Traveling with animals: where you can relax with a dog
Traveling with a dog means sharing adventures with a loyal friend. In recent years, there have been more and more places in Russia where four-legged guests are welcome: hotels, cafes, parks and beaches. But in order for your vacation to be a success, it is important to plan the route in advance, take into account the rules of transportation and choose locations that are comfortable not only for you, but also for your pet. Where can I spend a vacation with my dog? Is it possible to stay in a hotel with pets and what nuances should be considered when choosing a place to live? We are figuring out how to make travel convenient and enjoyable for everyone.
How hotels work where guests with pets are welcome
Basic rules of placement
Most hotels set uniform requirements for guests with dogs:
- The size and breed of the pet. Restrictions often relate to weight (for example, up to 10 kg) or specific breeds. Large dogs, combative and hyperactive breeds may not be accepted.
- Additional payment. In many hotels, you need to pay a fixed amount for a pet or a refundable deposit in case of property damage.
- Keeping clean. The owner is required to clean up after the animal, and during room cleaning, the pet must be in a cage or on a leash.
- Restrictions on movement. Dogs may be prohibited from entering restaurants, swimming pools, spa areas, and other public spaces.
- Documents. In some cases, a veterinary passport with vaccination marks may be required.
What to look for when choosing a hotel
To make your vacation with your pet comfortable, you should clarify a few points in advance:
- Are there any special facilities for dogs: bowls, bedding, walking areas.
- Is it allowed to leave a pet alone in the room?
- What amount should be paid and what penalties are provided for violating the rules.
- Is it possible to walk a dog on the territory of the hotel?
Some hotels go further and offer pet-friendly services: dog menus, grooming, pet care, and even pet SPA treatments. Such hotels are found in large cities and popular resort areas.
What to take with you on a trip
Food and bowls
The animal should receive the usual food, so it is better to take it with a reserve, especially if you are traveling to another city or country. A sudden change in diet can cause stomach problems. It is convenient to take wet food in separate portion packages, and dry food in an airtight container.
It's also better to take your own bowls: collapsible silicone ones will be useful on the road, and standard ones for food and water at the hotel.
Ammunition and carrying
If you go on a trip with a dog, you will not be able to walk without a leash and a collar. In some places, they may require a muzzle, even if the dog is not aggressive. An addressee with the owner's phone number is an important safety measure.
If the pet is small, it is more convenient to carry it in a carrier. On trains, planes, and hotels, it is often required according to the rules.
Sleeping place
Not all hotels provide sun beds, and a pet is unlikely to like sleeping on a cold floor or someone else's blanket. It is better to take a litter with you.
Hygiene supplies
It is not always possible to bathe an animal in the bathroom at the hotel, so they will be useful on a trip:
- wet wipes,
- disposable diapers,
- shampoo and brush,
- towel,
- lapomoyka.
Toys and treats
A dog can experience stress in an unfamiliar place, so it's important to take his favorite toys. This will help keep your pet occupied if you need to leave him alone in the room.
Cleaning packages
In many pet-friendly places, they ask you to clean up after the animal. Grab biodegradable bags or a dispenser for convenience.
First aid kit
In case of unforeseen situations, the first-aid kit should include:
- sorbent (needed in case of poisoning),
- antiseptic and wound treatments,
- antihistamines,
- pain relief,
- tick and mosquito repellent,
- thermometer, bandages and syringes.
Before traveling, check if there is a veterinary clinic nearby. This will save time in an emergency.
5 locations in Russia where it's comfortable to relax with ponytails
Moscow
Guests with pets are welcome in the capital: pet-friendly hotels, parks, cafes and even cultural venues are open. Here you can find taxis and carsharing with the possibility of transporting dogs, and convenient routes are equipped for walking.
Where to walk
The Boulevard Ring is suitable for lovers of walking around the city — there are wide sidewalks, lots of greenery and shady alleys. If you want privacy, you can go to the Neskuchny Garden or Gorky Park, where there are special areas for walking dogs. Sokolniki and VDNKh are also perfect, where there is enough space for active games.
