Must-See Areas of Natural Beauty Around Europe

Europe might be best known for cities and culture, but the natural world has a lot to offer too. While getting coffee in a city centre café or eating local food in a quaint restaurant as the sun goes down are of course excellent reasons to see the continent, more and more holiday companies are catering to those who like their exploration a little more rugged and wild.
Accordingly, we’ve put together a list of some of the most beautiful places you can visit, from Ireland all the way to Greece. Read on to learn more.

Greece’s Melissani Cave

Also known as the Cave of the Nymphs, this popular tourist attraction is full of legend and mystery. The fascinating rock formations here are some of the most beautiful sites on any of the Greek Islands. Holiday companies often make a trip through the caves a key feature of tours around the Ionian Sea, and visitors are always amazed at the sights.

The crystal clear water lends a ghostly effect as boats seem to glide through the air, and while there are 3.5km of underground passages to explore, the main attraction is without doubt an opening where the collapsed roof allows sunlight to shine down, reflecting off the water and dappling the rocky interior in light.

Top Tip: Purchase worldwide travel insurance cover before you go to explore safely.

Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park

Those who know their history might be surprised to see the sheer natural beauty of the Balkans. Long a site of conflict, the increasingly settled region has become a favourite destination for adventurers to explore.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is among the Balkans’ best spots – over one million visitors flock to the region every year to hike the Karst Mountains and appreciate the gorgeous scenery which sees rivers, streams and waterfalls linking 16 lakes together.

Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher

At the other end of Europe where the western edges of Ireland drop into the Atlantic, these astonishing, sheer cliffs stand tall. The formation is over 300 million years old and rises as high as 200m above the water. The rock gets its name from a fortress that dominated the coastline in the eighteenth century.

Austria’s Eisriesenwelt

Back on the mainland now, for a place so magical you’ll struggle to believe your eyes. 400m below the surface and stretching 42km from one end to the other, Eisriesenwelt is the largest complex of ice caves on the planet.

Top Tip: With hiking becoming increasingly popular worldwide, travel insurance is vital. Remember, you’re better safe than sorry.

Portugal’s Duoro River Valley

We go from an ethereal space where humans once feared to tread to one where they’ve cultivated wine, olives and more for over 2,000 years. Visitors can mix exploration with culture as they wander the luscious valley and enjoy its produce in the Portuguese sun.

Before You Go

Before you head out into the wilderness, make sure you invest in a comprehensive worldwide travel insurance policy. You’re not really descending into a world of ice giants or spurned nymphs, of course, but it’s still a good idea to be protected!

We hope these picks have given you some ideas for a European holiday off the beaten track – why not choose your favourite and explore further? Whatever you do, just remember to purchase worldwide travel insurance first.

Author Plate

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning team of specialists in single trip, annual and worldwide travel insurance. The company offers great deals for various travel insurance policies, so clients can always rest assured that they’re fully protected no matter where they travel.

Travel Savvy: How to Get More for Your Money

We all know that holidays tend to be a time of splurging on food, experiences and of course the travel itself. But as the value of the pound continues to drop and venturing abroad becomes a little more uncertain, any little saving is welcome. Despite the current economic climate, there are still numerous ways to make sure that your cash goes a little bit further without taking the fun out of ‘fun in the sun’.
Check out these travel-savvy tips to learn how you can bank on a little more saving.

Destination Savings

This might seem a little obvious, but when it comes to holiday savings, the chosen desti-nation is everything. Whether you’re planning for a weekend away or something long-haul, choosing where to go can be a key part in your saving success. The cost of a city break to Paris, for instance, is going to be considerably higher than, say, Turkey.

Think about switching from cities of central Europe to those in the East, such as Prague or Budapest. Dining out for two on a three-course meal in these less popular (though no less beautiful!) destinations can bag you a saving of at least £20. Plus, although alterna-tive city breaks are gradually becoming more popular, you’ll likely avoid the thronging crowds of tourists in these lesser-known cities.

Go All-Inclusive

Although some may turn their noses up at the all-inclusive holiday, there’s no doubt that when it comes to cutting spending these hassle-free getaways are king. With drinks and meals already paid for, you’re less likely to go over your planned budget on the extras such as meals out (or a few too many Pina Coladas).

Better yet, if you combine the all-inclusive travel with a destination outside of Europe such as Cancun or Turkey, you can find some unbelievable deals.

Clever Cards

No matter how good the intentions are, we all know that we’re going to splash out abroad. Whether it’s mementos for yourself, the souvenir shop or indulging in the local foodie scene, we’re more than likely to splash our cash a little more on holiday. Since most cards aren’t designed to be used abroad, this can rack up some nasty fees. Even drawing cash usually has a minimum withdrawal charge.

In this case, it’s definitely worth considering looking for a specialist credit card that allows fee-free withdrawals and spending. There are a few great options available, so do your research beforehand so those holiday indulgences come with a little less sting.

Explore with Confidence

Independent travellers who are keen to get under the skin of a destination will find hiring a car the best option for getting around. Make sure you’ve you signed up for car hire ex-cess insurance to guarantee savings on any unforeseen mishaps. As many people know, driving in some European countries can be an adventure in itself, so getting the best cover with car hire excess insurance is a must. It will give you peace of mind so that all you have to worry about is where you’ll be stopping for lunch.

Cashing in on the savings while on holiday is mainly about being savvy. From knowing the best places to find a cheap eat to making sure you’ve sorted your car hire excess insurance, these top tips are sure to help your cash go almost as far as you travel.

Author Plate Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car hire ex-cess insurance policies. Travellers can rest easy knowing they will be fully protected against any hidden hire car costs and look forward to a stress-free rental experience.