The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

The best things to see and do in South America

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South America is an exceptionally large continent which has an incredible amount to explore and discover. I was lucky enough to spend just under a year traveling through almost every South American country, and even then there was still more which I could have done.

As with every continent on the planet, there are some landmarks, attractions and sights, which you simply must set your eyes on and experience. If you are planning a South america trip and want to take in the best spots, here are my top things to see and do in this vast continent.

Machu Picchu

This ancient citadel on the top of a mountain in the south of Peru is one of the World’s Seven Wonders and it is the iconic photo which you will see when looking for exciting things to do in South America. Machu Picchu is around 4 hours from the city of Cusco in a town called Aguas Calientes. The best bet is to stay in the town the night before, and then get up early to hit the mountain. You can walk up the mountain in around 2 hours, or take the bus up which lasts about 30 minutes.

Christ the Redeemer

Rio itself is one of my most beloved cities in South America and the jewel in its crown is Christ the Redeemer, the huge statue of Christ which sits atop Corcovado mountain. In order to get the top of the mountain, you will take a cable car for around 15 minutes. The size of the statue is incredible and from the top of Corcovado, you will get some of the best views of Rio in the whole city.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a huge J-shaped falls which borders Argentina, Brazil. Whilst this may not get the accolades of the likes of Niagara or Victoria Falls, it is worth noting that Iguazu is actually the largest waterfall system in the world, such is its size and the amount of water which crashes down each and every second. As to where you can see the falls best, my advice would be to try and see them on both the Brazil and the Argentina sides, for two very different experiences.

Ski and Sunbathe

Such is the location of Santiago, Chile, you can actually ski on the Andes Mountains in the morning, providing you get up early of course, and then spend your afternoon on the beach. I don’t know of many other countries in the world where you can do this and I would definitely put it at the top of your list for things to do whilst in Chile.

Amazon

A huge percentage of South America is made up by the Amazon rainforest which has the huge and expansive River Amazon cutting through its heart. To truly experience South America, an Amazon tour is most defiantly recommended. The river travels from Brazil across to Peru an the choice is yours in terms of where you take the cruise from, and where you go to.

Which sounds the most attractive to you?

 

London Vs Paris: Which capital city is the king for shopping?

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When you think of fashion and shopping, there are a few cities which usually come to mind, the first of which is probably the likes of New York and Milan, but most will probably discuss Paris and London. These two European destinations have been powerhouses in the world of fashion for many years. From the classic French looks of the 50s, the cultural explosion of the swinging sixtes and right up to the modern day, these two cities have been at the forefront of shopping and fashion for many years.

The remains then, which is the best place to go clothes shopping, Paris or London, let’s take a look.

Choice

Given that London is the bigger city, it could be argued that there is more choice across the board than in Paris. Paris has become famous for its high end chic rather than covering all areas of the fashion spectrum and it is for these reasons why London offers the best all round choice. Whether you are looking at raiding Selfridges for its Louis Vuitton or hitting H and M for the latest looks, London has all areas covered better than their French counterpart.

High End

London is not short of high end shops, you only need to stroll through Knightsbridge, Park Lane or Chelsea to see that. Whilst London may have some high end flagship stores however, it is Paris which offers the most to the high end shopper. Paris has more boutiques than anywhere in the world, plus specialist tailors and independent traders who only deal in the finest quality products.

Market Bargains

Fashion is not all about the latest catwalk clothing and many fashion pieces are best searched for in a grungy and vibrant market. Paris has its markets but nothing like those of Camden and Carnaby Street. If you are looking at digging through a market for your fashion pieces, London is the place to do so.

Highest Price

Because of the way that the sterling is right now, you could very well be paying a higher price for the same item in London rather than Paris. Indeed, you can often see the price tags in Euros and Pounds, with the Euro price almost always being lower than that of the Sterling. If you are looking to save a bit on your shopping, Paris is the best choice.

Proximity

Paris wins in terms of proximity of its shops and you will find London’s fashion areas to be far more spread out. If you have a weekend planned to do some shopping, Paris is definitely going to be your best bet.

Conclusion

The truth is, it is very close in terms of which city is the best to shop in and whilst we do have a winner, it is not by very much at all. Paris seems to be the best place for close shops, high end fashion and better prices, whereas London can offer more for everyone in terms of the shops available. The winner is Paris, but you most definitely won’t be disappointed if you do go to London.

How to pack for a long weekend away

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Packing for a long weekend away is not always easy, on the one hand you need enough stuff for four days, and on the other, you want a bag that is going to be small enough for you to comfortably carry around. If you are flying to get to your weekend destination, it makes so much more sense form a time perspective that you just take carry-on luggage so that you can get out of the airport and start enjoying yourself, as soon as you land.

I go on about 6-8 weekend breaks per year and I usually take advantage of the holidays to ensure that I can turn it into a long weekend. Because of this, I have got my weekend bag packing down to a fine art and I wanted to share with you some tips on how to get it just right.

Bag

To choose your bag based on what you want to take with you, instead, base what you take with you on the size of your bag. Weekend travel may involve you taking your bag from A to B, a lot more than if you were heading off on a two week break with a hefty suitcase in tow. With this in mind then, it is important that you select a bag which is lightweight, as spacious as possible and most importantly, compact.

Shoes

Shoes really do take up the majority of the space in any bag and if you have thoughts about taking all of your heels, then think again. I like to take two pairs of shoes with me, and wear some trainers to travel in. I ditch the tall heels in favor of some kitten heels and I always take black pair of flats with me. Flats look great in any occasion and they take up next to no space in the bag.

