Here are Europe’s Top 10 Weirdest Museums: 

1. Zagreb: Museum of Broken Relationships 
   A heartbreak archive unlike anything else in Europe, displaying everyday objects – a toaster, a bicycle lock, a pair of shoes, donated by strangers following the end of a relationship, each with a short, anonymous note. Equal parts funny and devastating. 
2. Prague: Museum of Alchemy 
   Discovered by accident after a flood uncovered a hidden basement network, this underground museum reconstructs the workshops of historical alchemists with unsettling atmospheric precision. Think low ceilings, dim lighting, and clay ovens once used to chase the dream of synthesising gold. 
3. Rome: Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory 
   Free to enter and tucked inside a church sacristy in Prati, this tiny archive displays objects said to bear the physical marks of souls communicating from beyond, arguably the most unsettling free museum in Europe. 
4. Edinburgh: Museum of Magic, Fortune-telling & Witchcraft 
   Scotland executed more people for witchcraft per capita than any other European country, and this collection brings that history to life through protective charms, folklore objects and centuries-old occult paraphernalia. 
5. Berlin: German Spy Museum 
   A highly interactive dive into Cold War espionage, packed with surveillance equipment, forged documents and classified-era gadgetry, the most socially viral entry on the list by a wide margin. 
6. London: Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities 
   A cabinet of curiosities rebuilt for the 21st century in East London, where natural history specimens sit alongside literary oddities, taxidermy and fine art, with no labels and no obvious logic. 
7. Barcelona: Museum of Funeral Carriages 
   Located within Montjuïc Cemetery, this is the only public display of its kind in Europe – ornate 18th and 19th-century horse-drawn hearses decorated with carved owls and baroque ironwork. 
8. Amsterdam: Cat Cabinet 
   Hidden inside one of Amsterdam’s grandest canal houses, an entire museum dedicated to cats in art and culture, founded by an eccentric collector in memory of his own beloved cat. 
9. Paris: Sewer Museum 
   Beneath Haussmann’s boulevards, this museum traces the full history of the French capital’s underground infrastructure, from Roman drainage channels to the vast modern network, and it smells exactly like you’d expect. 
10. Brussels: Frietmuseum 
    An entire museum dedicated to the Belgian chip stand, tracing the fritkot’s architectural and culinary evolution over more than a century with the seriousness of a national gallery. 

https://all.accor.com/a/en/limitless/thematics/off-the-beaten-track/europe-weirdest-museums.html 

After a summer holiday period when 37% of UK holidaymakers chose a beach break as their preferred summer holiday – more popular than hotel and pool holidays (24%), city breaks (26%), villa or private house holidays (13%) and romantic breaks (13%) – the InsureandGo poll asked a nationally representative sample of 2,033 adults to name the beaches in the worst condition, based on first-hand experience of the countries they had visited. 

Nationally, 60% of survey respondents named a country they had visited where they regarded the beaches to be in poor or polluted condition – based on their experience of litter, plastic, waste or sewerage. Of these people, the 10 countries named as having the beaches in worst condition comprised of:

Away from the list of the worst 10 countries, three destinations stood out for the opposite reason: Malta (5%), Bulgaria (5%) and Croatia (4%) drew the fewest complaints of anywhere in the study.

With October half-term and the first winter sun bookings only weeks away, this year’s verdict on Britain’s beaches could shape where holidaymakers choose to go next.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo, said: “We aim to help holidaymakers have stress-free holidays and to go without the doubt – so as summer ends, we have taken some time listen to UK holidaymakers and assess their views on holiday experiences over the summer. Extreme heat was a major factor for many, as was the desire to pick destinations regarded to be safe – especially after some of the geo-political tensions since the spring. We also noted holidaymaker views on the countries where the beaches disappointed this summer, which is significant at a time when so many UK holidaymakers prioritised a good beach break for their main holiday of the year.”

