How to organize your vacation in Sardinia with a dog? Is Sardinia a dog friendly country? Find out about this thanks to the testimony of Geoffrey and his dog Equinoxe!

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I'm so happy to be back with you today to introduce a new Woof-tastic destination to try with your dog. I invite you to discover Sardinia with a dog through the journey of Equinoxe and her owner, Geoffroy. Going on holiday to Italy with your dog is Woof-tastic, and these two prove it once again! I interviewed them upon their return from their vacation. It's a safe bet they'll inspire you to plan your next holiday to Sardinia with your furry friend.

Equinox, Geoffrey's dog

Equinoxe is a 9-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, very calm and very sociable with humans, whose company my dog ​​really enjoys. His story is a bit special because he was born before my eyes. I took a dog from the SPA and no one (not even the groomer) realized that she was pregnant when she left. One day I came home and found 3 puppies, a few minutes later Equinoxe was born before my eyes. Since then, he has followed me and accompanied me everywhere, a real bond with this dog!

Holidays in Sardinia with a dog

We had already been to Sardinia in 2014, around the same time of year, to visit Sardinian friends, one of whose dogs resembles Equinoxe. Having enjoyed the destination so much, we decided to return by car. No need for too much preparation for this holiday… The destination isn't all that exotic! Traveling in Italy with your dog is still easy. For your trip to Sardinia, you just need a Lonely Planet guide and some information on dog-friendly beaches (one in the Costa Smeralda area and all others during the off-season).

The costa smeralda in the off season is perfect for holidays with your dog. It's just the right temperature and you can still swim a lot. There are few people. It is therefore easier to move around. We stayed on the Costa Smeralda in North East Sardinia between the towns of Olbia and Palau. For us it was almost the same ritual every day: visit and walk in the morning and beach in the afternoon.

Our vacation galleys:

  • Beware of the supplement for animals in holiday rentals, which can however be negotiated out of season (otherwise it would have been €70 for me for the week!)

  • The ferry and again the ferry with a dog

  • The dog of the residence in freedom and… in heat: nice but my brave Equinoxe was crazy

The 3 good points of holidays with my dog:

  • The beaches authorized for dogs out of season (and even one in season and very well indicated) and the very beautiful white sand beaches overlooking an emerald sea,

  • Dog reception (shops, restaurants etc…),

  • The temperature at this time of year (end of October) when you can still swim and enjoy the beaches

Taking public transport in Sardinia with a dog

From Seine-Maritime, where we live, Sardinia isn't exactly next door… To have more freedom once we were there, I drove with my dog, making several stops along the way. We also did some carpooling . Equinoxe is used to it; in fact, he's sometimes mentioned in reviews on that famous website! Once we arrived in Italy, we took the Corsica Ferries ferry with my dog ​​for the crossing… Taking the ferry to Sardinia with your dog is quite an experience.

On the ferry we took there was no kennel for the dog. I had not taken a cabin (where anyway, they are not allowed to stay alone). Under these conditions, crossing at 10 a.m. on the way out and 16 p.m. on the way back is not easy with a dog. There is only one place where dogs can defecate on one end of the boat. It is very long for the dog. Conclusion, I equipped myself with a mini bowl, a bottle of water and canine waste bags in case of incidents to be able to wash and remove…

On the return trip, we were hit by a storm, so we weren't allowed on deck… and that was a real problem. What if Equinoxe needed to relieve himself?! In short, the solutions offered to me for traveling with my dog ​​were very unsuitable. Admittedly, the ferry's internal kennel isn't ideal, but it's still the most practical in my opinion. Perhaps some companies will one day install a proper kennel where you can visit your dog during the journey… that way, both owner and dog could have a more pleasant trip. Another example: at dinner, holding the dog's leash on one side and the tray on the other requires a certain agility! I'll remember that… Traveling by ferry with your dog is quite an adventure. Our holiday in Sardinia got off to a bad start, but thankfully it was fantastic after that.

