The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Travel Tips

How to Get the Most Out of Your Business Travel

by

During the beginning years of any startup, it isn’t easy to spend a large amount of cash on business travel. But you should look at the pros and cons of business travel and find out if business travel is necessary or not. Sometimes the business travel can turn out to be more successful than expected as you will be able to meet your client’s face and face and discuss important matters with them that you won’t be able to discuss through emails or on the telephone.

Due to this, your company would stand out from your competition, as most of the companies would prefer communicating over the internet. Hence, business travels are necessary to achieve the company’s long-term plans. Writemypaper123.com prepared a list of things that you need to consider while going on business travel:

Spend your time wisely

If you need a good ROI (Return on Investment), you will need to manage your time properly. If you are planning on a one-day trip, you must depart on the first flight, and come back on the last flight for that day. It would help if you also considered the benefits of extending your trip to multiple days. One of the benefits can be less stress, as hustling to and from the airports in a single day can be quite stressful. You might end up giving an underwhelming performance in your meeting due to this stress.

Conduct a cost analysis

Before confirming everything, you should carry out a cost analysis, and see if travelling is beneficial for the company or not. If you realize that going on the trip is not that beneficial, then you should save the money for another trip where you could achieve much more.

Choose a team member to represent the company

As your budget would not allow for the entire team to travel, you should only send that team member who would be critical for the meeting. You should send a salesperson if you would like to explain the product to your client during the meeting or send someone from the technical department if you think that the client might ask certain difficult questions related to the product. You should go in yourself if the meeting requires someone who has the power to carry out a decision or send another executive of the company.

To get the most out of this trip, you should utilize the four tips that are mentioned below:

1. Communicate clearly

Communicate with you client clearly what you expect. If you are travelling to have a face to face meeting with your client, you should let the client know that precisely. Furthermore, it will help if you also ask for a referral from the client before adjourning the meeting, as it is of extreme importance. It is not easy to say ‘no’ to your request on the face. Therefore, it is the best time to ask for it.

2. Use your money sensibly

It would help if you learned to spend your money sensibly. If you find a hotel that is cheap but is far from your client’s office, booking it might cause you to lose in the long run, as you will have to take the time lost and the money spent in transportation into account as well. Combine as many meetings as you can in one trip as it might save you a future trip.

3. Carry on with your usual duties

It would help if you kept on carrying out your usual duties even while travelling. It would help if you kept in contact with your office through emails or mobile phone. You should always respond to any message that it sent your way as quickly as possible.

4. Manage your tasks

You should learn to organize and manage your tasks properly. You should choose your delegates and instruct them to professionally deliver the company’s message if you are not available to deliver them.

The Top Reasons to Let Travel Agencies Book Your Holiday

by

While technology has altered the way people do various things, one thing has not changed much, and that is booking a holiday. That’s because having a travel agent by your side to handle some of your holiday tasks, such as choosing a destination and booking accommodation can make a huge difference.

If you want to visit a particular destination, for instance you want to visit Kochi, all you have to do is give the travel agency a call, and then they’ll book you any flights to Kochi.  Travel agencies are experts when it comes to traveling and so you won’t have to worry about anything.

If you are still not convinced about why you should let a travel agency book your holiday, continue reading this article to get more reasons.

They will save you time and money

A lot of people believe that travel agencies are very expensive. But in reality, you can save more money if you let a travel agency to book your holiday. Planning a trip, especially a business trip can be quite time-consuming and you may not have the time. Additionally, searching for places to have fun at your intended destination may also take your time. Travel agents know these places because they deal with them almost daily. They are also up-to-date with promotions and deals. So they will basically handle all these tasks of planning a trip for you, hence saving you time.

They provide additional bonuses

As an individual, when searching for the best rates and deals on the internet, you may not see everything that an airline or a hotel offers. Travel agencies have connections, so they can provide you with better-packaged deals with a hotel or airline such as Air India. The travel agency will also ensure that you get the best deals possible.

