The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Travel Tips

4 Tips for British Drivers Who Are Driving on the Right for the First Time

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Hiring a car on holiday gives you a great deal of freedom, allowing you to get off the beaten track and fit more sightseeing into your holiday. However, if you’re a British holidaymaker, driving while abroad can present many challenges. Only about a third of the countries in the world drive on the left, so unless you’re visiting Australia, or parts of South Asia or Southern Africa, you’re probably going to have to learn to drive on the right. So how do you get used to this change?

1. Make your first trip somewhere easy

Don’t make your first journey on the right-hand side during rush hour on the autobahn or through a traffic-clogged city centre. Some countries have terrible reputations for having poorly maintained roads or locals who don’t obey traffic laws, so it’s worth knowing the safest and most dangerous places to drive across the world. British travellers may want to learn to drive somewhere quiet, and where locals are used to confused tourists on the roads. The Canary and Balearic Islands, islands around Greece, and Spanish coastal areas tend to be quite tourist-friendly, so it’s worth hiring a car and getting some practice before you commit to an epic road trip.

2. Know the local laws

It’s important to have a quick read-up on local traffic laws and familiarise yourself with any unusual or unique road signs. Remember, not all countries will have signs in English, especially once you get off the beaten track, so you may want to download a translation app on your phone. If you take your own car, you may need to carry certain items, i.e. in France you’ll need to carry a warning triangle, fluorescent vest, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and more. If you’re caught without them, you can get fined.

You should also read up on local customs that aren’t officially law, but drivers will expect you to know. For example, if you drive in Turkey, you’ll find people beep their horn at you a lot, especially if you hesitate for more than a second, and tailgating is quite common. Other drivers aren’t trying to be threatening, it’s just how they drive.

3. Get the right insurance

Getting the right insurance is very important when driving abroad, and you shouldn’t assume that your travel insurance policy will cover everything. Even if you take your own car overseas within the EU, you may not have a great deal of cover, and your breakdown cover may not extend to destinations abroad. You should look at options for temp cover for the duration of your holiday so you have the best possible level of cover.

4. Choose a suitable hire car

Driving on the right is a little easier if you have a left-hand drive, and if you hire an automatic then you also don’t need to worry about gears. If you have the option of hiring a GPS, then this can help too, as you can focus on the road rather than directions. Stick to a car that’s similar to your vehicle at home, as this will mean you’ll already be used to this size and style of car.

While driving on the right can be nerve-wracking, it’s a handy skill for travellers as it opens up so many more destinations around the world.

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.

Things Every Traveler Should Know About Melbourne

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The city of Melbourne is located in the state of Victoria, Australia. This is a fabulous city that has so much to offer in terms of attractions, sights, and places of interest not to mention culture, history, and entertainment. Whether you want to step back in time, relax and enjoy a high tea event, or delve into the culture of this city, you can find plenty to keep you busy.

Of course, before you head to any major city such as Melbourne, you should take some time to find out more about the destination. This is especially important if you are a first-time visitor to the area. So, in this article, we will look at some of the key things that every traveller should know about Melbourne.

Valuable Information and Tips for Visitors

If you want to make the most of your trip to Melbourne, you will find plenty of valuable tips and information that can help. Some of the key things to tips to take on board include:

Invest in a Myki Card

When travelling to Melbourne, you may want to make use of the public transport network if you are not hiring a car. Well, if this is what you plan to do, make sure you invest in a Myki card. These cards cost around $6.00 and are easily accessible at booths, train stations, and at some retailers. There are a number of card options to choose from, and these will save you money and hassle when using public transport in the city.

Try to Plan Your Trip During a Festival

If you really want to make your trip to this city special, try to time your visit with one of the major festivals that take place here each year. This includes fabulous events such as the Fashion Festival, the Jazz Festival, and the Melbourne Fringe. There are plenty of other festivals and events that take place over the course of the year.

Use Escalators Correctly

In this big city, you may find yourself using escalators on a regular basis. If so, remember the rule of thumb – stick to the left of the escalator if you plan to just stand and wait for it to transport you to the top or use the right if you want to speed things up by walking up the escalator.

Explore on Foot

Melbourne is a place that has plenty of fabulous sights and places of interest. The chances are you will have booked some trips and excursions around the city before your arrivals. This is great but you should also make sure you do some exploration on foot or at least book a walking tour, as this will enable you to enjoy sights you might otherwise miss.

