Travel Medical Care

The EHIC issued health card provides Switzerland and residents of certain EEA (European Economic Area) countries with reciprocal health privileges. For instance, UK residents holding an EHIC may receive medical services when they need treatment while visiting a participating country. The treatment available and the costs generally depends upon the health care system of each specific country being visited.

Photo by Ed Garcia

If residents are expected to pay for treatment, then there will also be costs for travelers in those same cases. Since there is no guarantee of what those additional charges may be, travelers could face costs for their health care that far exceed what they would have anticipated in their country of origin.

Also, the EHIC only provides state run medical care that does not include any type of medical care from the private sector. Therefore, a person with an EHIC card will only have access to NHS types of services which are sometimes less than inadequate. This is why the type of comprehensive care a traveler may need is often only available through a travel policy. For this reason, it is recommended that individuals carry specific insurance policies along with their EHIC so that all eventualities are covered. NHS care may also cause delays and subsequent health risks.

Other Travel Insurance Benefits

There are many other benefits that traveler insurance offers and a quick look at insurance comparison websites like www.monkey.co.uk will show what they are. In addition to these, there also comes the peace of mind that a traveler will have should they need medical care not covered by their EHIC. For example:

a. Should it be necessary to cancel or delay a trip due to health or related reasons, cancellation fees or costs that occur due to premature holiday interruptions are covered.

b. Medical costs not covered by the EHIC such as for certain doctor visits, hospital stays and medical treatments are covered. However, some travel insurance policies will not cover pre-existing conditions when the traveler has an EHIC, such as for chronic illnesses like asthma or diabetes.

c. Repatriation services, including those by plane can be problematic and extremely costly without insurance.

d. Family members may be included in the same coverage.

e. Rescue efforts while skiing and going on other adventures is generally covered.

f. Misplaced or stolen belongings or luggage losses can be recovered by travelers .

g. Assistance for family members death while abroad, such as for transportation back to the country of origin, and other costs may be paid.

Of course, the precise coverage of each policy differs according to the insurance carrier and terms and conditions of the policy. Therefore, fully review a travel policy and ensure that all specifics are understood prior to entering into the contract. The bottom line is that the benefits of travel insurance far outweigh its cost. 

As a regular traveler, author Georgina Clatworthy enjoys the peace of mind travel insurance brings and finds that searching for the best coverage through websites like www.monkey.co.uk gives her the best overview of the market and the option to find the best policy for her needs. The website can return quotes from a wide number of providers, enabling you to find the best policy and premium for your needs whether it’s for a single trip or annual coverage.

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Beach in Mallorca, Balearic islands, Spain by Boris van Hoytema

Mallorca

This is the largest of the islands and hosts the capital city of Palma. Tourists flying in to the Balearic Islands will land here before going on to their final destinations. It is also the port of entry if arriving by ship. Some of the most modern sea vessels offering a delightful experience ply the route between the mainland, from Barcelona to Palma.

Minorca

The name Minorca refers to the smaller island as opposed to Mallorca’s larger island. History buffs visit the island to view the many stone monuments that populate this island. The megaliths give evidence to the notion that there was prehistoric civilizations in this part of the world. Its latest claim to fame was its historic pirate activity at the end of the Punic wars. This was the other attraction from history buffs.

Ibiza

Aside from all the partying that Ibiza is usually associated with, this is another historian’s paradise. Ibiza was at the forefront of the changes that occurred to this area after decline of the Phoenicians. The area was inhabited by settlers as far back as 650BC. As the Assyrians ascended to power while the Phoenicians waned, Ibiza came under the control of ancient Carthage. Today, its status as a party town is almost legendary and it continues to attract a crowd that is young and energetic.

Typical coastline of Balearic islands, Spain by David Sim

Formentera

Of all the Balearic Islands, this is the smallest and lies far to the south of the group. It is also the least populated of all the islands and offers a serene and tranquil Mediterranean lifestyle. The island is a throwback to the ways of the ancients that inhabited the island and it is a real getaway from all the walking and dancing the other islands offer. The best thing to do here is to lie on the beach and enjoy the ocean spray and pristine air as it cools your skiing while the sun tans it.

Travel Tips

As with any venture out into the unknown, or away from your home, it is always best to understand the exact local culture and local offerings of your destination. The best way to enjoy it is to plan everything and be prepared for everything. Getting European travel insurance is not a bad idea. This will give you peace of mind as you venture into the unknown.

