With the nip in the air and Christmas bells ringing, the best places to travel in Europe gears up for the visitors.
Also, the “Europe Winter Tourism Market” is massive, and Austria, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland are some of the key destinations or revenue earners in this regard.
Further, winter tourism in Europe is beyond indulging in the drizzles of snow and relishing the best food. It has a deeper economic significance in the continent. Did you know that the revenue from winter tourism in Europe is 1-2% of the GDP of European countries?
So, when you visit the best places to travel in Europe in winter, you contribute to the overall economy of the place and the country.
Moreover, winter brings out the best in Europe, with glimpses of the Northern Lights, skiing in the Alps, Christmas festivities, and many more!
You Cannot Miss The Best Places To Travel In Europe In Winter
A wintry day in Europe is blissful, and it’s a great time to travel to this continent if you want to avoid the crowd.
Furthermore, the beautiful landscape of Europe looks dreamier with the blanket of snow in winter.
So, let’s take a flight to the best places to travel in Europe in winter.
1. Rovaniemi, Finland
Best Place to Stay: Santa Claus Holiday Village
Finland Tourism Package from the USA: 1100-1500€
Ho! Ho! Ho! Winter comes with the invitation to fly to the official hometown of Santa Claus. It is the best place to indulge in Christmas festivities, and you will also love the reindeer farms here.
Furthermore, you can participate in the following activities when visiting Rovaniemi in winter.
Ice skating
Snow sledding
Northern Light Safaris
However, Rovaniemi will not disappoint you even if you want to spend a quiet winter vacation here. You can cozy up by the fire and have the best glogg ever.
Are you a foodie like me? You can indulge in some smoky salmon and ice cream. The chef’s kiss will be watching the snow-clad forests through the windows of your hotel room.
2. Prague, Czech Republic
Best Place to Stay: Hermitage Hotel Prague
Czech Republic Tourism Package from the USA: 2000-3000€
With St. Nicholas Church as the center of attraction during winter and Christmas, Prague decks up with fresh coats. The Church of Our Lady before Týn and St. Vitus Cathedral are some other popular churches to visit in Prague during Christmas.
Furthermore, Christmas has a different fervor in Prague, thanks to the Christmas markets here. It supposedly has the best Christmas Market in the world outside Germany.
In the upcoming winter, Prague Christmas Markets will remain open from 30th November 2024 to 6th January 2025. You will get the best wooden toys, ceramics, and candles here.
Looking for some gastronomic delight? Prague has Palatschinke and mulled wine that you will cherish.
3. Vienna, Austria
Best Place to Stay: Hotel Sacher Wien
Austria Tourism Package from the USA: 1500-2500€
Vienna, the winner of the “Most Livable City in the World,” is one of the best places to travel in Europe this winter. BBC conferred this title to Vienna three years in a row.
Further, in winter, Vienna transforms into a site of outdoor operas and hot chocolates. Attending the operas in the freezing cold is an experience, and with thousands of people attending the event, you will feel the palpable festive energy here.
Moreover, you can appease the connoisseur in you by attending the classical musical concerts here.
Also, behold the snow-clad beauty of the St. Charles Church and Schönbrunn Palace. It’s dreamy and will offer you the best frames for capturing.
4. Tallinn, Estonia
Best Place to Stay: Metropol Spa Hotel
Estonia Tourism Package from the USA: Around 4500€
Tallinn has an amazing location on the Baltic Sea and the most amazing historical centers. You can explore the following historical centers when in Tallinn.
Town Hall Square
Olevsite Church
Great Guild Hall
Further, the turreted castles of Tallin stand tall with their unmatched architecture. Toompea Castle is probably the most famous castle among them. You will also love exploring Kadriog Palace and Pikk Herman.
These castles are beautiful year-round. However, they appear to be straight from the pages of fantasy tales under the wrap of snow.
5. Zermatt, Switzerland
Best Place to Stay: Hotel Firefly
Switzerland Tourism Package from the USA: Around 2000€
Zermatt, at the foothill of the Matterhorn, becomes the paradise of skiers in winter. The coverage of fresh snow and the best scenic views make Zermatt everyone’s favorite, even on the chilliest days.