For more information on InsureandGo visit https://www.insureandgo.com

ACSI is a hugely respected inspection scheme that visits thousands of campsites across Europe, and was established in 1965, so has an amazing pedigree.  They inspectors actually come to stay on the campsite, use the facilities, and talk to the owners to make sure their listings are accurate and their inspection covers all aspects.

Deepdale has been listed with ACSI for many years and received an Honourable Mention in the 2024 Awards – Top 5 Campsites United Kingdom & Ireland, which was a huge achievement.  But to now be the best campsite in the United Kingdom is a testament to the amazing customer service and care of the Deepdale crew.

“Since 2016, when Jason and I took on the tourism business at Deepdale Farm, we’ve been passionate about customer service and supplying clean well maintained facilities.  Many places offer camping, but what brings our customers back to us again and again is the way we look after them when they are here.  Our aim is to help them find their ‘North Norfolk Coast Hygge’” said Chris Haycock, Managing Director.  “A massive thank you to all our crew, who are recognised when we win awards like this.  And huge thanks to all our customers who voted for us, it is so wonderful that they are keen to support us.”

Two images of the campsite at Deepdale Camping & Rooms in Burnham Deepdale

Deepdale Camping & Rooms offers a range of campsite options, from walkers & cyclists pitches to large fully serviced hard standing pitches, for tents, campervans, motorhomes, trailer tents, hammocks and roof tents.  The site also has a range of self catering rooms, a visitor information centre and bike hire, so is a superb base for exploring the beautiful North Norfolk Coast and its hinterland.  The site has won many accolades since 2016 including Small Campsite of the Year 2023/24 from the AA, and the annual Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.  And this latest award from ACSI is another confirmation that the Deepdale crew continue to welcome customers and look after them during their stay.

“It’s lovely to host the inspectors, have a chance to chat through the facilities and processes, and to know they’ve properly seen what we offer.  Our campsite is in a beautiful place, and we enjoy being a great base for visitors to explore.” said Caroline Holden, Manager.

Left to right: Rita van der Meer (ACSI), Steve Bearshaw (Mayor of West Norfolk), Chris Haycock and Caroline Holden

The award was presented to Caroline and Chris by the ACSI inspectors at a small informal ceremony on Thursday 10^th September.  The Mayor of West Norfolk joined the Deepdale Crew, and a few other guests to celebrate.  They celebrated in Deepdale’s favourite way … with cake and a cuppa.

Anyone wanting to find out more about Deepdale Camping & Rooms can visit their website – www.deepdalecamping.co.uk – And more information on all the ACSI inspected campsites can be found on the ACSI website – www.acsi.eu

AllClear’s poll found that the number of people compounding the risk of extreme experiences with a lack of travel insurance is growing, up from 71% last year. The number of people with medical conditions who are keen to enjoy an activity or adventure holiday abroad sat above the national average (71%) and well above the figure for people aged over 55 (46%). 

Many people with medical conditions are keen to ‘seize the moment’ and turn their holiday into an adventure, but with adrenaline and enjoyment comes the risk of expensive  medical costs abroad. With wildfires and global unrest affecting holidays this year, travelling without insurance is already risky, but rising medical costs in many overseas countries can mean that the sums associated with medical attention or repatriation can be eye-watering, making travel insurance which includes good medical cover essential. 

Among the  holiday experiences chosen by those who are likely to cut corners with their travel insurance, animal experiences such as swimming with dolphins (chosen by 28% of those surveyed) and safari (18%) were favourites, alongside cross-country road trips (30%) and cross-continental rail journeys (14%). Extreme sports such as water skiing (12%) and bungee jumping (10%) were also popular.

At a time when 55% of brits are opting for short-haul holidays, many might assume that people who risk travelling without insurance might be doing so because they feel they are taking relatively ‘low-risk’ trips (which they feel they can quickly return from if needed), but AllClear’s latest data shows that in reality, those who roll the dice by travelling without insurance often compound that risk by choosing to engage with activities that could potentially jeopardise their physical safety.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at AllClear Travel Insurance comments: “ People understandably want to get as much value out of their holiday as possible, but sacrificing comprehensive medical travel insurance should not be seen as a cost-saving measure – especially for those more likely to have higher risk holidays abroad. 

