Dog-friendly Vacation Archive - GREEN TRAVEL BLOG

Sustainable chalet vacation in the Alps

Laura — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:59:13 +0000

A hike in the mountains (with snowshoes or hiking boots) and then back to your own chalet – wood in the fireplace, maybe a dog snuggling at your feet. For many, a chalet vacation is the epitome of a luxurious outdoor vacation with space and privacy in the mountains. Couples, families or friend groups appreciate the individuality combined with quality amenities and a special setting. In this blog, we will give you an overview of the sustainable chalets in Tyrol, South Tyrol and the Allgäu in our network, which are not only ecologically oriented, but also offer one or two luxurious extras.

Between simplicity and luxury

According to the Allgäuer Zeitung, citing the Historical Dictionary, chalets used to be very simple mountain huts. However, during the European Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, they became a “symbol of a society of simplicity, closeness to nature, freedom and democracy”. Later, chalets became popular with Europe’s aristocracy, which led to them being seen as luxurious vacation homes – a reputation they still maintain today.

LENI MOUNTAIN Chalet ©Rudi Wyhlidal

What makes a chalet sustainable?

Those who choose a chalet vacation want to experience nature. In most cases, this leads to a greater appreciation of nature. In the mountains, for example, you can see the effects of global warming firsthand in the melting glaciers.

Sustainably managed chalets are characterized by the following:

Use of local wood from sustainably managed forests
Integration with and respect for nature during construction
Traditional building methods of the region to preserve the culture
Modern insulation methods (energy saving)
Cooperation with local businesses (strengthening the local economy)
Energy supply with green electricity (self-produced or purchased)
Waste prevention and recycling
Water conservation measures
Modern chimney technology and proper use of open fires
Natural cosmetics in bathrooms
Local organic products for breakfast or in the restaurant (if offered)

As you can see, there are a number of criteria that determine whether a chalet can be considered sustainable. In general, alpine tourism is an important economic factor for the region and also contributes to the establishment and maintenance of conservation projects such as national parks. Of course, tourists want to visit beautiful natural places. But as a traveler, you also have a responsibility. (Read more about eco-friendly travel in the Alps here.) In addition to not leaving trash behind, you can minimize your carbon footprint by choosing how you get there and where you stay.

What is the difference between a chalet and a vacation home?

According to the Duden dictionary, the word “chalet” has both French and Romansh roots and refers to a “country house, usually made of wood, especially in the Swiss Alps“.

Interestingly, the synonym for chalet is vacation home, which brings us to the answer to the question 🙂 A chalet is a vacation home. But not every vacation home in the Alps is a chalet, because chalets are characterized by the fact that they are wooden houses in the traditional style. Vacation homes can look different.

Sustainable chalets – Our recommendations

We can recommend 5 sustainable Green PearlsⓇ chalets in the Alpine region of Austria, Germany and Italy.

#1 Hygna Chalets in Alpbachtal, Tyrol – Luxury chalets with jacuzzi

The Hygna Chalets form their own small chalet village with a total of 11 chalets of varying sizes for 2 to 7 people. Built in traditional Tyrolean style, each chalet has a small private spa and some even have their own sauna and jacuzzi. There is also a fireplace with firewood.

A breakfast basket with local (organic) produce (vegan or vegetarian options available upon request) is delivered to your door each morning. The Chalet Village also has a 13-meter infinity pool in the former hay barn, a yoga room (with yoga classes offered), and a gym.

Sustainability: The land on which the Moser family built the chalets was previously occupied by a concrete ruin that had been vacant for 30 years. Electricity is generated by a solar system from spring to fall, and heat is provided by a pellet heating system in the winter. The hot tubs are equipped with a modern, water-saving system that fills the water at the touch of a button and purifies it for reuse. E-bikes and E-Golfs can be rented for local transportation.

Check rates and availability on the Hgyna Chalets website.