They provide a human touch

Travel agents care about your feelings and the things that you want. There are amazing deals on the internet, but you should know that what you see is not always what you get. By using the same travel agent to book your business trips or holidays, he or she will become more familiar with your likes and dislikes. And so he or she will ensure that the holiday becomes perfect.

All you’ve to do is to give them a call and let them know your plans, and then they will arrange everything you need for your holiday. This personal touch can have a huge impact on your trip.

They are there for you in case things go wrong

In life, nothing is certain and anything can happen anytime. To be honest many things usually go wrong than right. You may miss a flight or it may be canceled altogether. This might be stressful. But a travel agency has the necessary resources that can help them rebook your flight and make sure that you reach your destination. Additionally, during high seasons, many people travel and that can make it overcrowded. A travel agency can make the process easier for you.

Effective Ways to Save Money on Family Vacations

by

A good family vacation can bring your entire crew closer together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, these perks often come at a tremendous cost. Depending on the destination whether it’s a UK trip or Thailand adventure, and the season in which the trip takes place, a travel excursion with your loved ones can leave a gaping hole in your finances. While there’s no denying that family vacations are costly affairs, there are numerous steps you can take to soften the financial blow and keep your savings intact. Anyone looking to embark on a first-rate family vacation without breaking the bank can benefit from the following measures.

Opt for Driving Over Flying

It’s easy to see why so many vacationers choose flying over driving. It takes far less time to reach your destination and requires virtually no effort on the part of you and your family. However, flying – particularly during the busy travel season – can be exorbitantly pricey and eat up a sizable chunk of your travel budget. Even if reaching your destination via car requires more time and effort on your end, you stand to save a considerable sum of money. The funds driving frees up can be used for a variety of vacation-related endeavors, thus making the trip even more memorable. So, if you can drive to your intended vacation spot in a reasonable amount of time, consider relying on your car instead of shelling out a small fortune for plane tickets.

Consider Off-Season Travel

Many families prefer to travel during the spring and summer months. After all, these seasons are synonymous with agreeable weather and time off from work and school. However, since so many travelers hit the road during these times of the year, airfare, lodgings, travel packages and assorted attractions tend to be quite pricey. Budget-conscious families can nip this problem in the bud by traveling during the off-season – i.e., the fall and winter months. While weather conditions may not be quite as nice, the money you’ll save should prove well-worth any minor inconveniences. During the off-season, you’ll have access to hotel rates and airfare prices you won’t find at any other time of year.

Not only will off-season travel save you money, but it can also increase your destination options. While certain destinations may be outside of your travel budget during the busy season, you may find them to be comfortably affordable throughout the off-season.

Look for Family Travel Packages

When perusing possible destinations, keep an eye out for family travel packages. A good travel package will consolidate airfare, lodging and various attraction fees into a manageable lump sum. Even if a certain destination doesn’t openly advertise family travel packages, don’t give up before doing a little bit of online research. For example, anyone interested in an affordable Niagara Falls family vacation can find a convenient assortment of travel packages with minimal effort.

Keep Snacks on Hand

As any seasoned parent can attest, children are constantly hungry – especially when affordable dining options aren’t easily accessible. Whenever a child gets a snack attack while on vacation, many parents head for the nearest street vendor, refreshment stand or restaurant. Needless to say, this approach to feeding your kids can eat away at even the most robust travel budget. With this in mind, make a point of keeping snacks on hand throughout your next trip. Sure, carrying food around can be a little cumbersome, but this slight inconvenience stands to save you hundreds of dollars.

You can take this a step further by limiting the number of meals you eat at restaurants. Staying at a hotel that offers complimentary breakfasts and packing a lunch when going on outings can decrease food costs exponentially, thus freeing up funds for other facets of the trip.

