The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

The Americas

Best car rental companies at the Curacao airport

by

Moving around in Curacao International Airport for both local and international passengers has been eased by several car rentals companies located at the airport. Some of the common companies includes Alamo, Budget, Europcar and National. Passengers have the options of picking the type of cars to hire and the cost of hiring these cars also vary with the type of car you are hiring. Reservations can be done online in advance at the customers convenience. To avoid missing your flight, it is recommended you book your car earlier to avoid any inconvenience.

Here are the top car rental companies in Curacao Airport:

1. Alamo

The head office is based at hato international airport. Other branches are located at lion’s diva and marina. In order to rent a car, you need to a have a valid license and credit card, and also be at least 25 years of age.

2. Budget

Budget has 3 locations, these are, airport terminal hato, havilla beach hotel, and ja Thiel beach. Its fleet of cars include trucks, small and large SUVs respectively. One can secure bookings online with favorable discounts. In addition, Budget has a variety of fleet depending on the reason of travel. They include the rio sedan which has automatic sitting transmission, Nissan urvan with a capacity of 9 passengers, FM stereo and power steering.

3. Europcar

The company offers services that are not only friendly, but also at affordable prices on daily basis. Whether intended to hire Europcar Curacao for pleasure or business, you can opt for their cars or vans that are readily available at the Curacao airport.

4. Enterprise

Serves customers in Canada and has more than 1.5 million cars. The firm is family owned with an aim of providing excellent services. When intending to rent a car at enterprise, debit card is the safest way because most branches do not accept cash. The firm also boasts of a variety of cars ranging from smaller to bigger trucks.

5. National

It has its locations at Lion’s diva hotel and Marina, Livingstone resort and hato international airport. The types of vehicles include the mini economy car, which is ideal for short trips to the beach or to town in group travelling. National has spacious vans with six pieces of luggage and a capacity of 9 passengers. These vehicles are also fitted with air conditioners, manual transmission and FM stereo. When it comes to safety, car National also offers driving tips such as parking in well-lit areas, fastening of seat belts while the vehicle is in motion, and the firm prohibits drunk driving for potential clients.

6. Sixt

Offers first class services to curacao international airport with a variety of vehicles from small to large. Booking is made in advance to get the convenient hire, which comes with discounts in handy. Quotes are also offered while booking online to familiarize one on the rental costs. Further, in case of any damages, such information should be forwarded to sixt rental company. Similarly, for other damages, one is required to fill a form that will notify what is covered by the insurance.

Conclusion

There are several car rentals companies that have established their operations at the Curacao Airport. As such, when planning to visit Curacao or flyout, moving around has been made easier by these car rental firms within the proximity of the airport.  These companies have made efforts to acquire fleets of both small and large cars to suits the needs of their potential customers. Subsequently, as an in bound visitor or planning to fly out, the wide variety of car rental options offered by these firms makes your decision easier on the type of car to rent, depending on your presenting needs.

A Brief Introduction to the Disney Vacation Club

by

With 20.96 million visitors in 2019, Disney World topped the list as the most visited theme park anywhere. If you were one of those visitors or you head to Disney properties regularly, you’ve likely heard of the Disney Vacation Club.

Is the Disney Vacation Club worth it? If you’re a Disney lover and plan to visit that famous mouse frequently for the foreseeable future, the Disney Vacation Club could be a good investment for you. Reading Disney Vacation Club reviews and fully understanding how the process works helps you determine if it’s the ideal vacation option for you.

Check out the basics of DVC below.

What Is the Disney Vacation Club?

DVC is similar to a timeshare with a little Disney magic mixed in. You make a real estate investment in a Disney property with a contract. In return, you get Vacation Points, which are replenished every year and used to book vacations.

When you’re ready to go to a participating Disney resort, you use your points to pay for the stay. The amount of points required for the stay depends on several variables, including the time of year, resort you choose, length of the stay, and type of room.

DVC is a flexible timeshare program in that you can use the points for a wide variety of vacations. While you have to choose a home resort, you can use your points toward stays at other DVC resorts and for other vacation types, such as Disney cruises.

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

When you join DVC, you choose a home resort from multiple options. Disney Vacation Club resorts are primarily located at Disney World in Orlando. Home resorts outside of Orlando are located in California at Disneyland, Vero Beach in Florida, Hilton Head in South Carolina, and in Hawaii at Disney’s Aulani resort.