#2 Summit Lodges, Pfunds, Tyrol – Log cabin with private sauna

Summit Lodges @ Frank Praxmarer

The Summit Lodges in Pfunds, Tyrol, are a pair of log cabins made of polar spruce and built in the style of an American log cabin. They are more of a vacation home than a chalet, but still worth a recommendation! Each cabin is about 120 square meters and can sleep up to 6 people. There is a private sauna and a cozy fireplace with wood. You can cook in your own kitchen and be completely independent. A ski bus stops only 2 minutes from the front door and in summer there are many hiking trails. The chalets are also very suitable for a vacation with children.

Sustainability: The vacation homes are heated with air-source heat pumps, and the electricity comes from Tyrolean hydropower. The host, Marco Spiess, is very careful about waste separation. Guests are instructed in recycling, and garbage is checked before being taken to the recycling center. There is a compost for organic waste.

Check the Summit Lodges website for rates and availability.

#3 LENI MOUNTAIN Chalet in the Ötztal, Tyrol – Private luxury hideaway

LENI MOUNTAIN Chalet ©Rudi Wyhlidal

In the middle of the Ötztal Alps lies a luxurious, private hideaway: the LENI MOUNTAIN Chalet. To get there, you have to hike from the village of Sölden. Upon your arrival, the Arnold family, who own the chalet, will have an SUV ready to transport you and your luggage.

The chalet is approximately 200 square meters and can accommodate up to 8 people in 4 bedrooms. There is a fireplace, a private natural swimming pond, a wine refrigerator and other amenities for a luxurious alpine vacation. You will also have a personal concierge and even a private* chef if you wish. A bike station is available for mountain bikers.

Sustainability: The chalet is built with natural materials from the region and is energy self-sufficient thanks to a photovoltaic system. CO₂ emissions per guest are measured and reduced through various measures. The owners are also partners of “myclimate”.

Check rates and availability directly with LENI MOUNTAIN.

#4 Edelsberghütte, Allgäu – Mountain hut with modern comforts

Edelsberghütte ©Hotel Das Rübezahl

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner, Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region, acquired the Edelsberghütte in 2024. At an altitude of 1,180 meters above sea level, the hut welcomes hikers who can enjoy the view and good food (depending on the route) after a 40-minute to 1.5-hour hike (starting at the Pfronten hiking parking lot).

The Edelsberghütte has three chalets or apartments. Two are on the first floor and one has a separate entrance but is also part of the cabin. All apartments are comfortably furnished with all modern conveniences.

Sustainability: The Edelsberghütte was purchased as an existing cabin, and the family that owns it (as well as their hotel) is committed to local suppliers, organic food, and conservation.

Check prices and availability directly on the website.

#5 ADLER Loge RITTEN, South Tyrol – Chalets with all-inclusive service

©ADLER Lodge Ritten

On the Ritten Plateau in South Tyrol, you can rent one of the luxurious wooden cabins at ADLER Lodge RITTEN*. The chalets are scattered around a natural swimming pond and along the hillside, offering different but equally fantastic views. The resort also includes a main house and spa area with an outdoor pool, forest sauna and spa treatments. The all-inclusive services include breakfast and a multi-course dinner, as well as a lunch menu and all beverages. Guided hiking and biking tours are also available.

There are 55 square meter junior chalets for two people and four 90 square meter family chalets. Each chalet has a wood-burning fireplace, terrace and bio-sauna.

Sustainability: Regional and natural materials were used in the construction. The design of the chalets was the work of a local architect and craftsmen and is inspired by traditional South Tyrolean architecture. In addition, the resort has its own organic farm, which provides the produce used in the kitchens.

Check prices and availability directly on the website.

We hope we have given you a better understanding of what a chalet vacation is, how chalets are run sustainably, and how you can support them.

*CIN: IT021072A1QCJQTLUQ (ADLER Lodge Ritten)

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Weekend Getaway with Dog: A wellness stay at the dog-friendly Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s

Mara — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 06:32:02 +0000

A spa vacation with your dog? You may be wondering what that would look like, picturing your four-legged friend wearing a cucumber mask and a towel. While the idea is fun, it probably wouldn’t be relaxing for neither you or your dog, would it? Maren and Kristin from the family-run Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony, Germany, know how to have a relaxing getaway with your dog. For our blog, they have put together a weekend that will leave you and your dog feeling relaxed and ready to get back to the daily grind.