For many families, vacations serve as the highlight of the year. Unfortunately, as enjoyable as these trips can be, they’re generally not easy on the wallet. Many of us have simply accepted exorbitantly expensive vacations as a fact of life and resigned ourselves to spending unreasonable sums on travel excursions with loved ones. However, even if you’ve grown accustomed to shelling out a small fortune every time your family is bitten by the travel bug, it’s never too late for course-correction. Putting the tips outlined above to good use can help you save a bundle on your crew’s next big travel excursion.

6 Reasons Why Beach Vacations Are the Best

by

Cultural city breaks are great, and it’s always good to feel as though there is a lot to keep you entertained during your vacation. Visiting historical sites to learn something new, and dining out at some of the best restaurants the place has to offer. All of these are amazing experiences, but you could also return from your vacation feeling more worn out than when you left. Even if you consider yourself to be a ‘culture vulture’ instead of a ‘beach bum,’ why not set off to white sands and turquoise waters on your next break? Here are six reasons why you should.

1. Relaxation

As mentioned above, running around a city on your vacation uses up energy and isn’t always as refreshing. A beach, on the other hand, allows you to sit back with a good book in the sunshine, listening to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore. If reading isn’t your thing, listen to your favorite music or podcast as you watch the world go by. A stroll across the sand at sunset is beautiful and romantic, and as you take in a deep breath of that salty sea air, you will feel yourself completely unwind.

2. Incredible Experiences

Beach vacations offer some of the most incredible experiences available. With options to head out to sea on boats to look at the sea-life and other natural wonders, you will experience the very best of life itself. For example, Maui whale watching tours are very popular in Hawaii. Observing these majestic creatures is an incredible experience and shouldn’t be missed. Research whale watching tours from Maui if you’re considering heading out to the beautiful islands.

3. Activities

A lot of people make the misconception that beach vacations are all about lying around in the sun. While that is a part of it, there are usually a lot of other activities available for vacationers. Water sports, for one thing, are regular features on the coasts, why not try your hand at surfing or water skiing? There are often diving and snorkeling opportunities,too, if that is something that interests you.

4. Natural Beauty

Tropical beaches, rugged coastlines, and paradise islands are all wonderful places to explore. It’s not all about the white sands, but the nature surrounding it, too. From the picturesque Greek Islands to the exotic Caribbean, there is a whole range of places that offer awe-inspiring natural beauty. Who wouldn’t want to see that up close?

5. Health

Did you know that being near the ocean has health benefits, too? Swimming in the salt-water can help to rejuvenate your skin, and the air is purer to inhale. It certainly beats the smog and pollution you get in the cities, and will only help to refresh you.

6. Escapism

More importantly, a beach vacation is a perfect opportunity for a real escape from your daily routine. This is especially true for those who already live in busy cities or towns. If you want to come back from your vacation feeling re-charged and ready to get back to work, a beach trip will achieve this much more than a visit to another city.

Treat yourself to some rest on your next vacation and find a beautiful beach to lounge around on.

Top Romantic Wedding Destination: Make Your Dreams Come True

by

There aren’t too many moments in the life of any human being as sacred as the wedding day. Your friends and family are going to be there, and most importantly, also will be the love of your life.

Now, the only logical thing is that you want to go big on this day. And, aside from getting yourself a Studio Suits wedding suit, you can take it to another level.

You can actually have a romantic wedding of your dreams. All you have to do is to pick a dream-like location.

Santorini

No matter how you put it, Greece inspires love. In a time long forgotten, Plato wrote the “Symposium” which is a treaty on love. Now, couples from over the world come here to marry, spend honeymoons, or just kick it.

Just imagine your wife’s smile on the first day on the beach. Try to imagine the salty, blissful atmosphere, where whitewashed houses stand against the eternal cliffs. The only reminder of reality are the shining roofs that soak the ocean’s glitter.

Yes, it does sound like something out of Amazon top 10 romance picks. However, it gets even better. That’s just the everyday Santorini, you can even go for black sand beaches, or visit volcanic sand beaches.

