The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Five Adventure Sports to Try Whilst Visiting Thailand

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If you are into all things adventurous and getting your adrenaline pumping, then Thailand is a great place to visit. With many adventure sports and amazing places that get your heart pumping whilst discovering the beauty of Thailand, there has never been a better time to get yourself out there. Here are five of the best adventure sports to try when visiting Thailand, and where is best to do them.

Diving, Koh Tao

Now, diving may not seem like an adventure sport, but in Koh Tao, free diving has been incredibly popular. Free diving is diving in coral reefs without an oxygen tank. This gives you the ability to glide a lot faster through the water to discover everything underneath. The longest free dive was around 20 minutes, but even a few minutes at a time freediving is enough to get your heart racing.

Off-Road Motorbiking, Northern Thailand

In Northern Thailand there are some of the biggest and thickest jungles in the country. These make for a great track for some off-road motorbiking. There are some recommended routes for those wishing to take on this adventure, such as The Golden Triangle which is 390 miles long. This takes you down windy roads to caves and elephant camps and is a thrilling and exciting way to discover Thailand.

Waterfall Abseiling, Chiang Mai

This is truly an adrenaline addict’s dream. Abseiling and rappelling underneath a beautiful waterfall in the middle of a Thai jungle can give you a thrill like no other. If you have ever rappelled down a cliff, this has got nothing on doing so whilst underneath a huge waterfall.

Deep Water Soloing

This can be done anywhere and is a newer sport. This is a lot like rock climbing, but in much more extreme and beautiful places. Deep water soloing is a form of free-climbing that involves scaling and climbing cliff faces without a harness or anchors to help you. This is all done in the sea so you will need a boat to get to a cliff face. If you fall, you’ll just get wet. The only way down is to jump back into the sea meaning this adventure sport is thrilling but completely safe when done correctly. Railay beach is a great place to start your journey and there are many friendly locals who will show you the way.

Longtail Drag Boat Racing

This is a motorsport that is ever popular in Thailand. As its name suggests, this is drag boat racing to the extreme. Many of the boats are made custom by the locals to win and bring customers to their shops. Whether you want to join in and build your own, Thai Boat Racing is certainly a delight to watch.

Thailand is an amazing place full of adventure for those wishing to find it. Whatever sport you are interested in, Thailand has something for you. Discover Thailand and get your adrenaline pumping with any of these great adventure sports.

Top RV Adventures For Pet Lovers

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A great many regular RV travelers prefer to bring their dogs out on the road to leaving them at home to be cared for by others. Road tripping is a lifestyle that is well suited for dogs since they get to enjoy fresh air and outdoor activities just like their owners do. Fortunately there are many parks across the country that not only allow dogs but even encourage and pamper them. RV rentals can be chosen specifically to make sure your dog or dogs are comfortable on the trip, and if you book one of these dog friendly parks for your stay you can rest assured that your pet will have just as pleasurable an experience as you will. Before you set off on your adventure, you should check if everything is OK with your pet, so it can stay healthy during your trip. The best way to do this is to invest in a pet health insurance and keep your pet safe and happy during your trip. If you happen to be taking a longer trip you can even book two or three different dog friendly RV parks along the way. Whatever the case may be for your trip, check out these top dog friendly hotels and consider them if you are traveling in these regions.

Garden of the Gods RV Resort, Colorado

Located right in the heart of hiking and climbing country, not to mention some of the most gorgeous scenery in the nation, this well-equipped and maintained park is fully dog friendly. There is even a dog park here so your dog can run off some steam and get to play with the other visiting dogs. Plus with all the nearby hiking trails you can take advantage of, your dog will have plenty to do. All of the trials are dog friendly so you can bring your traveling companion out on your hikes. Not only is this one of the top parks in the country, it’s also one of the dog friendliest.