After you have a fulfilling winter day outdoors, you can indulge in the much-needed warmth and comfort in the spa of Hotel Firefly. Also, Zermatt is the ideal place to try Alpine cuisines and lemon martini.
Moreover, if you want to try outdoor pursuits other than skiing, you can try hiking. Even if you are not interested in hiking to the higher mountains, you can explore Zermatt and the surrounding villages.
You can even take a helicopter ride around Matterhorn to have the best views of the glaciers. If you are on the verge of ending your trip to Zermatt, don’t try to collect some handmade souvenirs.
6. Zagreb, Croatia
Best Place to Stay: Garden Hotel
Croatia Tourism Package from USA: Around 1500€
Zagreb exudes the quintessential Central European vibe and is a favorite of dark academia fans. Winter transforms it into a wonderland with the Advent in Zagreb festival. You will find the best brandy and homemade sausages here.
You also explore the Christmas markets and appreciate the lights galore throughout the entire locality to indulge in its festive fervor.
Are you looking for more adventure in Zagreb? You can plan a trip to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It has waterfalls and 16 terrace lakes. In winter, all these waterbodies get frozen and offer you the most surreal view.
Moreover, with the Croatian National Theatre at the epicenter, Zagreb is important for the cultural landscape of Croatia and Europe. You must make a note that Croatian National Theatre is one of the most beautiful theatres in the world.
The Croatian Museum of Naive Art, Zagreb City Museum, and Maksimir Park are some other places of interest in Zagreb.
7. Bergen, Norway
Best Place to Stay: Citybox Bergen
Norway Tourism Package from the USA: 2600-6500€
Bergen has the ideal Norweigan vibe with colorful wooden buildings. You can enjoy the beautiful view of the fjords and harbor from these aesthetic buildings. And who does not know of the Northern Light in Norway in winter?
Late November to January is the best time to experience the magic of Northern Light in Bergen, Norway. The longest nights become bright as you observe this astronomical wonder in the sky.
With your nights becoming lit with the Northern Lights, you can spend your daytime in Norway doing winter hiking, skiing, and sledding. You can even go on a Wildlife or Wild Safari and experience the wonder of nature.
Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!
We’ll go on jeep safaris to explore wildlife closely. But if you want a true wildlife experience that enriches you physically, mentally, and even spiritually, then you must try bush walks.
Bush walk takes you on a walking safari to national parks that are havens for unique flora and fauna. These let you immerse into a healthier and happier community.
In this blog, we're going to tell you how a walking safari can change your life.
But First, What Is A Walking Safari?
A walking safari takes you on less-traveled paths, bringing you the most authentic safari experience. On your journey, you’ll experience many things that are easy to miss on a vehicle.
Instead of simply gazing at animals and vegetation, you can examine these wildlife entities closely. You get the opportunity to track the footprints of animals on the ground. Watch lovely beetles roll the dung and hear birds singing melodically.
If you happen to be in South Africa, you're in luck. The land has a lot to offer for bushwalkers. You typically start in the morning.
Some walking safari camps also run in the afternoon. But if you’re after an incredible experience, then head out at the crack of dawn. At this time of the day, animals are most active, and the crisp morning air simply touches your soul.
Walking becomes even easier during the African dry winter, mainly because of low temperatures and humidity. Also, dry vegetation increases your chance of spotting animals. So, it’s the best time to go on bush walks in South Africa.
Top Reasons To Book A Bush Walk:
While there are many reasons to book a bush walk, key benefits are:
1. Connect with Nature
You don't need to confide in a vehicle. Instead, you can walk on foot and have an intimate experience with the wild. You’ll get to see lots of fascinating animals, soaking your eyes in their incredible beauty.
You can see, smell and feel things around you. It’s not possible to experience this from a distance. All in all, a safari on foot lets you connect with nature on different levels.
2. See Finer Details
While exploring the African bush on a walking safari, you'll be able to discover every single detail of your surroundings. These include plants, animals, birds, insects, and even some wonderful landscapes.
