Pet passport changes make holidaying with Rover a breeze
Dog-loving families will find it easier to take their furry friends on holiday abroad following a change to rules for travelling with pets.
The UK Pet Passport scheme was revamped on 1 January to bring it into line with the rest of Europe. Now dogs can travel just 21 days after having a rabies vaccination rather than wait for six months and they don't need a blood test, saving around £100.
I Spy Camping, the website that compares holidays at more than 650 campsites across Europe, has an easy option to search by pet-friendly campsites that welcome dogs. Here are five of the best in France.
La Palombiere, Saint-Nathalene, Aquitaine
Families will adore the five-star comfort of this campsite in the south west of France, while dogs will wag their tails like crazy at the thought of roaming through the beautiful woodland and rolling hills found between the Dordogne and Vézère Valleys. There is a riverside beach at Sarlat, which is an enchanting small town. Available at ispycamping.com, 7 nights from 2 June from £399 in a mobile for up to 7 people.
Domaine de Chalain, Doucier, Franche-Comte
The Jura region of eastern France is renowned for its fossil-filled mountains , lakes, rivers, caves and gorges. There are tiny lanes and signposted paths to explore plus Geneva, Dijon and Beaune - the wine capital of Burgundy - are all within easy reach. The five-star campsite is set beside a shimmering lake against a backdrop of steep hills - bliss for people and pets. Available at ispycamping.com, 7 nights from 2 June from £436 staying in a mobile home for up to 7 people.
Domaine de Chateau de Drancourt, St Valery sur Somme, Picardy
Domaine de Drancourt is surrounded by wooded countryside and fields and within a short drive of the unspoilt Picardy coast, where your dog can run along the sands. Also head for days out at Wissant, a traditional seaside village; Amiens, with its network of canals, UNESCO listed cathedral and great walking routes; the 10km beach at Hardelot and Somme Bay, which is interspersed with fairways, sandbanks and dunes. Available at ispycamping.com, 7 nights from 2 June from £469 for a mobile home for up to 7 people.
Chateau de Boisson, Allegre les Fumades, Languedoc
This small but high quality campsite has pools and sports facilities and is perfectly located for exploring the Ardèche region of southern France. The meadows and pastures of the Gorges de l'Ardèche are perfect for long walks and you'll discover spectacular ravines and waterfalls. Head for the jaw-dropping Pont du Gard, a three-tiered aqueduct from the 1st century BC. Available at ispycamping.com, 7 nights from 2 June from £519 staying in a mobile home for up to 6 people.
Parc des Alicourts, Pierrefitte, Centre
This five-star campsite in the Loire Valley is also a Michelin '4 red tent' site, which reflects the huge range of facilities available. The region boasts vast plains, forests and valleys and there are signposted paths you and your dog can follow to soak up the scenery. Many of the Loire's chateaux are stunning: highlights include the Amboise, where you can take scenic walks along the river; Chaumont, which is built on a cliff above the Loire and Chenonceau, which spans the river Cher. Available at ispycamping.com, 7 nights from 2 June from £339 in a mobile home for up to 6 people.
For more information, visit ispycamping.com.
Prices correct at the time of publishing.
