The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Travel Tips

Tips on Bagging Some Travel Savings by Booking Last Minute

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If you have the travel bug but your aren’t feeling flush enough to spend money on an expensive trip, then this is an article which is right up your street. Last minute travel has had its naysayers over the years and whilst there are many aspects of travel which you could once save on when you booked last minute that you no longer can, there are still plenty of ways you can bag a discount if you wait it out.

Whether you are looking for long haul savings or cheap last minute deals for a cruise, here are some top tips on how to secure them.

Flexible With Your Location

If you have you heart truly set on somewhere then you are unlikely to be able to get a great last minute discount, simply because your window of opportunity is so small. If however you simply want to get away from it all and explore somewhere new, then you are going to put yourself in a great position to be able to get a worthwhile discount. Most flight aggregators now have an ‘anywhere’ option that you can put in for destination, keep checking in and see where you may end up.

Flexible Dates

In recent years we have seen that some of the biggest flight and hotel savings are found by those who are prepared to travel and return on weekdays rather than the traditional weekend to weekend vacation. Stay flexible with your dates and you’ll be far better placed to go out and get those big savings.

Signing Up

There are few things more frustrating than an email inbox which is bursting at the seams with spam and unwanted junk mail, which is why many of us will ‘opt out’ of receiving newsletters from companies. If however you are looking to save some serious cash on your travels then it is highly recommended that you sign up to the newsletters and communications of airlines, tour operators and holiday providers. Often you’ll find some killer deals in these emails which you may very well be missing out on right now.

Following Social Media Accounts

There is an abundance of social media accounts which track airlines, cruise companies and hotels, looking to spot great last minute deals or pricing errors which you could take advantage of. Usually the deals that they share online are gone in a heartbeat which is why you should be looking to keep your finger on the pulse of the content that they are sharing.

Traveling Light

Most of the best offers that you will find on flights will not include any more than carry-on luggage, something which puts many off. If however you are able to be smart with your packing then you can take advantage of these deals. In reality you can still take a pretty sizable suitcase with you that fits into the restrictions around carry-on luggage, think smart, pack smart and save a huge amount of money on those last minute flight deals.

Wait for it… wait for it… go get that deal.

 

5 Overlooked Destinations That Are Great for Biking

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Buying a hybrid bike for men or women is a great way to increase your traveling distance while riding. The electric boost from the motor means that you can travel outside of your comfort area and spice up the day’s journey by finding new destinations. However, how many beaches can your tour on your beach cruiser bike before they all start looking the same? Instead of just increasing your riding radius by a few extra miles, why don’t you expand your horizons and travel to one of these five overlooked biking destinations?

1. San Francisco

For those who own a men’s or women’s beach cruiser bike, you cannot go wrong by taking a trip to California, especially to the City by the Bay. Over the years, the city has invested over $100 million to establish more than 200 miles of bike lanes and cycling infrastructure. Also, the bike path known as The Wiggle provides views of the Golden Gate Park and the row houses of Alamo Square.

2. Montreal

Canada is known for its vastness and natural beauty, and Montreal, its second-largest city, is known for being mostly flat and bike-friendly. In fact, this municipality has over 1,000 miles of bike paths for the curious explorer. Meaning that you can spend every day of your vacation riding somewhere new. However, if you want the most exceptional view of the skyline, there is no better route than along the Lachine Canal.

3. Berlin

While many European cities offer bike paths, Berlin, Germany’s capital, prioritizes cyclists. With over 500 miles of bike paths and accommodating pedestrians and motorists, you will feel welcomed and entranced by the history and architecture of this lovely city. You can ride along the remnants of the Berlin Wall or explore one of the most extensive open-air galleries in the world, the East Side Gallery.

4. Ljubljana

If you are looking for an exclusive and rare view of city life, then take a trip to the capital of Slovenia. Ljubljana has over 150 miles of bike lanes, and there are several areas where motorists are not allowed, only pedestrians, cyclists and some electric taxis. Also, if you do not own or want to travel with your bike, there are more than 20 bike rental stations in the city.

5. Tokyo

Not only is Tokyo the world’s largest metropolis, but it is also surprisingly inviting to bikers. Sidewalks are typically divided to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists, which is unique to this location. Also, the vibrant nightlife, neon streets and tranquil gardens, make Tokyo one of the best cyclist destinations on the planet. Last, the 2020 Summer Olympics are being held at the New National Stadium, allowing for a sneak peek to any early travelers.

While riding is usually fun, using the same route day-in-and-day-out can lead to boredom and a lack of motivation. If you need to spice up your riding life, then consider taking a trip to one of the five locations above. Also, to get the most out of your adventure, consider buying a hybrid bike from your favorite shop.

Bali Travel Tips – What to Know About Visiting with a Family

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If you’ve had a trip to Bali on your bucket list and finally want to make it happen, then you’ve got plenty of excitement in store. Bali is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, packed with incredible culture and natural beauty, and visiting with your family can be a hugely rewarding experience.

To make the most of your holiday on the Indonesian island, it’s important to be aware of a few practical family-friendly tips. Read on to find out more.

Beach-side stays will always have plenty to offer

Bali attracts a diverse crowd of people, and there’s a lot to experience and do all over, but when you’re visiting with children, you probably want to prioritise activities that the whole family will enjoy.

Staying by a beach, such as some of the beautiful villas in Seminyak, can be a great choice, as you are conveniently close to all of the fun activities in the ocean and on the sand, as well as a good variety of restaurants and cafes to eat out in.  It’s also much nicer to explore the area on foot with ease.