This is the eighth part of our series “Tips for a sustainable weekend trip.” A new green idea awaits you on our blog every three weeks!

Wellness Vacation for your Dog?

Let’s face it: You don’t go on this vacation for your dog. He probably doesn’t care where you go as long as you’re together. But that’s the point. Whether it’s a spa weekend or a mini-break with the dog, we dog people always have our four-legged friend’s relaxation in mind. Especially when they are insecure, anxious or in training. A hotel with extremely strict rules about where you can and cannot take him is not very helpful. Then your dog will have to spend a lot of time alone in the room – or you will have to spend a lot of time with him. In that case, you might as well skip the wellness hotel, right?

Tip 1 for your Weekend Getaway with Dog: Choice of Hotel

Choose a hotel that meets both of your needs. For example, find out if you can take your dog with you to eat, if you can take him to the sunbathing lawn, etc., and of course if there are places for him to run around. It also helps if the hotel is generally open to dogs and does not view them as “annoying appendages” of the guests. For more tips, check out our blog post on a relaxing hotel stay with your four-legged companion.

Welcome to the dog-friendly Okelmann‘s

At Hotel Okelmann’s, the love of dogs is palpable. Not only do the two sisters, who are the third generation to run the hotel, have dogs themselves, but there is also a special offer for dog lovers called “Hundeleeve“. Around Warpe, the small town in Lower Saxony where the Okelmann’ is located, there are fields, meadows and forests – ideal for long walks. There is also a large garden (most of the rooms for dog owners have direct access!) and a small restaurant and café with an integrated concept store. What’s on offer? Treats for two and four-legged friends, dog accessories and all sorts of other lovely things for yourself or the ones at home.

Weekend Getaway with Dog: Our Suggestion for a Relaxing Stay

Dogs welcome at Hotel Okelmann’s | ©Hotel Okelmann’s

Day 1: Arrive and Feel right at Home

Your weekend starts Friday afternoon. By the way: Whether you’re traveling with a partner, friend or alone, you’ll feel right at home! When you check in, you will not only receive all the information you need about the hotel, but also tips for the best walks, and your dog can look forward to a welcome treat.

Afterwards, it’s best to leave the unpacking for later and enjoy coffee and cake at Café Heimatliebe. Your dog is welcome, of course! You can also take a first look at the dog boutique. Before dinner, take a walk through the woods and later enjoy a sundowner on the terrace of your room.

Tip 2 for your Weekend Getaway with Dog: Walking the Dog

Depending on his character, age and level of training, your dog will be excited by a new environment. Take your time with the initial exploration. If your dog is too nervous, it is best not to make a round trip, but simply return the same way. Also, things you take for granted at home may not work. So be gentle with both of you and don’t stress yourself out. The holiday should be relaxing for both of you 🙂

Day 2: Exploration Tours and Wellness

Even when you are on vacation, you should maintain certain routines for your dog. This means that if you walk your dog before breakfast at home, you should do the same on vacation. There’s nothing like walking through a new area in the morning when everyone else is asleep. You might even see a deer or a fox!

At Café Heimatliebe, breakfast bliss awaits you: Local products, homemade specialties – All prepared with love and traded as fairly and organically as possible. Above all, most of what you are served comes from the region, from partners who know the sisters personally. If that isn’t reason enough to linger a little longer at the breakfast table 😉

View of Café Heimatliebe | ©Hotel Okelmann’s

Tip 3 for your Weekend Getaway with Dog: Visiting the Restaurant

I always have a blanket for my dog when I go to a cafe or restaurant (even if he never uses it…) That way he knows he has a fixed place and it’s time to relax. Nowadays there is a wide range of foldable and rollable blankets on the market. But an old cloth blanket will do just as well.

