Europe has an abundance of popular travel destinations that crowd the cities with excited tourists. There’s the City of Love, Venice of The North, and the City of Canals all in one continent to explore. But what if you want to get away from the crowds and find beauty in alternative destinations?
We’ve composed a list of five popular European destinations, and other places you can explore that are very similar and close by.
Dreaming of Paris? Try Bordeaux
While Paris rules in its rich history and iconic sights, Bordeaux is only about two hours away from Paris by train and offers just as much beauty as the City of Love. Bordeaux, like the famous French wine, has 350 historical buildings to explore, along with many museums and art galleries to admire. In Bordeaux, you will also find some of the greatest food and wine of France. Its flat layout makes the city very walkable and accessible via bike or tram as well if preferred.
Bordeaux Highlights:
- Marché des Capucins – Market full of local and delicious gastronomy
- Rue Sainte-Catherine – The longest shopping promenade in Europe (1.2 km)
- Musée des Beaux Arts – Fine-art museum with collections from many famous artists
Want to go to Venice, Italy? Try Burano
Burano is considered a hidden gem in Italy, and is only about 45 minutes away by ferry from its neighbor, Venice. Located on an island on the Venetian Lagoon, Burano is filled with aesthetically pleasing and bright, colorful houses that reflect off of the water channels. Burano is the historical home to lacemaking, and you can find friendly neighbors in Piazza Galuppi to invite tourists to their shops and admire the craftsmanship. If you’re looking for a quiet, yet up-and-coming tourist spot in Italy, Burano is your best choice.
Burano Highlights:
- Leaning Bell Tower – Slanted tower belonging to the Church of San Martino Vescovo
- Piazza Galuppi – The main square in Burano perfect for shopping and dining
- Burano Lace Museum – Museum enriched with the history of Burano lace
Fancying London? Try Brighton
Just two hours away from London is Brighton, London’s seaside alternative. Also known as “London by the Sea,” it’s a relaxing, yet welcoming city that has been named one of the friendliest cities in England. If you are looking for an alternative to London that is visually colorful, artistic and unique shops, and an overall soothing experience, Brighton may be the place for you.
Brighton Highlights:
- The Royal Pavillion – Seaside palace built for King George IV
- Brighton Festival – Large multi-arts festival held every year for three weeks in May
- Brighton Palace Pier – Pier by the seaside with fairground rides and arcade games
Considering Amsterdam? Try Utrecht
Amsterdam is bustling with tourists that many travelers are considering other places in The Netherlands. Only 25 minutes away from the Dutch capitol is Utrecht, with many similarities in architecture and popular attractions. Utrecht has a great range of areas to explore for any traveler, from thriving nightlife to a historical canal that was built in the 12th century.
Utrecht Highlights:
- Dom Tower – The highest church tower in The Netherlands
- Oudegracht – Old canals with shops, restaurants, and wharf cellars
- Museum Speelklok – Museum with historical music machines, from barrel organs to music boxes
Thinking of Barcelona? Try Valencia
Valencia is a city enriched in culture, with Gothic architecture that purely captures the beauty of Spain. In between the Mediterranean Sea and the inland hills, Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain and is the birthplace of the delicious food dish, paella. Looking for a historical, yet modernized version of Barcelona? Valencia is the best fit.
Valencia Highlights:
- Oceanogràfic of Valencia – The largest aquarium in Europe
- Central Market – Europe’s largest fresh produce market with restaurants and quick eats
- Valencia Cathedral – Historical cathedral with artwork from the 15th century
Is Travel Insurance Necessary for Europe?
While travel insurance isn’t a requirement for U.S. citizens visiting Europe, it is highly recommended to ensure a stress-free journey. Whether you want coverage in case of a medical emergency, or you want to cover your bags in case they go missing, trip insurance satisfies those stressors. Trip insurance can cover your prepaid nonrefundable costs that would have likely been otherwise not financially recovered without insurance. Those prepaid nonrefundable costs include:
- Prebooked flights
- Hotels or vacation rentals paid in advance
- Cruises and onboard packages
- Tours and excursions reserved ahead of time
- Tickets to events such as concerts or festivals that are linked to your trip
- Other transportation such as trains, buses, or transfers
The Benefits of Trip Insurance for Europe
Europe trip insurance can offer a greater peace of mind knowing that your prepaid nonrefundable expenses could be covered by an upwards of 100%. The benefits of trip insurance can include:
Trip Cancellation
Imagine you plan your trip to Brighton months in advance and decide to add trip insurance for those “just in case” moments. A couple weeks before your trip, there is a hurricane in your hometown that causes you to cancel your trip. Since you had trip insurance, especially before the hurricane, you are covered for your flights, hotels, and any other covered expenses.
