Pets on Tour: Tripeden.com Shares Purr-fect Vacations for Four-Legged Friends
International Dog Day is celebrated on August 26, honoring the companionship and loyalty dogs provide. A pet-cation could be the perfect way to return that love with an unforgettable adventure. With nearly a third (30%*) of global travelers dreaming of a nature trip for their next vacation, man’s (and woman’s) best friend could be the ideal companion. With a mission to make it easier for everyone and their pooches to experience the world - including a pet-friendly search filter - we have searched through our bank of more than 29 million listings in over 175,000 worldwide destinations to find five spots that welcome you and your furry - and perhaps not so furry - friends in many of its properties.
Budapest, Hungary
With plenty of attractions and open spaces, Budapest is an attractive destination for dog owners. Travelers and their four-legged friends can enjoy a stroll in Hungary’s capital along the famous River Danube, the river that separates Buda from Pest. Arrive at the Chain Bridge and cross over to the district of Buda to walk around the beautiful hills that offer breathtaking views of Pest, along with the famous Hungarian Parliament Building with its dome reminiscent of Florence’s iconic Il Duomo. Cat owners will also find a welcome for their pets in the cat cafes dotted around the city where they can indulge in the Budapest institution of coffee and cake. If travelers are feeling in need of cleansing afterwards, they can visit the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the largest outdoor thermal baths in Europe.
Where to Stay: Supreme City Center Apartment lets pets stay for free and even provides pet bowls for four-legged visitors. This stylish accommodation lies nearby the pet-friendly Olympia Park, which even comes with a dog playground. It is rated highly for its central location and is only a short walk from Buda Castle and the picturesque St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
With 60 miles of South Carolina coastline, Myrtle Beach is a magnet for sun worshippers, food lovers and anyone looking for some chilled R&R. And that includes pets. From Labor Day (September 2) through to April 30, dogs are allowed on the beaches at any time of the day. They can also enjoy the famous 1.2-mile Ocean Boardwalk and Promenade that runs through the sands of Myrtle Beach. A big favorite among locals and visitors, the Boardwalk offers oceanfront views of the beach with its many shops and restaurants. Myrtle Beach has become a foodies’ paradise with more than 2,000 restaurants offering a huge range of styles, many of which welcome pets. For more animal-friendly attractions, travelers can visit Myrtle Beach State Park, Apache Pier and Huntington Beach State Park.
Where to Stay: With Myrtle Beach just 300m from the apartment, Sea Gem Oceanfront is ideally placed for visitors to enjoy the Myrtle Beach experience and is within easy reach of the many restaurants, shops and attractions. This dog-friendly residence comes with its own private pool, a balcony with sea views and air conditioning.
Windermere, Lake District, UK
The Lake District is one of the UK’s most popular destinations, attracting millions of visitors every year. And many of them bring their dogs. With miles upon miles of countryside, fells and mountains surrounding England’s most famous lakes, such as Windermere, Coniston Water and Ullswater, this National Park is a haven for nature lovers, walkers and pet owners. Whatever kind of vacation they’re looking for here, visitors can be assured there is plenty of beautiful countryside to walk with their dogs, including guided walks for people with limited mobility or sight problems as well as footpaths suitable for wheelchairs and child buggies. Many of the area’s many cafes provide a warm welcome for dogs, so while travelers are enjoying a reviving drink or meal, their four-legged walking companions can lap up some downtime too. Travelers with an interest in adventure can take the 90-minute Guided Cruise on Coniston Water that pays tribute to Duncan and Malcolm Campbells’ legendary speed record attempts.
Where to Stay: There are many pet-friendly places to stay in the Lake District and one of the most popular places is Ambleside on the shores of Windermere. Here sits Rothay Manor Hotel, a beautiful four-star Grade 2 listed establishment built in 1825. There is a selection of pet-friendly rooms for visitors who can take advantage of the dedicated dog washroom after a muddy walk. Dogs are also welcome in the drawing room and can join their owners for dinner in the Brathay Room.
Crikvenica, Croatia
Originally a Roman settlement, Crikvenica is an ideal walking destination for travelers and pets looking to relax on the Croatian Riviera next to the Adriatic Sea. One of the country’s fastest-growing destinations, this small coastal town is close to stunning natural lakes as well as the coastline, perfect for taking a dip after a long walk. The waterfront area presents some impressive architecture with art nouveau and colorful buildings. Travelers and canine sidekicks can put their feet up for a snack at Monty’s Dog Beach and Bar where, as well as the people-friendly food options, there is also dog pizza, dog ice cream and dog herbal tea. Whilst in Crikvenica, visitors may find the riviera hosting one of its 250 festivals and events that run throughout the year.
Where to Stay: Just a short walk from the beach, Hotel Vali Dramalj provides stunning sea views of the Adriatic. After a day of puppy paddling and running along the shore, pets can relax in their pet-friendly room while guests can indulge themselves at the spa or sip on a cocktail out on the terrace bar.
Soldiers Point, Australia
A peninsula on the southern shores of Port Stephens, Soldiers Point boasts a number of attractions ideal for dog walking. Many of the local caravan parks, public parks and beaches such as Bagnalls Beach, welcome pooches and there are dog-friendly cafes on offer too, making it easy for both traveler and pet to enjoy a well deserved meal. With this picturesque destination famed for its beautiful sunsets, visitors and their pets can choose their spot to sit and watch the changing evening skies together. Originally the site of a garrison of soldiers established to hunt down escaped convicts in the early 19th century, Soldiers Point comes with an interesting history to discover. It is also a popular draw for fishing and boating visitors who can enjoy a spectacular time at sea on the Three-hour Whale-watching Cruise at Port Stephens, where they are likely to catch sight of humpback whales, dolphins and plenty of seabirds.
Where to Stay: The swanky Bannisters Port Stephens is a perfect stay for visitors and their pets. This modern hotel offers luxury rooms, two of which welcome pets - the Queen Room Pet Friendly and Deluxe Suite Pet Friendly. Guests and their pets can dine together at The Terrace Bar and then enjoy the space of the garden and nearby beach.
*Research was commissioned by Tripeden.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2024, and are involved in trip planning. The sample is comprised of 32,300 respondents across 32 markets (2,000 from USA, 800 from Canada, 1,800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1,800 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1,800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1,800 from France, 1,800 from UK, 1,800 from Germany, 800 from Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 400 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 800 from Ireland, 800 from Portugal, 1,800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1,800 from Japan, 500 from UAE) surveyed in January or February 2024.