Benidorm or Bust ?

[Crazylegs]

Well we should have been gone by now, but as we all now know our “friend” Emmanuel Macron put a stop to that. We have looked at ferries to Spain from both Portsmouth and Rosslare but as we have a dog and dog friendly cabins are as rare as rocking horse poo that’s not going to work for a while.
We can get a ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland for approximately £100 ! With three peaks winter tyres we can then drive through Holland to Germany, Switzerland and onto Genoa in Italy. There are regular ferries that leave here for Barcelona with a cost around €200, so add the ferries costs together plus the fuel we are probably back in the park for the cost of the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander. Does anyone see any issues with this work around other than potential bad weather ?

 

[Swifter]

I have no other advice other than ,you only live once . If it’s possible and legal then go for it

 

[Eddystone]

I think I read a post a few days ago stating that Holland is closed to UK travellers.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I think I read a post a few days ago stating that Holland is closed to UK travellers.

COVID-19 and visiting the Netherlands

The Government of the Netherlands has decided to lift all travel restrictions related to coronavirus.

www.government.nl

 

[Popty]

Go Portsmouth to Bilbao with Brittany ferries, they have dog friendly cabins, then lots less miles than a round about route, avoiding frog land, we're doing that sailing in April

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[Nanniemate]

I don't have a dog but it has got me thinking if you cannot get a dog friendly cabin do they allow you to visit the dog in the van for very short periods

I would think this would need to be planned with the crew and possible escorted to and from your van. You could not leave the pooch for the full crossing time its about 18 hours I believe and embarking and disembarking takes time as well

 

[Gaston aires]

Sorry in advance dog lovers but couldn’t you drug the dog for 48 hrs and leave it in the van ?
Just kidding before I get death threats.
Phil

 

[toledo]

They have kennels and you .in fact if you want to and weather permitting you can stay with

 

[Crazylegs]

I don't have a dog but it has got me thinking if you cannot get a dog friendly cabin do they allow you to visit the dog in the van for very short periods

I would think this would need to be planned with the crew and possible escorted to and from your van. You could not leave the pooch for the full crossing time its about 18 hours I believe and embarking and disembarking takes time as well

We have been on a ferry before that allows you to visit your dog in the van but that was on a relatively short crossing, Poole to Caen I think. This is something I need to ask some questions about, our Labrador would probably be ok with a 7/8 hour crossing to the Holland with visits, but 21 h to Barcelona is way too much time on her own.

 

[Crazylegs]

Sorry in advance dog lovers but couldn’t you drug the dog for 48 hrs and leave it in the van ?
Just kidding before I get death threats.
Phil

Too late buddy the lads are on the way.

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[Crazylegs]

Go Portsmouth to Bilbao with Brittany ferries, they have dog friendly cabins, then lots less miles than a round about route, avoiding frog land, we're doing that sailing in April

Sadly those cabins are fully booked for months.

 

[Riverbankannie]

You could try ringing BF direct on a daily basis, we got an outside cabin because of a cancellation. I imagine they are getting cancellations at the moment although as there are not so many dog friendly cabins, it would only be a small chance of getting one and you would have to be ready to go, which it sounds like you are!

 

[Crazylegs]

You could try ringing BF direct on a daily basis, we got an outside cabin because of a cancellation. I imagine they are getting cancellations at the moment although as there are not so many dog friendly cabins, it would only be a small chance of getting one and you would have to be ready to go, which it sounds like you are!

Good suggestion, It’s the dog thing again, once you have your outrageously priced animal health certificate you have only have ten days to leave the U.K.

 

[Gaston aires]

They have kennels and you .in fact if you want to and weather permitting you can stay with

Are the kennels big enough for dog and owners?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Are the kennels big enough for dog and owners?

Let’s just say, you wouldn’t be very comfortable and you would need ear plugs for the barking. I think you are only allowed ip to the kennels at certain times of day.

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[Riverbankannie]

Good suggestion, It’s the dog thing again, once you have your outrageously priced animal health certificate you have only have ten days to leave the U.K.

If going via Portsmouth there is the place that does them a bit cheaper but I dont know how much notice they need.

Low Cost Animal Health Certificates | PassPets

PassPets provides low cost Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) required to travel to the EU with pets. Contact our team of experienced Official Veterinarians for more information.

www.passpets.co.uk

 

[L' Hobo]

You ask of Santander, is Bilbao booking also fully booked or do they not have dogs?

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

If going via Portsmouth there is the place that does them a bit cheaper but I dont know how much notice they need.

Low Cost Animal Health Certificates | PassPets

PassPets provides low cost Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) required to travel to the EU with pets. Contact our team of experienced Official Veterinarians for more information.

www.passpets.co.uk

Used these for our 2 Jacks a few months back, very well organised and as a bonus only 5 mins from our house.
Big lay-bye on the main road for parking then a minutes walk to the house where the vet lives.

We went straight through the tunnel pet control but apparently there are plenty that don’t due to the forms not being filled out correctly.

 

[Googlebot]

Can you not now transit through? I thought they had changed it again.

 

[Crazylegs]

If going via Portsmouth there is the place that does them a bit cheaper but I dont know how much notice they need.

Low Cost Animal Health Certificates | PassPets

PassPets provides low cost Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) required to travel to the EU with pets. Contact our team of experienced Official Veterinarians for more information.

www.passpets.co.uk

Thank you.

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[gus-lopez]

Can you not now transit through? I thought they had changed it again.

Only for residents in other Eu countries.

You ask of Santander, is Bilbao booking also fully booked or do they not have dogs?

either or either it is the same boat & fully booked especially pet cabins.

 

[Crazylegs]

Harwich to the Hook of Holland ferry booked with the C and CC for the princely sum of £57 English Pounds, what a deal !

 

[Riverbankannie]

Harwich to the Hook of Holland ferry booked with the C and CC for the princely sum of £57 English Pounds, what a deal !

When are you going? Please keep this thread going with your travels getting to Benidorm - it should be an adventure.

 

[VXman]

I just heard Germany opens borders at 11pm tonight. Not sure that helps you though as I guess France is the issue.

 

[Brains]

I just heard Germany opens borders at 11pm tonight. Not sure that helps you though as I guess France is the issue.

There are many hundreds of small road crossings

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[slowdriver]

Only for residents in other Eu countries.

So practically, if I understand you correctly, if a UK (only) citizen, with no residency rights in any EU country were to enter The Netherlands via Hook of Holland, the transit to Germany and onwards to say Austrian and Italy, would currently be illegal. And you are sure that is correct?

 

[Podney]

Labradors are usually very good swimmers,couldn’t you lend the dog your satnav and meet her there?

 

[VXman]

There are many hundreds of small road crossings

Yes, and I doubt many of the crossings are monitored anyway. However, if you are driving through France in a MH with UK plates on I think you may stick out a little!

 

[Crazylegs]

Yes, and I doubt many of the crossings are monitored anyway. However, if you are driving through France in a MH with UK plates on I think you may stick out a little!

We will only enter France if they change the rules. The plan is to get a ferry from Italy to Spain.

 

[Crazylegs]

When are you going? Please keep this thread going with your travels getting to Benidorm - it should be an adventure.

Next Wednesday, will do.
I have already been in contact with another lunatic with more money than sense like myself (and that’s a statement as I usually come a disappointing last in Zoom quizzes) who is planning to do the same trip, we have arranged to both be on the same ferry.

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