No, we don’t want anyone to be left at home or any member of the family to miss out on a dip in the sea or a cross-country adventure ending with the most spectacular sunset of your lives. That’s why we’ve put together a series of tips to help you travel with your pet this summer.

Travelling with pets comes with a few considerations. Let’s start with the most obvious one: choose a pet-friendly destination. Although animals are welcome in more and more places, there are still destinations where the options available to them are very limited. What’s more, even if a destination is pet-friendly, you’ll also need to consider your pet’s personality and needs and whether they’ll feel comfortable there. For example, if your dog is naturally calm, you may want to look for quieter destinations away from the hustle and bustle.

You’ll want to swim in the sea, explore walking trails and even visit tourist attractions together. However, every destination has its own rules when it comes to welcoming pets, so we recommend doing a little research beforehand. As a general guide, the book España con perro. 200 planes con tu mejor amigo (Spain with Your Dog: 200 Activities to Enjoy with Your Best Friend, published by geoPlaneta) can be a great source of inspiration. What’s more, over 100 beaches along Spain’s coastline allow visitors to bring their furry friends. As regulations may vary depending on the local authority and the time of year, it’s worth checking the specific rules before you visit.

It’s not only important to choose accommodation that accepts pets, but also somewhere that allows them to enjoy the same level of comfort as you. At Sercotel, many of our hotels are designed so that you can stay with your dog. In fact, when you arrive, we’ll be waiting with a snack to welcome them. We’ll also provide our pet-friendly kit, featuring a bed made from non-toxic materials, certified by PETA VEGAN, with removable, antibacterial fabrics to ensure maximum hygiene. Naturally, your room will also include food and water bowls for them.

Yes, pets also need to travel with the correct documentation, so it’s important to check everything well before your trip. As a basic requirement, dogs must be microchipped. The microchip contains information identifying both the animal and their owner, helping them to be safely returned home if they become lost. They must also travel with an up-to-date vaccination record and a health certificate confirming that they are in good health. Both documents are issued by a vet.

Make sure you pack your pet’s essentials: the familiar items that help them feel calm and happy. These usually include their toys, blankets, food and water bowls, their own bed and their usual food—especially if it’s a brand that may be difficult to find. Bringing these things with you will help them adjust to the change in surroundings. As an extra precaution, don’t forget protective paw balm in case you walk further than usual or cross terrain they aren’t used to, as well as a pet first-aid kit. If your pet isn’t accustomed to walking long distances and is small enough, a pet carrier backpack may also come in handy.

When travelling by car, ensuring your pet’s comfort and safety is essential. Whether they travel in the passenger compartment or in the boot, they must never be allowed to travel unrestrained, and any safety equipment you use—such as a harness or travel crate—must have passed laboratory crash tests. As a general rule, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic states that dogs weighing over 55 kilos should travel in a securely fastened crate in the boot, while dogs weighing under 9 kilos should also travel in a crate, but on the rear seats, positioned sideways in relation to the direction of travel. Finally, an essential reminder: stop regularly so they can stretch their legs, and make sure they stay hydrated.