Sightseeing: Sculpture Trail in Warpe

The car takes a break for the day as the Warpe area is best explored on foot or by bike. We recommend the Warpe Sculpture Trail. This trail is about 16 kilometers long and combines culture and nature. It’s also relatively flat, so you don’t have to climb any hills. Along the way you will discover works of art surrounded by nature. Information boards give you a glimpse and information about the work you are looking at. The tour takes just over an hour, although it may take a little longer if you want to take in the artwork and perhaps make a stop or detour.

Alternatively, you can hike to the Weser River and Schwerin Lake. Or you can do both if you are good on your feet.

When you return in the afternoon, your dog will be so tired from all the new impressions (hopefully 😉 ) that he will want to curl up in your room and just sleep. For you, this means some dog-free time in the hot tub or sauna in the old shepherd’s wagon. You can also book wellness massages or sound massages at Okelmann’s! Refreshed, you can end the day with dinner at the restaurant.

[See image gallery at green-travel-blog.com]

Day 3: Yoga and Wellness with your Dog

Before you head home, take advantage of the hotel’s special offer: Yin Doga. In this private yin yoga class, Maren, a certified yoga instructor, will guide you through the poses. Your dog can join in and relax with you. If yoga is not for you, there is also the option of a sound bath with your dog. The singing bowls are only used on you, not your dog!

After breakfast in the café, it’s time to say goodbye to Okelmann’s. But before you go straight home, why not make a stop at the Schweringer See, if you haven’t already done so the day before, or go for a long walk in Sellingsloh, a wooded area between Hoyerhagen and Bruchhausen-Vilsen.

Out and about in the forest: Maren and Kristin Okelmann with their dogs | ©Hotel Okelmann’s

Weekend Getaway with Dog: Why you should do it!

It doesn’t always have to be a full week. A weekend can recharge your batteries and maybe even give you a new perspective. Plus, a short trip like this is a great opportunity to practice traveling with a dog – for both you and your four-legged friend.

Save this post as inspiration for your next weekend trip!

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Ethical animal encounters during your vacation

Jenifer — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 07:00:30 +0000

When you go on vacation, you can’t only admire the sights of the region. No, there’s also local flora and fauna to discover! And aren’t encounters with animals that you don’t usually see super exciting? Our Green Pearls partners are always committed to supporting ethical animal encounters.

But what makes an animal encounter ethical or unethical? As a general rule: if the animal is forced to do it, it’s probably not ethical. If the animal is injured or drugged in the process, then it is definitely not ethical. Fortunately, in Germany, there are animal protection laws that prevent the exploitation of animals. But in some other countries, you should be careful that you don’t unknowingly support an institution that doesn’t treat its charges so lovingly. Because: there are great ways you can observe animals on vacation without harming them.

Meet the groundhogs in Zermatt

Despite the lack of guided tours around the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt and the CERVO you can still have encounters with wildlife.

On the ski lifts between Gant-Blauherd or Furi-Schwarzsee you can spot chamois in winter as well as in summer. In spring and summer, you can even meet marmots here. In winter, however, the rodents are sleeping.

Fun Fact: The Swiss also call them “Munggen”, and in Upper Bavaria and neighboring Salzburg they are known as “Mankei”. But all these names refer to the same animal, that has become well known through the movie “Groundhog Day”.

Deer in Warper forest

Do you only know Bambi from movies and television? Then it’s time for a visit to Okelmann’s in Warpe! In the vast forests and the Warper heath land, you have the best chance to meet any kind of deer.

If you have your own four-legged friend, he is also welcome at Okelmann’s. Whether you are hiking or biking, you will have a lot of fun exploring the northern German flora and fauna alone or with your (four-legged) partner.

Experiencing elephants up close

You can also marvel at more exotic animals in some places with a clear conscience. At Keemala, for example. The Thai resort is home to many rescued and adopted animals, including water buffalos, goats, ducks, and fish. In October 2021, the resort welcomed a new resident! The water buffalo gave birth to the newest member of the Keemala animal family.

The boutique resort is not only home to a variety of animals, but also supports an ethical treatment. For example, guests can meet the Asian elephants in the local “sanctuaries.” Here, horseback riding and shows are not allowed. Instead, guests can feed the animals and watch them forage for food.

