The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Europe

Amazing European Destinations For This Summer

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Are you thinking of things to do this summer with your friends, family or just your sweetie for the holidays? It can be difficult to find the perfect getaway that everyone would enjoy, but with great destinations like Europe, you can get a bit of something for everyone. With so many countries to visit, history to be experienced and beautiful scenery to enjoy, Europe is more popular than ever for many travellers. Here’s a couple of the top destinations you should check out and consider for this summer’s ultimate holiday.

Norway

Norway is probably one of the most beautiful countries in northern Europe. With high mountains, stunning coastline and vast forested areas, what’s not to like about this welcoming and unique country? You can also see the Norwegian fjords on a cruise, the ultimate addition to any holiday, allowing you the ability to get up close and personal to stunningly carved, steep cliff sides that have been formed over millions of years of glacial erosion. It’s one of the top rated activities by almost everyone who experiences a fjord cruise in Norway, so definitely add it to your must do list if you pick this gorgeous country as one of your stops.

Spain

While many people think of Spain and its resort towns, there’s a lot more to Spain than the coastline on the Med. Inland cities such as Seville and Madrid offer amazing architecture, beautiful town squares and adorable cafes and coffee shops as well as shopping. Not only this, but these cities offer a much more authentic way of Spanish life that isn’t focused as heavily on tourism like the coastal resort towns like Benidorm can be. If you’re looking for a real challenge this summer, why not try the famed route of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of the country? This extensive hiking trail and pilgrimage route is a popular option for many travellers visiting Spain and can be a great way to meet new people and have an awe-inspiring experience.

Italy

Who doesn’t love a bit of Italy? With so many cities and towns to choose from it can be nigh on impossible to narrow your trip down to just a couple, so why try? Instead, why not rent a car and explore the length and breadth of the country over a couple of weeks from the rolling hills and terracotta coloured villages of Tuscany to the fashionable streets of Milan or the historic sites of the likes of Rome or Napoli. Don’t forget to try authentic Italian dishes like pizzas, pastas and gelato. You’re missing a huge experience if you don’t let your inner foodie out to play in Italy!

With so many unique and beautiful places to choose from throughout Europe, it can be difficult to nail your choices down to just a few, but hopefully this short list of awesome destinations and why they’re so great will help you and your friends or family make the best decision for your next European break – whether it’s this summer or sometime in the future!

 

Enjoy a Perfect Holiday in Sicily

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Sicily is the ideal holiday destination if you wish to get away to somewhere very special. Steeped in history and with glorious views and amazing beaches, Sicily is the ideal destination.

Whether you are taking your significant other with you or your whole family, Sicily is the ideal place to enjoy some well-deserved time away. Home to the magnificent towns of Ragusa and Modica that are situated at the top of a hill, Sicily is there to be enjoyed.

If you would like to add an extra touch of luxury to your holiday you may want to consider staying in one of the many villas in Sicily you can find online thanks to agencies such as Scent of Sicily. Staying in a villa will give you the chance to completely relax and stay in a home from home.

Once you have booked your accommodation and decided how long you’re going to stay, you need to consider what you’re going to do while you’re away. Here are a few ideas that you may want to take on board:

Make your Way to the Beach

Sicily’s coastline is full to the brim of some very scenic beaches that are just waiting for you to explore them. Wherever you choose to stay you won’t be far away from a beach. This means you could potentially spend a few hours at the beach every day, oh how awful that would be! Some beaches tend to get a little busy when the sun’s shining high in the sky so you may want to visit in the early morning.

Make it glam

There’s no doubt about it, Sicily has a real touch of glamour to it. All of those beautiful beaches and bays are simply out of this world. If you want to add even more glamour you may consider the villas in sicily with pool and luxurious views, making your time away even more special. Don’t forget to dine in some of the world’s finest restaurants while you’re there, and enjoy a perfect holiday in Sicily.

Visit Mount Etna

Home to one of the world’s most famous volcanoes, Mount Etna is a must-visit destination. If you’re feeling energetic you may want to consider hiking to the top of the volcano. However, if you’re feeling a little less energetic and wish to enjoy the view why not hop on a cable car? The views are simply stunning and will take your breath away.

Embrace Sicily’s History

Sicily is home to some amazing historical sites that simply have to be seen to be believed. The crumbling Greek temples are remarkable as are the Roman mosaics that can still be viewed to this day. The island of Sicily is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites making it an extra special place to visit.

Attend a Festival

Sicily has an incredibly busy festival calendar and it’s full to the brim of traditional celebrations that are nothing short of intriguing. If you plan to experience a little more of what life is like for those who live on this island you should try to visit as many festivals and events as possible.

Snorkeling in Iceland

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My partner and I are snorkeling aficionados. We have been on many vacations where snorkeling was our main goal. We have been to destinations such as Ambergris Caye, Belize, Ilha Grande in Brazil, Palawan in the Philippines, and the Maldives.

