iVikkencs

 This year, we wanted a truly special Christmas experience, so we chose a snowy mountain location as our destination. We decided on Grindelwald, a tiny, enchanting town in Switzerland. Even at Christmas, it was full of life: the fairy-tale surroundings attracted many tourists and skiers. We brought along our beloved four-legged companions and were delighted to find that most restaurants were dog-friendly. Many places allowed outdoor seating even in winter, so our dogs could enjoy the festive atmosphere with us. Our accommodation was a charming, peaceful small hotel on the hillside, just a ten-minute walk from the town. During evening walks, the starry sky and snow-covered landscape never failed to impress us. We traveled from the Netherlands by car, making a detour to Strasbourg en route, where we visited one of Europe's most unique Christmas markets. This detour added even more holiday spirit to our trip. In Switzerland, it’s important to always have snow chains in the car during ...

 The good weather is here, summer has finally arrived! But where should we go with our dogs if we want to head into the city? Here is a dog-friendly place we visited today with our two little furry friends. If you're in Amsterdam and looking for a dog-friendly restaurant, don't miss Woof & Me . Located not far from the city center, it is easily accessible by foot and tram. This place not only offers delicious meals, sandwiches, drinks, and coffee for people but also has a special menu for our four-legged friends, including chicken liver treats, whipped cream, and biscuits. Dogs can roam freely in the restaurant, as it is safely enclosed, so the pups are always in sight and can't run away. The friendly and pleasant environment of the restaurant is the perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment, where dogs can socialize and play with other dogs. Of course, you can also visit without a dog if you just want to be around them for a while. The staff is attentive and animal-fri...

 Northern Lights, Fjords, Snowy Mountains Preparations Norway was one of the countries on our bucket list. We wanted to bring our dogs along, so we started planning the trip much earlier than usual. We aimed to leave in early February, so we began planning and booking accommodations already in January. Things to consider during planning: The total time for the trip Places we wanted to visit Distances between locations and travel times Road conditions and possible closures Perhaps these are the most important factors. We started planning with Google Maps, marking the places we wanted to visit. We checked how long it would take to get to each location and included potential rest stops and breaks. We planned for an average of 6 hours of driving per day. Based on this, we selected our accommodations. The final preparations before departure involved reviewing our and the dogs’ documents. Each country has different requirements for bringing your dog (passport, deworming within 24 hours p...

A Touch of America in the Netherlands Recently, we visited an American-style restaurant called Charley's Diner . The retro style, delicious food, and nostalgic environment made our dinner an unforgettable experience. What is an American Diner? An American Diner is a type of restaurant that originated in the United States and has become an iconic part of American culture. These restaurants often evoke the style and atmosphere of the 1940s and 1950s, reminiscent of the times when diners were popular. This restaurant style offers a nostalgic experience for those wanting to get a taste of American cuisine and culture from past decades. Where is it located? Charley's Diner is located not far from Amsterdam. It takes about 20-40 minutes by car from downtown Amsterdam. If you choose public transportation, you’ll need to take a train and bus, which can take around 40-60 minutes. Their address: Dammerweg 106, 1394 GT Nederhorst Den Berg Ambience Although I haven't been to a real Ame...

An unmissable spring and summer program if you visit the Netherlands. This small Dutch village is known for its bridges, waterways and points. It was called the “Venice of the Netherlands”. Giethoorn is elongated and consists of three neighbourhoods. Farms and houses are separated by canals. History Giethoorn was a settlement of peat farmers, but later they switched to animal husbandry. The canals were originally dug to drain peat and were used for transport and traffic, but they became increasingly important for agriculture. Many houses were built on islands, so to speak, which can only be reached by bridges. More than 176 bridges were built in the village, but most of them are privately owned. Getting there The village is located in the northern part of the Netherlands. It takes a little more than an hour and a half to get there by car from Amsterdam. Parking lots are scattered throughout the village. There are free ones, but there are also paid ones. At least 2 hours by public trans...

 On our free weekend, we visited the best of Holland, De Haar Castle and Utrecht. De Haar Castle (Kastel De Haar) The largest castle in the Netherlands, Kastel de Haar, is located 40 minutes from Amsterdam and 20 minutes from Utrecht by car. The road leads through farms to the castle. You can't get lost because everything is signposted in the direction of the castle. The castle has its own parking lot, you can go by car or bicycle, but you have to pay for it. Visitors can choose from several tickets, as the Castle and the park can be visited separately. Although we were not inside the castle, because dogs are not allowed inside, the park is 55 hectares, full of small paths, lakes, and bridges. I think that this is a full-day program for those who want to take a close look at everything in and around the castle. Before traveling, it is worth checking out what programs are in the castle, as feasts, weddings and the Elfia outdoor costume event are also held here. Website: https://www....