Hi furiends! It's me Luna again. 😊You might have heard the good news, tourism in Greece started again since 15th of may! Therefore I would like to share some of my personal tips and tricks for the most pawsome holiday's on the beautiful island of Crete.
First and foremost it is impawtent to decide with which form of transport you want to travel. Since Crete is an Island there are only 2 way's to access. First option is by ferry, second one by airplane.
General rules for entering Greece: Your pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. Your pet can travel 21 days after the completion of the vaccination protocol. Another obligatory thing is the EU health certificate. Dog's that come from the United states need to carry a health certificate endorsed by a USDA state veterinarian.
Tips for the ferry: Dog's are only allowed on the deck, the ferry has basic kennels but most of them are noisy and don't have any bedding or comfort inside. If your pawrents have the possibility I would highly recommend booking a pet cabin. You can sleep then together wif the pawrents and just go upstairs for a short walk if necessary. Another rule that applies on most of the ferry's is that all dog's have to wear a muzzle don't forget to practice wearing on before going on holiday's.
Traveling by airplane: The general rule is that dog's up to 8kg (included container/pet carrier) are allowed inside the cabin while dog's above 8kg can only be transported in the baggage hold compartment. The best way to book your ticket is calling to the airline of preference.
When you are boarding don't forget to double check with the cabin staff/pilot that the baggage compartment has the right temperature for your pet.
Public transportation on the island: Big dog's are not allowed in public transportation. You can take a small dog in a transport bag with you. We always do road trips with rented cars, this gives so much freedom which is needed to see the most beautiful and little dislocated places.
Accommodation: Last year during our road trips we have stayed in several small apartments or private houses. I would highly recommend checking the area you want to stay online and call straight to the hotel/apartment. This way you get the best price and you can discuss any special needs or wishes you have. Another convenient way is using a booking platform. When you book from there the hotel/apartment sometimes calls you to confirm that you are coming with a dog.
Once you arrived at the most sniffable island ever you want to know where you can go and what you can do, I will answer this in the following FAQ*.
Are dog's allowed in museum or at archeological places?
Unfortunately no, when visiting a monastery you can only walk in the garden outside.
Can I take my dog to a restaurant or cafe?
The greek law states that dog's are allowed in every outdoor space, for sanitary reasons most restaurants and cafe's don't accept your dog inside. Luckily on Crete we have the Mediterranean climate which makes it possible to sit outside during most the time of the year. When you arrive at a restaurant or cafe mention you have a dog so they can help you out picking the best table. In most of the places we have been they offered water for Luna but in case they forget it you can always kindly ask for a bottle of water. The tap water can have a little salty taste therefore we always give Luna bottled water. In the local supermarket you can find water from the mountains of Crete! 💧
Are dog's allowed at the beach?
Yes! The greek law say's that dog's are welcome at the beach as long as they are leashed and accompanied by their guide. At organized beaches you can ask the cafe/restaurant owner if you are allowed to have your dog next to you under the umbrella.
What about swimming in the sea?
You can take your dog for a refreshing swim however keep in mind that if other people don't feel comfortable with the dog swimming next to them they might ask you to remove it. From personal experience we know that most people don't mind as long as your dog stay's leashed and doesn't bark.
What about the insects in Greece? Are there many mosquitos?
Depending on the region you will visit it may vary but generally we all protect our dog's against insect bites. This has a reason, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm while gnats can transfer leishmaniasis. In case you forgot to buy the necessary products before coming to Greece you can always visit a local vet. Especially in the big cities (Heraklion, Rethymnon,Chania,Agios Nikolaos) all the vets speak good English and will be glad to help you out with buying the right products (spray's/collars/etc.)
This was the short explanation furiends, don't forget to clean up after yourself and drink enough water! If it is the first time traveling you can read my blog about heatstroke's to make sure you stay safe and cool in summer. Now it's time to go eat some treatos!
Paw Luna 🐾
*If you have any specific questions about travelling in Crete don't hesitate to contact my mumanager by email or send me a DM on IG!
EU rules on travelling with pets
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/animal-plant/index_en.htm
International Air Transport Association (IATA) for more information regarding the requirements of each country: