Data reveals the best European countries for Americans seeking affordable 5-star stays in 2025
At the top of the list is Greece, with an average cost of $1,329 for a week-long stay for one person. While popular spots like Mykonos and Athens can be expensive, the study found that exploring lesser-known areas can offer more affordable 5-star accommodations. Following closely are Spain and Germany, both priced at $1,529 per person per week.
Turkey stands out for its exceptionally low accommodation costs, at just $330 per week, and for its affordable spa treatments, which average $22 per session. For those seeking Michelin-star dining at a bargain, Malta leads the way at $133 per person.
'This study shows how affordable luxury can be in certain parts of Europe, particularly in destinations like Greece, Spain, and Germany,' said Thanasis Mougios, luxury travel expert at Kinglike Concierge. 'These countries not only offer wonderful landscapes and experiences, but they also provide exceptional value for high-end accommodations, gourmet dining, and premium travel experiences.'
Greece: $1,329 per week
Spain: $1,529 per week
Germany: $1,638 per week
Italy: $1,666 per week
Turkey: $1,926 per week
France: $1,985 per week
UK: $2,047 per week
Poland: $2,588 per week
Netherlands: $2,802 per week
Portugal: $3,019 per week
Croatia: $3,081 per week
Hungary: $3,189 per week
Finland: $3,208 per week
Austria: $3,248 per week
Belgium: $3,408 per week
Sweden: $3,418 per week
Ireland: $3,495 per week
Slovenia: $3,606 per week
Switzerland: $3,777 per week
Malta: $4,296 per week
The post Data reveals the best European countries for Americans seeking affordable 5-star stays in 2025 appeared first on The Manual.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Boston Globe
5 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Rescuers race to reach injured German Olympian stranded on a northern Pakistan mountain
Climbers including two Americans attempting the same ascent are trying to join the rescue operation. Military helicopters were on standby but have been unable to deploy due to low visibility and ongoing bad weather and rainfall, Faraq said. Advertisement Dahlmeier, 31, will be brought to the city of Skardu when she is rescued, Faraq said. Local authorities launched the rescue mission Monday after receiving a distress signal from Dahlmeier's climbing partner, Marina Eva, who managed to descend to base camp with help from rescuers Tuesday. Dahlmeier was injured at an altitude of about 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) around noon Monday, according to her management team in Germany. German broadcaster ZDF reported she suffered serious injuries in a rockfall. 'There is still no clarity on her condition,' Alpine Club of Pakistan Vice President Karrar Haidri told The Associated Press. 'She sustained serious injuries, but she has oxygen with her, and injured climbers have been known to survive for days.' 'With heavy clouds choking the sky and rain falling on the high slopes of Laila Peak, rescuers are pushing through dangerous terrain to reach her,' Haidri said. Advertisement Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year and accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes. The region has also been battered by above-normal seasonal rains, triggering flash floods and landslides. Since last week, at least 20 Pakistani tourists have been missing after floodwaters swept them away near the northern district of Chilas.


Time Business News
12 hours ago
- Time Business News
Indian visa photo requirements (2025) – Size, Format & Guidelines
Applying for an Indian visa is often seen as a straightforward task, until it's delayed or rejected over a small yet critical detail: the photo. Most applicants assume that if their face is visible and the background is white, they're good to go. Unfortunately, that's not how Indian visa photo requirements work. Your visa photo is a biometric identifier, a vital document asset, and a potential reason for visa approval or denial. Indian passport and tickets for travelling, flying and doing business. India document, id for crossing the border Exact Size is Non-Negotiable The required photo size for Indian visas, 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm) is not interchangeable with standard passport-size photos in many countries. In fact, many applicants make the mistake of submitting 35mm x 45mm, the European standard, which does not meet Indian visa photo requirements. Pixel Density Matters More Than You Think Digital submissions must be between 10 KB and 1 MB in size, with a minimum resolution of 350 x 350 pixels. This isn't just a system compatibility requirement. If your uploaded image isn't crisp at the pixel level, your biometric data could be misread or not captured at all. Automatic photo correction software often blurs edges or whitens backgrounds excessively, creating a halo effect around your head. While this might be aesthetically pleasing, it violates Indian visa photo requirements because it alters your real-life appearance. Always opt for clarity over cosmetics. Wearing Glasses or Headgear Even prescription glasses are discouraged unless absolutely necessary for medical reasons. Reflective surfaces from lenses or accessories can obstruct your eyes and visibility of your irises is mandatory. Similarly, head coverings are only allowed for religious purposes, and even then, they must not cast shadows on the face. Lighting must be uniform, with no shadows under the chin or around the ears. Most Indian visa photo requirements rejection occur not due to bad cameras, but uneven indoor lighting. Photos taken with strong directional lights or with smartphone flash enabled are often disqualified for this reason. Face Must Occupy 50%–60% of the Frame Digital uploads are analyzed by automated facial recognition systems before human verification. If your face doesn't fall within the algorithm's focus zone, it may be automatically marked as invalid. This percentage includes forehead, chin, and hair. Background Should Be Plain Light (Not Always