Travel writer Lottie Gross has won Best Guide of the Year at the 2026 Travel Media Awards for her book, Dog-Friendly Europe, marking an exciting moment for dog friendly travel journalism.
The award recognises Lottie’s guidebook, Dog Friendly Europe, which explores 25 destinations across Europe that are worth visiting with a dog. Combining inspiring travel writing with practical advice for dog owners, the book demonstrates that travelling with a dog doesn’t have to mean compromising on experiences.
Announcing the news, Lottie described the win as “utterly delightful”, highlighting how unusual it is for dog friendly travel writing to receive recognition at major industry awards. “Dog-friendly travel articles don’t tend to get much attention on the awards circuits,” she explained.
With Dog-Friendly Europe, however, Gross set out to balance engaging travel storytelling with the essential information dog owners need when exploring somewhere new (like where to take your dog when they need the toilet).
Exploring Europe with your dog
Dog Friendly Europe features 25 destinations, including three in the UK and 22 across continental Europe, covering everything from cities and countryside regions to national parks. Importantly, every destination has been personally visited and researched by Lottie alongside her own dog, Arty, ensuring the recommendations are based on first-hand experience.
Among her favourite destinations is the Luberon in Provence, France, a region known for its historic villages, vineyards and extraordinary ochre landscapes. Describing the area’s colourful scenery, Lottie compares the experience to “walking the dog on Mars”.
A win for dog friendly travel
The award is particularly significant for the growing dog friendly travel sector, where practical guides and recommendations have traditionally received less recognition than mainstream travel journalism. Lottie’s success highlights the value of first-hand research, thoughtful storytelling and reliable recommendations in helping dog owners explore beyond their usual destinations.
We’re delighted to have Lottie as a regular contributor to Dog Owners Guide, where she writes a monthly column sharing her experiences, insights and advice on travelling with dogs. Her first-hand approach to travel is something we particularly value and it’s wonderful to see her work recognised on such a prestigious stage.
You can explore more of Lottie’s writing in her monthly column on Dog Owners Guide.
For those planning a European adventure with their dog, Dog Friendly Europe offers inspiration alongside the practical information needed to make travelling together easier.
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