Tales and Trails

  October 2023 My beloved Mia, a golden-hearted girl with a spirit far younger than her years, absolutely loved the water. So, I made it my mission to take her to the sea one last time. Our destination? The famous Pluto Beach in Bibione, Italy. But because Mia was already an older lady (11 years young!), I didn't want her to endure a marathon car ride. Senior dogs need comfort, frequent breaks, and a slower pace. So, we turned the journey into a two-part adventure, breaking up the long haul with a pit stop in the Austrian Alps. This trip wasn't just a holiday; it was a thank-you letter to my best friend. Part 1: Austria – The Lake of a Million Sticks We broke the drive in Gmunden , Austria , right on the shores of Traunsee . We stayed in a cute hotel with incredibly friendly staff, and the best part? The lake was literally our front yard. I must have thrown at least a million sticks for Mia to fetch. She paddled happily, refusing to believe that "tired" was a concept...

 This post recounts an epic 4,000-kilometer road trip from Prague to Corfu undertaken by me, the author and my two rescue dogs, Angie and Paula, in May 2025. The journey's purpose was to return to Corfu and volunteer at Marketa's dog shelter , a place dear to my heart. The narrative details the extensive planning involved, including documents, routes through six countries (two non-EU), and ferry travel. It describes various stops, from the serene Lake Balaton in Hungary to the bustling city of Belgrade, and the challenging yet scenic drive through North Macedonia. The highlight is the arrival in Greece, the ferry to Corfu, and the fulfilling daily routine of volunteering and exploring the island with my dogs. The return trip becomes an unexpected adventure when we transport a third dog, Elli, back to Czechia, turning a planned three-day journey into a non-stop 1,500 km drive filled with "vomit saga" challenges but ultimately successful. The post concludes ...