Trip Interruption
Trip interruption is different from both trip cancellation and trip delay insurance since trip interruption’s coverage is during the trip. For example, let’s imagine that you were in Europe and on the third day, you broke your leg. While you are in the hospital, the doctor advises you to not continue with your trip, and you decide to go home and get an x-ray done. Trip interruption insurance can cover your prepaid nonrefundable costs that you did not use, as well as your early flight home.
Trip Delay
Trip insurance can offer coverage if you experience a significant flight delay that causes you to miss a portion of your trip. Trip insurance policies can cover an additional meal and hotel costs if you have to stay longer than expected. It is designed to make sure that you return home safely or rejoin your trip with minimal financial distress.
Lost, delayed or damaged baggage
If you find yourself in a situation where your baggage is lost, delayed or damaged, trip insurance may cover the following expenses:
- Needed toiletries like deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, tampons etc.
- New clothes, including business suits and attire for planned special occasions
- Prescriptions
- New passports, visas or other travel documents
- Valuables
It is important to remember that every insurer is different and policy coverage and its limits can vary.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Now let’s imagine that you were hiking in Switzerland, where you slipped and broke your leg. The nearest hospital is many miles away, and you have to be airlifted by helicopter. Trip insurance with emergency medical evacuation can cover the helicopter evacuation, hospital transfer, and eventually, an early flight back home.
Get Travel Insurance For Europe
If you are considering going to one of these alternative destinations, having trip insurance plans can ease the stress of potential cancellations and headaches. Have a question? Our team of licensed travel insurance experts is always here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is coverage not already provided by my credit card or regular medical insurance?
Some credit card companies do provide trip cancellation coverage, however, the coverage is usually very limited or specific to certain benefits. Credit card trip insurance may not provide as good of coverage as travel insurance companies.
Typically, your regular medical insurance usually only covers health and sickness within your home country and does not cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, or travel delay benefits. Trip insurance can help cover you for medical costs while traveling internationally where your domestic health insurance wouldn’t cover you.
How much does trip insurance typically cost?
Trip insurance typically costs about 4–10% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, but the price can vary based on factors like your trip cost, length, age, destination, and any optional add-ons. While it adds a small amount to your travel budget, trip insurance can help protect you from major losses if your plans change unexpectedly.
Does trip insurance cover if I cancel my trip?
Trip insurance can cover you if you cancel your trip, but only for specific, covered reasons. These typically include things like unexpected illness or injury, a death in the family, severe weather, etc. If you want the flexibility to cancel for any reason not listed in the policy, you’ll need to add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which typically comes at an additional cost and typically has to be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit.
What should I do if I’m traveling to multiple destinations?
You can select any one of your planned destinations while purchasing a trip insurance plan. It is recommended to select the one you’ll spend the most time in. However, trip insurance covers all prepaid, non-refundable trip costs during the coverage dates, including those from different destinations. For example, if you spend two weeks in Italy and then one week in France, you should select Italy as your main destination for your trip insurance, and then France. Regardless, the policy will cover your prepaid, non-refundable expenses for both countries during your trip dates.
What if I am visiting part of the Schengen Area?
If you are a U.S. citizen, it is not required to purchase travel insurance for the Schengen Area if you are there for less than 90 days. If you are there for more than 90 days, you would have to apply for a Schengen visa. For applying for a Schengen visa, your travel insurance must meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage
- Coverage for emergency medical treatment and hospital stays
- Coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
- The policy must be valid in all Schengen Area countries for the duration of your stay
When will my trip insurance benefits start?
The Trip Cancellation benefit will begin the following day after the policy is purchased. Once the policyholder has departed on their trip, the remaining benefits such as Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Missed Connection, Accident and Sickness, and more will take effect from the beginning to the end of the policy.
How precise should my trip cost calculation be?
You should always input the exact amount for your trip cost. If you go a little under, it can make you ineligible for certain benefits. It is best to round to the nearest dollar when inputting your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs, but make sure to check your receipts or documentation of purchase.
