to worrying about the heat with the dog? My partner will not leave the dog in a kennel so that isnt an option.
Any general advice on travelling from the UK to Italy would be much appreciated as this is our first trip and i want to research it properly.
Thanks!!
Apr 18th, 2012, 02:11 AM
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Cant really help with the logistics but I urge you to find another solution for your dog. It really isnt fair to the dog and will really restrict what you can do. We have two dogs and took them away for the weekend with us once and it was a bit of a pain because you cant leave them alone in the B&Bs or of course in the car!
If you dont want to use a kennel try looking up dogsitters that come to your home. Or perhaps a friend could housesit for you. It would be more enjoyable for you and your furkid
If you dont want to use a kennel try looking up dogsitters that come to your home. Or perhaps a friend could housesit for you. It would be more enjoyable for you and your furkid
Apr 18th, 2012, 02:25 AM
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hi Rachel -
not saying that it can't be done, but you are factoring in a lot of complications for your first trip!
we have dogs but have never taken them out of the country because it seems so complicated - getting the vaccinations done and the vet's cert at the right time, [and you need one to come back in, i think] crating the dog on the ferry [read their rules about dogs] sightseeing with the dog, not being able to leave him/her behind in the van because of the heat....we have a house - sitter like jamikins suggests and have never regretted it.
then travelling with the van may bring its own complications - i can't tell you how many times I have seen people travelling in camper vans pulled over by customs/passport officials at ferry ports and elsewhere.
It's also a LOT of driving, - Newcastle to Dover, Calais to Florence, and BACK - in two weeks. www.viamichelin.com tells me that it's 2000kms each way.
with this being your first trip, you really are setting yourselves a big task. it could turn into a very stressful birthday celebration!
not saying that it can't be done, but you are factoring in a lot of complications for your first trip!
we have dogs but have never taken them out of the country because it seems so complicated - getting the vaccinations done and the vet's cert at the right time, [and you need one to come back in, i think] crating the dog on the ferry [read their rules about dogs] sightseeing with the dog, not being able to leave him/her behind in the van because of the heat....we have a house - sitter like jamikins suggests and have never regretted it.
then travelling with the van may bring its own complications - i can't tell you how many times I have seen people travelling in camper vans pulled over by customs/passport officials at ferry ports and elsewhere.
It's also a LOT of driving, - Newcastle to Dover, Calais to Florence, and BACK - in two weeks. www.viamichelin.com tells me that it's 2000kms each way.
with this being your first trip, you really are setting yourselves a big task. it could turn into a very stressful birthday celebration!
Apr 18th, 2012, 02:53 AM
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Taking a dog to Europe and back is a lot easier since the start of this year, as far as meeting all the requirements goes. But you still need to find a vet in Europe to give the tapeworm treatment required before you can re-enter the UK with him.
It will still be very warm at that time of year, which means you cannot safely leave the dog in the camper.
Many campsites have strict rules about dogs as well.
I think if you had longer it would be a great trip, but Newcastle to Reims in one day? That is a serious bit of driving, 540 miles, especially in a camper - not much fun for you, and even less for the poor dog.
If you are intent on taking the dog consider taking the Tunnel rather than the ferry. You can stay with your dog then rather than having to leave him alone in the car for the crossing.
Don't forget you will need a toll vignet for Switzerland, probably a camping carnet too for the camper, plus tolls in France, and the price of fuel.
Maybe you can find someone to look after the dog for a few days and can look into flying to Italy. Give yourselves a real break.
I have only taken my dog away with us once, and it was no holiday. You are even more tied to the animal away from home than you are at home.
It will still be very warm at that time of year, which means you cannot safely leave the dog in the camper.
Many campsites have strict rules about dogs as well.
I think if you had longer it would be a great trip, but Newcastle to Reims in one day? That is a serious bit of driving, 540 miles, especially in a camper - not much fun for you, and even less for the poor dog.
If you are intent on taking the dog consider taking the Tunnel rather than the ferry. You can stay with your dog then rather than having to leave him alone in the car for the crossing.
Don't forget you will need a toll vignet for Switzerland, probably a camping carnet too for the camper, plus tolls in France, and the price of fuel.