“Travel insurance is a vital safety net . People tend to only realise the value of comprehensive travel cover when something goes wrong. AllClear understands the need to cut holiday costs where you can, but not where it counts. Saving money on the wrong things can end up costing you more in the long run: without the protection of travel insurance, the significant and rising cost of medical treatment in some countries abroad could cost people their home. It is also vital to check your policy to see exactly what experiences are covered ”

Whether it is the lush, mountainous archipelago of the Ionian Islands; the world-class art, culinary experiences and artisan culture of Florence – or the pearly white beaches and clear water of Thailand’s beaches – InsureandGo asked a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults if they had taken holiday inspiration from the books they love.

Of the 54% of people who said they have chosen a holiday destination inspired by a setting of a novel, Alex Garland’s The Beach and The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown came top of the list, with 18% of survey respondents saying it inspired a trip to Thailand or Paris. Women are slightly more likely to be inspired by Alex Garland’s Thai adventure (19% vs 18%), while men narrowly favoured Dan Brown’s Paris-set thriller (19% vs 17%).

Overall, Italy emerged as the literary travel winners, with three of the nation’s top ten  influential travel-inspired books being set in Italy – Pompeii, A Room with A View and The Talented Mr Ripley.

The trend was strongest in London, where 73% of residents said the novels they enjoyed went on to influence subsequent holiday choices. The top holiday-inspiring reads in the capital were: The Da Vinci Code (19%) The Beach(18%), The Talented Mr Ripley (16%) The Summer I Turned Pretty (16%) and Chocolat (14%). Other UK regions where books played a major role influencing holiday choices included; the North West (58%), the West Midlands (57%) and the South West (55%). Books had the least influence on holiday choices for people living in Wales (46%).

The Top 10 holiday destinations inspired by books

1. The Beach – Thailand (18%) and The Da Vinci Code – Paris, France (18%)
2. Pompeii – Italy (16%)
3. Chocolat – France (14%)
4. A Room With A View – Florence, Italy (13%)
5. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Greece (13%)
6. The Talented Mr Ripley – Italy (12%)
7. The Summer I Turned Pretty – USA (12%)
8. Life of Pi – India (10%)
9. Normal People – Ireland (9%)
10. My Family and other Animals – Corfu (9%)

The InsureandGo study found that the influence of books on travel decisions was strong across all age-groups. Nationally 48% of the over 45s cited holidays inspired by books (their top choice novel being The Beach) – and this rose to 72% among the under 25 age group, whose top choice book was Pompeii.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo comments: ‘’Books have always had the power to transport us to another place, but increasingly they are inspiring people to experience those destinations for themselves. What’s striking is that novels continue to influence travel decisions in an age dominated by social media and streaming services. 

“A great book can be the beginning of a great holiday. Whether it’s a beach in Thailand, a piazza in Florence or the streets of Paris, stories have a unique ability to turn destinations into must-visit locations. As travellers bring those literary adventures to life, it’s important not to overlook the practical side of planning too. At InsureandGo we aim to make it easy for people to get the cover that best fits their needs. Having appropriate travel insurance in place means if the unexpected happens, your holiday story can remain one with a happy ending.”

InsureandGo is one of the best-known names in travel insurance in the UK.  Based in Southend-on-Sea with over 100 staff it is a multi, award-winning travel insurance company. InsureandGo has  were awarded the prestigious ‘Best Buy’ status by Which? for 3 years running, most recently in May 2026. InsureandGo has supported 27 million travellers with travel insurance policies and specialises in value for money products.

As schools break up for the summer and another heatwave grips Britain, the great British staycation is continuing to lose ground.

New tracking research from AllClear Travel Insurance reveals that UK holidays have fallen dramatically in popularity over the past two years, while millions more Britons are choosing short-haul breaks to Europe instead.

The figures challenge the long-held belief that hot UK summers encourage more people to holiday at home. Instead, travellers appear to be opting for destinations better equipped for prolonged high temperatures, with reliable sunshine, air-conditioned hotels, restaurants and public transport – and infrastructure better designed to cope with summer heat.

