How will we travel to Portugal?
A good question 🙂 After much thought, the pros and cons weighed against each other, we decided that it would be best to travel by car all the way to Portugal! One very good reason for this is because Emi and Kintana will travel with me. If I would choose for traveling by plane, Kintana can be in the cabin with me but Emi will have to go in the cargo and that’s something I don’t want for her at all, she is such a sensitive girl. And another reason is that I like to have my car with me when we are in Portugal, in the end, this also means fewer costs.
For those who’ve missed the story about out Portugal adventure, see previous blog: Our journey continues
This will be our route:
Yes, I know it will be a very long journey 🙂 , about 25 hours drive and this is especially not so very easy for me because of my health. That’s why I will drive maximum 5 hours a day and with lots of rest breaks in between. Therefore we also have to make 4 stops along the way in order to sleep, eat and rest.
I am trying to find good places to stay but that’s not so easy yet because of the dogs. Two friends already offered a place in their home to us which is so very beautiful! We’re very grateful!
I made this map where you can see at which points (approximately) I would like to stop and at the yellow stars, we already have a place to stay! The last yellow star is not the end of our journey yet, but the home of the former foster mom of Kintana where we will stay for a few days!
Now I have a question, is there maybe someone among Little Belle her friends who lives near the other red dots and you like to offer us a place to stay? Or maybe you know of someone who lives there? That would be really wonderful! You can contact us via: info@littlebelle.org
In about 5 weeks we will start our journey to Portugal, time really flies! There is still a lot of preparation that needs to be done, so it will be busy weeks, also exciting, and sometimes uncertain. I’ve never ever done something like this before in my life, so I can honestly say this is one of the biggest adventures ever. And when I write this, I immediately see my beautiful little angel girl who smiles and says:
“The best adventures are those where you follow your heart! I am with you, all the way!” ♥
Always ♥
Irene, Little Belle’s mom
This really will be some adventure. I do hope all will go well and that you’ll find places to stay. Sadly in this I can’t be of any help. But I would like you to ask to be very careful. My thoughts will be with you, but one thing is for certain…. Little Belle will guide you all the way, and at the end that’s all you need. Love from all of us.
Thank you, Maria! We will be very careful and Little Belle will indeed guide us all the way ♥
Lieve Irene, please wees uiterst voorzichtig bij deze onderneming. Neem genoeg rust, het is beter wat later daar toe te komen maar veilig en wel. In gedachten reis ik met jullie 4 mee. En, zoals Maria zei : Quenie zal je leiden. Love you all
Irene, please be careful, don’t take any chances. Precious cargo on board and that means you too. Hope this works out for all of you. Hugs to Kintana and the rest of the family
Wat een spannende toekomst he ! Maar groot gelijk heb je . Voorzichtiheid is zeker aan de orde . En het is super dat er mensen en the dogs willen helpen voor overnachting . Rustig aan doen zal het beste zijn ! Haast en spoed is zelden goed zegt men toch he . Wat gaan je schatjes daar kunnen genieten van de warmte . Jij verdient de hemel Irene ! En dat heel speciaal sterretje in de hemel ( Belleke ) reist ongetwijfeld met je mee en zal waken over jullie . X
Best wishes to you and your family on this new adventure. I looked at your map and it is so strange to me that you will be going through and to different countries. In the USA, we can travel that far through our country. I love your posts and enjoy reading about your doggies. Safe travels.
Een ding weet ik nu al zeker, lieve Irene…. Je liefste ???? Belleke zal jou, Emi en kleine Kintana beschermen tijdens je verre reis…..
Will you be taking your horses? What is the nature of your health? I hope all goes well, be careful.
This is a wonderful way to make the journey. I so agree with you. I would never board my baby girl on a plane as cargo, at any age. Too many horror stories happen. This will be a journey for you, but you know best how you can handle it and are planning well. It is a 15-hour drive to my family’s home and I did it for many years, a couple times a year to visit them with Coalie. But I have not made the road trip for 3 years, as I am afraid that Coalie would not be able to handle the long road trip anymore. If she survived the trip, I’ve been afraid that she might not last very long after. I’m just too afraid to risk it, although I would love for them to see her again before she crosses over to meet Little Belle and my past 2 doggies that I ever had in my life. Coalie’s 16th birthday is in two days! Yippee!!! Safe journey, and God and Little Belle be with you and Kintana and Emi all the way!
This is a wonderful trip ! ‘Unfortunately’ you already have a place to stay near where I live, in Tours, about one hour from Poitiers. Have a safe and happy travel with the furry girls, take care Xo
Please travel safely and well. You have become such a part of our lives that I must say that I am a little concerned about your solo road trip with Emi and Kintana. Still, you have a calling to do so, so it must be done. Blessings for this trip. We are all with you in spirit as you travel.