Tech

Unless you absolutely have to work, I would recommend leaving any tech at home, and rely solely on your phone for the next few days. Tech and chargers can really fill space and add weight and for the sake of four days, it is far better to leave that kind of stuff at home.

Clothing

When it comes to clothing, really make sure that you are planning smartly for what you will be doing. A pair of jeans can easily be worn twice or three times, underwear is obviously needed for each day, jackets you can either give a miss if it is warm, or wear it when you are traveling to avoid putting it in your bag. Try to take only what you need and not what you might need. Remember that for the most part, if you desperately need new clothes, you can buy them in your destination.

Make sure that if you do take a towel with you, that you take a small and compact microfibre towel. Usually you will not need a towel as the hotel can provide, and even if you hit the beach you can always buy a cheap towel to use and then discard of.

To get your packing right for a long weekend, plan exactly what you will need and place your focus on keeping that bag light and easy to carry about.

when and where to catch the Northern Lights in Bonny Scotland

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Experiencing the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, is a truly once in a lifetime event which will stay with you forever. This spectacular light show which occurs when magnetized protons and neutrons smash together in the sky and the consequence are multicolored light flashes blazing across the sky. There are many places in northern Europe where you can witness this spectacular event, most of which in Scandinavia but what many people don’t know, is that you can actually see this event from Bonny Scotland.

Scandinavian countries are notoriously expensive and that is one of the biggest reasons why many will instead look for the light show in alternative countries, Scotland being one of the best. Let’s take a look where and when is the best time for you to catch the Northern Lights in Scotland.

When to See Them

The best time to be in Scotland if you wish to see the Northern Lights, is during autumn and winter. Usually the lights are best seen as autumn draws to a close and winter begins to usher itself in. Try late October to early November if you really want to see these lights at their best.

Shetland Islands

The Shetland Islands are probably the best place for you to witness the Northern Lights because of its close proximity with Scandinavia. The islands are actually an archipelago of over 100 islands and there are few areas in the world as remote as these islands. There is little light pollution here which means that you can see the lights with real clarity.

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen is probably the most tourist friendly location for those looking to enjoy a break, and witness the Northern Lights. On the coast of Aberdeenshire is the best place to witness the lights although with the pollution from the city, getting to see the light with any real clarity is not always guaranteed.

The Cairngorms

The Cairngorms is a huge national park which features some of the UK’s tallest mountains, now landscapes, fresh rivers and huge lakes, it is also one of the  best places in the country to see Aurora Borealis. Thanks to both the proximity of the National Park, and the near-perfect darkness which you get during your time there, the lights look spectacular in this setting. Tourists will not only love the light show, but the huge array of activities on offer in this park.

The Coast of Fife

The coast of Fife is slowly becoming a very popular destination to witness Aurora thanks to the quaint and quirky surrounding areas. This is one of the best places to truly explore Scotland and also see the incredible Northern Lights. Fifa is a region with coastline, small villages, rustic towns and a very Scottish way of life. If you are heading to Scotland to try and see these lights, Fife makes for one of the best places for you to choose from.

Have you seen the light before? Where did you see them? We’d love to hear from you so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

What to do in the Brecon Beacons For a Long Weekend

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If you are looking to take along weekend away in the UK, The Brecon Beacons is one of the best places to do just that. this remote, mountainous region is probably best known because it is the destination of choice for the SAS to train with its rugged hills, harsh conditions and remote location.

Whilst the army may send the best of the best to this area to train, for tourists, it makes for a perfect weekend getaway and here is what you can do within the National Park during your weekend away.

Festivals

The festival calendar in the Brecon Beacons is packed each year with a huge amount of annual festivities taking place. From food and drink festival, animal shows and farmers celebrations, there is plenty going on in this region for you to get involved with. Have a check before you head away to find out what is on whilst you are there.

Hiking Exploration

There really is an incredible amount of activities which you can indulge in during your time in the Brecon Beacons but one of the best ways to really see this region is to put those hiking boots on a and go explore. Through this national park you will find thick forests, hidden trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, large expanses with incredible views and cave networks which cut below the mountains.

Stargazing

Because of the size of the Brecon Beacons, and thanks to the fact that there are no cities nearby, the national park is a phenomenal place to go stargazing thanks to the lack of light pollution. Each year thousands of stargazers flock to the Beacons National Park to see one of the best night skies that you are ever likely to witness.

Vintage Train

The Brecon Mountain Railway has been in operation for many years and this vintage train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful natural landscapes which you can find here. The train covers the full length of the Taf Fechan reservoir and then climbs up to the vantage point at the top of Torpantau, a wonderful experience that lets you see the very best of the park.

Activities

If you want to really enjoy your time here in the Beacons then the best way to do so is to get involved in some of the many activities which you will find in the park. From rock climbing and caving, gorge walking to kayaking, paragliding to cycling, whatever your bag is, you will find it right here in the Brecon Beacons. There are many companies which operate within the National Park, offering such activities and the prices are very reasonable.

Gold Mine Tour

Many years ago gold miners would flood into the Beacons looking for that pot of gold which would change their life and you can take a tour which will see you follow in their footsteps. The tour will take you deep into the heart of the disused mine and give you a taste of what it was like for the miners.

There is so much to do here that it would be foolish if you didn’t have it on your list of places to explore for a long weekend.