Pet-friendly travels

GETTING away and travelling to new places is one of life’s great pleasures, and can be even fun if you take the family’s faithful companion along too.

There are many destinations in Spain which pet owners can enjoy in the company of their canine friends, from rural mountain retreats to the country’s extensive and varied coastline; these days there are even beaches with dedicated dog­friendly areas.

Cities too can be an option for travellers with their pets by their side, as a growing number of hotels and hostels do now admit dogs.

Planning ahead and checking out accommodation with a pets welcome policy is a good idea: some establishments have certain limits, perhaps on the size of dog they admit.

Even if a hotel is pet­friendly, dog owners should use their common sense during their stay. Most establishments do not want dogs to be left on their own in rooms. Keep them on a lead in communal areas, not only so they won’t run off, but to prevent altercations with other four­legged guests.

Also recommended is dogs wearing collars with name tabs, just in case they do manage to wander off on their own.