The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

John Telford

How to pack for a long weekend away

by

Packing for a long weekend away is not always easy, on the one hand you need enough stuff for four days, and on the other, you want a bag that is going to be small enough for you to comfortably carry around. If you are flying to get to your weekend destination, it makes so much more sense form a time perspective that you just take carry-on luggage so that you can get out of the airport and start enjoying yourself, as soon as you land.

I go on about 6-8 weekend breaks per year and I usually take advantage of the holidays to ensure that I can turn it into a long weekend. Because of this, I have got my weekend bag packing down to a fine art and I wanted to share with you some tips on how to get it just right.

Bag

To choose your bag based on what you want to take with you, instead, base what you take with you on the size of your bag. Weekend travel may involve you taking your bag from A to B, a lot more than if you were heading off on a two week break with a hefty suitcase in tow. With this in mind then, it is important that you select a bag which is lightweight, as spacious as possible and most importantly, compact.

Shoes

Shoes really do take up the majority of the space in any bag and if you have thoughts about taking all of your heels, then think again. I like to take two pairs of shoes with me, and wear some trainers to travel in. I ditch the tall heels in favor of some kitten heels and I always take black pair of flats with me. Flats look great in any occasion and they take up next to no space in the bag.

Tech

Unless you absolutely have to work, I would recommend leaving any tech at home, and rely solely on your phone for the next few days. Tech and chargers can really fill space and add weight and for the sake of four days, it is far better to leave that kind of stuff at home.

Clothing

When it comes to clothing, really make sure that you are planning smartly for what you will be doing. A pair of jeans can easily be worn twice or three times, underwear is obviously needed for each day, jackets you can either give a miss if it is warm, or wear it when you are traveling to avoid putting it in your bag. Try to take only what you need and not what you might need. Remember that for the most part, if you desperately need new clothes, you can buy them in your destination.

Make sure that if you do take a towel with you, that you take a small and compact microfibre towel. Usually you will not need a towel as the hotel can provide, and even if you hit the beach you can always buy a cheap towel to use and then discard of.

To get your packing right for a long weekend, plan exactly what you will need and place your focus on keeping that bag light and easy to carry about.

when and where to catch the Northern Lights in Bonny Scotland

by

Experiencing the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, is a truly once in a lifetime event which will stay with you forever. This spectacular light show which occurs when magnetized protons and neutrons smash together in the sky and the consequence are multicolored light flashes blazing across the sky. There are many places in northern Europe where you can witness this spectacular event, most of which in Scandinavia but what many people don’t know, is that you can actually see this event from Bonny Scotland.

Scandinavian countries are notoriously expensive and that is one of the biggest reasons why many will instead look for the light show in alternative countries, Scotland being one of the best. Let’s take a look where and when is the best time for you to catch the Northern Lights in Scotland.

When to See Them

The best time to be in Scotland if you wish to see the Northern Lights, is during autumn and winter. Usually the lights are best seen as autumn draws to a close and winter begins to usher itself in. Try late October to early November if you really want to see these lights at their best.

Shetland Islands

The Shetland Islands are probably the best place for you to witness the Northern Lights because of its close proximity with Scandinavia. The islands are actually an archipelago of over 100 islands and there are few areas in the world as remote as these islands. There is little light pollution here which means that you can see the lights with real clarity.

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen is probably the most tourist friendly location for those looking to enjoy a break, and witness the Northern Lights. On the coast of Aberdeenshire is the best place to witness the lights although with the pollution from the city, getting to see the light with any real clarity is not always guaranteed.

The Cairngorms

The Cairngorms is a huge national park which features some of the UK’s tallest mountains, now landscapes, fresh rivers and huge lakes, it is also one of the  best places in the country to see Aurora Borealis. Thanks to both the proximity of the National Park, and the near-perfect darkness which you get during your time there, the lights look spectacular in this setting. Tourists will not only love the light show, but the huge array of activities on offer in this park.

The Coast of Fife

The coast of Fife is slowly becoming a very popular destination to witness Aurora thanks to the quaint and quirky surrounding areas. This is one of the best places to truly explore Scotland and also see the incredible Northern Lights. Fifa is a region with coastline, small villages, rustic towns and a very Scottish way of life. If you are heading to Scotland to try and see these lights, Fife makes for one of the best places for you to choose from.