Balinese people love kids

People in Bali generally adore children, and kids are regarded as an important part of the community in Balinese culture, so families generally experience a very positive and welcoming stay.

Don’t be surprised if strangers pay your kids’ compliments on how cute they are or offer them gifts. It’s also polite to respond with a friendly comment about their children.

While some parents can occasionally find this behaviour a little surprising or intrusive, you’ll generally find a friendly and warm environment. A great way to help children understand Balinese culture is by taking part in local dance lessons or craft activities, which can be a wonderful way to learn something new.

Safety standards are very different

While Bali is a fantastic place, it does have a very different attitude to health and safety than what you might be used to, and one of the biggest factors to be aware of is basic travel safety.

If you are planning to drive in Bali, make sure that you are familiar with all the rules, and it can be helpful to bring your own child seat, if you need one, as you may not be provided with one from your car rental service. It is also wise to have some help from a local guide, especially if you’re planning to travel around on your own extensively, as they may be able to help you familiarise yourself with the roads more quickly.

As well as travelling safely, it is also important to check on basic safety issues, such as child seats or highchairs in restaurants, or when on any ride or activity. While local guides and instructors can be warm and inviting, they may not be fully aware or trained with all safety procedures, so it’s worth keeping an extra eye on this.

Considering Long Term Travel? Here’s What You Should Think About

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Sometimes a simple two week holiday just won’t cut it. If you’ve been contemplating travel plans which extend longer than you’re used to – maybe a month, a few months or even a year – then there are many different things you need to consider to make sure you’re prepared, and that it’s the right choice for you.

Your Accommodation

The longer you travel for, the more troublesome your accommodation may get. If your long-term travel plans include travelling from place to place in various locations, then you need to research and compare accommodation options in all your planned destinations and make sure that they aren’t fully booked when you come to need them.

Alternatively, if your trip away will see you in one place for a long duration such as a year or more, and you would like a home hub to go to, you can always consider short or long term rental properties like property in Estepona to ensure that you always have a place to call home, even when you’re travelling.

Your Finances

Long term travel is very difficult to budget in advance, because you don’t know which spontaneous needs may arise, and there is always an increased risk of things not going to plan. This means you need an even bigger emergency fund than you would usually have.

It’s much wiser to figure your base budget before you begin planning. There is no point planning for a year spent in a new country if you cannot afford a year. Start with what you can afford, and you can always extend your travel plans as you go along, such as deciding to apply for a working visa to take on seasonal work or even get a full-time job to tide you over and allow you to travel for longer.

Your Commitments Back Home

Bidding farewell to family and friends for a two week vacation is nothing; you say goodbye, send a few snaps while you’re over there, and see them again when you get home. However, being away from your family and friends for several months, a year or even longer takes its toll. You won’t know how homesick you will get until you’re out there travelling, so it’s hard to prepare for.

All you can do is arrange everything in the best way before you leave for maximum comfort. Make sure you have decided a way in advance that you can easily speak to everyone, such as through video-calling or email.

You may also need to make a decision on your job. For long travel plans, you may have decided to hand in your notice, which means you won’t have a job when you return home, so you need to plan for that. Certain jobs may permit you to have a few months off work, but usually the maximum is 4 weeks.

Perhaps you have an accommodating boss who you can speak to about your plans and who can make allowances for you.

If you have any other commitments, such as pets, then make sure they are looked after while you are away – or even take them with you!

The Best Places to Travel to Stop the January Blues

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January might seem like a long way off, or perhaps you’re already dreading the bitter coldness of the month. However you feel about the first month of the year, the UK is not the best place to spend it, and many people experience the January blues. One of the best ways to defeat them is to travel. Not only are destinations cheap in January, allowing you to have something to look forward to and break the monotony of the winter months, but holidays can also allow you to tick off any travel-related new year’s resolutions.

· Russia

If your new year’s resolution is to travel somewhere a little bit different, you should consider the positives of visiting Russia in the winter months. Although it might be unreasonably cold in January, with lows of -8 Celsius, there is no country like Russia in winter. Russia was built for the winter months and can help to vanquish any lingering depression after the Christmas period, with its spectacular landscapes and monuments. What’s more, if the back-to-work period is stressing you out, you can book a stress-free holiday with Exoticca Travel’s trips to Russia, the perfect way to see as much as possible of this momentously vast country bridging Europe and Asia.

· Canada

Leave your life and the UK behind with a holiday getaway to Canada, whose exquisite natural attractions and National parks will have you begging to weather the winter out in North America. The best place to travel to in Canada during January is British Columbia, whose destinations such as Glacier National Park are at their best in the winter months, allowing you to remember the joys of the winter season rather than the negatives. While you are there, you may also have the opportunity to spot wildlife such as bears and moose, and even the phenomenon of the Northern Lights.

· Sweden

Whenever most people think of Scandinavia, they think of winter with sprawling snowy landscapes, pine forests and regal mountain ranges. If you want to step into a Christmas card, visit Sweden in the new year and have the opportunity to follow reindeer and moose through the woodland on safari, sleep in an igloo and even lose the Christmas pounds and shake off the January cobwebs by visiting the ski slopes. Additionally, if you are fixated on the Northern Lights, Sweden is the perfect destination to spot them if you are looking for a viewing location a little closer to home.

· Australia

If you are fed up of winter and want to turn the clocks forward to summer, it is time to book a flight to Australia, which, in January, experiences some of its hottest temperatures of the year. Additionally, where could capture the Australian way of life more than the Gold Coast? Fulfil all of your Christmas dreams this year and get your 2020 bucket list ticked off early by enjoying the waves in Surfer’s paradise, or finding the child in yourself again at one of the many theme parks.