I never thought I’d have the pleasure of experiencing something like the European Road Trip we took. There’s something magical about packing up the car, grabbing your favourite snacks, and hitting the road with your favourite people. But when one of them is a four-legged explorer like our border collie, Ozzy, and you’re taking him out of the UK for the first time, it’s even more special.
This trip was spent navigating the European roads over 12 days. And four days fresh from passing my driving test, it was a beautiful baptism of fire for me.
Weaving through charming towns, alpine landscapes, and vineyard-dotted countryside, this is a trip I’ll never forget. So with a packed-to-the-brim Land Rover, Ozzy and his plethora of animal health certificates and vaccine confirmations, and two very excited humans, we were off.
Dover to Dunkirk – A Breezy Start
We kicked off our European road trip from the UK, catching the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. The drive to Dover was surprisingly smooth, and we were fortunate to enjoy an easy crossing too. It’s worth noting for those travelling on DFDS with your four-legged friends – animals do have to stay in the car for the duration of the crossing, which was approximately two hours. We did manage to sneak onto the car deck after an hour to check on Ozzy – who was sound asleep. But it was quite scary to leave him.
On arrival, we headed straight to Dunkirk’s wide, windswept beach for a leg stretch and game of frisbee. Ozzy loved the open space, and it was the perfect way to ease into holiday mode before heading inland to Belgium.
Day 2: Dinant, Belgium – Riverside Charm
Our first overnight stop was Dinant, a postcard-perfect town nestled along the River Meuse. We drove the 263km route from Dunkirk to Dinant in approximately 3 hours. You’d struggle to cover that amount of distance in the UK in such a short space of time.
It was also the first garage-bought salad I had on the continent, which was so fresh and tasty. Something else you’d struggle to find amongst the McDonald’s and Burger King’s in UK service stations. I was impressed.
We stayed at the Ibis Dinant Centre, which offered stunning river views and easy access to the town’s dramatic cliffside citadel.
Dinant’s saxophone heritage and riverside cafés made for a relaxed evening stroll, and chance to enjoy some of Belgium’s famous beers. We took Ozzy to a local bar where he was very quickly welcomed in by a local guy who proceeded to feed him crisps and speak to me in very broken French. It’s safe to say that my French GCSE is now rendered useless.
Days 3-4: Luxembourg – A European Road Trip Dream
Next, we continued on our European road trip to Luxembourg City, staying two nights at the stylish Vistay Apartments. The city surprised us with its blend of modern architecture and medieval charm, and Ozzy loved splashing in the river. The apartment was perfect and cosy, with outdoor space for Ozzy and a comfortable bedroom and kitchen diner.
We explored the old town, wandered through the Grund, and enjoyed peaceful walks in the surrounding forests. In fact, we stumbled across what has now become our favourite walk of all time.
After a day exploring Luxembourg City, we drove out to the Schiessentümpel Cascade. We hadn’t planned this walk. In fact, we stumbled across it after a quick Google search. And boy, are we glad we did. It was like something from a fairytale. Cute wooden bridges led us onto pine needle soaked paths and eventually to the waterfalls. It’s something we’d never have the pleasure of finding if we didn’t have our car. Luxembourg felt like a hidden gem – clean, calm, and full of character.
Day 5: Rothenburg ob der Tauber – A Step Back in Time
From Luxembourg, we headed east to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns. It was our first time trying out the Autobahn and we enjoyed the lack of speed limits for about two minutes, before getting too scared.
Our stay at Pension das Ladle was cosy and authentic. Walking the cobbled streets felt like stepping into a fairytale, and Ozzy was a huge hit with the locals. This wasn’t our favourite place on the trip. But we did spend our second anniversary in a very quirky restaurant.
Days 6–8: Ehrwald, Austria – Alpine Bliss
Then came the highlight of our trip, and the location on which the entire trip was planned around. Three nights at Bergresort Zugspitze in Ehrwald, Austria.
Nestled in the shadow of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, this resort was a dream. We hiked scenic trails, relaxed in the spa, and soaked in the mountain air. Ozzy thrived in the alpine meadows, and we all felt completely recharged.
One of our favourite moments (and maybe Ozzy’s least favourite) was catching two ski lifts up Lermoos and Biberwier. We were there outside of ski season in May and so the temperature was nearing 30 degrees.
We made our way up the mountain side. When we reached the top, the views were out of this world. Snow-capped mountains towering over beautiful blue lakes, and gorgeous greenery.
Once he’d overcome his fear of heights, Ozzy very much enjoyed getting the zoomies in the snow. He also conquered his fear of cable cars.
The trip was originally planned for an incessant need to visit Eibsee and hike the route around the lake. So we were thrilled to finally make it there. This is where it proves valuable to do your research, as we rocked up to Eibsee on Ascension Day – a German national holiday. It didn’t affect our experience – in fact, it was lovely to see all of the local families enjoying a day out in nature together. It would just have saved us the head-scratching moment of trying to find a car parking space and wondering why there were so many people there on a Thursday in May.