Many of the DVC resorts at Disney World are part of larger resorts or have a DVC section along with regular rooms for non-DVC visitors. Examples are the Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and The Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel.

The resorts have different room options, starting with studio rooms, which are similar to a larger, standard hotel room. Most DVC resorts have 1- or 2-bedroom villas if you want more space. Certain resorts have 3-bedroom grand villas or other accommodations, such as bungalows at the Polynesian and cabins at Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge.

How to Join the Disney Vacation Club

To join the Disney Vacation Club, you need to choose your home resort and complete the contract by purchasing a real estate interest in that resort. In exchange, you get vacation points that you use for booking future Disney vacations. These points refresh every year, so you can book vacations yearly with your points.

Consider which resort you’ll want to stay at most often when joining DVC. It’s easier to get rooms on your choice of days at your home resort.

The number of points you buy is also important. You want enough to cover your intended stay without have lots of extra points.

Disney Vacation Club Cost

The Disney Vacation Club cost depends on how many points you buy. If your price is $201 per point and you purchase 200 points, your investment is $40,200. You also have closing costs, which depend on the home resort you choose and how many points you purchase.

If you can’t afford the entire amount upfront, you can finance the investment. This allows you to pay over several years while enjoying your DVC membership. You’ll make a down payment and then make monthly payments until you pay off the initial investment, much like you would finance and pay off a mortgage.

You also pay annual dues, which vary based on the resort you choose as your home resort. They cover things such as operating costs and the real estate taxes for the resort, and the dues can change yearly. For an example, see the DVC annual dues 2021.

Booking DVC Stays

Each year, you get the number of points you agreed to in your contract to use toward a Disney vacation. You can add points to your contract down the road if you always come up short.

You also have some flexibility to use the points in different years. If you want to take a big vacation this year, you can borrow some points from next year. If you want to save up for a bigger vacation next year, you can carry over this year’s points.

You can book a stay at your home resort starting 11 months before your travel date. If you want to book a vacation at a different DVC resort, the window opens up 7 months in advance.

You’ll have a better change of getting the dates and room type you want at your home resort since you can start booking sooner. Availability usually decreases significantly the closer your travel dates get. DVC availability can be especially limited during busier travel times.

DVC Rentals

What happens if you join the Disney Vacation Club but can’t use your points one year? You can rent out the points to people who aren’t DVC members. This allows you to earn money on the points that you won’t use.

If you’re not sure you want to join DVC, you can rent points from a DVC owner. This is a good way to experience the DVC resorts to see if you want to become a member yourself. It can also be an affordable way to stay at a nice resort without becoming a DVC member.

Perks for DVC Members

Having your yearly Disney vacation is a nice perk itself, but you get some extra bonuses when you become a DVC member. You get discounts on annual passes, which can save you money on park admission. The combination of a DVC rental and a park pass can make your trips more affordable.

You can also get discounts on other products and experiences at Disney. Members get discounts on food and merchandise. You can also book special tours inside the parks at a discounted price.

Disney hosts special events throughout the year that are only for DVC members. You also have access to DVC-only lounges throughout the Disney Parks.

Enjoy Disney Vacation Club

Does the Disney Vacation Club seem like the perfect fit for your magic-loving family? If the investment works for your budget and vacation plans, signing up gives your family access to years of Disney vacation fun.

Visit our archives for information on other destinations around the world.

Atlanta Luxury Rental Car You Can Get Today

by

Georgia is a beautiful state in the USA, and the city of Atlanta makes it complete. As a cultural and economic hub, both business and tourism thrive here. Consequently, there is an increased need for an Atlanta luxury rental car for people to carry out their business trips, events, and vacations in style. According to experts, there are an increasing number of exotic car rental companies to meet the ever-growing demand for these vehicles. So, if you are looking for an Atlanta luxury rental car and are not sure which one to select for your needs, here is a guide on all the luxury vehicles you are likely to find.

Business Luxury Vehicles

Are you here in Atlanta for a business trip? You can make a signature appearance for your meeting in an Atlanta luxury rental car. Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Benz are the most recommended luxury business cars in the city. You can actually get a chauffeur to drive you around as you focus on preparing for the business meeting.

