April 2025
Cambridge and London
For this mid-September weekend, Vaika and I crossed the Channel for a British getaway. As we already knew London well from previous trips, we chose to head to Cambridge, the quintessential university city, easily accessible by train from the capital.
On Sunday, we returned to London to enjoy its magnificent parks and also to take a quick tour of the must-see attractions: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Between the studious elegance of Cambridge, the grandeur of London's monuments, and the serenity of the green spaces, we were amazed—and so was Vaika!
We loved the atmosphere and especially the dog-friendly welcome from our English neighbors.
September 2025
Summary
A dog friendly
destionation?
Logistics
The parks in Brussels
Our visits
Logistics
The parks in Brussels
The UK: a dog-friendly destination?
This weekend really confirmed to us how dog-friendly the UK is. Everything was perfect from start to finish: the impeccable welcome on board the Eurostar, the public transport where dogs are naturally accepted (and where passengers are always friendly), the hotel, the restaurants, the cafes... everywhere, dogs have their place. And what's striking is that even if there are fewer dogs than in Paris, they are considered and respected everywhere.
London's parks deserve a special mention: all are dog-friendly, with clear and visible rules demarcating leash and off-leash areas. The result: perfect harmony between walkers, families, children, and dogs. The atmosphere is serene, clean (no poop on the ground, people systematically pick it up), and there's a real culture of coexistence. Paris should really take a leaf out of this book: in London, we understand that integrating dogs into city life doesn't create a problem... quite the opposite!
Behind this reality, there is also a different legal framework: in the United Kingdom, dogs are generally allowed in open public spaces unless explicitly prohibited, which is the opposite of France.
In parks, it's often the principle of "dog control order": local councils clearly define where dogs must be kept on a leash or can be free. On public transport, the rule is simple: dogs are accepted free of charge, muzzles are not required, provided they are under the control of their owner and do not take up a seat (so they travel at your feet). A simple and effective philosophy, which promotes mutual respect.
In short, a weekend that almost makes us want to move across the Channel! When we discover how dogs, humans, and children can share the same spaces with respect and good humor, we tell ourselves that this is exactly what we would like to find at home.
Logistics and accommodation
Logistics-wise, we took advantage of a Eurostar flash sale with tickets for just €25 one-way: a steal! We departed on Friday evening and returned on Sunday evening, allowing us to fully enjoy the weekend. Once there, we used the train and public transport for our travels.
A huge thank you to all the Eurostar staff who were fantastic from start to finish! Check-in was streamlined, with a quick and stress-free check of Vaika's papers, rabies vaccination, and microchip. The passage through security and customs was smooth, always with attentive support. Once on board, we even had a seat adapted to travel comfortably with our dog. What a difference with the SNCF, where traveling with a pet too often means complications, misunderstandings, and even conflicts with some controllers who still consider dogs as mere bulky luggage that should be put in a bag or muzzled. With Eurostar, we truly felt a respectful and dog-friendly approach, and that makes all the difference!
As we planned to visit Cambridge on Saturday, it was convenient to stay close to St Pancras station to facilitate arrival on Friday evening and departure early the next morning.
We chose the Premier Inn Saint Pancras , an excellent option: good value for money, ideal location just a 5-minute walk from the station, and a simple and efficient welcome.
We had a large room on the 6th floor, perfect for three: a large bed, a single bed... and plenty of room for Vaika to settle in comfortably! The buffet breakfast was very comprehensive, with the added bonus of a real English breakfast to start the day off right. A place we recommend without hesitation. On Sunday, we were able to leave our luggage in one of the lockers available in the hotel lobby, which was very convenient.
Cambridge
Arriving in Vienna around 10 a.m., we dedicated our entire Saturday to a long walk, ideal for a first immersion in the city. To structure our exploration without being confined to a rigid itinerary, we followed the route of a paper guidebook borrowed from the Paris library—a tip we highly recommend. Their collection is impressive: you can find guides for almost every country and city, practical, economical, and perfect for planning or accompanying a trip.
Our route first took us along the majestic Ringstrasse, the true backbone of the city center. Walking along it, we discovered some of Vienna's most beautiful landmarks: the elegant Vienna State Opera , the vast Hofburg complex, the former imperial residence, and the impressive twin museums, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum, which face each other in perfect symmetry. Throughout the day, we took the time to admire the monumental facades, the sweeping vistas, and that quintessential Viennese elegance inherited from the imperial era.
We then went to the historic heart to admire Saint-Étienne Cathedral , a true landmark in the center of the city, before continuing our strolls through the lively streets, punctuated by more intimate Christmas markets, perfect for a gourmet break or a welcome mulled wine.
We saved the highlight for the end of the day: the Christmas market in Rathausplatz, which we discovered after nightfall, when the illuminations literally transform the square. The illuminated Town Hall, the sparkling walkways, the lively chalets, and the festive atmosphere create a magical setting, even more impressive than during the day. Besides the traditional stalls, there's a large ice rink accessible to all ages (with a dedicated area for toddlers) as well as some lovely rides.
This first day, punctuated by walking, architectural discoveries and the Christmas atmosphere, was a perfect introduction to Vienna: elegant, warm, and ideal to explore on foot — even in the middle of winter, and always accompanied by Vaika.
