The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Europe

Look like a Local: How to Dress in Italy on Your Trip

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Back side of young woman making picture of beautiful colorful old italian buildings, happy travel to Europe, summer vacation concept

Romantic architecture. Mouth-watering pizza. Flavorsome wine.
Missing anything?

Oh yes, fashion! Italian fashion is renowned for producing names like Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, and Versace. So it’s no wonder you’re wondering how to dress in Italy.

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here are our top tips on dressing like a local.

1. Tailoring is Key

You never see an Italian sporting baggy threads.  Italians would see this as poor attention to detail and will think you can’t find your perfect size.

To avoid this, go tighter even for men’s pants.  And for women, choose a well-fitted pair of capri pants as they’re classy.

2. Dress Like the Rest of the Region 

Italian dress code varies depending on the geography. The main divide is between the North and the South.  For example, Milan sits in the North and is world-famous within the fashion industry.  The style there oozes sophistication and depends on designer brands.

On the flipside, Italian attire in Southern cities like Rome sticks to a more traditional style.  When you’re here, make sure you don’t show too much skin as locals aren’t keen on revealing clothes.

Also, dress formally in cities as opposed to rural towns and also consider the weather.  Before you pack, remember that the North is warm in the summer and cold in winter whereas the South is warm all year round.

3. Wear Classic Colors

You may ask “what do people wear in Italy”, and the answer: is the right color palette.

Italians occasionally wear bold colors but mostly stick to classic tones.  Pick clothes that are dark blue, black, cream, white and tan.  Brighter colors are common in spring and choose light colors in the sun as they best reflect the heat.

And, when you’re picking out your outfit, always avoid unnatural colors like neon green or mustard yellow.

4. Sport Nice Shoes

Before you Google “how do people dress in Italy”, know that locals wear fine shoes.
When you dress in Italy, wear sturdy shoes that aren’t overwhelmed with bling.  Choose a pair made from high-quality fabric or leather and ensure they are in good condition.

Italians will appreciate designer labels on your feet but if you can’t, make sure they’re classy and clean.  For example, these sneakers are made in Italy and will be a hit.

If you’re a female, get a pair of ballet-style shoes or a classy boot to complete your outfit.

…And that’s How to Dress in Italy

It’s important to know how to dress in Italy so you fit in with the locals.  Italians stick to classic colors and tailor their outfits to fit perfectly.  But before you go, check the weather so you know whether to rock your summer or winter outfits.  Buona fortuna!

Are you ready to embark on your next adventure? Check us out for more top travel tips.

The Best Things to Do in Chelmsford

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Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Thanks to a certain television programme, we are all familiar with the county of Essex, but how much do you know about Chelmsford? The only city in the county, Chelmsford has a great deal to offer – Stage Security have compiled a list of some of the best things you can do there.

Just a 35-minute train ride from London, there’s plenty to explore in Chelmsford, and if it’s events you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed.

Go Green

For lovers of nature, the Grade II listed neo-classical Hylands Estate will be a big hit, with its stunning landscaped gardens, fairs, festivals, café, ancient woodlands and Adventure Playground.

Place Your Bets

Race-goers can attend Chelmsford City Racecourse, one of the country’s newest racecourses and one of only three to be floodlit. Whatever the weather, there’s always an exciting race on, and you can enjoy a lively atmosphere at two on-site restaurants and many bars. The city’s annual beer festival also takes place here – cheers!

Family Fun

Jump Street (not associated with the films) is a large indoor activity centre guaranteed to entertain the whole family. With more than 300 trampolines, 4000 sq ft of soft play area and the world’s largest Clip and Climb centre, expect little ones to be tired out! Great family fun for when it’s wet outside!

Spend Spend Spend

If you’re looking for some retail therapy, High Chelmer is the place for you. The largest shopping centre in the city, High Chelmer is home to more than 80 high-street favourites including Topshop, Pandora and SuperDry. When you’re all shopped out, grab a bite to eat at Turtle Bay, Carluccios or Cote Brasserie.

Catch a Show

If you’re a fan of the theatre, you’re in for a treat! The Civic Theatre offers fabulous views from every seat and provides an incredibly immersive experience. It’s the city’s largest theatre, with audiences of more than 500 and an array of productions. With everything from drama and comedy to musicals and talks about famous figures, there’s something for everyone. The city’s oldest theatre is the Old Court Theatre, which provides a more cosy, intimate atmosphere with shows the whole family can enjoy at a reasonable price.

