The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

John Telford

Top Tips to Make Your Vacations More Exciting

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However much you love going on vacation, if you choose to travel to the same area each year, or if you revel in the same activities that you participate in at home, your trip can quickly become boring. If you are fed up with the traditional family vacation and want to enjoy something a little different, here are some top tips to spruce up your next getaway.

1. Stay Somewhere Different

Although hotels might be the easiest option when you have a family, staying somewhere different can allow you to hear about new activities and can help you to feel as far from home as possible. For instance, if you are planning to visit the Arctic Circle on your next trip, why not consider staying in an igloo or an ice hotel? If you are not adventurous to try different types of accommodation, then you should consider staying at themed hotels, such as Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World, which allows you to look out over the park’s animals throughout your stay.

2. Go on a Unique Group Tour

If your family members are starting to argue and get fed up with one another, you should consider going on a group tour. These will allow you to see your surroundings in a new light while also enabling you to meet and mingle with other like-minded travelers. For instance, at Silverscreen Tours, they allow you to participate in Game of Thrones location tours that can take you around the locations of the key scenes from the hit television show in the heart of Dubrovnik.

3. Dump Your Luggage

There is nothing that can dampen your enjoyment of a vacation more than having to carry around heavy luggage throughout your trip. If you are struggling with the weight of your bags, and this is preventing you from being able to participate in all the activities that you have in mind, you should find somewhere safe to store it. If your accommodation does not offer a luggage hold, you should consider researching your local luggage storage centers, which are often located in stations or using luggage storage apps.

4. Be Spontaneous

Although it is essential to make an itinerary for your trip to ensure that you do not waste precious vacation time, there is value in being spontaneous. Rather than creating a timetable for your trip, you should allow yourself to explore and try any activities that catch your eye. This will enable you to experience new things that you did not even know existed before you got on your flight.

5. Enjoy the Journey

Many vacation-goers are put off from traveling long distances because their journeys can often feel like a waste of time. To make your vacation as exciting as possible, you should find ways to enjoy the trip as well as the time spent at your destination. For instance, you could read a book or watch a film that you have always wanted to, play games with loved ones, make exciting stops along the way, or go on scenic detours.

6. Experience Local Culture

If you are tired of the cultivated tourist landscape and want to see the real country that you have decided to visit, you should visit independent restaurants away from the tourist hotspots, speak to residents and consider couch surfing with a local family.

Life on the Road: 6 Things You Can Do With a Converted Camper Van

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Travel Trailer Caravaning. RV Park Camping at Night.

If you love to travel, you’ve probably dreamt of seeing the world by road at least once. What if I told you right now is the perfect time to put that dream into action?

Hotels, hostels, and homestays aren’t very safe right now.

Sure, if you stay at one you’ll more than likely be fine. However, every person at a hotel has been exposed to potentially hundreds of other people and could be sick without knowing it, and you’re no exception. Staying in hotels during the pandemic risks your life and the life of others.

If you don’t want to take the chance, traveling on your own in a converted camper van is a safer option. If you’ve ever wondered about living in a small camper, it’s time to answer your questions. Here are six things you can do when living in a camper van.

  1. Convert a Cozy Kitchen

Running a kitchen out of a van might seem daunting, but there’s no shortage of camper kitchen ideas out there. Gadgets like induction burners and Instant Pots make cooking in a camper van easier than you ever imagined.

If you prefer roughing it, cooking food over an open flame or outdoor grill has great appeal and is a piece of cake when living in a camper.

  1. Build Yourself a Porch

If a van with a porch seems impossible to you, think again. It’s simpler than you might think to create a DIY camper van porch using wooden boards and steel cables.

Easier still is the option of purchasing a camper van awning or porch kit. All you have to do is install and you have an outdoor breakfast spot that rivals the porches of most permanent cottages.

  1. Decorate a Dazzling Ceiling

There’s no way to avoid living in tight quarters in a camper van. One way to make your van seem larger is by painting the ceiling. Endless camper ceiling ideas include night sky paintings, sunsets, clouds, geometric designs, splatter paintings, and more.

Decorating your van ceiling with stickers, clings, or paints is a quick and easy project that will make your van feel homey in an instant.

  1. Light up Your Life

A common hesitation about living in a camper van is that you’re living in a metal box—the inside of an unconverted van isn’t incredibly comfortable.

