Tales and Trails

  November 2025 If you are dreaming of long, empty beaches, endless pine forests, and a dog who is happily exhausted by the end of the day, I have found a small slice of heaven for you. One of the best places I’ve ever visited with my dogs is the little seaside town of Pogorzelica in Poland. While popular in the summer, this Baltic gem transforms into a peaceful paradise in the off-season. We packed the car, grabbed the leashes, and headed north for a week of sniffing, exploring, and avoiding the crowds. Here is why Pogorzelica should be your next dog-friendly destination. The Accommodation: A Home Away from Home We stayed at Domek na Zacisznej , and I can honestly say it felt like visiting a very kind relative who happens to own the perfect holiday house. From the moment we arrived, the host welcomed all three of us (yes, me and the two furry VIPs) with treats. That is an instant 5-star rating in my book! The Setup: The house is in a quiet location, fully furnished, and comes wi...

  September 2024 Sometimes, you just stumble upon a place online that looks too good to be true. That is exactly what happened when I found a cozy, dog-centric apartment house in Bad Gastein , Austria . The photos showed happy dogs, mountain views, and a garden that looked like a canine paradise. I knew immediately: I had to check it out with my girls. We decided to go for a weekend in late September. This is the "Goldilocks" zone for traveling with dogs in the Alps—still warm enough for long hikes without freezing, but not scorching hot and crowded like the peak summer months. Here is why Bad Gastein might just be the ultimate dog-friendly destination in the Austrian Alps. The Accommodation: A Dog's Dream Come True The apartment house wasn't just "pet-friendly" (which often just means "we tolerate dogs"); it was truly dog-welcoming . It delivered on every promise. The Garden: A large, fenced garden area where the dogs could run freely, complete...

  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...