Evergreen Park RV Resort, Ohio 

Travelers have been discovering Evergreen Park for many years and this has rapidly becoming one of the most sought after camps in the Midwest due to its stunning scenery and access to the Amish country. He park is totally dog friendly as well and comes equipped with a grooming station and dozens of dog-friendly trails.

Riverside Campground & Cabins, California 

Located right in the heart of iconic Big Sur on the California coast, this is a stunningly beautiful park offers water views and a plethora of activities. The park allows for two dogs on your stay. Plus there is lots of outdoor space and many activities that your pets will love here, including hiking and miles of stunning coastline. Any dog owner on a California coastal RV rental run should definitely consider a stay at Riverside.

Lake Whippoorwill KOA, Florida 

Down in sunny central Florida you will find this great park known for its manicured grounds, relaxing atmosphere, and pet friendliness. Your dog will love it too since this park is fully pet friendly. This is a leash free zone, so your dog can run free with the others in the camp. Plus there is an obstacle course and lots of open outdoor space for any pet to enjoy. With great year-round weather and plenty to do, both owners and their dogs will have a great time at this park.

Escondido RV Resort, California 

If you’re traveling with a dog in southern California, then you will definitely want to check out Escondido. This is also a leash free park where dogs can mingle and run around free, but it is fenced in so there are no worries in regards to safety. There is a large dog park here  plus a dog fountain so they can cool off on hot days. Plus don’t forget about the many beaches in the region that can be enjoyed by owner and dog alike.

Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort, Massachusetts

When it comes to dog friendly RV Parks, Normandy Farms really takes the cake. Not only is there a 2 acre dog park where dogs can run free and mingle but there’s also an obstacle course, drinking fountains, and a dog bathing area. Plus, if you wanted to head out on an activity that is not dog friendly, there is a kennel at the park that will look after you’re dog while you’re gone. This really is the top of the line in dog friendly parks, so consider it if you’re on a New England run.

There are a great many RV parks across the country that not only welcome dogs but even pamper to their every need. Never be afraid to take your pet out on the road since dogs are perfect for RV travel, plus they are great companions and work to enhance the trip. No matter which area of the country you may be traveling in there is sure to be a dog friendly park in the region. Take after the thousands of RV rentals travelers who travel with their dogs each year.

3 Ways to Get Out on the Water in Seattle

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If you are a lover of water and everything that it entails, then Seattle offers you many options for doing just that. You just have to know where to go, and what to use in order to find your favorite attractions. So, where do you start? How do you go about enjoying the water attractions in the city of Seattle?

Use the Ferry Services for Transportation

Image via Flickr by thirteenthbat

One of the best ways to get around in Seattle and its vicinity is to make use of Washington State Ferries. This ferry service system consists of 28 ferries that travel across 10 routes.

If you want to go on a tour of Bainbridge Island and enjoy a picnic while taking in the scenery or travel to Bremerton and visit the USS Turner Joy Museum Ship, the Washington State Ferry services will get you there. And you will be able to sightsee and enjoy the local attractions in peace until it’s time to go back again.

Generally speaking, if you want to tour the entire Puget Sound and see what’s on offer, the ferry services offer you the best chance to do so. But in case you do not have much time, it pays to find an IHG hotel in a great location with water views for your enjoyment.

Boat Rentals for Fun and Sports

It’s safe to say that fishing is indeed a sport. And in Seattle, you can rent a boat when you’re feeling the itch to release the reel. You can charter a fishing boat for salt-water fishing courtesy of Seattle fishing companies. You will then have access to experienced skippers and the right tackles so that you can finally catch salmon just like you have always wanted to. And it’s year-round too. What’s not to like about that?

You can also rent boats or kayaks for fun. Green Lakes Park offers you the chance to learn about sailing. And you can use your knowledge to set sail using the rental boats available. You can opt to be part of a group canoeing event if you would rather. Paddle boats, row boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boats are also available if you are looking for a fun workout.  And when you are done, there’s a café nearby to help you get your energy back up again.

