Unique Portugal beach named one of Europe's best with orange cliffs and nearby UK royal house
THERE is a beautiful beach in Europe where you might bump into a royal couple.
Galé Fontainhas Beach, called one of the most beautiful in Europe, is in the Alentejo region and is just minutes away is the house of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
4
4
Galé Fontainhas Beach is a lesser-known spot on the coast with ancient fossil cliffs that are approximately five million years old and has been called one the most beautiful by Europe Best Destinations.
The cliffs Portugal are orange due to the rock formation, which is primarily sandstone and clay.
The materials contain iron oxide, which gives them their distinctive reddish-orange colour.
The beach cliffs, reaching over 50 metres in height, and the waters are often clear.
One visitor wrote on a Tripadvisor review: "A real hidden gem. Beautiful clean beach, crystal clear water, just about right waves to have fun in the water, magnificent views from the top of the rocks."
Swimmers have reported deep waters and potential strong currents.
Just minutes away from the beach is the luxury golf and ocean club that Princess Eugenie and her family call home.
The royal couple split their time between Portugal and London because of Jack's job.
He works in marketing and sales at a private resort near the village on the Alentejo coast.
Jack works for the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club which is found between the villages of Comporta and Melides.
Hidden Spot in Melides Portugal That Not Many Brits Know About
4
The area is often called the " Hamptons of Western Europe" because it's a luxurious and exclusive destination - like the Hamptons in the US.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are said to have stayed at the resort and visited Eugenie after the Invictus Games in 2023.
It was then reported a year later that they had bought their own place on the resort.
When one Sun Writer visited herself, she discovered a flamingo-filled lagoon, picturesque rice fields and vineyards.
There are also harming village streets without a single tourist and, perhaps best of all, stunning secret beaches only the locals knew about
Melides has been in existence for more than 500 years and for much of that time it has been a quiet hamlet with a white-cobbled central square.
From Lisbon, the beach is an hour and a half's drive south of the country.
Speaking of Portugal, Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey discovered 'Caribbean-like islands with no crowds' in Portugal.
Plus, the stunning but .
4
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
Ireland's best bargain wines to enjoy alfresco
A summer wine's first job is to be cold and refreshing, and that means bright, zesty acidity and no heavy oak. Sauvignon blanc, riesling, albariño, gruner, some chardonnays and lots of Italian and Portuguese whites fit the bill. Oak brings weight, which is fine if you're eating richer foods or it's a chilly Irish summer day. Rohe Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc 2024, NZ, 13.5 per cent, €12, Dunnes The best-value sauvignon blanc on the market? Probably. A top winemaker and top terroir sold at a Dunnes discount makes for stunning value. 91/100 Marotti Campi Albiano Verdicchio dei Castelli 2023 2023, Italy, 12.5 per cent, €13.95, O'Briens Verdicchio is brilliant with fish because its orchard fruit is backed up by zesty lime, making it perfect for summer. 89/100
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
The big change affecting European travel
The days of being charged additional fees for your hand luggage on flights could soon be a thing of the past – at least in the European Union. On 24 June, lawmakers voted in favour of a proposal allowing passengers to bring a small carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg (15.4lbs) on board their flight free of charge, even on budget airlines. Under the new rule, which could take effect as early as July 2025, travellers would be allowed to bring one cabin bag measuring up to 100cm on board their flight, as well as an under-the-seat personal item with a maximum size of 40x30x15cm at no additional cost. The proposed law still requires approval from 55% of EU member states, but if adopted, the new rules would extend to all flights within the EU, as well as routes to and from the EU. "Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel," vice-chair of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Matteo Ricci said in a press statement. "[It introduces] concrete measures such as the clear definition of free hand luggage … a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs." Previously, EU-based budget airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, Wizz and others often charged substantial fees for hand luggage, depending on its size and weight. As a result, Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry fined five budget airlines €179m (£149m) for what it deemed "abusive practices" in November 2024. The Spanish ruling, along with pressure from consumer rights associations and passengers, has paved