Days 9–10: Colmar, France – Colourful Canals and Alsatian Charm
Crossing back into France, we spent two nights in Colmar, staying at the aptly named Colmar Hotel. The town’s half-timbered houses and flower-lined canals were impossibly picturesque.
We sampled local wines, wandered through the old town, and enjoyed dog-friendly cafés that welcomed Ozzy with open arms. He also became absolutely enamoured with the town’s canal system, and all of its very interesting fishies…
Days 11–12: Champagne Region – A Taste of Luxury
The penultimate stop on our European road trip was the Champagne region, where we stayed at the unforgettable Le Clos des Belvals. Surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, this place was pure serenity.
We toured a local champagne house, indulged in tastings, and watched the sunset over the vines. It was the perfect way to wind down. The stay at Le Clos des Belvals, we have since found, was an absolute fluke. A family-owned chateau and champagne house, we bagged one of their double rooms. For the duration of our stay, we were the only visitors there. So we lucked out with an entire chateau to ourselves.
Final Night: Boulogne-sur-Mer – Coastal Farewell
Before heading home, we spent our last night in Boulogne-sur-Mer at the Ibis Styles Centre Cathédrale. The town’s historic centre and sea views made for a gentle farewell to our European adventure.
We found a very cool brewery, and a cobbled street which blew our minds. Not because it was anything special, but because it looked exactly the same as one of Derby’s main thoroughfares. It’s almost as though we’d transported ourselves back home.
We took one last beach walk with Ozzy before catching the ferry back from Calais to the UK the following morning.
Travelling from the UK to Europe with a dog
Ozzy, our border collie, was not just a passenger. He was part of the adventure. But travelling with a dog across borders does come with its own set of rules, and 2025 has brought some important updates for UK pet owners.
Current UK pet travel requirements (until September 2025)
These are the rules and regulations we had to adhere to, but things are changing really soon. And for the better.
- Microchip: Your dog must be microchipped and registered on a DEFRA-compliant database.
- Rabies Vaccination: Administered at least 21 days before travel.
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC): Issued by an official vet within 10 days of travel. Valid for entry into the EU, onward travel for up to 4 months, and re-entry to the UK.
- Tapeworm Treatment: Required for return from certain countries. We had to do this and were extremely lucky to find an English-speaking vet in the Champagne region, who squeezed Ozzy in and administered his tapeworm treatment. Without it, he would have been denied re-entry into the UK.
Before September 1st 2025, each trip required a new animal health certificate. Ozzy’s AHC was nearly £200, and we’d need to fork out for that again if we wanted to take him abroad, which is costly and time-consuming. The cost for the AHC doesn’t include the cost for the rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatments. So it’s safe to say that the changes to AHC’s are very welcomed.
What’s changing for UK pet travel from September 2025
Starting September 1st, 2025, the UK is rolling out the UK Pet Travel Health Certificate (UK-PTHC), replacing the EU Pet Passport for outbound travel
Key changes include:
- Digital Verification: Airlines and ferry providers will now require electronic health checks at check-in.
- Linked Microchip Records: Your dog’s microchip must be linked to official health documentation.
- Streamlined Tapeworm Rules: Treatment is still required for certain destinations but now better standardised.
These updates aim to improve disease control, traceability, and simplify travel logistics for pet owners.
The Return of the Pet Passport?
In a welcome twist, a new UK-EU agreement is set to reinstate the pet passport system, allowing dogs and cats to travel without needing a new health certificate for every trip
This change is expected to reduce red tape and make spontaneous travel with pets much easier.
While the rollout timeline is still being finalised, the hope is that pet passports will be valid for multiple journeys again – just like before Brexit. Ozzy is very happy to hear this.
Tips for a Smooth Road Trip with Your Dog
- Plan vet visits early. Especially for vaccinations and certificates. We didn’t do this for our return to the UK and it’s safe to say that the stress was real. We also almost missed the boat on Ozzy’s rabies vaccination. In summary, don’t do what we did.
- Check country-specific rules. Tapeworm treatment and entry points vary.
- Pack essentials. Food, water, bedding, toys, and travel documents.
- Choose dog-friendly stays. Many European hotels and apartments welcome pets. We were pleasantly surprised as to how many did. Just make sure to confirm in advance.
Travelling with Ozzy was a joy, and with the upcoming changes, it’s about to get even easier for UK pet owners to explore Europe with their dogs. Paws crossed that everything goes ahead.
Reflections on our European Road trip
- Dog-friendly travel: Every stop was welcoming to Ozzy, and we found plenty of green spaces and pet-friendly accommodations.
- Driving in Europe: The roads were smooth, signage clear, and border crossings seamless. A far cry from UK roads.
- Favourite moments: Ehrwald’s alpine beauty, Colmar’s charm, and the peaceful vineyards of Champagne were standouts.
This trip reminded us how much joy there is in slow travel – taking the time to explore, connect, and savour each moment. If you’re planning a road trip with your partner and pup, we can’t recommend this route enough.