Panoramic Villas

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When money isn't an issue, there is an entire world of possibilities when it comes to your dream holiday(s).

Perhaps you enjoy the more luxurious things in life but you're also aware that they often come with a huge price tag.

Going on a celebrity style holiday is a dream for many people due to the expense, but what if we could put an end to that?

These 10 European alternatives to the worlds most expensive holidays are perfect for those on a budget who don't want to compromise on luxury, privacy and most
importantly, sunshine!

Our list includes everything from luxury villas in the sunshine to city apartments boasting an endless skyline.

Want to see how much you could save? Visit our money table.

*prices based on findings from July 2018.

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1. The Pikaia Lodge, Ecuador

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The Pikaia Lodge is based in the heart of the Galapagos in Ecuador.

The luxury accommodation boasts stunning views and was "designed for the
environmentally conscious, physically active and adventurous traveler."

Amenities

• Outdoor Pool
• Hot Tub
• Spa
• Room Service
• Laundry Service
• Bar & Restaurant

Highlights

1. Central location - stunning views of the Galapagos.
2. Dine at the lodges restaurant on the edge of a crater.
3. Come face-to-face with giant tortoises

PRICE - from £2,000 per night.

REVEAL THE EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVE

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The Windmill, Greece

Windmill is situated in Imerovigli, Santorini - one of the most breathtaking parts of the world.

It's unique design provides you with unique luxury making this the perfect getaway. The luxury villa sleeps up to 5 people as an added bonus.

Find out full details here.

Amenities

• Outdoor Pool
• Hot Tub
• Sun Loungers
• Private Garden
• WIFI
• BBQ & Terrace

Highlights

1. Beautiful views of local
   vineyards and the distant blue sea (Greece is home to the Marginated Tortoise).
2. Private pool includes a hydro massage feature.
3. Large kitchen and dining area ideal for large get togethers.

PRICE - from £242 per night.

2. North Island, Seychelles

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There is quite simply nothing like holidaying on a private island. There are just 11 villas available at North Island, ensuring total privacy.

According to the rumour mill, this is where Will and Kate enjoyed their honeymoon.

Amenities

• 8,000 SQ FT
• Coconut Grove
• Private Entrance to Beach
• Turquoise Waters
• Luminous White Sands
• Artisan-Made Furniture

Highlights

1. Direct access to a private beach and the ocean.
2. Rustic furniture and
   sophisticated designer elements.
3. Generous space and total privacy.

PRICE - from £8,339 per night.

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Beachside Villa, Fuengirola

Okay, so it isn't on it's own private island, but most things aren't!

Our luxury four bedroomed beach house is based in Torreblanca, Fuengirola and is modern, newly built and has tons of space to roam around in.

Full details can be found here.

Amenities

• Outdoor Pool
• Private Garden
• Table Tennis
• Large Rooms Throughout
• Close to Beach

Highlights

1. 150m walk to the nearest beach.
2. Enjoy locally sourced food & drink beachside.
3. Large kitchen, dining area and bedrooms - sleeps 8.

PRICE - from £207 per night.

3. The Post House, California

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For those lucky to enjoy the wonderful Pacific Ocean views, they choose The Post House in California.

The most expensive villa guarantees unparalleled views of the ocean through the floor-to-ceiling windows from their beds or even from the comfort of a private jacuzzi.

Amenities

• Complimentary WiFi
• Heated Infinity Spas
• Swimming Pools
• Onsite Fitness Centre
• Gourmet Buffet Breakfast

Highlights

1. Stunning views of the Pacific Ocean
2. Enjoy morning yoga, guided hikes & whale watching.
3. Rejuvinating spa treatments for the real deal.

PRICE - from £3,297 per night.

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Aegean Hills, Turkey

It might not be views of the Pacific Ocean, but rather stunning views of the Aegean Sea in Yalikavak, a small town on Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula.

The 3 bedroom villa boasts recently renovated modern interiors including a marble staircase, a fully-fitted designer Italian kitchen and a private pool.

Find out more about this villa.

Amenities

• Private & Communal Pools
• BBQ & Terrace
• Private & Communal Gardens
• Basketball Hoop
• WiFi

Highlights

1. Balcony views of the
   surrounding Aegean hills & sea.
2. Free form infinity pool
   offering stunning views across the bay.
3. Beaches & Boat Trips nearby.

PRICE - from £110 per night.

4. Tierra Patagonia, Chile

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Tierra Patagonia offers the most breath-taking views of the mountains in Torres del Paine National Park, just one of the many reasons why people decide to take the trip.

The “luxury adventure" hotel encourages guests to  get up close and personal on a hike followed by a bottle of Chilean wine with views that will last a lifetime.

Villa Lario, Italy

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Villa Lario is located on the shore of Lago di Como in the property's historical gardens.

The luxury villas have a selection of en-suite accommodations with living rooms and private balconies facing the lake, each equipped with air conditioning and
complimentary WiFi.

