Late bookings, shorter and closer trips, guarantees of safety and hygiene and the possibility of free cancellation are the keynote of vacations in this uncertain summer. This year, surveys reveal that the majority will spend them in Spain. Portugal and France are the closest options in Europe, but if you choose to travel outside our borders, it is advisable to take out insurance with specific coverage for the new demands raised by the covid-19, such as possible living expenses and healthcare in case of order a sudden confinement or quarantine. Here are some last minute proposals for those who are still looking for a plan to leave home this August.
Menorca, sky and stone
The Menorcan coast invites light and blue walks along beaches such as Turqueta, Macarella, Cala Morell or Es Grau. This destination is also the first island in the Mediterranean certified as a Starlight reserve and destination, accreditations that guarantee the quality of its night sky in enclaves free of light pollution. In addition, every Wednesday until September 2 will be held in the Líthica space, the old Marés quarries of S'Hostal, five kilometers from Ciutadella, the evening concerts of the Pedra Viva festival. Nautalia Viajes offers flights from Madrid combined with seven hotel nights on the Balearic island from 466 euros per person.
Picos de Europa as a family
In August, the rural hostel El Portalón, in Vega de Liébana (Cantabria), offers one-week programs (with entry on Saturdays and departure on Fridays) for families in the overflowing nature of the Picos de Europa. The price —from 290 euros per person in single-family rooms with their own bathroom; children up to three years old, free, and four and five years old, 50% - includes, in addition to accommodation, full board, guided mountain tours, ethnographic excursions and activities such as archery or zip-lines. The hostel has reduced its capacity this summer and adopted special hygiene and disinfection measures.
Beach movie road
For those looking for inspiration, the Indie Campers platform for renting motorhomes and camper vans - vehicles that allow great freedom on road trips by being equipped with a bed, kitchen, fridge and, in some cases, bathroom and shower - has compiled a list of five natural parks that hide some of the best beaches in Spain. Enclaves such as the Torre del Loro sandbank, in Mazagón (Huelva), in the surroundings of Doñana; Valdearenas, in the natural park of the Dunes of Liencres (Cantabria); Guayedra, in that of Tamadaba (Gran Canaria); Bolonia beach, in the Estrecho natural park (Cádiz), or Vilar beach, in the Dunas de Corrubedo park (A Coruña).
In the kingdom of the cockle
On horseback between the most touristy Rías Baixas and the abrupt Costa da Morte, the lesser-known estuary of Muros and Noia, a territory of 400 square kilometers dominated by the great estuary of the Tambre river, it treasures beautiful fishing villages, extensive sandy areas, monumental complexes like Noia, a zero kilometer gastronomy based on fish and seafood and magical places such as the totemic Mount Louro and its double summit. The A Ría da Estrela website, made up of the councils of Noia, Outes, Muros, Lousame and Porto do Son, lists the tourist offer and accommodation options in the area.
Coastal hotels
Logitravel brings together a selection of last-minute offers in four-star hotels on the beaches of Islantilla and Matalascañas (Huelva), Roquetas de Mar (Almería), Benalmádena (Málaga), Benidorm (Alicante), Peñíscola (Castellón) and other places in the Spanish coast. All are grouped under the Logitravel Safe seal, which, according to this agency, guarantees that they are “accommodation with reduced capacity, personnel with specific training and maximum hygiene guarantees”. From 20 euros per person and night, with half board.
Discovering the Cantabrian mountain range
For the weekend of August 6 to 9, the Arawak hiking agency has scheduled a trip to the Somiedo, Babia, Laciana and Luna valleys, in the western sector of the Cantabrian Mountains, between Asturias and León. The price, 370 euros per person, includes a coach from Madrid, three nights accommodation at the La Brañina hotel in Villablino (León), walking routes with a guide, insurance and half board.
Getaway to Prague (and more)
Strolling over the Charles Bridge in Prague without colliding with dozens of tourists is possible this summer. Within its getaways section, Viajerospiratas.com includes an offer to visit the Czech capital in August. From 89 euros per person (direct flights plus two nights - extendable up to seven - in a four-star boutique hotel near the center, with breakfasts). Croatia, Italy and Portugal are other European destinations with offers for next month.
Atlantic summer
Lastminute.com also offers last minute trips for August. Among its proposals is the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, with eight-day programs on the islands of Terceira or São Miguel from 472 euros per person. The price includes flights, transfers, accommodation in three and four star hotels, breakfasts and taxes.
New insurance for covid times
Specialized travel insurance companies have had to adapt their offer to these times of pandemic. InterMundial has launched the special edition of its Pack Plus policy, with coverage that includes cancellation of a trip for a positive diagnosis, medical expenses (including those for the PCR test), extension of stay due to quarantine or health repatriation. They also offer Easy Trip, a specific travel insurance for tours of Spain. Iati has added coverage of medical expenses, hospitalization, medical transportation and repatriation due to coronavirus in all its insurances. Your IATI Getaways package includes medical assistance, the cost of hotel quarantines, repatriation, diagnostic tests and, optionally, cancellation. Its coverage extends to people who travel in motorhomes, cyclists and those who go with their pets. Europ Assistance incorporated in June the coverage of covid-19 in all its insurances, including the cancellation of the trip due to contagion or with assistance at destination in the event of a positive result or if a member of your family contracts it.
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