Be Prepared for Fluctuating Temperatures

People who visit Melbourne often expect very stable temperatures throughout their time there depending on the time of year they visit. However, you should prepare yourself for fluctuating temperatures when it comes to the clothes you take along on your trip.

For instance, in the winter, you may find that there is an odd day or two when it really warms up and you can enjoy the sunshine and higher temperatures. In the summer, you may find that the days are hot, but some nights get a little chilly.

Explore Places Not on the Main Drag

In order to ensure you get to see the real Melbourne, make sure you explore areas that are not on the main drag. You will find plenty of alleys and laneways where you can take in the street art, discover hidden bars for a refreshing drink, and get a feel for the real vibe of this city.

Take in Free Galleries and Museums

Exploring Melbourne doesn’t have to cost a fortune, as there are plenty of free places to explore during your visit. This includes a range of excellent museums and galleries, which makes it ideal for culture vultures and history buffs. Places such as the National Gallery of Victoria and the Seventh Gallery are among the many free attractions you can look forward to.

Use Beaches for Relaxation not Surfing

Last but not least, you will find some great beaches in Melbourne, but they are all located along Port Phillip Bay. This means that they are great for relaxing, soaking up the sunshine, playing beach games, and enjoying beautiful surroundings. However, they are not for surfing because their location means that waves are minimal.

Enjoy the Trip of a Lifetime

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By planning ahead and learning more about this city before you visit, you can enjoy making the most of your time here. Melbourne is a great place to enjoy an incredible, diverse, and exciting vacation experience with a huge variety of things to keep you busy.

How to Plan an International Trip: Tips and Tricks for Your Travels

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Travel can be exciting, fun and it’s supposed to broaden the mind too. Over 41.7 million Americans agree. That’s how many U.S. citizens traveled abroad in 2018.

If you’re about to travel out of the country, you need some tips that can help make it an experience to remember. Read on to learn how to plan an international trip.

How to Plan an International Trip

Like many things in life, a successful international trip takes planning. Treat it like a project and your careful preparation will make your trip of a lifetime a wonderful experience and not a chaotic disaster.

Use a simple planning tool such as timeline creator to visualize your itinerary. It makes it easy to check where you are meant to be at any time.

Research

There are some dull and serious things you need to do before the holiday fun starts. Check out the safety and security of your trip. The government publishes travel advisory and alerts about any countries where there are risks.

You should check the published information about the countries you will be visiting. Check entry and exit requirements and any visa requirements. Do this as soon as possible to resolve any issue as it can take some time.

Check local customs, laws, medical facilities and transport arrangements. Take a note of the U.S. embassy or consulate address and telephone number.

Check any vaccination requirements or other health risks. Get vaccinations organized in plenty of time.

Money Preparation

Let your bank know that you will be taking a trip. This will make it less likely that they will block your card thinking that it may be stolen. While you are doing this, check how best to obtain local currency, use credit or debit cards and use ATMs in your destination country.

Prepare Documents

Just to be safe, make a couple of copies of your travel documents in case of theft or loss. Take one set with you but keep it apart from the originals. Leave the other set at home with a friend.

Obtain a passport. It might take several months to get one so plan ahead. If you already have a passport many countries require the passport to be valid for more than six months after your return and have two or more unstamped pages remaining in it.

Some countries require a visa. See the U.S. government travel advisory to check this. If you need a visa, contact the embassy of the country you are visiting for details about how to obtain one.

Medication

Not all countries share U.S. regulations about medications. If you are taking prescriptions drugs abroad you should check that they are permissible in the countries you are visiting. You may need some documentation to take with the drugs.

Driving

Driving abroad can be a challenge. Not all countries drive on the same side of the road or have the driver’s position on the left side of the vehicle. This can take some adaptation.

Some countries do not accept a U.S. driver’s license. Check if you need an International Driving Permit. When renting a car, check the insurance cover you get thoroughly before you travel to avoid expensive surprises.

Plan for Fun

Planning well can reduce mishaps and distractions from the enjoyment of your trip. It leaves you free from travel anxiety. Now you know how to plan an international trip, you can plan to have fun.

Keep browsing our site for more exciting travel tips.

6 Different Trip Ideas for 2020

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The cost of travelling has significantly reduced in recent years, and now you can find a cheap flight to Asia, or to the other side of the world on a budget airline for a reasonable price. Travel enriches the mind, as well as the soul, and it’s well renowned as being the only one thing you pay for that makes you richer.