The findings come as millions of families prepare to head away for the school summer holidays, with one of the busiest travel periods of the year now underway.

The AllClear research found that 91% of UK adults plan to take a holiday this year, virtually unchanged from previous years (90% in 2024 and 89% in 2023), underlining the resilience of the travel market despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

However, where people are choosing to holiday is changing significantly.

The proportion planning a UK staycation has fallen from 59% in 2024 to just 45% this year—a drop of almost a quarter in just two years. Meanwhile, short-haul European holidays have climbed from 44% last year to 51% this summer, while long-haul travel has edged down slightly.

The trend is particularly pronounced among older travellers. Among over-55s, staycations have dropped from 56% to 45% in two years, while short-haul European breaks have increased from 44% to 49%. Among those with pre-existing medical conditions, UK holidays have fallen from 61% to 46%, while European trips have risen from 39% to 48%.

Spain remains Britain’s favourite European destination this summer, chosen by 40% of those heading to Europe, followed by Italy (22%), France (21%), Greece (18%), Portugal (16%), the Mediterranean islands (14%), Turkey (12%), Germany (11%), the Netherlands (8%) and Switzerland (7%).

The research also highlights changing holiday tastes.

Traditional beach holidays have fallen in popularity over the past year, dropping from 44% to 37%, while Airbnb-style accommodation has also declined from 18% to 12%.

Instead, holidaymakers are increasingly choosing hotel and pool holidays (24%), city breaks (26%), villa or private house holidays (13%) and romantic breaks (13%), suggesting travellers are looking for comfort, convenience and a broader range of experiences.

The emotional reasons for taking a holiday are also becoming more important.

Four in ten (40%) say the main reason for travelling abroad this year is to de-stress and switch off mentally. Meanwhile, more than one in five (22%) say they want a break from the economic gloom in the UK, up from 18% last year, while the same proportion say they are using their holiday to step back from hectic lives and reflect on.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at AllClear Travel Insurance comments: “The first day of the school summer holidays has traditionally marked the start of the great British staycation. But our findings suggest that trend is continuing to reverse.

“Holiday demand remains incredibly resilient, but we’re seeing a clear shift towards European destinations and away from UK breaks.

“While Britain is experiencing another heatwave, many travellers appear to be deciding that if they’re going to spend a week in 30-degree temperatures, they’d rather do it somewhere that’s built for it. Across much of southern Europe, hotels, restaurants, public transport and attractions are designed to cope with prolonged summer heat, with air conditioning and shaded spaces now part of everyday life. The UK simply isn’t equipped in the same way.

 “As more holidaymakers head overseas in search of guaranteed sunshine, it’s worth remembering that extreme heat can put additional strain on the body, especially for those with existing medical conditions. Before you travel, make sure you accurately declare your medical history when arranging travel insurance. It’s a simple step that helps ensure you’re properly covered should you need medical assistance while you’re away.” 

This July York Early Music Festival celebrates its 50th edition and to mark this special occasion has commissioned the majestic York Fanfare, Flourish at 50 to be played during the opening weekend.

To create the York Fanfare the festival joined forces with Yorkshire composer Sam Meredith and all female German ensemble [hanse] Pfeyffery to create this magnificent piece of music to mark the occasion.

The York Fanfare is written by Wakefield- born Sam Meredith. A finalist in the 2023 NCEM Young Composers Award, Sam was selected from a strong line up of applicants, all alumni from the Young Composers Award, to be this year’s Commission Composer for the York Early Music Festival. 

Last year, Sam completed his MA in Opera-Making and Writing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His work has been performed at the Barbican and the annual Bauhaus Festival in London under the tutelage of John Harle, who has commissioned him to write pieces for big band, large ensemble and most recently a duet for saxophone and piano. He has sung and toured with the Idrisi Ensemble and was proud to appear in the choir for Alan Bennett’s film The Choral, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Performing the fanfare are this year’s artists in residence [hanse] Pfeyffery, a Renaissance wind band specialising in improvised and rediscovered music from around 1500 played on shawms, cornetto, dulcian, slide trumpet and trombone. 