Stroll Back in Time

Why not enjoy a stroll around Chelmsford Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic buildings? With over 800 years of rich history, the cathedral is the third smallest in the country and provides a picturesque backdrop for an autumnal walk.

At Stage Security, we’re big fans of this city and all it has to offer. If you are interested in the Chelmsford security services we can provide in the area, visit our website for more information.

The Best Places to Visit in France With Kids

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Due to its proximity to the UK, a large number of families cross the sea every year in favour of the French coast, with great transport links such as the Eurostar allowing families to travel abroad in a few short hours. France is not only enjoyable because of its proximity, there are also a wide range of attractions and places in Paris and beyond that your kids will fall in love with.

1. Disneyland

If you do not have the time or money to travel to America to enjoy the magic of Disney World, you can still experience the magic with Disneyland tickets, giving you the opportunity to relax in a resort only a stone’s throw from Paris. Disneyland is a haven for kids and adults alike, with a wide range of slow and thrill rides for every age group, from the excitement of Splash Mountain to the iconic ‘It’s a Small World’, which will have your children singing along for days afterwards. Not only this, but Disneyland is also filled with other activities for all ages, whether that be watching one of their colourful, musical parades or tucking into some of the special grub that can only be found in the Disney parks.

2. Eiffel Tower

France is the second most visited country by UK citizens, and Paris is the top destination for Brits. You can’t visit Paris without going to the Eiffel Tower, and for kids, this will be one of the most recognisable monuments in the city, though you may want to beat the queues. Your kids may complain about the 1,710 steps to the top of the structure, so how about taking one of the elevators to help them along? From the top of the tower, you will be treated to amazing views of Paris beneath you.

3. French Alps

If your kids love being active and you want to try out an activity that you may not be able to enjoy in the UK, head to the French Alps. Skiing in the French Alps is a must-do for any sport-loving family, with slopes for every age group. Not only this, but the French Alps is also home to many ski schools where your children can learn the basics of the slopes with other individuals their own age.

4. The Louvre

If you want your child to come home having learnt something new, France is a hub of culture, with many museums scattered about the country. The Louvre in particular is a favourite with families due to its famous portrait, the Mona Lisa. Museums in France also regularly set up workshops that your children can attend, which usually take place on a Wednesday afternoon, when French children are off school.

5. The Beaches

If you want to spend your final days in France relaxing, your kids will love nowhere more than France’s variety of beaches. Family-friendly locations include Plage du Bosquet in Portiragnes and Conche Des Baleines, which is close enough to the A-list glamour of St Tropez for the adults in your family to have a relaxing outing too. If you want to travel off the mainland, Ile D’ Oleron is also the perfect option for families looking to entertain the children, with beautiful beaches such as Plage de Saumonards.

5 Most Fun Things to do in Portugal

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Planning for a vacation to Portugal? You have made the best decision ever. Located in Southwestern Europe and bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal is a country with striking scenes. It is a country where millions of tourists visit annually. Sunny beaches, festivals, surfing, canoeing, visiting national parks, clubbing, and many other activities that will entice you are found in Portugal.

However, if you have not made up your mind where you would like to spend your vacation. Then Portugal is the best place you need to visit. I know convincing you at this stage is very challenging. Thus, in this guide, you will learn about the most fun things you can do while in Portugal. In the end, I know you will have made up your mind.

Sports

Looking forward to watch your favorite race track event in Portugal? Then the Circuito Estoril is where you need to go during your vacation. Found near the shores of the Atlantic it has attractive views and you will be amazed while watching famous race track drivers competing. Furthermore, you can go play golf in the best courses in Portugal. You can the best golf packages through the Algarve golf holidays.

Canoeing

You want to experience a whole new experience of canoeing. You might be doing this for the first time or it’s your hobby. While visiting Portugal you can go canoeing in Furnas Lake. Located in the Azores this is one of the attractive places you can visit. Furnas Lake is unique because the water is green. Moreover, the landscape around this lake is beautiful. It is in between hills covered with bamboo trees, meadows, and redwood trees.

