Hi there, I’m Coco (yes, like Coco Chanel), an adorable mixed-breed dog who has decided to take pen in paw and tell you all about the coolest travel destinations for dogs of the moment.
Well, I say “cool” because it’s trendy to say so, but really these places are simply amazing for us four-legged friends. We get to play in nature, discover tons of exciting new smells, and, let’s be honest ,keep a close eye on our beloved humans who always seem to have their heads in the clouds.
On the road with my Lucia, I explore the world one paw at a time.
The Camino de Santiago
When Lucia, my favorite human, told me we were heading out for a long walk, I couldn’t hide my excitement. I’ve always loved trotting through fresh grass, but I never imagined I’d experience something like this!
Some people say walking the Camino de Santiago with your dog is tough, and sure, if you do the full 800 kilometers, you’ve got to be in great shape. But you can totally choose shorter routes!
That’s what we did, and I enjoyed this journey more than any other. Every morning we’d wake up at dawn and walk through fields filled with the smell of dew-kissed grass. Lucia had a big backpack full of supplies, including water for both of us and some tasty snacks, because after a long walk, with that lovely tired feeling in her legs and my little paws, we deserved it!
On the Camino, I met many pilgrim dogs like me. Every rest stop was a party where Lucia made new friends… and so did I!
If you think the Camino de Santiago is just another dog-friendly destination, think again. It’s a soul-stirring journey through beautiful lands that brought me and Lucia even closer than ever.
Moments that warm the heart.
The Path of the Gods
This adventure was shorter than the Camino de Santiago, but let me tell you: doing the Path of the Gods with a dog like me is pretty rewarding!
Yep, I’m bragging a little, because during the Path of the Gods, which connects Bologna to Florence, my dear human Lucia was feeling a bit sad. I’m not sure why, maybe she had an argument with that human Marco who visits often, but I stayed by her side and maybe helped cheer her up.
Between kisses and tail wags, we strolled through magical forests. I even took a dip in a stream (Lucia posted the pic on Instagram, I looked fabulous), and then we arrived in the amazing city of Florence. It was so exciting!
Florence is one of the top tourist destinations ever. Even though I’m a little dog, I truly appreciated the monuments, statues, and parks. The dogs in Florence are super friendly, especially because when they speak, their accent sounds funny to me! I made friends quickly, especially with a group of sweet dogs at the park. Their names were Mimì, Giuly, and Rosetta, and we took lots of selfies together.
My new friends: Mimì, Giuly, and Rosetta.
The Path of the Silent Villages
The name of this trail says a lot already! For this trip, we went to Umbria, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The scent of olive trees tickled my little nose, and I trotted through the most welcoming villages.
Lucia had read that walking the Path of the Silent Villages with a dog is a unique experience, and I totally agree. It really was! We took it slow and spent ten days walking through peaceful towns where everything felt calm and quiet.
Key word: no stress. I didn’t have to worry about traffic and just enjoyed a super relaxing vacation, no doubt about it!
Every adventure is pure joy!
How many kilometers did I walk with my human?
Every September, I meet up in the park with my besties and we chat about our vacations with our humans. Some wonder how many kilometers you can walk a day with your dog.
I told them it’s hard to say, it really depends on how fit you are and where you’re walking. Some destinations have challenging trails, so you walk less. Others are easier, and you walk more.
And hey, fitness matters! Take Rocky, for example: a handsome German Shepherd who can cover miles without a single fur out of place.
Then there’s Rosetta, a tiny, slightly lazy Corgi who gets tired after just 300 meters and wants to jump straight into her human Annalisa’s arms.
Just like people, we’re all different. But we share common needs, especially when it comes to vacations we can actually enjoy.
Lucia always made sure to put a little paw balm on my feet, especially if the trail was rocky. And when we were in the woods, she sprayed me with something that smelled amazing: it kept the bugs away, she said.
After all these adventures, a nice bath was just what I needed!
And don’t forget to let your human give you a nice bath after a long walk. A little refresh never hurts! Psst… I recommend Yuup!: I’m totally in love with their colors and scents! They’ve got products for every fur type and color, and if you’re in a rush, they even have fast, no-rinse shampoos!
What can I say? My travels have been pure joy, and I hope these tips for dog-friendly destinations help and your little heart and you choose the next beautiful journey to share together.
XOXO
Coco
