3 of Europe's Most Luxurious Destinations
Dreams, as the saying goes, are free. And while our European travel insurance experts are flat out most of the time, they do reserve a little time off for navel gazing to come up with their own “dream” holidays. For those who don’t really believe the best things in life are free, here are three of the most luxurious destinations that feature high on the lists of our European travel insurance experts. And no, they can’t have a raise…
Monte Carlo
If you can afford to lose the designer shirt off your back (and pay handsomely for the privilege), there’s no better place to immerse yourself in uber luxury than Monte Carlo – truly a law and a world unto itself. It is gilded wall-to-wall five star hotels, casinos and luxury spas, and there’s finger space only down at the docks – with some of the world’s most expensive yachts calling Monte Carlo home. You won’t have to lift a manicured finger except to order your next glass of Cristal.
The French Riviera
Long the benchmark on the considerable yardstick of European luxury, the French Riviera continues to hold its elegant head high in the glamour stakes. Holding the trump card of the Mediterranean, resorts like Nice and Cannes continue to lure celebrity visitors, and sitting in a pavement café watching the world go by is like stepping into an episode of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”
The Italian Riviera
Anything the French can do the Italians can do in their own inimitable way – and boy, do the Italians know how to do luxury. The Italian Riviera has just as much (and many say more) style and substance as its French counterpart. In the stunning town of Portofino and along the breathtakingly beautiful coastline of the Cinque Terre, well-heeled guests can mingle with the stars, enjoy five stars of luxury in spectacular cliffside hotels and villas, and savour the Michelin stars of some of the world’s finest restaurants.
By the way, in case you’re wondering, even with our simplest cheap travel insurance, Europe’s most luxurious destinations are covered. And you’ll need all the spare cash you can get if these places are on your radar!
Two Top Camping Holidays in Europe You Haven't Thought Of
When it comes to unusual holidays, our team can almost claim to have done it all. They’re not only passionate about giving you the best deal on European travel insurance, they’re passionate about travelling themselves – and they love to share! Here they reveal two ideas for camping holidays you’ve probably never thought of.
Camping On a Raft in Belgium
It sounds bizarre and, well, it is pretty out there, but those who have done it claim once you’ve camped on a raft, dry land will never seem the same. Be prepared to rough it, though, as your accommodation equates to a rustic log hut nailed onto a raft made of barrels! With no bathroom facilities, the toilet is nothing more than a bucket, which you’ll need to canoe away to a dedicated waste area. While luxurious it is not, “back to nature” it is, and it’s a truly immersive experience. The idyllic moorings on the gorgeous lakes of Belgium make for a spectacular backdrop, and for lovers of the great outdoors, this could well be holiday heaven. Be sure to mention your plans to your European travel insurance expert so you can be adequately covered.
A Yurt in Switzerland
While Switzerland can no way be considered “off the beaten track”, staying in a genuine Mongolian yurt on the summit of one of Europe’s most picturesque mountains certainly offers a unique experience. The journey to reach your “campsite” is truly spectacular, accessed by a scenic railway that departs from the mountain town of Montreux. At an elevation of 2045 metres and surrounded by a carpet of mountain flowers, you won’t be expected to rough it – these yurts are decked out in style! The well-equipped tents (which are available all year round) are fully insulated and have their own electric heating system for the colder months.
Sometimes you need to be creative when it comes to thinking up new and exciting ideas for a holiday. But as long as you ensure all your proposed activities are covered with cheap travel insurance, Europe still has the ability to surprise, as these two options show.
Two of Europe's Most Family Friendly Cities
While we all consider ourselves part of the InsureMore family, some of our European travel insurance experts actually have their own real families at home, too! And, not only are they experts in cheap travel insurance, Europe is probably their most favoured hotspot for their own holidays. So who better to recommend two of the best family friendly cities in Europe?
Amsterdam
Quite apart from the fact that English is widely spoken in Amsterdam, making it a less intimidating city for younger members of the family, it is also jam packed with child-friendly things to see and do. Take a city tour by boat along the network of canals; visit the excellent NEMO science museum, with plenty of interactive exhibits – including a chemistry lab and a bubble display; explore the Anne Frank Museum, a sobering and eye-opening experience for slightly older children; and take a trip out to gorgeous “blooming” Keukenhof, to immerse in a riot of vibrantly coloured tulips as far as the eye can see. The city is also extremely pedestrian and cycle friendly, meaning the whole family can get around safely without the stress of public transport.