Maybe you can find someone to look after the dog for a few days and can look into flying to Italy. Give yourselves a real break.
I have only taken my dog away with us once, and it was no holiday. You are even more tied to the animal away from home than you are at home.
Apr 18th, 2012, 05:37 AM
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Good luck!! Just remind him that if you take the furkid you will have to be with it 24 hours a day basically! That may change his perspective.
Also, if it makes him feel better we leave our dogs in a kennel for about 5-6 weeks a year when we travel and have never had an issue. Just be sure you go visit the kennel and feel comfortable with it. Our babies are pugs and totally house dogs (we have to drag them off the couch outside 3-4 times a day for a 10 min walk)and they are fine staying in a heated kennel for 2 weeks.
Have a great trip!
Also, if it makes him feel better we leave our dogs in a kennel for about 5-6 weeks a year when we travel and have never had an issue. Just be sure you go visit the kennel and feel comfortable with it. Our babies are pugs and totally house dogs (we have to drag them off the couch outside 3-4 times a day for a 10 min walk)and they are fine staying in a heated kennel for 2 weeks.
Have a great trip!
Apr 18th, 2012, 06:38 AM
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I have done this and more.
SW Scotland to Siena with a mad Springer Spaniel, great fun.
We were there in June and it was 35oc. It goes without saying about leaving them in cars but in that heat, the advice applies to 5 minutes. Do not under any circumstances leave your dog in the car for any time unattended.
We didn't use public transport but life was very easy. Beaches are a big problem as there are very few dog beaches and you will be told to remove your dog by other beach users.
Just have plenty water to had and take your dog's usual food. A change in food brand can add to the trauma of the trip.
We found it really difficult to get anywhere as Springers are not that common and we were accosted By every Italian and American in town to have a hug. (the dog that is).
Overall, it was one of the highlights of our lives but we haven't done it since as the year later our son was born and I would not inflict such long road trips on a child.
We found the Italian approach to pets to be pretty shocking. This may have been very particular to Tuscany which is a farming area full of country living realists. Our dog developed a badly infected paw, the estate owner of our villa offered to put her down. We took her to the vets in Siena who instantly offered to put her down as it was cheaper than the treatment. Our local vet drives a new Lamborghini whilst the vet in Siena pulled up on a broken Vespa. We had the impression that pet care wasn't high on the agenda in Siena.
The motorways in Italy had many more stopping places than ours and this helped hugely.
In summary, I would do it, even more so considering that you will have plenty of space in the Camper.
SW Scotland to Siena with a mad Springer Spaniel, great fun.
We were there in June and it was 35oc. It goes without saying about leaving them in cars but in that heat, the advice applies to 5 minutes. Do not under any circumstances leave your dog in the car for any time unattended.
We didn't use public transport but life was very easy. Beaches are a big problem as there are very few dog beaches and you will be told to remove your dog by other beach users.
Just have plenty water to had and take your dog's usual food. A change in food brand can add to the trauma of the trip.
We found it really difficult to get anywhere as Springers are not that common and we were accosted By every Italian and American in town to have a hug. (the dog that is).
Overall, it was one of the highlights of our lives but we haven't done it since as the year later our son was born and I would not inflict such long road trips on a child.
We found the Italian approach to pets to be pretty shocking. This may have been very particular to Tuscany which is a farming area full of country living realists. Our dog developed a badly infected paw, the estate owner of our villa offered to put her down. We took her to the vets in Siena who instantly offered to put her down as it was cheaper than the treatment. Our local vet drives a new Lamborghini whilst the vet in Siena pulled up on a broken Vespa. We had the impression that pet care wasn't high on the agenda in Siena.
The motorways in Italy had many more stopping places than ours and this helped hugely.
In summary, I would do it, even more so considering that you will have plenty of space in the Camper.
Apr 18th, 2012, 09:28 AM
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Ignore the nonsense about "it's too much for a dog"
It might be for some wimps. But certainly not for me. It's also straightforward.