Have you seen the light before? Where did you see them? We’d love to hear from you so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

What to do in the Brecon Beacons For a Long Weekend

by

If you are looking to take along weekend away in the UK, The Brecon Beacons is one of the best places to do just that. this remote, mountainous region is probably best known because it is the destination of choice for the SAS to train with its rugged hills, harsh conditions and remote location.

Whilst the army may send the best of the best to this area to train, for tourists, it makes for a perfect weekend getaway and here is what you can do within the National Park during your weekend away.

Festivals

The festival calendar in the Brecon Beacons is packed each year with a huge amount of annual festivities taking place. From food and drink festival, animal shows and farmers celebrations, there is plenty going on in this region for you to get involved with. Have a check before you head away to find out what is on whilst you are there.

Hiking Exploration

There really is an incredible amount of activities which you can indulge in during your time in the Brecon Beacons but one of the best ways to really see this region is to put those hiking boots on a and go explore. Through this national park you will find thick forests, hidden trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, large expanses with incredible views and cave networks which cut below the mountains.

Stargazing

Because of the size of the Brecon Beacons, and thanks to the fact that there are no cities nearby, the national park is a phenomenal place to go stargazing thanks to the lack of light pollution. Each year thousands of stargazers flock to the Beacons National Park to see one of the best night skies that you are ever likely to witness.

Vintage Train

The Brecon Mountain Railway has been in operation for many years and this vintage train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful natural landscapes which you can find here. The train covers the full length of the Taf Fechan reservoir and then climbs up to the vantage point at the top of Torpantau, a wonderful experience that lets you see the very best of the park.

Activities

If you want to really enjoy your time here in the Beacons then the best way to do so is to get involved in some of the many activities which you will find in the park. From rock climbing and caving, gorge walking to kayaking, paragliding to cycling, whatever your bag is, you will find it right here in the Brecon Beacons. There are many companies which operate within the National Park, offering such activities and the prices are very reasonable.

Gold Mine Tour

Many years ago gold miners would flood into the Beacons looking for that pot of gold which would change their life and you can take a tour which will see you follow in their footsteps. The tour will take you deep into the heart of the disused mine and give you a taste of what it was like for the miners.

There is so much to do here that it would be foolish if you didn’t have it on your list of places to explore for a long weekend.

A Guide to a political tour in order to understand Northern Ireland

by

Before the days of ISIS and Al Qaeda, in the 70s and 80s, the UK was going through one of its most difficult periods since the end of the Second World War, with terrorist activity and an internal struggle in Northern Ireland. The struggle existed based on two factors, the first being religion which was split throughout the country between Protestants and Catholics, this lent itself to a further struggle between Loyalists and Republicans, those in support of the crown, and those who weren’t.

This period in UK history is generally referred to as the ‘Troubles’ and it was a horrific time for people living within Northern Ireland. Whilst these troubles are now behind us, the impact which it had will reverberate for many years to come with lives being lost on mass, families, neighborhoods and communities torn apart, and political turmoil which has taken years to unravel.

On a visit to Northern Ireland, and in particular, Belfast, you can take a tour that will help you to further understand exactly what went on during those years, and witness the devastating consequences of one of the darkest periods in Northern Irish history. If you wish to take this tour, here is what you can expect.

Murals

Both during the Troubles and afterwards,huge murals were painted throughout the city on walls and the sides of houses. Some of these murals were painted to remember the dead, others were designed as a sign of allegiance but the majority of them were calls for peace, togetherness and an end to the unnecessary violence. The large majority of these murals still stand to this day and they make up a fascinating part of these educational tour.

Guide Information

One of the reasons why these tours are so highly rated is that the guides who give them, actually lived through these times themselves. Such is the recent nature of what happened in Northern Ireland, the generations who lived through it are still with us today and can recount with clarity, just what it was like to live through the Troubles. The tour guides will not only show you the locations of mass murders, bombs and stand-offs, but give you some education on how it came about, and how it finally ended. A great many of the tour companies will actually offer two guides, one from each side of the battle, to give you an accurate depiction of both sides of the story.

Exploration

Make sure that you take a walking tour rather than a bus or taxi tour as this will give you the chance to further explore the city, whilst you are understanding the political side of things. The walking tour takes between 3-4 hours and as long as you have a great guide, the time will fly by as you learn more about this fascinating city.

The political tour is an absolute must on a visit to Northern Ireland and it is the best way to truly gain an understanding of the culture and the history of this beautiful region.