Where to go with a pet
There are more and more places in Moscow where you can come with a four-legged friend. For example, the Museum of Moscow on Zubovsky Boulevard welcomes guests with dogs: you can visit the museum's courtyard and shop, as well as certain exhibitions. The entire territory of the Winery is dog-friendly: you can watch the works of contemporary artists in the exhibition halls with the tailed one, have lunch or drink coffee in local cafes, and choose a nice little thing in the souvenir shop.
Many cafes and restaurants allow you to bring pets, and some offer a special menu, for example, in the Underdog bar you can treat your younger brother with a dog beer.
Where to stay
Many hotels in Moscow accept guests with a dog or other pets. Here are the most popular Accor network options:
- Novotel Moscow Kievskaya (Kievskaya 2) is a stylish hotel within walking distance of business and cultural facilities, shops and restaurants. Our hotel has always been pet-friendly, but now our friendship with Four Paws has confirmed it. The pet store chain has given us everything you need to make you and your dogs or cats feel as comfortable as at home. Guests with their four-legged pets can enjoy drinking bowls, toys, wet wipes for paws after a walk in any weather, and delicious branded treats from the Four Paws store.
- Novotel Moscow City (Presnenskaya emb., 2) is a 4-star business hotel in the heart of the business district of the capital. It is possible to accommodate cats and dogs up to 7 kg.
- ibis Budget Moscow Panfilovskaya (Marshala Rybalko, 2, p. 5) is an economy class hotel offering comfortable accommodation with pets at an affordable price.
- Novotel Sheremetyevo Airport (Khimki, Sheremetyevo highway, possession 3) is a 4-star hotel within walking distance from the airport of the same name. There is a Khimki Forest Park next to the hotel, which has a convenient playground for walking and training dogs.
Saint Petersburg
The city on the Neva is rich in its history and beautiful sights. St. Petersburg has long been a favorite place for traveling with pets.
Where to walk
There are several places in and around the city where you can relax with a dog or other pet:
- Dubki Culture and Recreation Park in Sestroretsk. Dog walking is allowed here, subject to the rules. There are sandy beaches nearby, accessible for visiting with a pet.
- Primorsky Victory Park. It is located in the western part of Krestovsky Island and includes six ponds, which makes it a great place for dog walks.
- Petrogradsky district. There are about nine squares with special dog-walking areas.
- The courtyard of the Guest house. A public space in the courtyard of the Bolshoy Gostiny Dvor with recreation areas, a food market and table tennis tables. For dogs, there is an entertainment area with hygienic dog stations and an agility pad.
- Benoit 1890. A public space on the site of architect Julia Benua's dairy farm in the Kalininsky district. There is a center for additional education, a dog-friendly restaurant and a coworking space, as well as a contemporary art garden, an outdoor lecture hall and a pond.
- The island of forts. Museum and Historical Park in Kronstadt, dedicated to the Navy. There are playgrounds, walking areas, a food court, the Alley of Heroes of the Russian Fleet and the historical playground "From steamship to nuclear ship". You can visit the park with a dog on a leash. If the pet is over 40 cm at the withers, a muzzle is required.
Where to go with a pet
With the tailed ones, you can go to various cafes and bars in St. Petersburg. It is especially easy to organize a vacation with a dog or a cat in the summer: in the warm season, almost all establishments with verandas can be visited with pets.
But at other times of the year, there are places to go in St. Petersburg. For example, the Swallows wine gastrobar has a separate menu for pets, including champagne. And La Degusteria restaurant offers delicious Italian dishes especially for dogs.
Where to stay
Novotel Saint Petersburg Centre is happy to welcome guests with pets (for an additional fee). If you are traveling with a four-legged friend, we will provide comfortable accommodation at the hotel - your stay with us will be as comfortable as possible.
Krasnodar
This is one of the most convenient cities for traveling with a pet. The warm climate, plenty of green areas and pet-friendly establishments make the city a comfortable place to relax with friends.
Where to walk
The Chistyakovskaya grove is perfect for walking — one of the oldest parks in the city with spacious alleys and convenient paths. In the park of the 30th Anniversary of Victory, you can enjoy nature, and on Sunny Island there are equipped dog walking areas. Those who like leisurely walks around the city will like Krasnaya Street, the central boulevard of Krasnodar with wide sidewalks and benches for relaxation.