Visit the website for full details.

Amenities

• Free WiFi
• Luxury Room Service
• Traditional Breakfast Included
• Pool with a View
• Bar, Lounge & Restaurant

Highlights

1. Infinity pool & outdoor dining overlooking Lake Como. 
2. Boat trips across the water available.
3. Luxury, modern suites to suit everyone.

PRICE - from £606 per night.

5. The Hilltop Villa, Fiji

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Up above Fiji’s Laucala Island sits an incredible villa where guests can experience the most secluded luxury possible.

The villa sits far away from the rest of the people on the island and it’s only
accessible via a private road on an already private island.

Whether you have the cash or not, all reservations require approval by the island’s owner.

Villa Agave, Croatia

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Villa Agave is one of few luxury European private island villas which sits on the
Zizanj Island, Croatia.

It's exact location is on a rock east of Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Sea. Stunning views all around!

Full details of the villa can be found here.

Amenities

• 5 Spacious Terraces (including a Whirlpool)
• VIP Lounge
• Luxury Bathrooms
• Outdoor Swimming Pool
• Breakfast Included

Highlights

1. Incredible views of the ocean and sunset/sunrise.
2. Activities include luxury yacht, motor and sail boat charter.
3. Swimming pool that
   overlooks the Old Town.

PRICE - from £4,864 per night.

6. Villa Manzu, Costa Rica

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These 8 private villas spread across five acres of the peninsula straight into the
Pacific Ocean.

For those who care about celebrity standards: the Kardashian's stayed at the lodge for their Costa Rican vacation.

La Cala de Mijas, Spain

Our luxury villa is located in a perfect position in between Fuengirola and La Cala de Mijas and only a short drive away from beautiful Mijas Puebl.

You can find many attractions, golf courses, shopping and dining facilities all within easy reach on the Costa del Sol.

Full details of the villa can be found here.

Amenities

• Private Heated Pool
• Sea & Countryside Views
• Table Tennis Onsite
• Tennis Courts Nearby
• Fully Equipped Kitchen

Highlights

1. 3 large bedrooms (sleeps 8).
2. Dine el fresco and enjoy the wonderful views around.
3. Close to many other towns for those who prefer to explore.

PRICE - from £114 per night.

7. Fogo Island Inn, Canada

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Reaching the end of the world was never going to be cheap. Travellers who want to reach the remote island (in Newfoundland, Canada) can either go on a time
consuming journey or via helicopter.

On arrival, guests can join a program where they’re matched with locals to
get a feel for the area’s culture or instead, relax in one of the hotel’s rooftop hot tubs.

Monastero Santa Rosa, Italy

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Enjoy incredible views of the blissful ocean form one of 20 villas at Monastero Santa Rosa based on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Partake in a scenic stroll or a cliff side swim with views to remember forever - the perfect getaway to clear your mind and relax completely.

Amenities

• Cliff Edge Sea Views
• Outdoor Pool
• Traditional Outdoor Bar
• Luxury Ethnic Interiors
• Indoor Luxury Spa

Highlights

1. Swimming pool on the cliff edge with incredible view!
2. Plentiful lounge chairs to
   relax and enjoy the surroundings.
3. Modern "cocktail area" with huge selection.

PRICE - from £400 per night.

8. Raj Palace Jaipur, India

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The Raj Palace has four-floor apartments and its own private entrance and elevator, which guests can ride all the way to the top. The top floor has a rooftop terrace, complete with a jacuzzi and unforgettable views of Jaipur.

The second floor also has a private museum displaying the Old Throne and Bolsters of the Thakur Sahib.

Four Seasons Palace Budapest, Hungary

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Enjoy pristine views along the bank of the historic River Danube with a luxurious (and affordable) stay at the Four Seasons Palace in the countries capital of Budapest.

Close to a range of landmarks including the Inner-City Parish Church and St. Stephen’s Basilica, as well as walking distance to many of the cities must-visit ruin bars.

Amenities

• Indoor Heated Pool
• Award Winning Restaurant
• Fully Equipped Fitness Centre
• Spa Treatments & Hot Tub
• Free High-Speed WiFi

Highlights

1. Perfect central location for local sightseeing.
2. Luxurious decor and furnishings.
3. The finest dining available including traditional Hungarian dishes.

PRICE - from £468 per night.

9. Suite 5000 New York, USA

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Suite 5000 is part of the Mandarin Oriental and is so exclusive that you can't find much out about it online, you simply have to be in the know. Located on the 50th floor, a night in the suite has been described as "staying in a sleek, expertly-curated museum of New York culture".

The rooms are inspired by New York City-inspired art and music with the room being stocked with records dating back to the 1930's local music scene.

Shangri-La Hotel Paris, France

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The Shangri-La Hotel in Paris boasts over 100 rooms and suites each offering unique Eiffel Tower plus other wonderful Parisian landmarks.