Taste Wine

Wine is a precious drink you can have while relaxing. Your only purpose in going to Portugal is relaxation. And one of the best ways while you are there is tasting the finest wines from the best wineries in Portugal. Therefore, one of the best places to get the best wine is the Douro Valley it has several wineries like Porto Calem. So, if you are a wine enthusiast then visiting Portugal is your best option as you will drink wine at any time. An interesting thing is that wine is not reserved for special events. You can drink wine in Portugal the way you want.

Partying

Do you enjoy partying? Or do you want to explore the best parties? Then Portugal is the best place you need to go. With several club’s restaurants and casinos, the nightlife in Portugal is always amazing. To have a great time you can visit cities like Porto, Braga, Lisbon, and Algarve for the best parties. Consequently, if you are looking forward to going for your vacation in Portugal then I assure you will have a great time to party. Additionally, while in Lisbon you can go to Bairro Alto District. This is considered as the home of nightlife in this city. Furthermore, you can explore other nightlife places like Cais do Sodre.

Fado Music

Listening to new music can be so appealing. And where’s is the best place to listen to the best kind of music than Portugal? Fado is the best kind of music you can listen to when you visit Lisbon. This type of music is dated back to 1800. If you fear not listening to Fado while in Lisbon you can travel to Coimbra and have a good taste of Fado. The following are music houses in Lisbon where you can listen to Fado. They include:

  • Clube do Fado in Alfama
  • The Fado Museum
  • Fado de Alfama

Conclusion

You now have made your decision about visiting Portugal. The above are things you can do when you go for your vacation to Portugal. There are many other things you can do while in Portugal. It is a cool country where you can enjoy your holidays. Thank you for your time and you can comment or share this guide.

How to Experience the Best of Iceland on a Budget

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Visiting Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people and offers travellers a unique experience that no other country in the world can match. The cost of living in Iceland is high, so the prices of food, drink, travel, and accommodation can be a bit of a shock to tourists. However, this doesn’t mean that only the very wealthy can experience Iceland.

Flights to Iceland generally use up the biggest chunk of your budget, but if you use comparison websites, you might be able to get cheap flights online and save yourself a significant amount of money. For accommodation, hostels will usually offer the best deals. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, make sure you compare international accommodation prices to find something that fits into your budget.

Here’s how to keep your trip as budget-friendly as possible.

Avoid eating in pricey restaurants

Food in Iceland is renowned for being costly and, if you’re not careful, you could end up over spending on meals. Try to find a hotel or hostel that includes breakfast so you can fill up before you head out in the morning. Eating in restaurants in cities and near tourist attractions is likely to be expensive, so the more regularly you can eat in smaller cafes or food stands the more you’ll save. If you can find a supermarket (the main store chain is called Bonus) try and stock up on snacks you can take with you while you’re out and about.

Instead of buying bottles of drinking water, bring a refillable bottle you can top up when you find a cold water tap. Cold tap water in Iceland is pure and safe to drink, but be careful with hot water from the tap as it is often high in sulphur. Alcohol is also expensive in Iceland so stock up on some duty-free alcohol at the airport.

Take your own layers

While it sounds like an obvious statement, the weather in Iceland is incredibly cold and many people underestimate just how many layers they will need when out seeing the sights  – especially at night. If you end up having to buy extra layers while you’re there, you’ll be eating into your budget unnecessarily. In addition, if you’re planning on camping or staying in hostels, bring your own sleeping bag and sheets as you may be charged extra to hire them.

Take advantage of free activities

Often people can spend a lot of money on tours and visiting the famous natural landmarks, but Iceland has more than enough free beauty to keep you busy. For example, while many people head to the Blue Lagoon and pay around 5,000 ISK (around R600) to enter, there are free hot springs that are just as beautiful, such as Reykjadalur – only 40 minutes outside of Reykjavik.

Another stunning place to visit is the seaside village of Vík í Mýrdal with naturally formed basalt stacks which border the black sands Reynisfjara beach. Other natural sights to see include the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the Hallgrimskirkja church, or a nature reserve in Iceland’s capital called Elliðaárdalur. 

To get the most out of your trip to Iceland, the best strategy is to research and plan as much as possible before you arrive. Look at several different options for accommodation, plan your itinerary with as many free activities as you can.