ROME - World Dog Day is celebrated on August 26, according to the will of numerous animal rights associations. In reality, the celebrations also take place on 5 other dates, distributed from May to December: for the dog in the office, for strays, for dogs without breed, for those adopted and for working dogs, as if a single date does not was enough to show all the love we feel for our 4-legged friends.
The number of people who live and move with a dog is increasing even when they have to go on vacation. And this is why hotels, bathing establishments and tourist facilities - from campsites to residences and farmhouses - are adapting to the new needs of all pet owners.
The web is full of rules, advice and proposals for pet-friendly addresses, that is, ideal places that can welcome travelers and their four-legged friends. And, in this regard, Italy is among the most suitable destinations in Europe for hosting pets: Airbnb says it, which registers over 130 thousand rooms, villas and apartments where pets are welcome; a number that confirms the trend of holidays with dogs. The search for pet-friendly accommodation, in fact, has increased by 65 percent and is mainly concentrated in destinations such as Puglia, Romagna and Tuscany. According to Coldiretti, the trend is also on the rise: one in 5 families, 22 percent to be precise, decide to go on a trip with their dog. L'last year over three and a half million Italians decided to bring home a four-legged friend to overcome the stress of forced isolation, also thanks to the increasingly widespread smart working.
The number of beaches that welcome dogs or that are specifically intended for our 4-legged friends is increasing: from Baubech to Maccarese, the historic lido on the outskirts of Rome, to the pioneer of welcoming dogs, the Bagni Bau Bau Village establishment (formerly Bagni Sport) of Albissola Marina, in Liguria. From the Pluto Beach in Bibione to Bau Bau Beach in Jesolo, in the Veneto region, and to the Doggy Beach in Lignano Sabbiadoro, in Friuli. And, again, from Bagno 81 no problem in Rimini to Playa tamarindo dog beach in Viserba and to the Baia dei Maui in Lido di Spina, in Ferrara, all addresses of welcoming Romagna. In Tuscany, they range from the Bau Beach in Cecina to the Dog Beach on the island of Elba and the free beaches of Calambrone, south of Pisa.In the Marche you can go to the beach with your dog in Fano (Animalido) and in Civitanova Marche (Amici di Fido) while in Abruzzo the Pineto Beach Village & Camping won for the third consecutive year the award as the best structure to go on holiday with pets. There is also an increase in hotels and villages where dogs are considered an integral part of the family, with structures that are committed to offering them an unforgettable holiday too, such as the Isaholidays villages of Chioggia and the Barricata Holiday Village, in the heart of the Delta del Delta Park. Po, in Veneto.with structures that are committed to offering them an unforgettable holiday too, such as the Isaholidays villages in Chioggia and the Barricata Holiday Village, in the heart of the Po Delta Park, in Veneto.with structures that are committed to offering them an unforgettable holiday too, such as the Isaholidays villages in Chioggia and the Barricata Holiday Village, in the heart of the Po Delta Park, in Veneto.
Civitatis, a company that organizes tours and guided visits, has compiled a ranking of the best pet-friendly experiences in Italy, from Sicily to Lombardy. First of all, there is the excursion to Vulcano and Lipari, an excellent choice also for 4-legged friends who can run free on the black sands of these UNESCO heritage landscapes. The visit to the volcanic islands guarantees a lot of flexibility and allows dogs to take boat tours in the Aeolian archipelago, to dive on the volcanic beaches and to participate in the trekking on the Gran Cratere di Vulcano. In second place is the private tour of Venice, a way to get to know the romantic Serenissima at the pace you prefer and with your pet in tow.
In this case there are three alternatives: the tour of the historic center, the tour of the legends and secrets of the lagoon and the lesser known Venice, escaping from the usual tourist itineraries. In third place is the guided tour in the Oltrarno district of Florence: this original tour with your dog starts from Ponte Vecchio and covers the entire residential district of the Tuscan capital located on the opposite bank of the Arno river and known for its numerous trattorias and craft shops and for local legends, such as the one about the Mona Lisa.
It is also possible to take part in a boat ride on Lake Maggiore, starting from Stresa, with postcard images and a beautiful sunset in the background. Each boat is equipped with an outdoor space on the back, to easily immortalize the lake landscapes and gardens of the Borromean Islands. Finally there is the boat excursion to Capri: 45 minutes of navigation to visit the island from every perspective, from the famous sea caves to the Faraglioni, and 5 hours of walking and relaxing among the characteristic flowery alleys with your 4-person friend. legs. (HANDLE).