London
On Sunday morning, we headed to the legendary Schönbrunn Palace . We had booked the very first time slot of the day at 8:30 a.m., hoping to avoid the crowds—and it was an excellent decision. When we left late in the morning, we saw waves of tourists arriving by subway and bus: the contrast was striking. The palace is very easily accessible by public transport; from our accommodation near the train station, it took us about 35 minutes to reach the site, without any difficulty. Several tickets are available, depending on what you wish to visit. We bought the ticket for the Palace only (€38 per person in 2025). It is recommended to book your ticket in advance on their website .
We spent the entire morning exploring the castle, its richly decorated imperial apartments, and its vast gardens, and you should definitely allow at least half a day to fully appreciate it. The beginning of the tour left me a little skeptical—a rather "Disney-esque" presentation with projections and immersive displays—but this impression quickly vanished once we entered the actual apartments. There, the refinement is absolute: gilding, silks, sumptuous decor… you are instantly transported back to the opulent era of the emperors of Great Austria.
As a self-confessed Sissi fan, I was particularly moved to explore these historically significant places. And the icing on the cake: Vaïka was absolutely exemplary throughout the entire visit. Calm, relaxed, so at ease that she even lay down on the thick red carpets, as if she had always lived there. Despite the crowds, there was no stress, a serene atmosphere, and many smiles all around us. Visitors often stopped, amused and surprised to see a large tourist greyhound in an imperial palace.
The staff, for their part, were wonderful: informed of our dog's arrival from room to room, they gave us a warm and welcoming reception. A smooth, positive visit from beginning to end, which will undoubtedly remain one of the highlights of our Viennese weekend.
Also worth noting: during our visit to Schönbrunn Palace, we discovered a lovely Christmas market set up just outside the palace. More intimate than those in the city center, it's a very pleasant place to relax after your visit, perfect for extending the experience in a warm atmosphere, perhaps with a hot chocolate in hand before catching the metro.
London
After visiting the castle, we wanted to offer Vaïka a real break in nature: off to the Prater , one of Vienna's most iconic parks. Easily accessible by metro, then on foot along the Danube, arriving at the Prater is already a very pleasant stroll. Formerly the Habsburg imperial hunting grounds, opened to the public in the 18th century, the Prater is now a vast park of over 600 hectares, combining large lawns, long, legendary avenues like the Hauptallee, and areas that are almost entirely forested.
We entered directly through the green spaces to reach the clearly marked, spacious, and clean off-leash areas, with free waste bags available. It was wonderful to see humans, children, and dogs coexisting naturally, without tension or unnecessary restrictions: dogs large and small, all free, playing together in a peaceful atmosphere. Vaïka quickly made some Austrian friends and even shared a great run with a whippet in this verdant setting right in the heart of the city.
After this great energy-boosting session, we continued our stroll to another facet of the Prater: the Wurstelprater, the oldest funfair in the world, still in operation. A delightfully retro atmosphere, rides for young and old, a legendary Ferris wheel, food stalls, music, laughter… and dogs welcome, of course. A friendly, popular, and joyful atmosphere, the kind we wish we could still find at the Foire du Trône, but which has unfortunately been somewhat lost there. The Prater perfectly encapsulates what we loved about Vienna: space, freedom, respect… and lots of shared fun, for both two-legged and four-legged friends.
London
For our weekend in Vienna, we opted for convenience, staying right next to the train station so we could easily leave our luggage on Sunday and catch our return train stress-free after sightseeing. We stayed at the Four Points Flex by Sheraton , an excellent hotel, perfectly located right next to the central station. The room (designed for three people) was spacious and very comfortable, with a double bed, a single bed, and a small refrigerator, always a welcome feature during a short stay.
After our overnight train journey, we particularly appreciated the option of early check-in: we were able to get our room as soon as we arrived in Vienna, freshen up, settle in a bit, and start our sightseeing in good spirits. Breakfast was very good, varied, and of high quality—we highly recommend it.
The staff were lovely and very welcoming to Vaïka, which meant a lot to us. Another real plus was the late check-out at 3 pm on Sunday, perfect for fully enjoying the city without rushing. Comfortable, dog-friendly accommodation, perfectly suited for a weekend with an overnight train.
Discovering a new destination is always a great excuse for us to explore the local cuisine, and Vienna doesn't disappoint. Austrian cuisine is particularly interesting because it developed throughout the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, incorporating influences from Hungary and northern Italy, among others. The result? Hearty, comforting food, perfect for winter: crispy Wiener schnitzel, fragrant goulash, fine wines, and of course, iconic desserts like Apfelstrudel.
We started Saturday lunchtime in true local style with a quick bite at a traditional sausage stand, followed by apple strudel for dessert: simple, delicious, and very filling—exactly what we needed after the night on the train. In the evening, we had a reservation at an excellent Viennese bistro, Sixta , a favorite with locals (reservations are highly recommended). In Vienna, dining early is absolutely no problem: we were seated around 6:30 pm without any trouble. On the menu: butternut squash soup, perfectly browned Wiener schnitzel, and creamy goulash. We wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant, both for the quality of the food and the warm welcome. A true culinary delight that perfectly complements our cultural exploration of the city.
Our last meal was at Art Corner , an Austro-Greek restaurant opposite the Belvedere Museum and Park. This meal was chosen more for convenience, as it was close to the hotel and allowed us to visit one last Christmas market before catching our train back to Paris that evening. The food was decent, but nothing exceptional.