So, you'll be able to slowly absorb your surroundings so that you can easily drive straight passed while driving a vehicle.
3. Learn a New Skill
In addition, you’ll learn a new skill, that is, tracking. Your tour guide to bush walk will teach you to read tracks in the sand and successfully follow animals.
This wonderful skill will improve your overall wildlife experience in the bush. You may spot wild giraffes, wild elephants, and hippos playing in the woods.
By going on a walking safari in African woods or national parks, you can expect a lot of immersive experiences. You can travel solo, with your family, friends, or in a group of other travelers.
So, book a bush walk tour in South Africa.
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A UK cancer charity has been raising awareness about what it calls the ‘scandal’ of cancer patients being quoted travel insurance premiums so high they cannot afford to go on holiday.
Hampshire-based PLANETS, which supports people with neuroendocrine, pancreatic, liver, colorectal, abdominal, and pancreatic cancer, has accused travel insurance providers of applying a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy to cancer patients which often penalizes people even when they are in remission and have been in good health for a number of years.
As well as pointing out that many insurers simply refuse to cover anyone with a history of cancer, making their search for cover more difficult, PLANETS also highlights some of the exorbitant prices cancer patients are sometimes quoted - as if to purposefully put them off.
There Are Alternatives For Cancer Patients
It points to two cases it came across of patients it worked with, both of whom had neuroendocrine tumors. One was quoted for a two-week trip to Canada requiring £7,000. The other was told to enjoy a week in Spain, it would cost £1,000 for them.
PLANETS co-founder Jo Green also has neuroendocrine cancer. The condition is incurable, but with treatment can be managed successfully for many years. She has been living with it for 11 years, has no symptoms, and is in good health. But she too faces obstructive practices whenever she tries to get insurance to go abroad.
The reason why PLANETS has taken up the cause of travel insurance for cancer patients is that, as Jo puts it, going on holiday is an “essential” coping mechanism for many people living with the realities of a long-term medical condition.
“You’ve already been dealt a pretty bad card if you’ve had cancer,” she says. “It is a shame insurance companies can’t be more helpful and realistic in order to allow patients to seek respite through holidays which are important to health and wellbeing.”
Her thoughts are echoed by her fellow co-founder Neil Pearce, a specialist in pancreas, liver, and neuroendocrine tumor surgery.
“For many people, the respite and morale boost a holiday away with family or friends brings is invaluable to their life, yet we are in the perverse situation where very little effort [by travel insurers] is even put in to establish the condition a person is in.”
Fair Prices And Bespoke Policies
After cancer travel insurance reviews, most mainstream travel insurance providers simply aren’t set up to deal with the nuances of people’s health on a case-by-case basis. To them, someone with a pre-existing medical condition represents heightened risk - the risk of falling ill while they are abroad and claiming medical expenses, the risk of requiring more expensive specialist interventions.
Those risks are simply categorized by the condition. Whatever the condition, that’s the additional charge (if they even agree to offer cover for it at all). And everyone with that condition has to pay that same price.
It’s also the case that certain medical conditions attract much higher premiums than others. Cancer is right at the top of that list.
This is all commonplace in the travel insurance sector, but it’s by no means universal. There are providers who specialize in medical travel insurance, i.e. policies specifically geared for people with long-term medical conditions.
The Difference Between The Travel Insurance And Medical Insurance
The big difference in how these niche providers operate is that they do take the health of the individual into consideration. This is usually done by means of a simple medical questionnaire.
Prospective customers will be asked about their medical history, what condition (or conditions) they are currently living with, how it is managed, what medication they are on, their current state of health, etc.
From this information, medical travel insurance providers are the best insurance for cancer patients and are able to do two things. One, they can make a fairer evaluation of the risk an individual actually poses.
So for cancer patients, if they are in remission or if their symptoms are well managed and they are in good health, they can be offered a policy at a fair price.
The insurer understands it isn’t simply cancer that poses the risk - it’s the individual circumstances of the patient. Second, knowing something about the medical background of the individual means specialist insurers can offer policies tailored to their needs.
