7 weird and wonderful theme parks in Europe
As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG suggests that you talk to your doctor, follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We will be here to help you prepare, whether it is next month or next year.
Theme parks are a real winner in the summer. In the U.K., some of the big ones include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park or Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Remember getting up at the crack of dawn with a big picnic and driving for hours to get there before it opened, beside yourself with excitement? We do!
But besides the usual big hitters, there are plenty more lesser-known and more unusual theme parks dotted throughout Europe. So if enormous white knuckle rides aren't necessarily your thing, we've rounded up our picks of something a little (or, very) different for when it's possible to jump on a train or plane for some good old fashioned "themed fun."
1. Diggerland
Ever wanted to drive your own JCB digger while wearing a hard hat? Well, you can at Diggerland. With four locations across the U.K. -- Kent, Durham, Dorset and Yorkshire — it has 20 different rides and drives, including an actual excavator and a three-tonne digger. For younger kids, there are Go-Karts, bumper cars and an indoor play area with slides. Make sure you have a go on the Spindizzy, a huge bulldozer with seats in the bucket that lifts riders 50 feet into the air and spins around. Diggerland was created by Hugh Edeleanu, who runs a construction equipment hire company and saw how much kids love anything to do with big machines. General admission is $30, and children under 3 ft go free.
Read more: 7 of the best road trips around the UK
2. Popeye Village, Malta
Popeye Village was originally built as a film set for the 1980 live-action musical Popeye, starring Robin Williams. It's located in Anchor Bay, two miles from the village of Mellieħa, in northern Malta. After the film production, Popeye Village -- or Sweethaven Village -- was turned into a small amusement park. Visitors can wander around the ramshackle buildings, meet characters and enjoy puppet shows. You can even watch the film there (it was a bit of a flop though, sadly). If you're a comic book fan and a Popeye purist, there's a comic museum, too. Entrance is free.
3. Tayto Park, Ireland
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Ireland's only theme park is potato inspired. That's not a joke. Well, it's based on Taytos, the country's beloved brand of "crisps." Located in Co. Meath, it's also home to Ireland's only wooden roller coaster, the Cú Chulainn Coaster (Cu Chulainn was is an Irish mythological demi-god). There's an extreme climbing wall, a zoo, a 5D cinema and maybe most compelling, a Tayto factory tour. You can see for yourself how the country's favorite chips are made.
4. Efteling, the Netherlands
Efteling, located in Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands, is a place of pure whimsy. Based on mythology, fantasy, fables and folklore, it's like Narnia, "Game of Thrones" and Middle Earth all rolled into one. It's pretty vintage, as it opened in 1952 and started life as a playground. Efteling is also enormous at 180 acres, meaning it's bigger than Disneyland in California. You'll encounter elves, trolls and talking parrots, and the rides are all based on dark Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The park recommends two days to experience the whole thing, and you can stay overnight at the fairly new Loonsche Land hotel, which is a holiday village with hotel and woodland houses just 15 minutes’ walk from the main entrance. Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park is also on the doorstep. Entry is $43 for adults and children age 4 and up.
5. BonBon-Land, Denmark
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BonBon-Land is in Holme Olstrup, about 60 miles from Copenhagen and will be right up your street if you're a fan of toilet humor. For instance, the roller coaster Henry the Dog is propelled by his own... wind. Apparently his flatulence "adds extra speed to the ride." The park's recurring theme seems to be flatulent animals, in fact. There's all sorts of other gross attractions include a vomiting rat, a peeing ant and a defecating seagull. BonBon-Land is the brainchild of confectioner Michael Spangsberg, whose sweets all had infantile and rude names -- he readily admitted he had the "mind of a 14-year-old boy." This place is definitely somewhere that has to be seen to be believed. Entry is from $30.
Read more: From Crete to Croatia: 11 best hiking spots in Europe
6. Tropical Islands, Germany
Tropical Islands has a certain Truman Show vibe to it -- it's housed in a former airship hangar and is the biggest free-standing hall in the world. It's also the world's largest indoor water park and at capacity, it can fit more than 8,000 visitors in a day. It's so vast you can even take a hot balloon ride inside it. As the name suggests, the temperature inside is hot -- 79 degrees Fahrenheit. There's a rainforest with 50,000 plants, a butterfly house and, of course, plenty of slides. Flamingos and other exotics birds roam around, too -- it really is like being in another universe. Tropical Islands is about 40 miles from Berlin and entry is $50 and children under 5 go free.
7. Under the Pier Show, Suffolk, U.K.
The games at Under the Pier arcade in the seaside town of Southwold in Suffolk are seriously bonkers. Created by British engineer and cartoonist Tim Hunkin, the inventions on the pier's penny arcade are unusual, to say the least. Attractions include the Autofrisk, a device that simulates the experience of being frisked by multiple, inflated rubber gloves, the Bathyscape, a device that simulates a brief submarine adventure and Whack the Banker. Our favorite is the Fly Drive -- experience a fly's eye view of the world but beware of the fly swat. You'll leave feeling a bit confused and disoriented but this place is definitely worth a visit if you're ever in Southwold.
Bottom line
The theme parks we would usually go to may not be the best places to visit at the moment due to social distancing guidelines, even if they are open. So why not try one of these more off-the-beaten-track places? All are in the U.K. and just a short flight away.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.