Where to go with a pet
There are places in Krasnodar where you can bring your pet. For example, the Frank by BASTA restaurant has a separate menu for tailed dogs with canned food and delicious treats. And people come to Surf Coffee not only with dogs, but sometimes with pet piglets.
Where to stay
We are always glad to see guests with pets at the 3-star hotel ibis Krasnodar Center (306 Volodya Golovatogo Street). The hotel is located next to the Gallery shopping center, in the city center, within walking distance of the main attractions and parks where you can walk your dog. The comfortable rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TVs and safes.
Krasnaya Polyana
A trip to the mountains with a pet is a great idea for outdoor activities. Krasnaya Polyana offers scenic routes, convenient walking areas and pet-friendly establishments. However, before traveling, you should take into account the peculiarities of the mountain climate and the rules of the resort.
Where to walk
- The embankment of the Mzymta River is a spacious walking area, safe for pets.
- The Health Trail is a soft forest path without steep elevation changes.
On all routes, the pet must be on a leash, and on hot days it is important to monitor its well-being and give it water.
Where to go with a pet
- Cable cars. Dogs without carrying or muzzling are allowed in closed cabins if there are no other passengers in the cabin. In summer, chairlifts can carry animals up to 10 kg.
- Cafes and restaurants. There are many establishments in Krasnaya Polyana where guests with dogs will be offered a cozy place. Among them are Surf Coffee, Chernomor coffee house and other cafes in the resort.
When visiting a mountain resort with a dog, remember not to let it off the leash, especially on new routes. Do not take animals younger than one year old or newly ill to the mountains. Treat your pet for ticks before traveling. And always have water and a light snack with you.
Where to stay
In the upper part of the resort (1 Fevralskaya St.), at a dizzying altitude of 960 meters above sea level, there is a 4-star hotel Panorama by the Mercure Krasnaya Polyana. This is a real godsend for those who travel with a dog and are looking for a hotel in Sochi and the surrounding area. Guests with their ponytails can enjoy comfortable rooms with mountain views, a swimming pool, a sauna, a hammam, and a fitness room. There is an Italian cuisine restaurant and a bar. During the ski season, you can also rent skis here. There are many places for dog walking in the vicinity of the SPA hotel: ecotropics, observation decks and a cable car.
Kaliningrad
The city has many parks, spacious embankments and equipped beaches where you can walk your dog. There are also great places to relax in the region, such as the Curonian Spit and the Baltic Sea coast.
Where to walk
- The Curonian Spit. A unique nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In special areas, you can walk with a dog on a leash, and even on the beach during of-season. A Curonian Lagoon bike trail is being built along the coast. If your pet is hardy, you can rent a bike and take an active walk.
- Filinskaya Bay. A secluded place near Svetlogorsk with stunning views of the Baltic Sea. Tourists rarely come here, so the dog can safely explore the territory and enjoy the fresh sea air.
- The Amalienau area. A historic area with low-rise mansions, quiet streets and shady alleys. A great place for leisurely walks away from the hustle and bustle.
- Kaliningrad Central Park. There are special playgrounds for dogs, alleys for walking and green lawns where you can have a picnic.
Where to go with a pet
You can go to Zelenogradsk, a city that is called the "cat capital". Pet-friendly guests are welcome in the shops and cafes here.
There are many pet-friendly establishments in Kaliningrad. For example, in the Naked Baker cafe, the dog will kindly be given water and a delicious treat, in the Ugli meat restaurant you can hold small pets in your arms, in the Laundry cafe there is a small terrace where you can sit with your pet and have a sandwich with coffee.
Where to stay
Pets can be accommodated at the Mercure Kaliningrad Center. This is a hotel in the historical and business heart of the city. The main local attractions are within walking distance. The hotel has a bar and a restaurant with European dishes on the menu.
Our hotel speaks the dog-friendly language, choose pet-friendly accommodation when booking online through the website. 1 pet is allowed in the room: a small breed dog or a cat weighing up to 10 kg and up to 30 cm high at the withers. In the hotel's restaurants, you can be present on the summer terrace with a four-legged friend. But when visiting a fitness room, wellness area or other common areas, you can not take a pet with you.
One last important note