Although all travel insurance includes cover for medical costs, this is generally only for generic emergency treatments, not interventions specific to a particular condition.
What If You’re Diagnosed With Cancer After You Purchase Travel Insurance?
Imagine you and your spouse decide to take a Paris trip to commemorate your 25th wedding anniversary. To safeguard the vacation, you also buy travel insurance.
Six months later, a regular mammogram finds a lump in your breast, and stage 2 breast cancer is the result of this discovery. You have to have radiation and surgery, so your eagerly anticipated cruise will have to wait.
When you're dealing with a cancer diagnosis, travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits might be really helpful. Travel insurance after breast cancer cancellation benefits can pay you back for your paid, non-refundable trip expenses if your symptoms (or the side effects of treatment) are incapacitating enough to force you to cancel your trip and if your doctor recommends it. In this matter, you can reschedule your Paris trip after your wife has recovered.
Final Words
As a cancer patient or anyone else with a long-term medical condition, you want the reassurance that if you do fall ill on your holidays, you will get the care and attention that you need - and that the cost of it will be covered by your insurance.
Please remember that travel insurance can't pay for planned medical expenses. Plus, travel insurance will not pay for elective care, non-emergency care, experimental treatment, and long-term care in your insurance policy.
Apart from this, if you have any more questions, you can ask by commenting below. Please share your opinions, if I missed any points to mention here.
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Miami is an exciting place; there’s no doubt about that. Songs have been written on the sandy beaches of Miami. People from all over the world come to South Florida to explore the charm of what Miami has to offer. If you are from a foreign land and don’t know much about the city, you might need a bit of help navigating the hot spots. Continue reading to learn more about the city and its lifestyle.
Sandy Beaches:
If you like sea beaches, you are going to love Miami. Whether young or old, wear your sexiest beach suit and enjoy the sun. There are so many events one can participate in when one is in Miami. For example, you can play volleyball with your friends, build sandcastles, relax, and hang out under the sun. Or, you may even join the party and get grooving. No matter the time, there is always music playing on the beach. DJs have their booth set up, and they continue to play the smash hits of the day.
Stay hydrated and wear sunblock. There is no excuse for not wearing sun protection when you hit the beach. Unless you want to look like a roasted chicken, wear the SPF-50.
Keep your valuable items, such as purses and mobile phones, in the hotel room. It's better to stay safe than sorry. While drinking and having fun, you might lose valuable items.
The Food:
One of the main reasons to explore Miami is to experience the scrumptious cuisine. Do you like seafood? Miami has the best of seafood to offer. There are thousands of restaurants to choose from. You will be spoilt for options. There are cheap food trucks where you can buy hotdogs and burgers. You may even try a high-end rooftop restaurant in Miami, FL, for a delicate dining experience. The choice is yours. While you are there, don’t forget to try a Cuban sandwich; Miami is popular for its Cuban sandwiches.
Nightlife:
The night is still young, and so are you! What’s the point of going to Miami if you don’t explore the nightlife? As mentioned before, in Miami, the party never stops. There are bars and dance clubs in every corner of the city. You will find the really famous dance clubs facing the coastline near the beach. Get into any one of them and have the night of your life. The people in Miami have good taste in music, so you will not be disappointed on the dance floor.
Day Trips:
You can only party so much, right? What do you do when you are sober in the morning? You shop. What else is there to do? Hit the local shops or drive to Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades or the scenic Coral Gables. The beautiful natural scenic beauty will blow you. There are so many high-end luxury brands in each of the spots. Once you are done with the sightseeing, you can sit at a café and enjoy the quiet afternoon.
Visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for a serene escape amid lush greenery, rare plants, and art installations.
Spend time at Matheson Hammock Park, known for its scenic bay views, walking trails, and kiteboarding.
Stroll along Calle Ocho, visit local cigar shops, and try authentic Cuban dishes like empanadas and Cuban coffee.
South Beach is a must-visit with its iconic Art Deco architecture and lively atmosphere.
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