However, you can also stand out with exotic sports cars such as models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Maserati, which are available to rent in Atlanta.

Luxury and Exotic Vehicles for Events

Atlanta is a busy city that is frequented by celebrities, models, and superstars. It is also a vibrant venue for events such as weddings and birthday parties. For such occasions, it is prudent to rent an Atlanta luxury rental car that will fit well. And exotic sports cars are always a great match.

If you visit the Milani Exotic Car Rental website, you will find a list of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Chevrolets, BMWs, and additional incredible vehicles that you can rent for your needs. The rental companies have both classic and newer models.

Luxury Road Trip Vehicles

If you are planning to visit the mountains or the outskirts of Atlanta for camping and other outdoor events in luxurious style, you can rent the ideal Atlanta luxury rental car for you. Mostly, people go for SUVs such as the Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and Land Rover Range Rover to mention a few.

These vehicles are suitable for family outings and other outdoor events around Atlanta. However, one cannot go wrong with a Bentley, Rolls-Royce, or even Ferrari especially when taking road trips on smooth roads.

Classic and Vintage Cars

Old is gold. Atlanta has many classic and vintage cars that you can rent for weddings, birthday events, or for any other occasion. They are known for their timeless style especially when you go for models made before the 70s. These vehicles were manufactured by popular luxury automakers such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz among others. When renting these cars in Atlanta, you will be impressed with the care and detail taken in maintaining them.

Final Word

By now, you have an idea of what to rent when you need an Atlanta luxury rental car. Ensure that you choose the right company for you and that you have read and understood all the terms and conditions before driving the vehicle.

5 Amazing, Breathtaking Costa Rica Destinations

by

With over 1.7 million visitors each year, Costa Rica is a popular destination for tourists — and it’s not hard to imagine why.

There’s something for everyone.

With its bustling cities, beautiful scenery, and amazing wildlife, there are very few people in the world who wouldn’t find somewhere they loved in this amazing, diverse country.

The main issue is narrowing down your options!

Although Costa Rica has endless, stunning places, these are the Costa Rica destinations that should be top of your list.

1. San José

San José’s first impression doesn’t do the city justice. It doesn’t have the amazing scenery that some other places in Costa Rica do but with its charm, food, and nightlife, the capital of the country is well worth a visit.

It’s a great base to explore or start off from. You could even spend a day there before moving on. Fortunately, most major cities have places to store your luggage if you’re only there for a few hours and don’t want to get a hotel.

2. Conchal Beach

When planning your trip, chances are you’ll want to look into the best beach destinations in Costa Rica.

Look no further than Conchal Beach.

Costa Rica beach destinations are plentiful, but Conchal Beach is special. This beautiful beach with its white sand and tranquility is the ultimate place to go to relax and soak up some rays.

3. Monteverde

Home to the cloud forest, there’s nowhere else like Montverde on earth.

It’s one of the top destinations in Costa Rica due to the amazing tour of the plants and wildlife. It can be beautiful and relaxing if you stay in one of the reserves, or you can visit somewhere like the Bat Jungle for a little more excitement.

4. Tortuguero

A little town on the northern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is famous for its wildlife. Sea turtles aplenty can be found here, and there’s a dense jungle with exotic species of monkeys and birds that people desperately hope to get a glimpse of.

If you’re an animal lover, this is the place to visit. You can hire local guides to explore on foot or by boat, and they’re sure to help you get the most out of your trip.

5. Arenal Volcano

The youngest volcano in Costa Rica’s activity hasn’t put tourists off visiting. It’s safe to do so if conditions are allowing it though, so don’t worry!

See an active volcano, take a dip in the hot springs there, and visit the nearby town of La Fortuna. There’s plenty to do around this place, and seeing an active volcano is, in itself, pretty awesome.

These Costa Rica Destinations Are Only Some of What’s on Offer

More and more people are beginning to realize what Costa Rica has to offer. It’s truly a wonderful country, with so much exotic wildlife and wonderful scenery that it makes for a dream vacation.

It doesn’t matter what you like or don’t like — there are Costa Rica destinations for everyone!

For more travel advice and tips, check out the rest of our blog!

Best Remote Camping Spots In Southern California

by

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.