After the ferry crossing, many of us took our dogs out to the green spaces after a long drive.

On site, in Sardinia, we took the car to get around. It's still much more comfortable to be able to visit more sites and thus not be dependent on the local public transport network.

vacation in Sardinia with your dog
Holidays with your dog in Sardinia

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Sardinia: a dog friendly country?

Traveling to Italy with your dog is very simple. You just need to have your dog's vaccination record with either the up-to-date rabies vaccine. I've never been asked whether it's at the entrance to the country or in the residence.

As in France, visiting historical places is almost impossible with a dog. On the other hand, as far as villages, ports and beaches are concerned: no problem. Sardinia with a dog is ideal for holidays that are a little less cultural but more relaxing and restful. The beaches are really superb and out of season, I had no comment. Sardinians consider it normal to have your dog out of season and are very happy to chat. Equinoxe has made a friend: a young 4-month-old doberman who exhausted him in 30 minutes, not easy to keep up with young people!

As for the restaurant, there are no problems in the off season. But we can have a slight doubt that they are accepted in high season on the big tourist spots... I was nevertheless very pleasantly surprised on a restaurant in Porto Rontondo where Equinoxe had barely settled in and was entitled to its small bowl of personal water. Moreover, small originality, he had the right to a polystyrene bowl. It avoids having to wash the bowls. And as soon as he had finished, without asking anything, the waiter brought him another one…if that's not canine service!

Easier to travel with a dog in France or Italy?

It depends on the region of France. I find it more complicated in the south than in other areas… Without trying to advertise for Seine-Maritime, where we chose to live, particularly because of Equinoxe, I think it's a very dog-friendly area. For example, there are many beaches where dogs are allowed . Since they're pebble beaches, you don't track sand everywhere. A real joy!

Sardinia in the off season is super simple and pleasant with your dog. Sardinians appreciate dogs and respect them. We don't feel unwelcome, quite the contrary. What happiness!

Geoffrey's story

The second day, we went to the beach in front of the residence, a young Italian couple were playing with their 4 month old doberman. She rushed to Equinoxe to play with him. From the top of his 9 years, after half an hour, he took refuge next to me because he couldn't take it anymore. The dog kept coming to get him but he was totally exhausted by such a burst of energy.

When I bathe, Equinoxe, true to his sheepdog habits, watches me from the coast without taking his eyes off me. If I swim to the left, he moves to the left to always be in front of me. When I go too far, he dives into the water and goes up to me and leaves, as if to signal to me that I have exceeded the limit! At least I'm safe with him and it shows this real bond between him and me.

To discover Sardinia with a dog, I recommend going by car. It allows you to constantly have with either your equipment for your dog. In addition, it allows you to be much more free. Do not hesitate to explore and ask for good advice from the locals who are very open. The dog also facilitates contact.

For us, the next vacation will be in the mountains in winter. Equinoxe loves snow, we lived in a ski resort so it brings back great memories.

Traveling with your dog is really the best, the dog also allows you to make contact with people and locals. Take it everywhere with you. Your holidays will be even more beautiful.

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I hope this adventure story has made you want to travel with your dog. Equinoxe and Geoffroy prove it to us once again: Italy with a dog seems to be a perfect destination for a Wow Good holiday!

PS: I forgot to mention, but Geoffroy and I are currently working together on a project you're going to love! Geoffroy is the director of Gîtes de France in Seine-Maritime , and we're compiling a list of all the gîtes in this fantastic holiday destination so we can feature them on EmmèneTonChien.com soon… Bonus: you'll soon see the EmmèneTonChien.com logo on their website, where you can discover lots of great gîtes… We have other wonderful surprises in store for you… Stay tuned for the next episode!

If, like them, you are going to the snow this winter with your dog, I advise you to read or reread our articles dedicated to sports to practice with your dog in winter and to tips for a worry-free snow holiday with your dog.