All of these destinations are beautiful and we still want to go to Indonesia and Hawaii. However, we are craving a unique experience. Sure, these tropical places are out of this world, but my partner and I are adventurous and are always seeking unique destinations.

I went online browsing through options and I came across a destination that I never thought was an option. It was Iceland. I immediately texted my partner to see what he thought. He texted back, “R u crazy?” I told him to check out the website to see that I have not lost my mind.

We have never been to a cold destination for a vacation. In fact, we don’t experience too much cold weather as we live in Santa Barbara, California. I’m lucky to be able to work remotely from home for my online business and my partner, Steven, has a good job working in tech sales. Steven and I are partners now for 25 years and our anniversary is coming up. I thought what better way to celebrate than doing what we love in a completely different climate!

I was so excited that I began exploring the sites and package deals available. I started doing some research and I found out some fascinating fact about snorkeling in Iceland. Apparently, Iceland is the only place in the world that you can dive or snorkel and touch two continents at the same time!

In fact, the Sifra Rift is known for the clearest water and amazing clear underwater visibility. The Sifra rift is part of the Thingvallavatn Lake which is the largest natural lake in Iceland. The best part is that you don’t need a diving license to go snorkeling in Iceland. So you can freely explore and experience one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world!

Steven was now just as excited as I was to take this amazing journey together! I contacted our travel agent and they looked up some good deals for us. First, our agent, Sally, looked up some good deals for a flight. Flights ranged from $560.00 to about $1,153.00 roundtrip. Not bad.

The flight itself from Los Angeles, California to Reykjavik, Iceland is about 9 hours and 8 minutes. Sure it’s a bit longer than going to some tropic destinations, but way less time than going to Australia or Japan. Sally managed to find us a great deal that included a fabulous hotel that was near shops and interesting sites.

Sally did mention to us that transportation may be an issue. The taxi service there is Hreyfill and the fare is charged by a taximeter. The price can be anywhere from $126USD to about $159USD. “Yikes! That’s expensive!”, Steven said. I agreed. “What about UBER or LYFT?” I replied.

I found out that there are no Uber or Lyft services in Iceland. Out here when I need to go to Santa Barbara or Venice Beach, I take Uber all the time!

There were other options, like renting a car. This would save us time and money. We found a site for a rental car company in Iceland that had great reviews and decided to give them a try, www.lotuscarrental.is/rent-a-car-in-iceland. Sally, our travel agent, recommended the best way to get to our hotel and to any snorkeling tour would be by renting a car. Also by renting a car, this would give us time to stop at some amazing sites such as the Skogafoss Waterfall, the Golden Circle, and so many more sights listed on the brochure.

Steven is the designated driver out of us two. He likes to drive, so I will leave it up to him which sites he wants to go to. Maybe we will go to them all! We are ambitious adventurers after all.

I also came across an article in the NY Times as my business involves keeping up with news from coast to coast. I just happened to come across this article. It was a sign that this was the place to go!

Steven and I booked our flight and we were very excited to celebrate our union of 25 years in such a magnificent place. This will make our union even more special. I am so glad that I have an amazing friend and partner like Steven to explore these fascinating destinations together.

The ‘It’ Travel Destinations Of 2018

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Perhaps you’ve noticed through social media and the likes, the popular destinations to travel to this year. Perhaps you’ve even wondered what makes them so attractive, and why everyone seems to be in a rush to visit them.

While the usual popular destinations still remain – such as London, New York, Paris, etc; it seems as though this year travellers have unpacked a whole new set of popular destinations. Destinations that have a few things in common, surprisingly: they’re all about the sun, sand and sea, and kicking back and relaxing, while still learning a thing or two about different cultures, fascinating history and indulging in new tastes, smells and sights. Although some of these destinations are far from ‘cheap’, and you may just need to play Mega Millions online; there are a few that are easy on the pocket, and still offer a vacation experience of a lifetime.

Let’s get into the ‘it’ destinations of the year, and find out why they’re extraordinary. You may just find your new travel bucket list!

Tulum, Mexico

Without a doubt, Tulum comes in as a favourite when we speak of the ‘it’ travel destinations. Why so? Well, Tulum is rustic, yet luxurious; it’s incredibly beautiful, and one thing that stands out is the unique accommodation options on offer on the island which look rather whimsical/’boho’. Some of the hotels even look like tree houses, and others are situated over the ocean. It may just be the next Bora Bora or Maldives, as the honeymooners are flocking to Tulum in their numbers. But don’t be fooled, this is the perfect place even for solo travellers looking to take a break and reconnect with themselves and nature. Tulum is known for holding many spiritual retreats, including yoga retreats and many more. It’s the perfect place to rejuvenate, relax and reconnect.

