If you plan to go on a cycling trip ordering a bike lock will be the first and most important step towards protecting your bicycle. If you’re hunting for the…
If you plan to go on a cycling trip ordering a bike lock will be the first and most important step towards protecting your bicycle. If you’re hunting for the best cheap bike lock look no more. Here’s a list of the best bike locks you can get on a budget.
With the UK’s eventual departure from the European Union looming large, travellers on both sides of the Channel will no doubt be asking – will I soon need to buy…
With the UK’s eventual departure from the European Union looming large, travellers on both sides of the Channel will no doubt be asking – will I soon need to buy travel insurance for trips from the UK to continental Europe, and vice versa?
The reason this question is being raised is because ‘Brexit’ could well mean the UK leaves the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme, which guarantees card holders free or subsidised access to state-provided healthcare wherever they travel in the European Economic Area (EEC), plus Switzerland.
With the EHIC no longer valid in the UK and no longer available to its citizens, the assumption is that travellers from Europe to the UK, and from the UK to Europe, would need travel insurance to cover any potential medical costs.
While this is true, it is wrong to think of the EHIC and travel insurance as either-or options. As things stand, travellers should carry both. The EHIC is a scheme for medical costs only. Travel insurance, whilst it includes medical cover, also protects you for a variety of other things, such as loss or theft of personal belongings and luggage, delays and cancellations to flights and other pre-arranged transport and so on.
It is also a common misapprehension that the EHIC entitles you to free healthcare. It does not, because every country in the scheme does not offer free care to its own citizens. If you travel to a country where all medical treatment is paid for, you have to pay too, regardless of carrying a EHIC card, although it is likely to be at a heavily subsidised rate. But the fact you have to pay at all is another reason why you need travel insurance as well.
Pre-existing medical conditions
Standard travel insurance medical cover is not as comprehensive as the EHIC. If you have a pre-existing medical issue, you need to be aware that travel insurance policies do not automatically cover you for treatments related to your condition. This is different to the EHIC, which covers all forms of medical assistance, whether general or specific, whether an emergency or just a check-up.
For example, if you have a lung or a heart condition and suddenly symptoms flare up while abroad, the EHIC means you can be rushed to hospital and will only be charged the domestic rate – nothing, in some countries. The same applies if you just want to visit a doctor for a once-over or a new prescription. Travel insurance, on the other hand, is designed mainly to cover general illness, accidents and emergencies. Standard policies will not pay out on treatment for specific conditions.
This is something to be aware of if you suffer from a long-standing illness and have been used to relying on the EHIC, if and when it is no longer used in the UK. To get adequate protection, you will need to source a bespoke travel insurance policy that includes your condition in its medical schedule. There are many specialist providers out there who cater for people with pre-exisiting conditions, who offer good value and comprehensive protection for your specific needs. Click here to find out more.
Ever thought about a road trip in Europe? Try France! The country will surely offer you an unforgettable road trip. France has a diverse landscape and a rich history you…
Ever thought about a road trip in Europe? Try France! The country will surely offer you an unforgettable road trip. France has a diverse landscape and a rich history you can discover.
Ready To Go?
A very important thing you need during this road trip is obviously a car. If you are not able to drive to the capital with your own car, there are a lot of options for renting a car in Paris.
When you book your car in advance, the car will be ready at the airport when you arrive, so you can start your trip immediately. This saves you a lot of time.
7 Places You Must See On a Road Trip In France
Paris
Paris is the perfect place to start your road trip adventure. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, and the Sacre Coeur are just some of the iconic sights you can see here.
If you have already seen these sights, you can go to the Montparnasse Tower which is one of the highest buildings in the city. The view is even better than the one from the Eiffel Tower.
Other fantastic attractions include the Catacombs of Paris and Jardin des Plantes where you can see hundreds of exotic and beautiful plants and flowers.
If you love modern art visit the Centre Pompidou.
Bretagne
This region of France is famous for its fishing villages, old cities and impressive coastline with big rocks and beautiful beaches. Visit the region’s medieval cities and discover the traces of the Roman Ages.
Bretagne offers some great opportunities for nature lovers, especially for hikers. The GR 34 which is 160-km walk has it all! There are also some great surf spots.
If you want to just casually explore the area by car, don’t miss Rennes which is the capital of the region. The city has a lovely Saturday morning market.
Bordeaux
Keep in mind that you’ll need more than a day in Bordeaux. See the city’s beautiful bridges, impressive buildings, and small streets filled with cafes and restaurants.
Bordeaux is famous for wine so pay a visit to a nearby winery and try some of the world’s best wines.
Toulouse
On your way to the south coast of France, you will drive across Toulouse. This city has a medieval city center with beautiful museums and churches.
Toulouse is France’s space capital, so once you are here don’t miss the Cite De L’Espace theme park. Thanks to the moonwalk simulator, you can train like a real astronaut here.