White) Contrary to common belief, the background doesn't need to be pure white, a plain light-colored background suffices. The Indian visa portal accepts light gray or cream tones too, as long as they don't blend into your clothes or hair. No Borders, Filters, or Image Compression Do not compress the image just to meet the upload size. This often results in pixelation. Use original images captured in natural light, resize them in high-quality tools (not mobile apps), and ensure they're in JPEG format, not PNG or PDF. No Adult Hands Should Be Visible For infant photos, a common mistake is holding the baby in place or positioning their head manually. If another person's hands or arms are visible in the frame, the image is immediately rejected. Eyes Must Be Open and Mouth Closed Children must be facing the camera directly with both eyes open. This can be extremely difficult with infants, but it's a non-negotiable rule. A slight angle or open mouth invalidates the image. No Toys or Blankets in the Frame Even if the child is sitting on a blanket or comfort item, it must not be visible. The frame should only include the child's upper torso and a plain background. Passport photos are not interchangeable with visa photos and templates designed for one country's requirements may result in rejection elsewhere. Many applicants reuse photos from passports, resumes, or national ID cards. This is a mistake. Indian visa photo requirements are specific and dynamic, and outdated assumptions can result in delays or denials. Indian embassies and consulates use facial recognition systems to pre-screen applicants. If your photo fails this scan due to poor lighting, angle, background noise, or pixel compression, the rest of your application may never reach a human reviewer. In other words, your visa process starts with your image. Everything else is secondary for Indian visa photo requirements. Professional photographers often use reference overlays to align your face exactly in the 50%–60% zone. They also ensure compliance with both digital upload specs and printed submission rules. Many embassies now prefer photos taken within the last 30 days, even if older ones still technically meet size and clarity requirements. Instead of treating it like an accessory, consider your visa photo a critical form of biometric authentication. Any deviation even one pixel off can compromise system recognition or raise red flags during identity verification. Indian visa photo requirements are strict because they act as the first firewall against identity fraud. Can I submit a passport photo I already have? No. Most passport photos are 35mm x 45mm, which does not match the required 51mm x 51mm for Indian visas. Is it okay to smile in the photo? A neutral expression with a closed mouth is required. Smiling, showing teeth, or frowning can result in rejection for Indian photo visa requirements. Do I need to remove my head covering or hijab? Religious head coverings are allowed, but they must not cast shadows or obscure your face. Can I use my smartphone to take the photo? Yes, but only if it meets all lighting, framing, and resolution standards. Avoid shadows, low resolution, or compression. Are photos of infants or toddlers exempt from the rules? No. They must also meet specific child photo requirements such as open eyes, no toys, and clear face visibility. Visit For more Article : Time Business News TIME BUSINESS NEWS


USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
Swiss Airlines unveils new first class enclosed suites – with beds and total privacy
First-class passengers on some Swiss International Air Lines flights will soon get to travel in their own private enclosed suites, complete with a personal wardrobe and even a double bed. The Switzerland-based carrier unveiled a new cabin concept called 'SWISS Senses' at Zurich Airport on Tuesday, with a redesign of all seat classes for "the biggest product investment in the company's history," according to a press release. Expected to be delivered in October, the airline's new Airbus A350-900s will be the first to feature the reimagined cabins, slated to initially fly European routes before servicing the Zurich to Boston long haul in the winter. Eventually, the airline's current fleet of Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-300ER will also undergo a revamp with the new design. First class vs business class: What's the difference? "I am delighted that, with the arrival of our new Airbus A350s, we will be able to offer our customers an even more personal, exclusive and individual air travel experience," said SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach at today's presentation event. The entire cabin is set to feature warm, muted tones for a cozier atmosphere, plus what the airline calls "human-centric lighting" to help ease the effects of jet lag by supporting the "body's natural biorhythm," according to a fact sheet. All seats will also enjoy larger screens and the option to hook up their personal electronic devices. Introduced in the redesign is a brand-new flight experience for the airline: the SWISS First suites, which emulates a private room with sliding doors that can be closed for total privacy for first-class fliers. Suites will be equipped with a personal wardrobe, large table, seat heating and cooling plus a screen that spans the width of the suite. According to a seat map, suites will be situated at the forward section of the plane, with single suites on each side and a center suite of almost 40 square feet that can accommodate two passengers. Those flying in SWISS First also have access to a spacious new washroom as well. SWISS' holding company Lufthansa Group released a similar first-class suite concept in the spring after several years of regulatory approval hurdles. Other upgrades in the new concept include all business class seats becoming fully lie-flat and some receiving sliding doors for additional privacy. For those who won't be in first or business class, the new economy class seats are also designed with extra at-seat space, the airline said.