Source: 3 days away

Bali, Indonesia

Bali comes as no surprise, right? You’ve probably noticed for yourself just how popular Bali has become. Just a few years ago Bali was fairly ‘undiscovered’, and couldn’t compete with the likes tourist-central Thailand. Yet, today, Bali has become a tourist hotspot. The reason for this is that Bali is extremely reasonable in price, making it perfect for students and backpackers, and of course Bali is beautiful; with its pristine beaches and volcanoes dotted throughout the island. It is also deeply immersed in culture and history, as recognised by the many unique-looking temples and spiritual hideaways. This makes it the ideal locale for those seeking out an all-round adventure, packed with beach days, history tours, spiritual encounters and delicious food.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is yet another extremely popular city to visit, and has also only recently been ‘discovered’ by tourists. Cape Town has seen almost a 40% increase in tourism in the last three years – and there’s no wonder why. This city, although fairly built up, is immersed in natural beauty; from Table Mountain to the gorgeous beaches, the vineyards, and let’s not forget the incredible weather. Over and above all that, Cape Town was put on the map by the great Nelson Mandela. Just off the coast of Cape Town, on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 year sentence after he challenged the apartheid government at the time. Robben Island has become one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, and it sure is a hit with the tourists and locals alike. It goes without saying that the deep history, as well as the strong African culture that can be recognised through the foods, the languages and the traditional dress, makes Cape Town one of the most rich and diverse cities in the world.

Source: Le Petit Journal

Mykonos, Greece

While most of the above mentioned destinations are attracting students, honeymooners and anyone looking for a great break; Mykonos is a little different. Mykonos is attracting the celebrities in a big way, as well as those looking to party their way through their vacation. It has become known as ‘the party island’, similar to the likes of Ibiza in Spain. Mykonos is rather exclusive and the rates of hotels are incredibly pricey; as for the restaurants, beach bars and clubs. While Mykonos is stunning, with magical little beach coves dotted throughout the island, this is not what attracts the travelling folk. Be prepared to party from morning to night at the many extravagant beach bars; dance on tables at the exclusive restaurants and live it up in the hotels that scream grandeur!

The Maldives Islands

It’s a no brainer that the Maldives makes this list! For some reason there’s been a significant boost in the amount of travellers visiting this island. Of course we can put it down to the fact that the Maldives literally looks like heaven on earth; but there’s another reason why the Maldives has quickly become popular with travellers across the board, and this is thanks to the very reasonable packages that are on offer for this exquisite island. You’d think the Maldives would be a pricey option because it looks like paradise, and because many of the hotels are on the water – it just screams exclusivity, doesn’t it? And yes, you’re right, but don’t be fooled by this – there are plenty of accommodation options that are extremely well priced, and are just as comfortable, luxurious and utterly breathtaking.

Journey through Two Cosmopolitan Classics – A Road Trip from Paris to Berlin

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Road trips are some of the most exhilarating and sought out adventures today. Instead of just loitering and lapping up all the entertainment and activity of one country, you could take in more than one. Europe is a great place to do a road trip; with culture that everyone craves for, and scenery that everyone wants to see.

Paris is a world renowned city, which boasts of romance and ravishing sites; the Eiffel Tower being one of them. Dine on the French cuisines, or dress up in some designer outfits from the many infamous boutiques. Berlin is also a must-see capital, and that’s why it’s an estimable expedition to take. See the city’s turbulent 20th century history turned into tremendous landmarks and terrain.

Paris and Berlin are two desired destinations to travel to, and one of the most fascinating #RoadTripsofEurope. But before you set out on your journey, you should make sure your vehicle is charged, and take care that your car meets all the safety checks to endure the ride. Kwik Fit is a great place to stop off before you commence, and get them checks done. So here are some places you could visit on your trip.

Trier

Visit this south-western German City on your journey and be wined and dined. This city founded by the Romans will leave you saying ‘when in Trier, do as the Triers do.’ Marvel at the monuments and take in the exhibitions of the ancient Romans baths and forums. It’s the oldest city in Germany, and lies in the heart of ‘the wine region’ Moselle, where you can drink to your hearts content and savour some of the most rich and remarkable ‘vin de table.’

Heidelberg

Browse the affordable and attractive cafes of Germany’s student city. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and provides both relaxing and riveting activities. The Heidelberg Castle is the symbolic heart of the city, and is something that should definitely be seen. Park your car up and take a touristic tram ride up to the castle and enjoy the view.

Nuremberg

Let the mind-blowing medieval architecture of Nuremberg leave you marvelling. If you’re taking a trip to this city during the festive season, the Christmas market is a must visit, it’s the oldest and most authentic Christmas market around. See the tremendous timber constructs throughout this neighbourhood and let the landscapes take your breath away.

Dresden

Take in some of the ornate and extravagant Baroque building work; the city of Dresden is flooded with them. It’s a lovely destination to stop off at after days of driving around the previous cities. Be refreshed by a view of the city skyline from Neustadt. Dresden is a site to behold, and will surely set you up to complete the rest of your road trip. And while you’re in ‘the Land of Beer’ nothing should hold you back from sampling one, or maybe even two, of the 5000 flavours of beer this country boasts of.