Nothing beats a European summer. Santorini sunsets, shopping in Paris, sampling tapas in San Sebastian…there are memories to be made, photos to be taken and new experiences to try.
No matter if you’re a culture vulture, keen to island hop your way across the Mediterranean or take it easy by the beach, there are some essentials you can’t live without on a European voyage. To ensure a carefree trip, plan ahead with all the things you need, from the right footwear to quality travel insurance.
Travel smarter with Cover-More. Call Luxury Escapes 1300 88 99 00 for a quote today.
A high-quality suitcase with all the essentials
Make sure your European adventure is as stress-free as possible with a high-quality suitcase. Something like the July Checked Trunk Suitcase has a durable polycarbonate shell with twin latch locks and a multi-height soft handle.
What to pack? Start with your passport, plus a photocopy and any other important documents – you don’t want to be caught out if something goes wrong. Next, a secure wallet with your ID, emergency Euros and bank cards for when you’re shopping up a storm at Galleries Lafayette in Paris, or Via del Corso in Rome. European summers aren’t for the fair-skinned – make sure you cover up with sunscreen, sunglasses and hat, and pack a water bottle to stay hydrated.
Lift a weight off your shoulders by installing the Cover-More App before you go to access real-time safety alerts, 24/7 travel assistance and on-call medical assistance.
Comfortable shoes for daily explorations
There’s so much to see down the cobblestoned streets of Barcelona, Athens and Vienna – don’t ruin the day with uncomfortable shoes. Birkenstocks have made a comeback in a big way and we can see why – they transition perfectly from day to night, offering both comfort and style. If hiking the Dolomites in Italy or the Camino trails from France to Spain, you’ll need proper boots – just make sure you wear them in to avoid any discomfort. You’ll feel empowered to go further with the Cover-More App on hand – with 24/7 on-call medical assistance, it could prove helpful should something go wrong.
Versatile clothes
Prevent a sore back by packing lightweight clothes that can be layered as required – light linen trousers, sun dresses, a cotton scarf, t-shirts to protect your shoulders, an oversized linen shirt and of course, a swimsuit or boardies! Save yourself even more weight by creating a capsule wardrobe – a collection of classics that you can combine plenty of ways. Think white, grey or black shirts and trousers or shorts in neutral colours.
For more Europe travel inspiration, read Lesser-Known Cities in Europe Worth the Hype.
Choose the right insurance
You can’t truly relax on holiday without having decent travel insurance but it is also important that you have the right cover for your particular trip.
Mike Stein, Executive General Manager, Sales and Distribution, of Cover-More says that there are a few things to consider before you travel.
“The two biggest considerations when it comes to insurance are cancellation cover – particularly due to the high cost of European trips – and medical cover,” says Mike. “There are a number of countries in Europe that have reciprocal healthcare with Australia but there are also hidden medical costs in some countries because things are different to how we operate in Australia.”
What if you’ve made it to your destination but your luggage hasn’t? With Cover-More’s comprehensive plan, you’ll be covered for up to $1100. Need a doctor or dentist? With unlimited medical coverage, and up to $2000 in dental expenses, all you’ll need to focus on is getting better. Choose the Essentials Care level for basic medical coverage, or upgrade to the Comprehensive Care to ensure your luggage and travel documents and any delays are covered.
“The other key consideration is when to buy the insurance,” Mike says. “You need to consider buying travel insurance from early on when you first put your deposit down so you don’t lose your deposit if something goes wrong.”
He adds that it is important to consider what you will be doing on your holiday. “We cover a range of adventure activities like bungee jumping, so if you want to do that it’s fine, but if you want to go mountain climbing it is considered more dangerous so you need to tick an extra box,” Mike says. “In Greece people tend to jump on mopeds, scooters or 4x4s and generally you need to make sure you have selected the add-on that covers motorbike or moped riding.”
Mike points out that if you’re planning a cruise, you need to make the right choice when it comes to insurance because the dangers of ocean cruising make it a far more expensive insurance option, with emergency medical evacuations sometimes needed hundreds of miles from shore. “When it comes to cruising we delineate between river cruising and ocean cruising,” Mike says. “So, make sure you have the right type of cover.”
Cover-More Travel Insurance: Cover-More has been protecting Australian travellers for over 35 years with award-winning travel insurance that empowers Australian travellers to travel further. Travel smarter with Cover-More.
Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply. Insurance is administered by CoverMore Insurance Services Pty Ltd (ABN 95 003 114 145, AFSL 241713) on behalf of the product issuer, Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Any advice is general advice only. Please consider your financial situation, needs and objectives, and read the Combined FSG/PDS before deciding to buy this insurance. Visit covermore.com.au for a copy of the Target Market Determination for our products.