Munich
Imagine how much your children will love you when you tell them the first stop on your itinerary in Munich is the Toy Museum? Then picture their delight when you take them to the city’s largest toy store, Obletter Spielwarne. But your final nomination for “parent of the year” will come with a visit to Kids Kingdom, in the Deutches Museum, home to the largest and oldest science museum in the world, including over 1,000 interactive children’s activities. But the fun doesn’t end there in Munich, and we haven’t even mentioned the Munich Zoo and Neuschwanstein Castle – the enchanting site of the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. There, we’ve mentioned them.
While there are many more family-friendly destinations in Europe, these have been tried, tested and declared two of the best by our European travel insurance specialists – and, more importantly, their families!
3 Top Cities in Europe for Art Lovers
They say true beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and at InsureMore we think our European travel insurance is a beautiful thing! But we know that our clients are interested in more cultured subjects, so our very refined experts have collated a list of their top recommendations in Europe for art lovers (oh, and they’re also experts on cheap travel insurance – Europe and beyond!).
Paris
Mais oui! While naturally the behemoth of the Louvre and the jaw dropping collections of the Musee d’Orsay are high on the hit list, Paris is also home to a host of lesser-known, yet no less worthwhile, galleries. La Maison Rouge is one for the rebels, providing a host of controversial contemporary exhibitions; for young and emerging artists, the Galerie Georges-Phillippe et Nathalie Vallois is an achingly hip left bank venue; and for the photography lovers, Galerie Agathe Gaillard showcases the work of the greats, including Doisneau, Kertesz and Cartier Bresson.
Madrid
Most people mention this iconic Spanish city more for its matadors than its Matisses! In fact, however, Madrid is the home of some of Europe’s most important and impressive galleries. Reina Sofia is the showcase of one of Picasso’s most famous works, Guernica; the world-famous Prado proudly displays the collections from Spain’s best-loved artists, including Goya and Velazquez; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza is dazzling in its extensive collection of pre-20th century art, considered the finest in Europe.
Florence
No art lover can ignore the cache of artistic and cultural treasures of the Renaissance city of Florence. At every turn on the cobbled streets of the city, its history is writ large in the frescos, sculptures and architecture. Its galleries and museums include the acclaimed Gallerie dell Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s sublime statue of David, and the collection of Galleria degli Uffizi, a haven of modern collections and works from the Masters, Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt and Michelangelo.
These three cities just scratch the surface of Europe for art lovers and one trip is never enough. (But don’t worry; you can purchase cheap multi-trip cover.) Europe’s other great cities for art include Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Cologne, Barcelona…but that’s another story.
Top Money Saving Tips for Travelling Europe
Here at InsureMore we talk the talk when it comes to European travel insurance, but we’re proud to say we can also walk the walk. Our dedicated experts have been there and eaten, bought, seen and done that. So when we offer you a list of ways to save money in Europe, you can bet your bottom dollar they’re good ones!
Travelling doesn’t come cheap, and when you’re travelling to the world’s most popular destinations often you’ll be struggling to even find “reasonable” prices. However, once your fixed costs are paid (like flights and travel insurance) Europe can be cheaper than you might think.
Rent a Car By the Hour
Instead of paying for dead car rental while you sleep, jump on the new craze available all over Europe of renting a car by the hour. You can pick up and drop off at designated points, and they’re available in three, six or nine hour increments. (Just ensure you’re covered for driving abroad.) Some companies offer a yearly membership, which brings costs down even further.
Look for Flight Deals
You can save plenty of money on your flights by sniffing out a good deal. Consider flying with a new or low cost airline; they may take a different route or use a different airport to the one you are used to, but that’s how they keep costs rock bottom. No frills is no hardship for a short flight to Europe.
Airbnb
Not many people haven’t heard of Airbnb by now, and it’s not for nothing they’ve become THE success story of the past few years. At short notice you can log in and find a true “home away from home”, often for a fraction of the cost you would pay for a hotel, and far more welcoming. With a tagline of, “Rent unique places to stay from local hosts in 190 countries”, we need say no more. It does what it says on the tin.
Get Covered
Lastly, there’s no better way to potentially save hundreds if not thousands of pounds than by getting yourself some decent cheap travel insurance. Europe may just be on the doorstep, but there’s just as much scope for things to go wrong. Don’t think it won’t happen to you. We hope it won’t, but it could…
