Agnes, you describe Travel on the Reg as a blog for “regular travelers who travel in a regular fashion,” and you’ve been on the road with your dog Kimmy Kibbler since 2021. How did pet travel become such a central part of your work, and what did relocating Kimmy from the U.S. to France teach you about the realities of dog-friendly tourism?
When my husband and I moved from the United States to France almost three years ago, leaving Kimmy behind simply wasn't an option. She was part of our family, so we had to figure out everything from airline paperwork and veterinary requirements to helping her adjust to a completely new country. It was stressful at the time, but it completely changed how I think about travel.
Travel on the Reg has always been about showing people that meaningful travel doesn't require luxury budgets or once-in-a-lifetime itineraries. Bringing Kimmy along naturally became part of that story because she's with us for so many of our adventures. Since moving to France, she's traveled through Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and all over France. She's probably seen more countries than most Americans.
What surprised me most was how much easier Europe makes traveling with dogs. In France, especially, dogs are involved in daily life. Kimmy joins us at cafés, restaurants, wineries, hotels, markets, and countless attractions. Instead of asking whether dogs are allowed, I often find myself assuming they are until I see otherwise. That shift completely changed the kinds of trips we could take together.
When you explain to a first‑time dog owner what “pet‑friendly travel” really means in practice, beyond the hotel simply allowing dogs, how do you break it down? Could you walk us through what a genuinely dog‑friendly trip looks like from planning to return home?
A hotel that accepts dogs is only one small piece of the puzzle. Truly pet-friendly travel means your dog can comfortably be part of most of the experience.
When I'm planning a trip, I start by researching entry requirements if we're crossing borders, then I look at accommodations, nearby walking areas, and whether restaurants, cafés, and attractions welcome dogs. I'll also map out rest stops on long drives and make sure Kimmy has opportunities to exercise before spending time in hotels or restaurants.
Once we're traveling, I try to keep her routine as consistent as possible. She gets regular walks, plenty of water, her own food, and downtime between sightseeing. We don't try to cram every attraction into one day, even though I like busy trips, because traveling with a dog means traveling at a slightly different pace.
A successful pet-friendly trip is one where your dog is relaxed, comfortable, and genuinely included instead of just being accommodated. She’s at the top of our minds always!
You’ve experienced both U.S. and European approaches to traveling with a dog. Where do you see the biggest cultural and logistical contrasts — from airlines and trains to accommodations and public spaces — and how do those differences reshape the way you plan itineraries with Kimmy?
The biggest difference is that so many countries in Europe generally treat dogs almost like included members of society, while the United States often treats them as exceptions.
In France, it's completely normal to see dogs sitting under restaurant tables, riding trains, or accompanying their owners through town centers. That makes itinerary planning much simpler because we aren't constantly searching for alternatives whenever we stop for lunch or want to spend an afternoon exploring.
Transportation is another major difference. While we tend to drive with Kimmy, as she’s a nervous dog uncomfortable with loud noises and crowds, Europe's rail network makes it much easier to travel with dogs. Thankfully for us, living in France has allowed Kimmy to visit neighboring countries that are just a few hours away by car.
Flying remains the most difficult part of traveling with a larger dog, regardless of continent. Kimmy is a large dog, so the only flight she’s been on was the flight over to France, from the U.S. It was stressful for her, and for us, as she can’t fly in the cabin, so our travel with her is limited to road trips.
Can you share a concrete example of a trip where traveling with Kimmy went surprisingly wrong or surprisingly right, and what specific systems or checklists you now use (documents, training, gear, emergency plans) to prevent stress for both humans and dog?
One trip that stands out was a recent three-week road trip through Belgium and the Netherlands. Kimmy was welcomed almost everywhere we went, but especially loved a farm stay with a host who had a friendly dog of their own. In the cities, she happily explored historic centers, walked along canals, and adjusted beautifully to constantly changing accommodations. It reminded me how much confidence she's built after years of traveling.
That experience reinforced the importance of preparation. I always travel with her EU Pet Passport, vaccination records, more than enough food for extra days just in case of delays, collapsible water bowls, her leash, towels, poop bags, and any additional comfort items, like her bed, treats, and toys. I also know the locations of emergency veterinarians near every destination before we arrive.
Perhaps the biggest lesson has been training and temperament. Kimmy is an anxious dog, but we’ve worked with her enough that she can calmly settle beneath a restaurant table or relax in a hotel room, even on her own. Good behavior opens far more doors than any pet-friendly label ever will.
From your point of view as a journalist and travel blogger, how well do destinations and tourism providers actually understand the needs of travelers with dogs? What are some smart, under‑the‑radar pet‑friendly practices you’ve seen, and what are the most common “pet‑friendly” marketing claims that fall apart in reality?
The industry is definitely improving, but there's still a disconnect between allowing dogs and actually welcoming them.
The best pet-friendly businesses think through the entire experience. I've stayed at hotels and short-term apartments that provide dog beds, treats, water bowls, and lists of nearby walking trails. Others have flexible outdoor dining spaces where dogs are genuinely welcome rather than reluctantly accepted. Those thoughtful touches immediately make traveling easier and make pet owners feel like valued guests instead of exceptions.
On the other hand, I've seen plenty of places advertise themselves as pet-friendly while charging high pet fees, restricting dogs from most of the property, or providing no convenient outdoor space for walks. Technically allowing dogs doesn't automatically create a comfortable experience.
I've noticed this disconnect most often with some short-term rentals, particularly in France. We've had hosts happily accept Kimmy, then leave reviews commenting on the amount of dog hair we left behind. As any dog owner knows, you can vacuum thoroughly and still find a few stray hairs days later. When guests are already paying a sizable cleaning fee, it can feel like there's an expectation that a dog somehow leaves no trace of ever being there.
To me, if you're marketing your property to pet owners, it's important to set realistic expectations about what traveling with a dog actually looks like.
Looking ahead five to ten years, how do you see dog‑inclusive travel evolving — in terms of regulations, transportation options, accommodation standards, or even the way digital nomads choose where to live — and what changes would you most like to see to make cross‑border travel with pets more humane and accessible?
I think we're going to see pet-friendly travel become an increasingly important competitive advantage for destinations. More people are traveling with pets than ever before, and many remote workers are choosing places where their dogs can enjoy everyday life alongside them.
I'd love to see more standardized policies across transportation providers, especially airlines. Flying with larger dogs remains one of the biggest barriers to international travel. Better options for safe cabin transport or improved standards for pets traveling in cargo would make an enormous difference. I also hope destinations continue investing in dog-friendly public spaces.
For readers dreaming of taking their dog on their first big trip — maybe even moving abroad with them like you did with Kimmy — what is the one mindset shift and the one practical step you’d urge them to take before anything else?
The biggest mindset shift is realizing that your trip won't look exactly the same with a dog, and that's okay. You'll take more walks, spend more time outdoors, and occasionally skip attractions that aren't a good fit. In return, you'll experience destinations in a more relaxed, local way.
The first practical step is to start planning much earlier than you think you need to. Research vaccination requirements, entry rules, veterinary paperwork, and transportation policies months in advance. The logistics can seem intimidating at first, but once you've successfully completed one international trip, every trip after that becomes much easier.
Moving Kimmy to France felt overwhelming when we started the process. Now, after years of exploring Europe together, I can't imagine traveling any other way. Watching her sniff her way through medieval villages, hike mountain trails, and relax beneath café tables has become one of my favorite parts of living abroad.
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