Animals as landscape keepers

However, wild animals are not only beautiful to look at. Near the Creativhotel Luise is the Tennenloher Forst nature reserve. Sandy grasslands, heaths and sparse pine forests alternate here with bog areas and small bodies of water. To preserve the landscape as it is, the Tennenloher Forst has had four-legged landscape keepers since 2003: wild horses and peacock goats.

They are located in a 100-hectare enclosure and therefore not always easy to see directly. If you feel like watching the animals, it is best to plan a nice hike around the enclosure. In the beautiful nature of the Tennenloher Forest, you can find more than 1,800 different species of animals and plants.

Do you like to watch them closer? Then we propose a hike around the Tennenloher Forest, where you can find more than 1,800 different species of animals and plants.

Aren’t such casual encounters much nicer – for you and the animals you want to observe?

Read more: SUSTAINABLE VACATION RENTALS

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Dog-friendly vacation in Germany and Austria

Jenifer — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 07:01:55 +0000

After we took you on a journey through Switzerland and Italy on Tuesday, we dedicate the blog post today to the most beautiful, sustainable and dog-friendly vacation destinations in Germany and Austria. And for the vacationers among you who are traveling outside of Europe, there are also a few more exotic destinations.

Nevertheless, let’s start in the Austrian mountains (Here you can find everything, you should know about cacationing in Austria). In Sölden two beautiful, sustainable and pet-friendly destinations await you: LENI MOUNTAIN Apartments & Chalet and The Peak Sölden.

More than just winter sports

Sölden is impressive for its picturesque and prominent location. While the place is mainly known for winter sports and its après-ski parties, you can also go on great hikes with your four-legged friend. In the apartments you have comfortable space for your dog and in the kitchen, you can prepare your food of choice.

For fresh air we recommend the wide network of hiking and biking trails. Your reward for the steeper sections? Breathtaking views over the Alps! Picturesque mountain lakes or rest stops at lofty heights are perfect for a great break — or for you and your dog to splash around.

A dog-friendly oasis of peace

Are you feeling stressed? Then the next hotel is a good choice! Just before the German border lies Leutasch. Here you find the Naturhotel Aufatmen, an oasis of peace. The rooms provide for a comfortable stay with your dog. The Aufatmen is a pure vegetarian hotel, which also has a large selection of vegan dishes. Perfect for hiking or just to relax.

Carefree-Package for you and your dog

If you are looking for an all-round carefree package for your furry friend, you are in good hands at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu. Your dogs are most welcomed. The package of the Allgäu hotel includes a food and water bowl, dry food from Happy Dog, a dog blanket, a dog bathrobe and even a dog drinking bottle for hiking. Sounds great already, right?

The nature around Balderschwang is also a dog paradise, especially the Nagelfluh Nature Park, where the HUBERTUS is located. Your furry friend is not allowed in the restaurant, but on request a table can be set up for you and your four-legged friend in the TeeStube (that’s in the lobby area) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dog-friendly fun in the water

Do you prefer a vacation by the water? Then visit the MANOAH houses. With the nearby beach house Da Rosario, the Bio-Seehotel Zeulenroda as well as the Pâtisserie Bergmann, the Zeulenrodaer Meer offers excursion destinations and culinary delights at the same time. Directly in the vacation home complex, an exclusive 24-hour market is ready for you — if you or your darling get hungry, you will always find a snack here.

Circular paths like the “Staudammblick” lead you along the shore of the Zeulenroda Sea. On the way you will get an impression of the dams, you can enjoy the wide view of the countryside and the town of Zeulenroda-Triebes and you have many opportunities to rest or take a break.

Exciting forest for curious noses

No lake at the Naturresort Schindelbruch, but forests as far as the eye can see — which is also super exciting for your dog. The resort is happy to welcome dogs. Here, a water and food bowl are provided so that you can start your vacation completely relaxed (and with less luggage). Even a cuddly sleeping place will be prepared for your darlings, if you wish so. As a special bonus, there are some treats for your four-legged friend.