If you’ve long been thinking about taking the time to escape your usual routine and enjoying a break next year, then be sure to begin putting a plan into action now. It’s never too early to start figuring out whether you want to embark on a cross-country road trip, hop on an indulgent Mediterranean cruise, go interrailing, languish over a series of city breaks, or a staycation.

For all of this, this guide has got you covered.

Road trip

Life is for the living, and it makes sense to do as much travelling as you can possibly afford, and what’s more indulgent and lusted after than a road trip, especially one moving from state to state in the US? Of course, you don’t need to necessarily travel through the US, but some of the routes in America are famed as being some of the very best in the world.

When making a final decision on RV rentals, ensure it has enough space to enjoy time to yourself away from your travel buddy, as well as air conditioning, a freshwater toilet, microwave, shower, refrigerator, generator, and a gas cooktop. Some rental services will allow you to travel alongside your dog, so it’s worth enquiring whether your pooch can get in on the action too.

Road trips can experience bad press due to questions of safety, so always be sensible, never knowingly take risks, and be alert when driving at all times. Ensure you’re prepared and well before your departure date.

You will need the following, and these are crucial, so take note:

  • Notes on compiled research concerning particular trailer parks, and parking permits
  • License and registration number
  • A copy of your car insurance policy
  • The vehicle’s manual
  • A spare tyre
  • A roadside emergency kit.

Learn the language before you depart

Although this isn’t necessarily a trip in itself, endeavouring to grasp the language spoken in your chosen destination is going to open up so many more possibilities to you, and travelling plans may well naturally form for you. If you can communicate with others around you, the chance of being invited along to events, bars, parties, and excursions will increase tenfold.

You’ll be able to ask after recommendations, as well as engage with interesting people.

Mediterranean cruise

Cruises afford the ultimate luxury, convenience, and easy living for their duration. By nature, you’re cruising over some of the most fantastic and tantalising shore and coastline in the world. Your needs are taken care of, there’s no washing up to do, you can easily have your laundry completed, and you can dine on some real gourmet food, enjoy daily visits to the spa, and lounge on the top deck soaking up the warming rays.

Having said this, cruises are not for everyone. Those who prefer to get out and explore may want to consider another trip for 2020, but for those looking for a slower approach to relaxation in 2020, a cruise could be for you.

Interrailing and railways

Interrailing has been a rite of passage for young people for many years now, and although it’s been met with some controversy in recent years, it still remains a hugely popular way of exploring European cities and enjoying a whistle-stop tour of many places in a reasonably short space of time.

You can create your own interrailing journey simply by collating train tickets, and hostel stays along the way. This would provide you with a less rigid form of travel, and you can explore at your own pace. Look into the best railway journeys in the world, and choose which sounds the most exciting, engaging, and exploratory to you. Consider the likes of the Trans-Siberian Railway if you’re ready to brave the bitter cold in Russia, Siberia, and Mongolia, and pass through onto China (your final stop).

The experience is truly electric, and you won’t be forgetting your chilly adventure anytime soon, that’s for sure.

Rally of city breaks

You can keep this one cheap, or blow the bank with this suggestion. It depends on what kind of trip you’re ideally searching for. If you’re seeking indulgence and luxury, then you can book yourself into glorious all-inclusive hotels with a pool, fine dining, and spa facilities, or you can go down the budget route and crash in hostels, eat street food, head out on foot with a large backpack, and generally explore how you would as a backpacker.

Each of these has their advantages and disadvantages, so you will need to weigh up your options before ahead and choosing. You can travel through France, and onto Spain, then Portugal, for example, or could adventure through France, into Italy, then Germany, and finally reaching Switzerland.

Staycation

Think about it, have you really explored the country you live in? If you’re squinting your eyes and thinking dubiously, then chances are, you know in your heart that you haven’t. If this is a safe assumption, then you should try to head out and see more of the land you spend most of your days. Okay, it’s not the most exotic idea to form this guide, but it’s the one that’s closest to home and also, very likely, the cheapest. If you’re not particularly flush, then staying at home to enjoy a holiday may be just the ticket. There’s a bevvy of delights in your home country, it just requires time and planning to navigate your way around, and perseverance.

Consider driving from one end to the other, or driving across the landmass and stopping off in several locations. You can do this in a campervan, by hopping on and off public transport or even donning your walking boots, traversing some of the most outstanding national parks, and setting up camp along the way.