Italians are funny about dogs. They're iffy about letting us on trains (we've got to be muzzled, and since I'll remove the hand of any dumb human trying to muzzle me, that meant I couldn't go on trains which was a bummer because I LOVE trains). They also have this Catholic thing about banning us from churches (the nice C of E vicar next door at home insists I come in), which is an even bigger pain since their floors are nice and cold - but no-one minds in out of the way country churches. It's the Basilica at Assisi banning us that really gets me; that nice St Francis must be turning in the grave the place is built over at the thought.
But they're good at letting us into most restaurants and bars (except in Val d'Aosta and on motorways service areas). We've even seen places in Rome where the dog sits at the table, though that's obviously absurd. You can't eat the nibbles the waiters sneak you unless you're on the floor, so I insisted I be treated properly.
Can't recommend the Tunnel too strongly: I'd really hate being by myself locked in a dark, rolling, ship's garage without a Boss to growl at - which is what happens on the ferries. With the Tunnel, I can have a run round and a pee at the terminal, get back into the car, have the Bosses in the car with me as we cross then get out again at the other side (I LOVE French motorway areas. Loads of space to run round, and great cheese to snarf from other picnickers. Italian motorway areas are horrible congested places with nowhere for a spaniel to move in and too horribly hot to leave me in the car, though the Bosses love the food. They end up eating separately, while the other one walks me round trying to find cool bits. But if you're only going to Como it may not matter).
You need an anti-worm injection at least 24 hrs, and no more than 48 hrs, before arriving at UK immigration. In practice, this has to be in France (it's a bit much to try it in Italy, even if you can find a vet who understands). Since UK immigration on the Tunnel is at Calais, you must get your dog jabbed at least 24 hrs from Calais - though the Boss has found French vets tres sympathique at choosing a time stamp that'll keep UK douaniers happy.
It might be for some wimps. But certainly not for me. It's also straightforward.
Italians are funny about dogs. They're iffy about letting us on trains (we've got to be muzzled, and since I'll remove the hand of any dumb human trying to muzzle me, that meant I couldn't go on trains which was a bummer because I LOVE trains). They also have this Catholic thing about banning us from churches (the nice C of E vicar next door at home insists I come in), which is an even bigger pain since their floors are nice and cold - but no-one minds in out of the way country churches. It's the Basilica at Assisi banning us that really gets me; that nice St Francis must be turning in the grave the place is built over at the thought.
But they're good at letting us into most restaurants and bars (except in Val d'Aosta and on motorways service areas). We've even seen places in Rome where the dog sits at the table, though that's obviously absurd. You can't eat the nibbles the waiters sneak you unless you're on the floor, so I insisted I be treated properly.
Can't recommend the Tunnel too strongly: I'd really hate being by myself locked in a dark, rolling, ship's garage without a Boss to growl at - which is what happens on the ferries. With the Tunnel, I can have a run round and a pee at the terminal, get back into the car, have the Bosses in the car with me as we cross then get out again at the other side (I LOVE French motorway areas. Loads of space to run round, and great cheese to snarf from other picnickers. Italian motorway areas are horrible congested places with nowhere for a spaniel to move in and too horribly hot to leave me in the car, though the Bosses love the food. They end up eating separately, while the other one walks me round trying to find cool bits. But if you're only going to Como it may not matter).
You need an anti-worm injection at least 24 hrs, and no more than 48 hrs, before arriving at UK immigration. In practice, this has to be in France (it's a bit much to try it in Italy, even if you can find a vet who understands). Since UK immigration on the Tunnel is at Calais, you must get your dog jabbed at least 24 hrs from Calais - though the Boss has found French vets tres sympathique at choosing a time stamp that'll keep UK douaniers happy.
Apr 18th, 2012, 09:52 AM
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Flannerpooch
Aren't the rules changing for you soon, are they removing the need for the jabs on return?
Rachel
Forgot, our pooch swam in every lake south of Paris. never had a problem. Beaches, yes. Had abuse thrown at us on all the beaches even the dog approved ones.
Aren't the rules changing for you soon, are they removing the need for the jabs on return?
Rachel
Forgot, our pooch swam in every lake south of Paris. never had a problem. Beaches, yes. Had abuse thrown at us on all the beaches even the dog approved ones.