Souvenirs for your favorite fur-friend

Do you have a water rat who also likes to rummage in the forest? Then you should check out Okelmann’s. Dogs are allowed everywhere on a leash — except in the sauna area 😉.

Especially the rooms with terrace and garden access are ideal. Outside it is wonderful to romp and walk in the large lawn, the forest or garden. The welcome package for four-legged friends includes welcome treats, bowls and a dog blanket are available on loan. And if the treats have tasted particularly good to your dog, you can buy them in the hotel’s own concept store. And as a special souvenir: Grab a few dog accessories.

But it’s not just in the middle of Europe that you’ll find beautiful, sustainable and pet-friendly hotels. The Maslina Resort in Croatia is also happy to welcome you and your four-legged friend. Here you can enjoy the warm weather together and explore the stunningly beautiful beaches.

Let’s hop across the globe: the Puri Dajuma in Indonesia and the Kasbah du Toubkal in Morocco are both pet-friendly hotels, too. Hike in the Atlas Mountains or relax on the beach in Indonesia: You can also spend great vacations here. However, you should spare your pet the long journey if you come from Europe.

Have you booked your trip? Here you can find some tips HOW TO PACK MORE SUSTAINABLE

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Dog-friendly vacation in Italy or Switzerland

Jenifer — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 07:00:20 +0000

Vacation with the whole family, often times with the family-dog. But anyone who has ever planned a vacation with a pet knows — it is easier said than done. Finding a hotel is often difficult, a sustainable hotel where dogs are allowed even more so. And then you are also looking for activities where your furry friend can come along.

We have put together a few ideas on how you can spend a wonderful and sustainable vacation. And your dog is guaranteed to have some fun as well.

Das CERVO Mountain Resort knows what dogs want

The CERVO Mountain Resort is located in Zermatt (Here you will find what you need to consider when entering Switzerland) and is therefore a dream for all mountain fans and hiking enthusiasts. The CERVO is a dog-friendly hotel — dogs are welcome in the rooms as well as in the restaurants. Whenever possible, the hotel tries to give a room with a garden (on the first floor) to dog owners.

The Swiss resort cooperates with vegetarian dog food brand LOONAWELL. All four-legged guests get treats at the check-in. Directly behind the hotel is a forest with beautiful walking and hiking trails of various lengths.

Paradise for dogs

The Zermatt mountains are a paradise for dogs — in summer or winter. That is why a visit to the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt is also worth a try. The extra charge includes a bowl and a dog bed. From Zermatt, you have a great view of the Matterhorn and beautiful hiking and biking trails on your doorstep. A dream destination for two- and four-legged friends!

City trip with a dog

Away from the Swiss mountains and further southeast to Milan. Did you think a city trip is not possible with a dog? At the Hotel Milano Scala it is! Admittedly, only small dogs are allowed in the Italian hotel, but you only pay 10 euros extra per night for a room in the center of Milan. You can reach the cathedral from here within ten minutes, and you can go shopping to your heart’s desire.

Relais del Maro loves dogs

Let’s travel a little further south, and we come to Borgomaro and the Relais del Maro. Owner Elena is a great dog lover. So, the pets who visit her lack nothing. The welcome package includes a dog bed, bowls and treats. In Borgomaro you can explore bridges, 19th century houses (like Palazzo Cassio Amelio, now owned by the municipality), small churches and a Franciscan monastery with a church. The Ligurian Sea and the Côte d’Azur are also just a few kilometers away.

Let’s head into the forest!

[See image gallery at green-travel-blog.com] Are you more of a forest lover than a water lover? Then you will certainly be happy in the forests on the border of Italy and Slovenia. Here, in the middle of vineyards and forests, lies La Subida Country Resort.

The property was built with great attention to detail, following the example of a small peasant settlement. The newer “Case del Bosco” is located a bit away and is simply enchanting with its view into the treetops: you can spend the night in a four-poster bed in the hayloft or relax in a cozy tub surrounded by tall grasses.

Around La Subida, tours in nature, in the vineyards and to the nearby sea are super fun. Whether it’s a walk in the woods, bike excursions with the sunny yellow rental bikes on the routes of the “Slow Collio” or guided nature and hiking tours — the possibilities are almost endless.