The ensemble were finalists in the 2024 York International Young Artists Competition when they won the Cambridge Early Music Prize.  

The York Fanfare will open this year’s festival on Friday 3 July outside The Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall at the University of York at 6.20pm before the opening concert by I Fagiolini, and also outside York Minster before the concert by The Sixteen on Saturday 4 July at 6.45pm, 7.00pm, and 7.15pm.

There will be an opportunity to catch them one last time on The Early Music Show live from the NCEM on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 5 July at 5pm. 

They will also perform Serenade for Isabella: The Casanatense Chansonnier at the York Early Music Friends Coffee Concert on 4 July. Hosted by the Friends and open to everyone, the concert features works from the Casanatense Chansonnier, written as a wedding gift for Isabella d’Este in Ferrara in 1492.

Composer of the York Fanfare, Sam Meredith said: 

“In this piece, I wanted to emulate the rousing and awe-inducing nature of
a ‘traditional’ fanfare, whilst also creating a sense of playfulness, joy and
celebration, more in the spirit of folk and dance music. The often syncopated landscape that emerged, first during the compositional process and then through working with [hanse] Pfeyfferey, is hopefully an exciting and an energetic tribute to the National Centre. For Early Music who commissioned this fanfare to introduce the 50th Early Music Festival in York.” 

Dr Christopher Fox, who has been involved in selecting and mentoring the young composers for the NCEM Award since 2011, said:

“Every year I am amazed at the imagination and skill of the composers who create music for the Award scheme.  The workshop day at which eight young composers develop their work with a professional ensemble is always very exciting. It’s also been a delight to see so many of the NCEM composers, like Sam Meredith, go on to make a name for themselves. The NCEM alumni are a fantastic bank of compositional talent.”

New research from InsureandGo reveals that despite the geo-political tensions, 68% of UK adults are still planning a holiday abroad this summer – but the World Cup is shaping when people plan to go away. Nationally, 40% of survey respondents told InsureandGo they would be moving their usual summer holiday dates – with 19% of respondents saying they will holiday abroad earlier than usual this summer in order to be back in the UK for the world cup matches starting. In contrast, 21% of adults said they will be pushing back their usual summer holiday dates to later in the summer, after the World Cup is over.

Almost one in five respondents (19%) intend to enjoy the world cup matches abroad whilst having a holiday in the sun – with Spain emerging at the top choice holiday destination that promised a great party atmosphere to follow the World Cup matches (21%). 

Top 10 overseas countries people would like to go visit to enjoy the party atmosphere of watching the FIFA World Cup matches this summer

·      Around the UK, people in the North West (24%) and London (23%) were most likely to be drawn to watching the World Cup matches abroad, in countries that they regarded to have a good party atmosphere.  

·      People living in the South East (44%) and East (44%) were most likely to change their usual summer holiday dates to be clear to watch the games at home with family and friends. 

·      People living in the North East are most likely to be having an early holiday abroad in May or early June so they could be home for the World Cup starting on 11 June. In contrast, people from the South East are most likely to push back this year’s summer holiday to August, when the World Cup is over.

Garry Nelson, former professional footballer and Head of Corporate Affairs for InsureandGo comments: “The World Cup promises to give a lot of people a real boost this summer – a time for positivity as the games bring people and communities together. Our new data suggests the World Cup will give a much needed boost to the travel industry, after widespread concern over the impact of the Gulf War on travel confidence. 

Despite the tensions in the world, two in three adults want to have their summer holiday abroad this year. Many are moving plans so they can enjoy the games at home, whether at an outdoor screening, down the pub with friends or at home with family. And for those heading off abroad to enjoy the party atmosphere, we encourage everyone to remember the importance of having travel insurance. At InsureandGo we offer a wide range of options and we make it easy for people to  get the cover that’s right for them so they can go without the doubt.”