The city has an interesting foodie scene too. The local specialties include goose liver, duck breast, and Toulouse sausage.
Avignon
If you happen to be in France during June or July, don’t miss Avignon and its festival. There are plenty of musical performances and outdoor theatres in the city.
Avignon is famous for one of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe – Palais des Papes. Just next to the palace is another famous tourist attraction – the Pont Saint-Benezet.
Marseille
Marseille is a cool and hip coastal city on the Mediterranean coast. It has beautiful beaches, impressive architecture, interesting museums, and great shopping malls. There are also plenty of creative spaces which are redecorated by young artists.
See the Old Port of Marseille and the city center which is filled with wonderful cafes and restaurants. From the harbor, you can take different boat trips such as the one to the Calanques or the island of If.
Nice
Nice is one of the nicest cities on the Côte d’Azur. It has a lovely city center where you can still feel and see the eventful history with Italian influences.
Start your day at the Cours Saleya – a lively market where you can stock up on fruits and vegetables. You will also find some amazing flowers.
Once you are done with the market, head to the Promenade des Anglais. Don’t miss the Castle of Nice which offers wonderful views of the city.
If you want to discover other great things to do in Nice click here.
If you have rented a car by EasyTerra, you can leave it from your pickup location or leave your rented car in Nice and fly back home.
The city of Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, famous for its lovely architecture, world-class museums, and eclectic cuisine. In this post, we highlight some less-known and alternative…
The city of Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, famous for its lovely architecture, world-class museums, and eclectic cuisine. In this post, we highlight some less-known and alternative things to do in Prague.
6 Less-Known And Alternative Things To Do In Prague
The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague
This museum is located near the Prague Castle and it’s where the alchemist Edward Kelley lived. The exhibition is dedicated to a number of alchemists including Rudolf II ( known as the “Mad Alchemist”), the magician Žit and others.
The exhibition consists of a magical room of Faust’s house which you can walk through, the spiral staircase from the 16th century which was built by Kelley, and an authentic laboratory.
You’ll also find plenty of information about the alchemy in general. Bring your camera with you and capture this unusual and eclectic tourist attraction.
Go On a Culinary Tour
One of the best experiences to have when traveling is trying new food. A unique way to sample delicious Czech food is by going on a culinary tour in Prague. A culinary tour is an awesome way to do something new, enjoy a portion of great food, and at the same time learn more about the culture of that place. You’ll also get a good introduction of many things you can eat while you’re in the city.
Some famous foods you can try in Prague include chimney cake, gingerbread, sauerkraut soup, kulajda, goulash, and many others.
Idiom Installation
Bibliophiles will appreciate seeing this installation made by Matej Kren. A tower of books that appears to go on forever. What more can you ask for?
Originally, this installation appeared in 1995 for the first time, during the Sao Paolo International Biennial, but it found its permanent home at the Prague Municipal Library in 1998.
Matej Kren has done another fantastic book-themed installation called the ‘Gravity Mixer’.
Franz Kafka’s Head and the Franz Kafka Museum
The head of Franz Kafka is an outdoor sculpture done by David Cerny. It’s made of 42 rotating panels and is 11 meters tall. These panels form the face of this world famous Prague-born writer. The sculpture depicts Kafka’s tortured personality and self-doubt.
You’ll find this statue just next to the Quadrio business center.
David Cerny has also done another complementary state called Metalmorphosis which is located in the North Carolina, USA.
Those who have read the works of Franz Kafka should also visit his museum which was open in the summer of 2005 and since then became one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
Taste Beer At The Alternative Bars
Trying beer when in Prague is not really an alternative thing to do. It’s essential. After all the city is one of the best destinations for beer lovers. However, you can enjoy world-famous Czech beer at some of the city’s alternative venues.
Here’s a list of some great ones:
Cross Club
Pivovarsky Klub
Black Angel’s Bar
Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden
Letna Beer Garden
Vinohradsky Pivovar
See The Spanish Synagogue
The Spanish Synagogue in Prague is a beautiful piece of architecture that you should see. The building was inspired by Alhambra which explains its exotic interior style. Nowadays, the synagogue belongs to the Prague’s Jewish Museum. It houses different cultural exhibitions and concerts of classical and sacred music.
Nowadays, backpacks have become high-tech accessories with a range of useful features. They are capable of charging your phone, playing music, and even streaming videos. They are water-resistant and anti-theft…
Nowadays, backpacks have become high-tech accessories with a range of useful features. They are capable of charging your phone, playing music, and even streaming videos. They are water-resistant and anti-theft friendly.
Here you’ll find a list of 10 best smart backpacks you can buy on AliExpress for less than $50. They’re suitable for travel, work, or school.