James Rowland works in SEO for a prestigious marketing company in the UK. With years of experience in copywriting he enjoys writing about travel, insurance, finance and sport.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wolfgang Staudt

Walking Tours

If you’ve just landed in Barcelona and you’re looking for a way to get acclimated, a walking tour could be the perfect way to get your bearings. Several companies in Barcelona offer free walking tours. The catch? You’re supposed to leave them a tip; however, the amount of the tip is entirely up to you. Try Travel Bound Barcelona Free Walking Tours, Barcelona Free Tours, or Runner Bean Tours. 

Museums

Many museums in Barcelona charge a nominal fee to enter, but some of these museums waive their entrance fees during certain times of the month. If you’re a fan of Picasso, the Museo Picasso offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month, and after 3 PM every Sunday. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya also has free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona has free admission on Wednesdays. 

Food

In many cities and towns in Spain, it’s customary to get a free tapa with your drink. In a pricey city like Barcelona, though, you’ll usually have to pay for your tapas most places. Fortunately, the city also has plenty of places where you can go to get complimentary tapas with your drinks on certain days. On Sundays, get a complimentary buffet with your drink purchase at Bar No Sé. On Tuesdays, check out Sesamo for free tapas tastings. For cheap tapas any day of the week, Txapela is the place to go. This cozy tavern offers a wide variety of freshly prepared tapas, all under two euros a piece. 

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jordi Cerdà

Accommodation

A great way to really immerse yourself into the new culture is to eat with the locals. Find out what it is they eat daily and at least sample it. With so many different foods to try in Barcelona you’d assume it would be really expensive to try them all but some foods require a lot of home-based cooking to really taste like the traditional dishes so for example, there are plenty of places you can enjoy a Catalonian meal in the area, but why not consider renting an accommodation in Barcelona and making your own dishes in your temporary kitchen! Rented accommodation can work out much more cost effective if you’re planning to stay for more than a couple of days and you save loads by cooking your own meals.

Barcelona’s Great Outdoors

Parc Guell is a fascinating, gorgeous park that Gaudí left unfinished. It’s filled with Gaudí’s signature interesting architecture, as well as beautiful fountains, statues, and a museum. While the museum on the park’s site charges a small fee to enter, the rest of the park is free. Another free, beautiful place to escape the city is Barcelona’s Botanical Gardens. The gardens offer a variety of plants, flowers, and trees for visitors to enjoy, as well as an excellent view of the city. Nearby Montjuïc Magic Fountains offer another great view of the city, as well as the beautiful fountains that change shapes against the backdrop of the Palau Nacional.

Markets and Shops

Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s most famous street. This pedestrian street is filled with street performers, locals, and visitors from around the world, with shops, hotels, nightlife, and restaurants lining its sides. You can wander past La Boqueria, an open-air market offering produce, meats, and flowers, as well as restaurants serving food and drinks. It’s free to browse the market, but food and drinks are relatively cheap. Also check out the Port Vell Antique Fair. It’s free to look, but there are plenty of cheap bargains to be found.

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But happily for the rest of us, there are plenty of opportunities for bargain Italy holidays that don’t come with the luxury price tag – far from it.

Take the Neapolitan Riviera for example. Situated around the Bay of Naples, this glorious corner of the world is all pine-clad hillsides, rugged cliff tops and long swathes of golden sandy beaches. These classic holiday ingredients means it fits easily into the package holiday bracket, and with this comes plenty of tasty discounts and last-minute deals.

You can now get an affordable break on the Italian coast with one of many established tour operators, and if you really want to knock pounds off the cost of your holiday, you can opt for one of the many late deals to grab a last-second bargain. Flexibility is key to getting the best deal, so the more adaptable you are with elements such as departure dates, exact location and choice of hotel, the more likely you are to bag yourself a cut-price holiday.

Booking outside of school holidays is another tactic that can help you to lower the cost of your next getaway. Or if you prefer to stay in full control of your holiday choices and like to know exactly where you’re going and when, you may be better off booking well in advance. You can still enjoy great discounts on booking ahead – especially if you’re alert to the launch of new seasons and brochures – and you’ll often find plenty of early bird deals along with the chance to pay off the cost of your holiday in stages.

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