the way for the EU to push for what it considers fairer and more consistent hand luggage rules. The carry-on proposal is part of a larger effort by the European Parliament to increase protections and rights for travellers. To ensure that families can sit together without incurring additional costs, lawmakers also voted to prohibit airlines from imposing seat selection charges for children aged 12 and under. Lawmakers also want to change the way companies handle compensation and reimbursement requests by requiring ticket vendors or third-party retailers to inform passengers of the full cost of their flight at the time of booking – including intermediation or service fees – as well as the reimbursement process. Officials also want to ensure that travellers in the EU aren't just entitled to compensation when airline delays cause them to miss their connecting flights, but also when a delay causes them to miss their connection on another mode of transport (an airport bus, for instance) when the ticket is purchased through one operator. While the new proposals may seem like a victory for passengers, not everyone is in favour of enacting them into law. Airline industry representatives are strongly opposed to waiving hand luggage fees, saying that the cost of the bag will be folded into overall prices, making them higher for everyone in the long run. Critics suggest that the new rules essentially force travellers to bring along hand luggage, since the cost will be baked into their ticket with no opportunity to opt out. "Europe's airline market is built on choice. Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need," said Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines For Europe, Europe's largest airline association, in a statement. "What's next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don't." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Eight travel insurance mistakes to avoid that could cost thousands – including tricks to buying cover and what to pay
IF you've planned a holiday but scrimped on travel insurance, you could lose thousands of pounds. Travel insurance covers you if something goes wrong on holiday. 4 4 The most common claims are for transport delays, followed by medical costs and lost baggage, according to Holidaymakers put in 574,000 claims in 2023, according to latest figures from the Association of British Insurers, up 59 per cent from 362,000 in 2022. While it might be tempting to get the cheapest cover or avoid buying it altogether, you could end up footing the bill for a holiday nightmare all by yourself. The key is to make sure you get the right cover - otherwise your policy could be useless. MEL HUNTER explains the most common travel insurance mistakes that can trip people up. MISTAKE 1: NOT TAKING IT OUT There are lots of different types of travel insurance, from single trips, annual cover, family trips, holidays in Europe, and more. Costs vary depending on your age, holiday destination, and any medical conditions. A single-trip policy for a 61-70 year old costs £21 on average, but £15 for a 26-34 year old, for example. While a single-trip policy for an adult holidaying in France would be £16, but £43 for Thailand. More than half of holidaymakers have gone away without travel insurance, according to Co-op insurance. But that's an expensive mistake to make, considering the size of payouts dished out. The average medical bill claim was £2,148 last year, according to LV= General Insurance. Around £359 was paid out for lost or damaged luggage, and £1,390 for cancelled holidays. Christian Bennett from insurer said: 'Travel insurance is essential, and it goes far beyond medical cover.' MISTAKE 2: LEAVING IT TOO LATE 4 With suitcases to pack and flights to catch, it's easy to forget about travel insurance. One in four holidaymakers book it on the day they travel, according to consumer body Which? But leaving it until the last minute is a big mistake. You are only protected from the moment you buy your policy. So if your airline or holiday company cancels your trip or someone in your family falls ill before you take out insurance, you won't be covered. Christian said: 'You should get your cover sorted as soon as you book your flight or holiday. 'If you wait until closer to departure to arrange your travel insurance and then find yourself in the unfortunate position of not being able to travel, you may not be able to recover the cost of your trip.' MISTAKE 3: NOT KNOWING THE DETAILS OF YOUR POLICY Read the T&Cs before taking any policy out, so you know what you are covered for. Only a fifth of holidaymakers research their travel insurance properly. But it may come as a surprise to know that water sports, gadgets like laptops and cameras, and even cycling, may not be covered. It can be difficult wading through piles of paperwork, but key things to look out for are cancellation policy, baggage and medical cover, as these are the most common things to go wrong on holiday. Make sure your policy will cover all your costs if you need to claim. A basic policy may only pay out £1,000 per person if you have to cancel your trip, while a higher level might