One easy way to make yourself at home in a van is by adding string lights, paper lanterns, and other light features to give your camper a warm glow.

Make sure that the lights you choose don’t cause a fire risk, though. Living in tight quarters makes fire safety all the more important.

  1. Converted Camper Van Lifestyle Ideas

There are a wide variety of things you can do to a camper van: renovations and upgrades abound for maximum comfort on the road. What you can do with a camper van, though, includes not just mechanical and cosmetic improvements, but refers to a whole camper van lifestyle.

Taking a vacation or living in a camper van long-term requires a lot of lifestyle compromises. If you’re traveling with companions, you won’t have all the privacy and space you’re used to. You won’t always be able to compartmentalize and will have to do all your day’s activities in one small space.

Some of these compromises are downsides of living in campers for some would-be travelers. However, some of these lifestyle changes can lead to a better life for you and your traveling group.

For example, cramped eating conditions can easily be solved by eating outside, whether in chairs next to your van or on an installed awning. Work and leisure activities can also be taken outside. You may be able to maximize your space by taking to the top of your vehicle, too.

These are just a few ways that changing your lifestyle to suit living in a camper van creates exciting new opportunities. The frustration of changing your ways soon leads into great calm stemming from a simpler life.

  1. Making the Most of Your Vehicle’s Abilities

Finally, if you’re asking what you can do with a camper van, perhaps you should take a moment to ask what you can’t do. Camper vans are sturdy vehicles that make all kinds of daring travel easy. If you drive carefully with proper campervan insurance, you can live a life more exciting than you ever imagined for years and years.

Whether you take a safari through wild grasslands, travel along stormy coasts, or set up camp deep in the woods, there’s no denying that living in a camper is key to opening such doors.

You can live in a camper van without going offroad and immersing yourself in nature. However, it’s worth taking advantage of your camper’s intended purpose a couple of times to get a feel for what the machine can do. Combining the comfort of your homey camper with the untamed beauty of the outdoors might open your eyes to an outdoor lifestyle that’s more accommodating than you thought possible.

Travel the World With Peace of Mind

After reading this article, you know six exciting ideas for living in and remodeling a converted camper van. While you’re planning your next trip, take a look at our site for all the advice you need on your globetrotting adventures.

We know it can be hard to find advice suited for British travelers, so we publish articles with you in mind. Click around and look at our other articles and you’ll have a safety net of quality advice to fall back on during your next trip.

Best Remote Camping Spots In Southern California

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Overlanding is a great way to see more of the country than you could possibly imagine from a vantage point along a major highway, as well as a means to accessing a lot of other outdoor adventure activities like kayaking, rafting, and off-road biking. Whether you’re planning on taking your Jeep out for a relaxing trail ride over a few days or you’re hunkering down near your favorite spots for other outdoor activities, you need to know where to go when it’s time to shelter for the night. Here are a few great ideas for your next Southern California adventure.

Arroyo Seco in Los Padres National Forest

This small campground in the national forest is accessible to a few trails in the area, making it an easy choice for those who want to see more of the area’s attractions before moving on. Unlike many smaller national forest camping spots, it has access to showers, making it a must-stop camping spot if you are in between more rustic locations. Despite that small amenity, it’s still fairly isolated, but its shady sites and accessible picnic amenities make it a good spot to park and put up a tent on top of Jeep for the night.

Laguna Campground, Cleveland National Forest

This camping spot has rustic choices for your tent and a great view from practically every campsite, but it also has full restroom and shower amenities on hand. That makes it perfect for people who have a limit on their ability to appreciate the rustic. If you’re seeing the Cleveland National Forest, keep it in mind for a quiet night or two in the woods with just the right level of creature comfort to let you sleep easy.

Los Prietos Campground, Santa Barbara

With a 2.5 mile hiking trail that starts right at the campground and access to the nearby Santa Ynez River close at hand, this is another good spot for people who want to be close to a lot of activities while still enjoying a quiet, out of the way camping experience. The best part is the location is friendly to vehicles, so you won’t be testing your tire rims on the way to camp. You can save that for when you’re on the trail after you’ve gotten some rest.