Finally, don’t worry. If you are a couple that likes small gatherings, just make this a vacation of a lifetime. People in Greece are wonderful, rich with hospitality, and you can make this a trip of a lifetime.

Sri Lanka

Right now, there’s this idea of a secluded ceremony. Yet, people have different sensitivities, and some people like to top it up a notch. So, instead of going for a volcanic beach, you could go full exotic mode and visit Sri Lanka.

If your spouse loves adventure movies, then this setting is ideal. Buddhist temples, rainforests, elephants, sunset-bathed beaches, wildlife, even more temples, and cocktails are what makes Sri Lanka such a powerhouse traveling destination.

So, if you want to have a total adventure, then you won’t miss Sri Lanka. Also, bring your friends, and you may even make this trip an even greater adventure than a “Hangover” movie.

French Riviera

Now, not everyone loves an adventure. And, that’s totally fine. Some people love (like your spouse for example) love a great romance. Maybe they dream their whole life to have a wedding that rings with dignity. So, meet the French Riviera.

In the 19th century, it was a place where royalty met and spent their holidays. In the 20th century, it became a resort and recluse for great artists like Pablo Picasso and Henry Mattise. And, even pop culture icons love to visit it nowadays.

Who could blame them? It’s a coastline stretching from Saint Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco that has 310 out 330 sunny days. Basically, having a wedding here is a royal event. So if your spouse wanted to feel like a princess or a prince their whole life, you can get that fantasy in France.

Sicily

There aren’t as many locations that inspire true romance like Sicily. On one hand you have beautiful beaches that meet the Mediterranean sea. You turn around and spot an eternal volcano, whose presence is drenched in the smell of fresh oranges.

Hell, Michael Corleone found his wife here. On top of that, the scenery is enriched by vast cultural heritage preserved in houses, temples, and other architecture. Sicily is perfect for couples that cherish true romance.

Also, if your spouse is into photography, consider you are going to provide them with a true guilty pleasure. So, if you want something romantic yet approachable, go for Sicily. And, local cuisine has so much to offer, even more than an awesome pizza slice.

Fiji

Well, if Sicily is too much for you, opt for a more tropical variant. Exotic archipelago, rich with wild flora and fauna, yet bounded by beautiful villas is a simplified explanation of heaven that Fiji is.

Fiji is a perfect place for couples that want the natural scenery. Coral reefs, palm trees, green ocean water, white stone are just a part of this oasis. Locals give the word “hospitality” a new meaning and you can have your wedding in one of the fantastic villas.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to be inside. God forbid, you are going to utilize the scenery for a once in a lifetime chance to strengthen the bond between you and your partner forever.

Tuscany

Yet, couples can be picky. So, they seek a location that has amazing scenery, amazing architecture, and is warm most of the year. Luckily, you can even add great wine to the mix and you get Tuscany.

The second entry from Italy, Tuscany has a great architecture that shows various cultural periods from Italy’s history. The environment is a mixture of greenery, sand, and warm colors all over the place.

Finally, its greatest additions are the vineyards and wine. If you want an exquisite treat, taste different wines, and enjoy the experience fully. This location is fantastic for gourmets and all that feel like it.

Spain

Along the gourmet line, gourmets don’t necessarily need to enjoy food and drink. You can be a gourmet for an artistic experience. You may want to have a blend of various artistic styles, architecture, and beautiful natural scenery.

So, Spain is amazing for people who are looking for a sort of a culture shock. But, they also want to have a wedding in a place that has that right, legendary feeling. Mixing concrete and beaches, architecture and natural environment, Spain is an amazing destination for weddings.

You may want to visit Barcelona. It has everything you need for a wedding of your dreams.

Take the Trip

The only thing that is left is to book the trip. It may look expensive at first, but a wedding is once in a lifetime chance to make your spouse happy.

Certainly, you can always bring your wife breakfast to bed, or take her on a vacation. But, this kind of trip is something she is going to keep in her heart forever. Nothing is more sacred than that.