Dog lovers take pet dogs on 1,700 mile European road trip six countries in 12 days

Meet the dogs who have travelled 1,700 miles across Europe visiting six countries in 12 days - including Belgium, France, and Switzerland.

Owner Matt Robertson, 38, and his boyfriend, David Barker, 36, drove their pug, Winston and Bernese Mountain dog, Buddy on a road trip across Europe.

They travelled through France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium - staying in dog friendly accommodation along the way.

In the 12 day journey, they visited the Bernese the Bernese Alps, Switzerland, to take Buddy "back to his roots" and stopped off at Lake Como.

Matt said he couldn't imagine leaving leavings his dogs at home and wanted them to escape the weather in the UK.

Matt, who works at Google, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, said: "We have done a lot of dog friendly holidays and we wanted to push the boat out and travel into Europe.

“The reality of the first bit of getting out of England and getting into France is not that exciting but as we got further into France and Switzerland and there are mountains all around you.

“We did about six hours driving on the longer days and then three hours on the shorter days. We said that we wouldn’t do more than 300 miles a day.”

The road trip started on May 23, 2024 when the couple set off from their home in Hertfordshire to Calais, France.

Matt said it was "straightforward" leaving the UK as all they needed was a rabies vaccination which lasts three years.

You also get an animal health certificate and tape worm treatment from a vet before you return to the UK.

Matt said: "It’s not like when you’re stuck on the M4, the scenery is beautiful, and we were able to switch drivers which was nice.

"It helped that we went into the trip with it with a very well thought out plan.

"We checked into our accommodation at Colmar but only stayed there for one night which is a shame because I would really like to go back there."

After arriving in Arras, France, they then headed down to Colmar, France before heading to Basel, Switzerland.

After spending three days driving through the Splugen Trail, they arrived in Lake Como, Italy.

Matt said: "In Switzerland you are driving through Swiss mountains.

"They were proper hair pin corners which went on for ages but we didn't mind one bit."

Matt said his favourite part of the journey was visiting the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

He said: "My favourite place by far was Lauterbrunnen Valley. It is known or having 72 waterfalls and the location inspiration for Lord of the Rings.

“It also had a sentimental feeling to it, as we took Buddy back to his roots and to walk on the Bernese mountains.

“Everywhere we went to people were welcoming our dogs and we took them to Breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Total Cost: £3,666.00