Paso Picacho Campground

Located within Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, this well-maintained and road-accessible campground makes it easy to enjoy all the amenities at the park. Since it is well-maintained and accessible compared to more rustic choices, it is an ideal testing ground for new truck overlanding gear before you head out into the unknown. See the sights, enjoy a few days of wonderful trail and water activities, and make sure your gear is ready to be put to the test before you count on it to keep you going as you off-road your way through new wilderness.

Adventuring Beyond Campgrounds

Eventually, you may want to really test your mettle as an overlanding enthusiast. When that time comes, you might want to invest in the dispersed camping permits that let you make your own site locations within the U.S.’s national forests. Annual subscription permits are accessibly priced by to make it easy for you to support the country’s national resources while enjoying them whenever you have time for an adventure, and you won’t have to worry about finding an official campground when you’re ready to pop your roof-top tent for the night.

10 Pro Tips for Traveling to London

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About 37.9 million tourists visited the UK in 2018. In 2017, tourism reached an all-time high with 39.2 million visitors. Before you head out and start traveling to London, though, it helps to have a plan.

Charting your adventure will ensure you make the most of your trip. Otherwise, you might unintentionally miss out on an amazing opportunity.

Keep reading to discover the 10 pro tips you need to consider before traveling to the UK. With these tips, you can plan an epic adventure you’ll remember for years to come. Start charting your course with these 10 London travel tips today!

  1. Chart Your Course

Before traveling to London, try to plan as much as possible. You’ll want to consider where you’re going, when you’re leaving, and who you’re going with.

Take the time to make a list of all the places you want to visit. What type of trip are you planning? Are you hoping to see the sights, or relax?

You can chart your course based on whether or not you want to:

  • Relax at a resort
  • Ride on a road trip
  • Explore cities
  • Venture the countryside
  • Shop in the city
  • See the sides

Who are you traveling with? How do they want to spend the course of the trip?

Decide whether you want to stay in London or travel throughout the UK. If you plan on leaving London, you’ll need to plan a way to get around. You’ll also need to consider different places you’ll explore.

Don’t forget to consider the duration of your trip. How long you plan on visiting London can determine where you’ll go and when.

If you’re planning with a group, confirm everyone’s travel days. Make sure everyone is on the same page.

You might want to consider hosting a meeting. Make a list of what everyone wants to do during the trip. Then, plot your course to maximize your time.

  1. Plan How You’ll Get Around

Don’t forget: London is big! There’s a lot you’ll want to see and do.

To make the most of your London travel plans, consider getting an Oyster Card. An Oyster Card is free (though you have to pay a deposit) and will allow you to travel the tube.

Getting an Oyster Card at the beginning of your trip will help minimize travel-related expenses. You can get an Oyster Card at most tube stations, already preloaded.

Otherwise, take the time to walk between tube stops. Keep your head up and take in the view around you.

When planning your travel to London, consider flying into one of the low-cost airports. For example, you can arrive at London Stansted or London Southend. The downside, however, is that you’ll need to travel from the airport to the city center.

Don’t forget to check out these Tailwins loyalty programs to get rewarded for your flight.

If you’re traveling with a student, as a couple, or with a senior, you might receive a discount rail or tube fare.

You can also rent a bike in London! Instead of relying on the tube, you can cycle around the city and take in the sights. Biking around London is a great way to learn your way around.

  1. Find Free Attractions

Americans spent about $782.4 billion on leisure trips in 2019. Before traveling to London, make a budget for your journey. Consider how much you’ll spend on travel, hotels, entertainment, and food.

If you don’t make a budget beforehand, however, you might not realize you’ve overspent until after your trip.

There are plenty of free attractions you might consider during your trip. For example, many of the museums are free. These museums include the:

  • Tate Modern
  • British Museum
  • Science Museum
  • Natural History Museum
  • National Portrait Gallery

Take in the city’s rich heritage and history by exploring one of these museums.

You can also visit Big Ben for free! Big Ben is the bell located in Queen Elizabeth II Tower.

  1. Schedule a Show

Consider watching a show in the west-end during your visit, too. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells unsold tickets for each day at a discount. You can take in the theatre at a discounted price and add a little entertainment to your trip.

  1. Take a Tour

Before traveling to London, consider scheduling a tour. There are plenty of hop-on-hop-off buses that will carry you around the city. If you want to save money, hop onto one of the red London buses and head upstairs.