From skiing in the Alps to exploring fantastic Christmas markets, French cities offer plenty of things to do even during offseason. To help you narrow down your selection, we’ve compiled…
From skiing in the Alps to exploring fantastic Christmas markets, French cities offer plenty of things to do even during offseason.
To help you narrow down your selection, we’ve compiled a list of 8 French cities to visit in winter.
8 French Cities To Visit In Winter
Cassis
Provence is not the first region that comes to mind when deciding where to go during winter months. Most lodges and restaurants in the area are closed, except for a small charming town Cassis, which is located between Marseille and La Ciotat.
The town and its vicinity offer some good opportunities for hiking, thanks to a number of GR footpaths (known as the Grande Randonnée in French). A path called Calanques is the most famous one, and it leads all the way to Marseille.
Cycling and mountain biking are also possible.
Cassis is very charming during Christmas time. The town has many interesting local traditions and visitors can enjoy sampling delicious desserts at the city’s Christmas market.
At winter you’ll be able to see this Mediterranean gem in a totally new light.
Colmar is a charming town which can be easily accessed from major French cities by TGV trains. The best way to explore it is on foot and with a camera in hand.
The Dominican church, Unterlinden museum, and the Bartholdi museum are some of the most famous attractions in the town. However, Colmar is mainly known for its wonderful architecture and narrow streets.
That’s the reason why Christmas in Colmar is like something out of a fairytale. There’s a lovely Christmas market and the town hosts a number of open-air events and concerts.
You’ll enjoy the lights, the smell of freshly baked ginger biscuits and mulled wine.
It’s a great destination to visit with your partner because of the romantic atmosphere.
Colmar has many gourmet restaurants, including a few Michelin ones.
If you plan to stay longer, you can get a tourist pass which gives you free entry to 56 sites.
Annecy
Annecy is well-known for its magical Alpes Christmas event. The town hosts many concerts and offers fun activities such as a skating-rink. This event lasts for the whole month of December and it’s one huge celebration. The city’s architecture looks even more beautiful with all the lights.
If you are into something more adventurous, the closest ski resort to Annecy is Semnoz, which is 20 minutes away. A lot of companies offer snow walks of the area too.
If you would like to see Annecy and its lake in a totally new light, coming here during winter might positively surprise you. You can always warm yourself with a local mulled wine or hot chocolate!
Visiting Nice during winter has its own special charm. There are no hoards of tourists and the city is much more enjoyable for exploration. And not just that! The art buffs will appreciate fewer crowds in the city’s museums and galleries.
Blois is a lovely place, famous for its impressive castles. It’s easily accessible from Paris as the journey takes about one hour and thirty minutes. It’s small, compact and discoverable by foot, which makes it an ideal short break from huge cities like Paris.
The most impressive attraction is the Château of Blois, which used to be the residence of several French kings.
The tourist organization of Blois offers great maps with suggested walking itineraries which you’ll find very helpful.
When here, don’t forget to try local chocolate. The production started in 1847 when Auguste Poulain opened his first shop in the city.
Chamonix
Chamonix is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the Alps. It’s home to Mt. Blanc – the highest peak in Western Europe. Very close to Chamonix is the Mer de Glace glacier – a third largest in the Alps.
The outdoor buffs will enjoy the possibilities for skiing and ice climbing. Chamonix is a resort known for advanced skiers, but if you are not one, worry not!
You can explore the beautiful town and its main street Rue du Docteur Paccard, which is a pedestrianized zone. The town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops.
There are various clothing stores, such as the North Face, Oxbow, Mammut, Colombia, Blue Ink, Lacoste and others.
Chamonix has a wide array of international restaurants where you can sample the French, Japanese, or Italian cuisine. The options are endless.
Most hotels have spas where you can relax for a small entry fee.
Bordeaux is beautiful during the spring and summer months but there are still plenty of things to do here during winter as well. In recent years, the art scene became richer and new museums and galleries are opening up quite often.
You can also visit Auditorium or the Opera National de Bordeaux and enjoy a concert of classical music.
Bordeaux is another city with a lovely Christmas market which is located along the Allées de Tourny. It opens on November 24th. The market is great for sampling some nice desserts or wine, but also for doing some shopping. You’ll find the artisan perfumes, local wine, potteries, chocolate and more.
If you prefer to sightsee alone, you can get a Bordeaux tourist pass.
Paris
Paris is an amazing place to visit throughout the year, but during winter months it has a unique charm. The city is filled with many Christmas markets where you can try some delicious desserts or simply warm yourself with a cup of spicy mulled wine. The most famous markets are Trocadero and La Defence Christmas market.
The city has many spas where you can escape the cold and relax for a couple of hours.
If you prefer something more active, simply dress up well and go for a long winter walk along the Seine or explore Montmartre or the Marais.
The city is simply magical during winter.
Here are some awesome tours you can take in Paris;
