Blogs | Direct Travel

Dreaming up ideas? Halfway through planning your holiday? We’ve scoured the internet for upcoming travel trends to inspire your next trip.

Comedy, Crafting & Cowboys: Themed Cruises for 2025

Fancy a cruise with a twist? Indulge in your interests and get yourself a place on a themed cruise this year!

What's With Winter Sports?

Skiing and snowboarding are at the heart of winter sports. The thing is, even with the most meticulous planning, some things will remain out of your control.

From Stocking to Suitcase: Gift Ideas for Travel-Lovers

Need useful gift ideas for a friend or relative who loves to travel? Whether for a gap year, regular holiday, or fancy cruise - these present ideas can come in handy for pretty much everyone.

Dreaming of a Different Christmas?

Christmas comes in all shapes and sizes, all over the world. If you fancy getting away from a classic British celebration, have a little look at our suggestions.

Serene Slopes For Your Ski Sojourn

Ready to escape the mainstream, find fresh snow, and carve without the crowds? These hidden gems will give you the authentic charm, beautiful views, and unmatched experience you’re after this ski season.

Cold-Weather Countryside: Your Guide to Unwind

Ahh November. That sweet spot before the festivities of the season really kick in… and the perfect time to book an escape right here in the United Kingdom.

4 European Destinations for Chocolate-Lovers

As the weather turns and we get all cosy and festive, in sinks that feeling of ‘ooh, I could do with some chocolate’. Well, good news! Here's our chocolate-lovers’ guide to Europe.

Mexico's Día de Muertos

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration originating in ancient Aztec traditions - and it's definitely not to be confused with Halloween!

From Samhain to Sweets: The Origins of Halloween

Halloween may seem like a modern celebration of costumes, candy, and parties, but its origins are deeply rooted in ancient Celtic traditions.

World Food Day: Wednesday 16th October

Wednesday 16th October is World Food Day, so tuck into Direct Travel Insurance's list of culinary discoveries from across the globe... at your own risk!

8 European Festivals to Discover This Season

Festivals aren't just for the summer! Take a trip to Europe and discover a variety of events suited to music-lovers, art-lovers, and beer-lovers alike.

A Layman’s Guide: Navigating Your Policy Documents

You'll hear "make sure to read your Policy Wording" over and over again when it comes to travel insurance. But where do you even begin? With any luck, our guide will make getting started that little bit easier!

Fall for Fall: Awesome Autumn Escapes

There are always ways to get your fill of the sun in the later months. But let’s not forget that autumn is the perfect season to explore colourful and diverse landscapes, tastes of alternative cultures, and natural wonders around the world.

German Language Day: Saturday 14th September

This Saturday is German Language Day, so whether you’re headed to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or a handful of other countries, it might be useful to pick up a few key words. We’ve listed a few of our favourites for your perusal.

Camp Cosy This Autumn

What do you do when the summer months are coming to a close? Go camping! Here's our post on why camping in autumn is probably the best time to go.

Tips on Tipping: Know Before You Go

Tipping can be a tricky business, and what's considered generous in one country can be a huge no-no in another. That’s where we come in! Here are some basic guidelines on tipping abroad.

ATOL? ABTA? What Does It All Mean?

We've all heard the phrase 'ATOL and ABTA protected', but what does it really mean? What do they mean by 'protected'? Are these companies legitimate? Direct Travel has put together a quick guide all about it!

Summer Spotlight: Run From The Rain

There are plenty of ways to spend the day if it's raining outside! Sack off binge-watching TV or TikTok for these summer holiday activities.

World Lung Cancer Day: Thursday 1st August

World Lung Cancer Day is our chance to shine a light on this disease and the impact it has worldwide. By promoting early detection and supporting research, we can reduce the number of lives lost to lung cancer.

Quickfire FAQs: Making a Claim

Here you’ll find some of the most common questions we encounter with regards to making a claim, so that you can find multiple helpful answers in one place.

Be Sun-Savvy This Summer

Zinc oxide? Cataracts? DNA? What's any of that got to do with my holiday? Check our blog to find out a bit more about protecting your skin with sun cream while you're away.

Space-Saving Packing Tips for a Lighter Holiday

When you’re off on your holibobs and you’ve been counting down the days, packing lists and space-saving hacks are probably not at the top of your priorities. But it’s worth thinking about no matter how excited you are.

Summer Spotlight: Astonishing Architecture

Taj Mahal? Empire State Building? Sydney Opera House? Pfft! Get your fill of astonishing architecture right here in the United Kingdom.

Quickfire FAQs: Travelling While Pregnant

Can you still get travel insurance while you're pregnant? Does it depend how many weeks along you are? What if there's a complication abroad? If you're not sure how your travel insurance works while pregnant, we've answered your most asked questions here!

Germany in June: 5 Must-See Spots

Germany might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a June break, but with temperatures sitting at around 22°C, it’s definitely a destination to consider. We’ve compiled a short list of five locations in Germany you should visit this June to get the most of your European getaway.

World Blood Donor Day: Friday 14th June

Every year, donated blood, plasma, and platelets help to save millions of lives, and all manner of people with serious health issues benefit from a better and longer life thanks to caring volunteers.

Summer Spotlight: A Handful of History

You don’t have to spend hundreds or get on a plane to get your fill of the world this summer. Here are our suggestions on exploring the country you live in, and immersing yourself in Britain’s rich history.

Choosing Cheap Travel Insurance In 2024

The price of your policy is affected by a myriad of factors, like where you’re going, how old the travellers are, how long you’re away for, how many of you are travelling… and that’s without even touching on the impact a pre-existing medical condition might have.

From Leaf To Cup: International Tea Day

There's something satisfying about starting the day with a warm mug of tea - but did you know your cup is steeped in a history beginning over 4,000 years ago?

Quickfire FAQs: Alcohol Abroad

Your questions about drinking on holiday, answered all in one place. Am I covered if I hurt myself on a night out? What's an exclusion? We'll answer those here!

The Bumper Climate-Conscious Travel Guide

We want to talk about how you can explore the planet while reducing the harm you do to it. Immerse yourself in local community, and culture, put less strain on your environment, and move away from see-it-all tourism.

Spring Cycling: Bike-Friendly Europe

Cycling in Europe is more than just getting from point A to B - it's embracing a transport method which prioritises sustainable living and brings communities closer.

Quickfire FAQs: Your Medical Declaration

Your medical declaration is an important part of your travel insurance quote. Everything needs to be done correctly so that you're properly covered while you're on holiday. Here are some top FAQs.

Post-Brexit Travel: A Breakdown

We officially left the EU four years after the vote, and a month after that, the Brexit deal was finalised. Now there’s a new set of rules and regulations on travelling in Europe.

National Tartan Day: Saturday 6th April

So there’s a whole day devoted to tartan! Who knew?