The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Travel Tips

A Brief Introduction to the Disney Vacation Club

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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

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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.

Which Are the Cheapest Days to Fly & Best Time to Book Airline Tickets?

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We all want to book the cheapest flight, and there is an easy-to-implement guide for you. The guide includes the insider tactics for deciding on the cheapest day to fly and the best time to buy flight tickets.

Here, we put forth the best tips to save money on your next air trip. So, scroll down, and let’s get started?

Cheapest Days

What is the best day to fly? The cheapest day to book your flight ticket is Sunday, and the cheapest day to fly is Friday. This is according to a 2019 Flight Insights report by Skyscanner for the UK. The report also revealed that Wednesday is the most expensive day to buy flight tickets.

By booking your flight tickets on Sunday, you can save up to 4% on the tickets, as per the report published. Sunday is an excellent day to explore a myriad of deals. However, don’t you worry, as you can find great deals & discounts on other days too?

Don’t Book Tickets Too Early Or Too Late

Be careful, don’t book your flight tickets too late or too early, in both scenarios you’ll end up paying more.

International flights are cheaper at least two months before the expected departure, whereas for domestic flights, it is between three weeks to three-and-a-half months in advance.

However, booking super-early could be as expensive as procrastinating.

If you want to fly during the popular times such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and  New Year or peak-season months like July and August, then you’ll have to book the tickets two months in advance or shell out more cash.

Compare Airfares

The golden rule for all kinds of shopping: comparison, It can be applied when booking your flight tickets. Always compare more than one airline’s fare.

Most people tend to skip this, perceiving that their favorite airline is the cheapest, however, as a matter of truth, no single airline offers the lowest deal on every single day and route.

If you think browsing multiple airline sites for the fare is complicated and time-consuming, then you can sign up for sites where you can easily compare the fares only by inputting your departure and return dates.

If you come across a good deal, don’t wait or hesitate, as the best deals don’t last for long.

Cheapest Times of the Day

You can save even more by knowing the cheapest times of the day. If you are unable to book your flight at the cheapest times, you can try it for one leg, and see the significant savings.

The cheapest times in the day are when the people don’t want to, such as flights during the dinner or lunch hour, dawn, or overnight.

The Cheapest Route

Non-Stops vs Connecting Flights—the biggest dilemma. The non-stop flights are quite convenient, while you might end up saving a few extra dollars on connecting flights.

For long-flights, the connecting flights are much cheaper. So, the bottom line is to compare connecting flights with non-stop connecting flights before you ding your plastic card.

Only you’ve to decide whether the inconvenience is worth the saving or not.

Fear of Flying?

Do you or someone in your family have a phobia of flying? Then, enroll for a comprehensive flying anxiety course to clear all your doubts, and fly with confidence.

There is so much fear of flying courses online, which includes a couple of sessions by veteran pilots. Do not let this fear stop you from exploring the world without spending a fortune.

Want More Great Advice? Keep a close eye on the airfare sales to find the best deal.

A Beginner’s Guide for Packing

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Whether you’re headed on a three-week expedition, or a cheeky two-night romantic getaway, packing is a big part of the planning that you’re going to put in beforehand. The better your packing strategy, the more you’re going to get out of your time away, and the less stress you’re going to bring with you in your suitcase or hand luggage.

In this short piece, we’ll help you get to know the secrets of the travel pack and help you learn travel hacks that’ll make packing a breeze each time you go away.

Pack Luxury Clothing

As you are nowhere near home, this is your perfect opportunity to try something new, and in this case, you should pack luxury clothing. After all, it’s not every day that you get to experience a trip away, so use this opportunity to pack more luxurious clothing and feel like a VIP star every moment of your vacation. Use the Cash Lady product sliding scale tool to find luxury travel goods that will be perfect for you. Be sure to wear something just as stylish on the plane to help kickstart the vacation feeling and stand out amongst the rest for all the right reasons. You can be certain that by packing luxurious clothing as well that the items will remain intact for years to come.

