Guides & Reviews
Stories from the road
First-hand dog-friendly hotel reviews, airline guides and city guides, written and verified by Daisy.
Flying Your Dog Out of the UK: The £69 Health Certificate and the Airlines That Say Yes
Your vet wants £250 for a piece of paper. An Official Vet in a car park in Leeds does the same certificate for £69. Then you need one of only six airlines. Here's the whole thing, start to finish.
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Getting Your Dog Back Into the UK: LeShuttle, Every Ferry, and the Tapeworm Clock
The flight out is the easy half. Coming home means a car, a tunnel or a boat, a worming tablet timed to the hour, and a route on the government's list. Every operator, every rule, checked on 10 September 2026.
Poros Day Trip from Athens with Your Dog
One WhatsApp message, one fast ferry, and a €120 boat with a picnic basket already on board. How we did Poros in a day from Athens, Shih Tzu and all.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool on Holiday This Summer
Every product we actually travel with, the ones that flopped, and the habits that keep a heat-prone Shih Tzu comfortable through a Cretan heatwave — from sixteen degrees up.
Domes Aulus Elounda Review, Where Daisy Got Her Own Welcome Letter
An adults only all inclusive on the side of a mountain in Elounda, and the best welcome of Daisy's travelling career
Domes Zeen Chania Review, the Pet-Friendly Luxury Resort That Won Daisy Over
Twenty four hours at the calmest luxury resort in Crete, where Daisy was welcome at the pool, the beach and dinner
Niko Seaside Resort Crete Review, the Adults Only Hotel Where Everyone Knew Daisy's Name
An adults only seafront resort in Agios Nikolaos where the welcome champagne arrived with Daisy's name on the card
Olive Oil Tasting in Crete: Our Vassilakis Estate Tour
A private tasting, a factory tour, and the moment Daisy discovered carob at a family olive estate near Agios Nikolaos.
Pet-Friendly Airport Transfers: Daisy-Approved, with Welcome Pickups
The journey doesn't end at the baggage belt. Here's how we handle the last, most overlooked leg — the ride from the terminal to the room.
Hotel Dei Cavalieri Milan: Dog-Friendly, Right in the Heart of It
Two minutes from the Duomo, a rooftop terrace that welcomes dogs, and a reception team that turned our worst arrival day into a warm one.
Dog-Friendly Milan: What We Loved and What to Skip
A rainy weekend in Milan with a Shih Tzu, where the canals steal the show and the airport train nearly ruins it.
An Open Letter to DEFRA – Let UK Dog Owners Fly with Their Dogs in the Cabin
We're asking DEFRA to commission an independent review of the ban on small, fully documented dogs flying in the cabin on inbound flights to the UK.
Hotel Kristall Seefeld-Leutasch: Dog-Friendly Alpine Luxury in the Tyrol
An adults-only alpine retreat where a blizzard rolled in, a three-room suite opened onto the Alps, and Daisy joined us for every single meal.
Marco Polo Airport to Venice with a Dog, Every Transfer Option Compared
Two transfers tested with a dog in tow, from the shared water taxi that felt like a luxury arrival to the Laguna water bus back.
Dog-Friendly Vienna with Daisy, Highlights and Markets
Four nights exploring Vienna with a Shih Tzu during the Christmas season, and a city that treats your dog like a normal part of life.
Dog-Friendly Bolzano and the Dolomites Day Trip from Venice
An unexpected third night turned into an Alpine day trip: first-class trains, a Renon cable car, Christmas markets, and Daisy welcomed everywhere.
Dog-Friendly Venice Guide with Daisy
Three winter nights in the most naturally dog-loving city in Europe, plus Burano sunsets and a first-class train day trip to Bolzano.
ÖBB Business Class With a Dog: Worth the Upgrade?
A €15 upgrade from first class turned a chaotic Vienna-to-Innsbruck run into the best train journey we've ever taken with Daisy.
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost: Luxury with a Dog, Steps from the Station
A five-star French address attached to the Hauptbahnhof, where turndown service means slippers, chamomile tea, and popcorn waiting after a long day.
Weidachstube Neuner, Leutasch: The Best Meat Platter We've Ever Had
A family restaurant in a quiet Tyrolean village where the meat platter was so good we booked a table for Christmas Day before we'd even left.
Dog-Friendly Vienna Restaurants We Tried
Five dog-friendly restaurants in Vienna we ate at with our Shih Tzu, with honest reviews and what to book ahead.
Imperial Riding School Vienna: A Beautiful Building Let Down by Its Service
A spectacular Habsburg riding school turned luxury hotel, where a stunning room and warm bar couldn't quite outshine a rocky welcome.
Palazzo Barocci Venice: Dog-Friendly Right on the Grand Canal
A boat pulling up to a private dock, Prosecco at check-in, and canal views that make Venice in December feel like a film set.
The Ultimate Guide to Dog-Friendly Zurich in Winter: Markets, Lake Views and Luxury Stays
A Shih Tzu's take on Swiss Christmas markets, fondue, and finding hotels that actually welcome dogs.
Sorell Seidenhof Zurich: A Pet-Friendly Winter City Break Done Right
No pet fee, marshmallows toasted over open fires in the winter garden, and a restaurant good enough to stop you mid-sentence, all in the heart of Zurich.
Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso: The Athens Riviera, Tested by Daisy
A five-star beach escape on the Athenian Riviera, where the staff adored Daisy and the coastal walks went on for miles, but the bar drew an unexpected line.
Naxos Day 2: Hidden Beaches to Ancient Temples – Complete Guide
From crystal-clear hidden beaches to ancient temples, this second day on Naxos rewards confident drivers with experiences most tourists never discover.
Medusa Suites Naxos: The Best Pet-Amenity Hotel We've Stayed At
An Aegean hideaway where Daisy was welcome everywhere I was, from the breakfast table to the private beach.
Naxos Day 1: Mountain Villages to Sunset Magic – Complete Guide
A full first day on Naxos, from flower-filled mountain villages and a legendary Halki pizza to sunset between the pillars of the Temple of Apollo.
Naxos, Greece: The Ultimate Luxury Dog-Friendly Island Escape
Where sophistication meets tail-wagging adventures in the heart of the Cyclades.
Crete with Your Dog: The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Greek Island Experience
Three days exploring a surprisingly dog-loving island, from Chania's old port to a private boat day with Daisy aboard.
Domes Noruz Chania, Crete: A Luxury Resort That Treats Dogs Like Royalty
Three to four staff waiting at reception to greet Daisy, champagne for me and fresh water for her, and a beach where she could run, swim and lounge like any other guest.
Flying With Your Dog to Dublin: What Lufthansa Won't Tell You
A week-long ordeal, and a restriction no agent will tell you upfront: Lufthansa won't carry pets in cabin on flights into Dublin.
Flying With Your Dog on Aegean Airlines
Ten-plus flights in. The direct-route champion — Dublin to Athens nonstop — with one honest caveat about a Dublin gate agent.
Flying With Your Dog on Swiss Airlines
A cautionary tale. Confirmed in writing, denied at the gate, and €3,000 out of pocket — the one review we hoped we'd never have to write.
Flying With Your Dog on TAP Air Portugal
The rescue airline. When Swiss stranded us at Christmas, TAP turned a disaster into one of the best flights we've ever had.
Flying With Your Dog on Air France
Eight flights in, the easiest airline we've found for travelling Europe with a dog — champagne service for us, lounge naps for Daisy.
Flying With Your Dog on KLM
After sixteen-plus flights, still the airline we recommend first to anyone travelling with a dog.
Flying With Your Dog on Vueling
Four flights in. They nail the booking, then sit you in the cramped back row with no choice. Frustratingly almost good.
Olvos Luxury Suites Mykonos: A Pet-Friendly Off-Season Retreat
A calmer, laid-back side of Mykonos—private pools, hot tubs, and Cycladic suites where Daisy was treated like a little princess, all just minutes from town.
Dog Friendly Mykonos: Your Laid-Back Guide to Greece's Trendiest Island with a Pup
How to explore Mykonos with your pup off-season—from windmills and e-bike rides to where to eat, stay, and skip the crowds.
Flying with Your Dog: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Cabin Bag
After 14 years of travelling with a dog, here's how to choose an airline-approved cabin bag that meets weight limits, under-seat dimensions, and every carrier's rules.
Stena Line Ferry Review: Traveling with a Dog from France to Ireland
A great pet area couldn't rescue an inside cabin that vibrated and banged all night, on our first and last Stena Line crossing.
The Ultimate Guide to Flying with Your Small Dog Pet in Cabin: Tips & Tricks for Stress-Free Travel
Everything you need to know to make flying with your small dog in cabin stress-free, from airline policies to in-flight tips.
A Dog-Friendly Adventure: Brunch at Firehouse Bakery in Wicklow Town
A cozy Wicklow Town bakery, café, and bike store where Daisy and her cousins were welcome to brunch out of the rain.
Glacier 3000 and Gstaad: A Dog-Friendly Adventure in the Swiss Alps
Panoramic train rides, a suspension bridge high in the Alps, and a luxury village that welcomes your dog everywhere you go.
Rating Scale – Daisy-Friendly Hotel Rating System
The 1-to-10 scale we use to score every hotel, from barely pet-tolerant to the ultimate Daisy experience.
Sheraton Lisboa: A Luxurious Pet-Friendly Hotel in Lisbon
A last-minute booking that turned into a luxurious, dog-friendly stay, from early check-in to spa serenity and a VIP welcome for Daisy.
Dog-Friendly Lisbon: A Guide How to Spend a Day with Your Dog
How to make the most of 24 hours in Lisbon with your dog, from a smooth airport arrival to historic tram tours and a dog-friendly brunch at the Sheraton.
A Dog-Friendly Swiss Adventure: Geneva, Montreux, Glacier 3000, and Gstaad
A festive-season journey through Switzerland with a Shih Tzu, from lakeside Montreux to the alpine heights of Glacier 3000 and the charm of Gstaad.
Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao: A Stylish, Dog-Friendly Pre-Ferry Stop
A contemporary Autograph Collection bolt-hole in the heart of Bilbao, with a suite that felt like an apartment and a welcome basket of treats for Daisy.
Grande Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux: Dog-Friendly Luxury on Lake Geneva
Christmas in Montreux, with snow-capped mountains, Lake Geneva, and a hotel that made Daisy a local celebrity.