South Tyrol pampers two- and four-legged friends

Let’s stay in Italy but return to the mountains. In the Italian South Tyrol are the sister hotels Paradiso Pure.Living and LA VIMEA. Both hotels provide rooms where dogs are allowed. In LA VIMEA, your four-legged friend can even join you for dinner. In the restaurant itself dogs are not allowed, but in the winter garden and on the terrace an extra place will be prepared for you on request. The LA VIMEA is the first purely vegan hotel in Italy and is located near the center of Naturno. Whether yoga or spa treatment — this is the perfect place to relax.

Meanwhile, in the Paradiso you have the best opportunities to get active: The vegetarian hotel is located on the famous Alpe di Siusi and provides many opportunities to keep you and your four-legged friends busy in winter as well as in summer. In summer, you have the choice between classic hiking excursions, bike tours, horseback riding and climbing. If you are looking for a special adrenaline kick, you can try paragliding — but you should leave your dog in the hotel room for this 😉

In winter, you can go snowshoeing or test your luck in cross-country skiing.

Check back on Friday for our recommendations for a dog-friendly vacation in Germany, Austria and a quick detour to warmer climates.

You’re into wooden furniture or houses? Then take a look at this: GREEN PEARLS IN WOOD

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Vacation with your dog – in Switzerland

Jenifer — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 07:00:09 +0000

The Alps, the waterfalls and all the nature in Switzerland: That is actually the dream of every dog owner. And it can even be experienced sustainably – in our Green Pearls® partner hotels. But what do you have to consider if you want to enter Switzerland with your dog?

Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but as a country close to the EU it does not differ much from the applicable requirements. If you are entering from within the EU, you need:

a EU pet passport and microchip identification
a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old): In the so-called animal health certificate, you have to prove the valid vaccination protection against rabies.
Prerequisite for entry is that the animals travel in the company of a responsible person. This person must submit a written declaration that the movement of the animal is not for sale or change of ownership.
The importation may only take place by direct route. If non-listed third countries are passed during the transport, the owner or the authorized person must confirm in a self-declaration, that the animal had no contact with animals susceptible to rabies during the transit and that it has not left the means of transport or the airport.
The importation of dogs with docked ears and tails is prohibited. However, an exception is normally made for short stays such as vacations.
Puppies under 12 weeks of age or puppies between 12 and 16 weeks of age that have received rabies vaccination but have not yet met the required 21 days to achieve vaccination protection: In addition to the pet passport and microchip, you will need a statement from an authority-approved veterinarian confirming that the kitten was previously kept only at its place of birth (rabies clearance certificate). Likewise, entry is permitted if the animal is accompanied by its mother, on whom it is still dependent (and who meets all the requirements for entry).
Puppies up to 56 days of age must be accompanied by their mother. Also in Switzerland, it is recommended to have a muzzle with you.

Help on what you need to consider is also available in this online form from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office.
If you meet all these requirements, you are ready for your Swiss adventure. If you still need help finding a sustainable hotel that also allows dogs: We’ve brought a small selection for you.

The Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt and CERVO Mountain Resort are excited to welcome you and your four-legged friends!

The two Swiss hotels show their love of animals in their pet-friendly features. In the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, you get a dog bed and a bowl if you book your vacation with a dog. The extra charge per dog is CHF 15.

At CERVO Mountain Resort, dogs are welcome in both the rooms and the restaurants. If possible, the Swiss hosts try to give rooms with a garden (on the first floor). Even if that doesn’t work, there will at least be a balcony for your four-legged friends.

The resort cooperates with the vegetarian dog food brand LOONAWELL. All dogs that stay with you will therefore get treats from the vegetarian brand.

Directly behind the hotel is a forest with beautiful walking and hiking trails of various lengths, so you don’t have to worry about where to walk your dog.

Whether you stay at the Hotel Bella Vista or at the CERVO Mountain Resort: The Zermatt mountains are a paradise for dogs — no matter if summer or winter.

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Der Beitrag Vacation with your dog – in Switzerland erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.