Your Case

Whatever case you take away with you needs to be smart for travel. If you’re expecting to hop from place to place throughout your vacation, a backpack is often the best bet for your trip. These cost around $100 for a mid-range pack, replete with pockets in which you can store different clothes, accessories, and equipment.

Meanwhile, the beach-goer, or those headed to resorts, should instead consider a more robust, wheelie case that’s perfect for getting to and from the airport alone, like those shared by luxury website T3. Here, you’re looking for a case that’s strong and well-protected from break-ins in transit. You should also look out for those cases that have nets for different types of clothing and packed essentials so that you can separate your things out into sections within your bag.

Travel Essentials

There are some things that you simply cannot imagine doing without during your time abroad. These include sun cream, cosmetics, and grooming products, and those creature comforts, like a smartphone and a watch, that you’d be loath to leave at home. All of these should be packed (or bought), ready for your trip.

The tip here is simple: look to providers of travel essentials and buy their additions to your suitcase or backpack. Travel wash kits are particularly useful, as they mean you’ll not have to decant fluids that you take through airport security. Meanwhile, a travel charger can be the difference between a night in a bus station and a night in a hotel bed, helping keep your devices charged and your connectivity up for the duration of your trip.

These three main areas are crucial for your packing. They can help you to fill your suitcase right for your next sojourn abroad.

How to Travel the World for Free

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You do not need to have a lot of money to travel. It is indeed cheap to travel rather than staying at home. We all long for travel experiences that do not blow a hole in our pockets. There are several ways on how to do my homework that you could consider, and travel for free. You only need to be smart to crack it and travel for free. Here are some ways to travel for free.

Work your way around the world.

If you have willing hands, technical skills, a craft, or useful skills, they could give you a free trip around the world by working. Well established companies such as Workaway or Helpex are ideal in providing such opportunities.

Couchsurfing

It is a platform that opens up access to a network of people worldwide who accommodate you for some nights. Couchsurfers can offer to help e.g., in the garden or by cooking, as a sign of appreciation.

House sitting

Homeowners who wish to travel and do not want to leave their houses empty often find people to come and stay there are to take care of it. House sitting is a highly competitive market the required an excellent reputation and sleek marketing skills. Such jobs give you free accommodation and the opportunity to travel and well as get paid for it. A popular site to find these jobs include aussiehousesitters.com.au, trusted housesitters, happyhousesitters.com.au, housesitworld.com.au, or mindmyhouse.com.

House swap

Some agencies look for homeowners with mutual desires and bring them together and swap houses. You pay a membership fee on an annual basis and get swapped. It will work best for you if your home is near a desirable vacation landmark.

Fly for free

Some budget airlines offer zero rate discounts for their flights. However, you still have to perform your civic duty of paying the taxes. You need to sign up for newsletters that will notify you of any deal and discounts that might interest you.

Ski for free

Ski resorts offer seasonal jobs that could allow you to ski for free. The trick is early application since the jobs are in high demand, and they fill up very fast. You can apply on sites such as NZSki.com or Adventure Work.

Hitchhike

Hitchhiking is considered safe, normal, and common in some parts of the world, such as Romania. In hitchhiking, you only need to use your gut instinct and common sense to make the right decision. One popular platform is Hitchwiki, which provides different guidelines in different nations.

Vehicle relocation and returns

At times, car rental companies need people that will drive vehicles to specific locations, and you might take advantage of such. You can earn yourself a particular destination, especially during busy times of the year.

Travel blogging

The majority of concepts deal with exchanging work for travel. It is not entirely free. You get to offer services to travel.

Conclusion

All of the above methods are not entirely free. There must be something you give in exchange for free travel. However, this way, you get to travel a meager and reasonable budget and have amazing experiences. Whichever way you choose, it is a smart way of traveling and environment friendly compared to any other form of travel. We hope that your choice will be fulfilling and give you the best experience.