The 19th century gem has been included in the French "Monuments Historiques" whilst also being awarded the "Palace" status back in 2014.

Amenities

• Direct Eiffel Tower View
• Luxury Furnishings
• French Luxury Chic Interiors
• Indoor Pool & Spa
• Bar, Lounge & Restaurant

Highlights

1. Balcony view of Paris
   including the famous Eiffel Tower.
2. French luxury themed rooms with gorgeous furnishings.
3. Right in the centre of Paris, perfect for exploring!

PRICE - from £1,075 per night.

10. Two Story Sky Villa Las Vegas, USA

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Sat nicely above the chaos of the Las Vegas strip, the 9,000 square foot Sky Villa are quite simply what you'd expect from a high-end Las Vegas accommodation.

Dark interiors, luxury textures, a classic round shaped bed and of course, a private bar - everything you need for the swankiest of trips to the gambling capital.

W London Leicester Square, UK

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The "wow suite" in the W London Leicester Square Hotel is a tourists dream in luxury British interiors which includes everything red, white and blue. 

Enjoy precious views of London for this one of a kind suite which includes a huge rounded sofa, wide screen TV and private bar. Ideal for a party!

Amenities

• Rooftop Views of Soho
• Mega Bar Experience
• Bespoke Artwork Throughout
• 37" Flat Screen TV
• Private Spa Bath

Highlights

1. Rooftop views over Leicester Square, Piccadilly and Soho.
2. Luxury steam bathtub and dual-head rainforest shower.
3. Complimentary mega bar experience.

PRICE - from £889 per night.

PRICE COMPARISON - HOW MUCH YOU'D SAVE

It's a question that many travellers are still asking to this day:

Is is worth purchasing travel insurance?

Unfortunately there isn't a simple answer to this question, but our informative post aims to answer all questions surrounding:

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We recently conducted a survey to 500+ Brits (who love a holiday or two) and we had some pretty interesting answers, particularly regarding travel insurance.

Who buys travel insurance vs those who don't bother.

In 2017 alone, holiday goers from the UK took over 70 million trips abroad.

So as you can imagine, travel insurance companies were cashing in on huge amounts of travellers who didn't want to risk going insurance free.

So, what about those who didn't bother to get travel insurance?

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source.

Could age be a defining factor?

As you can see, the largest majority of those that don't take out a policy are between the ages of 18-30, so clearly it's the younger generations who clearly don't feel they need any travel insurance when going away.

Whereas the the older we get, the more we see the need and benefits of travel insurance, for reasons including:

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If you require detailed information regarding travel insurance covers, click here.

Why do millennials take the risk?

source.

How much are travel insurance companies forking out?

Unfortunately stats for 2017 on this matter are sparse, but what we do know is that travel
insurance claims are at their highest since 2010 which was the year of Eyjafjallajökull - the volcanic eruption that cost insurers in excess of £369 million.

The previous year gives us enough of an indication of just how important travel insurance can be.

In 2016, £1 million was paid out by travel insurance companies per day. That's £365 million per year - that's the total net worth of the first and third richest footballers in the world - Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

So, how major were the claims exactly? What was being claimed for?

494,000

families and individuals claimed on their travel insurance in 2016.

£196 million

was paid out to over 166,000 travellers due to  the need for emergency medical treatment.

£128 million

was the sum paid out to 160,000 people for cancellations - with the average
cancellation claim being £800.

£16 million

was paid out to at least 87,000
individuals for losing baggage or money whilst travelling abroad.

What are the largest known travel insurance payouts?

1. £760,000

is the biggest known claim by a tourist
visiting the USA who had to be flown back to the UK as he
required treatment for a stroke - he was taken back via air ambulance.

2. £250,000

is the second largest known claim by a tourist visiting the USA who required treatment for a brain haemorrhage and broken shoulder due to a nasty fall off his bicycle.

3. £136,000

is the third largest known claim by a tourist visiting Chile who was bitten by an insect which caused severe complications - amounting his medical bills to over £100,000!

Who are the best travel insurance companies?

* please note that saga and age uk are for over 50's only.

Summary

To conclude, we hope that our article on many aspects of travel insurance has been helpful and will help you to pursue the right decision when it comes to insuring yourself and your belongings when travelling abroad.

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In our article we have provided:

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1. Results of our consumer survey that outlines the percentage of travellers who always use travel insurance.
2. An in depth review of industry statistics surrounding those who choose travel insurance against those who never bother taking out a policy.
3. Figures to back up age being a defining factor as to whether people invest in travel
   insurance or not.
4. How much travel insurance companies pay out on average and some of the most famous cases we know of.
5. The Financial Ombudsman report regarding the amount of travel insurance complaints from UK holiday goers.
6. The top 10 travel insurance companies based upon a combination of expert and
   consumer reviews, financial ratings and company awards received.

Have your say in the comments below!

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