From there, you can see sighs like the Houses of Parliament, Leicester Square, The London Eye, and Big Ben. Then, hop off and explore on foot!

  1. Try the Cuisine

Don’t forget to get a taste of London while you’re there! Consider trying one of London’s favorites such as fish and chips.

You can also visit the markets in London, including Borough Market, which is full of tasty treats. Don’t forget to visit the dessert stalls while you’re at it!

  1. Head Inside Buckingham Palace

During the summer, consider scheduling a tour of Buckingham Palace.

Make sure to purchase your tickets online before you travel to London. Otherwise, you might find all the tours booked! Touring the palace can give you a better sense of what it’s like to live like royalty.

  1. Carry an Umbrella

While you’re out and about on foot, don’t forget to take an umbrella with you. London’s weather is often unpredictable, so you never know when it might rain.

Otherwise, make sure to wear your favorite pair of comfy shoes as you start walking around the city.

  1. Notice Notting Hill

If you’re visiting London’s East-End, don’t forget to explore Nottingham Hill. Stop by for brunch before exploring the area on foot.

While it’s a great stop for the foodies in your group, Notting Hill is also known for its annual carnival, high-end shops, and Victorian townhouses!

  1. Meet the Locals

Take the time to learn from the locals, too. Londoners are friendly and ready to aid your travels. Ask them about local hot-spots or restaurant suggestions.

You never know where you might end up based on their recommendations!

Plan It Right: 10 Key Tips for Traveling to London

Ready to plan a trip you’ll never forget? Keep these 10 tips for traveling to London in mind. With these tips, you can chart a course for an amazing adventure!

Searching for more seasoned advice for your trip? Explore the Europe section of our blog for more helpful travel guides!

Animal Vacations: 5 Destinations to Get Up Close to Animals

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Any vacation gives you a refreshing change from daily chaos, but a vacation that involves animals is special. You and your family experience living beings you could never interact with on a daily basis. It gives you perspective and memories that can last a lifetime.

There are plenty of destinations throughout the world that put you up close and personal with wildlife. To start your travel wishlist, check out these animal vacations.

1. Galapagos Islands

Few places in the world are more famous for animals than the Galapagos Islands. Located in Ecuador, this island cluster is known as the animal nirvana that inspired Charles Darwin to discover the theory of evolution.

The Galapagos Islands feature animal species you’ll find few other places on the planet. In fact, islands home to the only tropical penguins in the world. They’re also a habitat for sea lions, albatrosses, giant tortoises, iguanas, and more.

2. Bandhavgarh National Park

The most famous furry resident of Bandhavgarh National Park in India is the majestic tiger. The park boasts the highest density of tigers in India, so you’re likely to spot one or two on your trip.

Beyond tigers, there are 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds throughout the park. The 600-square-mile reserve hosts striped hyenas, sambar deer, and barking deer to name a few.

3. Bali Bird Park

Bali is a bucket list destination for anyone who loves the natural wonders of the world. Those natural wonders include flying wildlife.

The Bali Bird Park features a stunning 5,000 birds representing over 250 species. To provide the ultimate home for all its winged residents, the park is divided into “regions” that mimic each bird’s natural habitat.

4. Manitoba, Canada

Few animals have more respect and natural beauty than the polar bear. As awe-inspiring as it is to see these bears in person in their natural habitats, that isn’t an opportunity we often get.

For that reason, the town of Churchill in Manitoba should be on your globe-trotting list. During October and November each year, polar bears follow a trusted migration path through Canada. Churchill happens to be right along that path.

During this treasured time, visitors will be able to see polar bears making their trek out of their own windows.

5. Great Barrier Reef

As much beautiful wildlife as there is to explore on land and in the air, there’s a whole world under the ocean’s surface. Few places in the world will let you experience that world the way the Great Barrier Reef does.

Despite its tricky name, the Great Barrier Reef is actually a collection of around 3,000 coral reefs. Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the reef is home to thousands of species of fish, coral, and mollusks.

Top Animal Vacations for Your Bucket List

As much as you may love your furry friends at home and the wildlife in your backyard, you don’t have to limit your experiences to your own region. The incredible animal vacations above will give you and your family the rare chance to collect with wildlife around the world.

For more fantastic vacation ideas, check out more articles on our site.