go to £10,000. Baggage cover can range from £1,000 to £3,000. Medical cover usually pays out up to £1 million at least, but it's crucial to read the small print of what it does, or doesn't, cover. MISTAKE 4: GIVING TOO LITTLE DETAIL ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY People underestimate the level of medical details they need to give. You should tell your insurer about every visit to a doctor in the past two or three years, along with any chronic conditions or upcoming treatment. Say if you've had cancer, heart attacks or strokes, even if they happened a long time ago. Include if you or someone on the policy is neurodivergent or waiting for an assessment for conditions such as ADHD or autism. Grant Winter from Goodtogo Travel Insurance said: 'Failing to declare pre-existing medical conditions can result in your policy being invalid. 'That means your claim may not be paid in full, or declined completely.' Update your insurer if there's any changes to your health for annual policies. If you are travelling in Europe, you should also get separate GHIC cards for everyone in your family on top of insurance. They cost nothing, and entitle you to medical care at the same cost as someone who lives in the country – which may not be free. MISTAKE 5: NOT HAVING ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO MAKE A CLAIM If you don't have the evidence to back up your claim, it may be rejected. That's why taking pictures, keeping receipts and notes is so important. For luggage, take a picture of all the items you intend to pack, from clothes to perfume. If your luggage goes walkies or items get lost or stolen, you can show you packed them. Photograph important documents like your passport, hotel and flight bookings, medical and insurance documents. Store them online, password protected, in 'the cloud'. That way if your device gets stolen, you'll still have copies. MISTAKE 6: GETTING SINGLE TRIP COVER INSTEAD OF AN ANNUAL POLICY 4 An annual travel insurance policy covers all your trips away for a whole year, and costs £67 on average. A single trip policy just covers individual trips and typically costs £25. It is priced by the number of days you are away. Picking a single trip policy only usually makes sense cost wise if that's the only holiday you take in the year. Alicia Hempsted from MoneySuperMarket said: 'An annual policy tends to be more cost effective if you're going away at least three times a year.' Use a comparison website like MoneySuperMarket or Compare the Market to compare costs for single trip and annual policies. MISTAKE 7: SPENDING TOO LITTLE, OR TOO MUCH While travel insurance may seem like an annoying extra cost to factor in, scrimping could be even more costly. Some 18 per cent of holidaymakers buy the cheapest travel insurance they can find, according to But cheapest doesn't mean best value for money - and there are important checks to make first. Check the provider is covered by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). This means it has to meet minimum standards, like dealing with claims fairly and promptly. Search its register using your insurance provider's firm reference number (FRN), which should be on its website. Check the reviews for possible insurers. Look at Defaqto ratings, which go from one star for the most basic products to five for the most comprehensive. It could be cheaper booking directly with an insurer instead of through a comparison site. Some insurers, like Direct Line, aren't on comparison sites so contact them directly. These days we travel with a pile of expensive gadgets. But the value of these items can easily exceed the protection offered by most standard travel insurance policies. That means if you lose these items, you may not be covered for the full value. If your laptop, phones, camera and iPads fall outside the per-item limit for baggage cover - around £250 - you'll need extra insurance. A specialist gadget policy may be available as an add-on. It typically adds £10 per person to a single trip policy and £20 per person to annual cover. Alicia said: 'These policies can also cover repairs as well, which would be helpful if you needed to get your phone repaired while you're abroad.' What should you look for in a good travel insurance policy? TRAVEL insurance policies can vary a great deal, but here are some "must haves Medical expenses - A good policy will give cover of £1million or more for travel in Europe and £2million or more for the USA Repatriation service - The costs of getting you back to the UK for medical reasons should be covered automatically by your policy Cancellation and curtailment - A good policy will cover you for £2,000 or more if you have to cancel or shorten your holiday Missed departure - Covers additional accommodation costs and travel expenses up to £500 or more if you miss your flight due to circumstances out of your control Delay - You'll usually be covered for £250 or more if your travel plans are delayed due to circumstances out of your control Baggage cover - Covers you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Look for policies that have cover of £1,500 or more.