Cruises and Sightseeing

What if you could go on a cruise and get to see a lot of Seattle even when you have minimal time to enjoy yourself?

You could start by booking the DUKW aka the Duck, which is an amphibious vehicle that travels on both land and sea, courtesy of Ride the Ducks of Seattle. You can get to view the Seattle waterfront, Pioneer Square, and even the downtown shopping district before you sail into Lake Union.

You can also book a whale watching tour that will take you to the San Juan Islands, where whales are frequently seen. Other cruises will enable you view whales in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. You can also charter private cruise boats that will allow you to sightsee at a more relaxed pace.

These are just a few of the ways you can get out on the water. Between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is a haven for water-lovers.

How to Survive Your Beach Vacation with Your New Baby

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Summer is almost here. It’s the best period of the year and many are surely planning to hit the beach and kick back after working extremely hard for the better part of the year. By now, most of us have made it a habit of carrying certain things such as a book, swimming costume & sunscreen when going to the beach. However, what does a parent(s) need to do when taking their newborn along?

It is, without doubt, an ingenious idea to take your latest addition in your family on a beach vacation and start making memories as soon as possible. But it is also wise to take along some nifty baby beach gear to help make the experience at the beach go as smoothly as possible. Here are some top tips for your first excursion to the beach with your baby:

1. Pitch a Baby Beach Tent

This is obviously the most important thing to do when going to a beach holiday with a baby. Baby beach tents are lightweight, easy to assemble and can provide much needed shade for your little one. Not only that, but it will also help protect them from the wind, sand and UV rays. We never head to the beach without our beach baby tent.  You can see a selection of our favourite baby beach tents by clicking here.

2. Carry Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an obviously important item to carry whilst going to the beach, no matter what age you are. On top of the baby beach tent, you should take along special baby sunscreen and apply it regularly to your baby. Don’t forget to take a wide-brim sun hat with as well.

3. Use a Clear Plastic Zip-Lock Bag to Pack Your Clothes

We all know that beach sand pretty much tends to get in everywhere. At some point your baby might get a bit frustrated with the scratchy sand (or by the wet togs).  Having some clean clothes in a zip-lock bag is a good idea, so you can change them into some soft clean clothes when needed.

4. Carry Lots of Water and Snacks

Everyone needs to be well fed and hydrated during a trip to the beach. If you are breastfeeding, hydration is even more important than normal.  Also, don’t forget to come prepared with bottles and formulae if your baby is bottle-fed.

5. Keep the Visit to the Beach Short

The thought of spending the entire day at the beach, relaxing, sunbathing and reading a lovely inspirational book looks like a picturesque holiday. Unfortunately, this is impossible when you have your baby around. That said; keep the trip to the beach nice, sweet and short. An hour or two is plenty when you have your little baby with you.

6. Pack as Light as Possible!

Heavy bags weighing down on you while you’re looking for a nice spot at the beach is the last you’d want to deal with at the beach, especially with a baby in tow.

Keep it simple and only take along the most practical and essential items. Things like a baby beach bag, disposable swimming diapers, a pop-up baby beach tent, a water resistant baby beach blanket, beach shoes, baby powder (work wonders in removing sand from the body), and baby beach toys will make your beach life much easier.

Spending some time at the beach with your loved ones is always memorable. Taking your baby to the beach for the first time will be a memory that both of you will cherish for many years to come.

The above tips will make your beach holiday with your baby nice, sweet and enjoyable. Remember to bring your camera to document this special trip. Happy beach holiday!

Author Bio:

This guest post is brought to you by Andrzej & Jolene from Wanderlust Storytellers, a widely successful family travel blog. They love sharing their passion for travel with people all around the globe. 

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The 5 Benefits of a Backpack Diaper Bag for Traveling Parents

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Backpack diaper bags are perfect holiday alternatives to the normal shoulder-strap diaper bags. This is because backpack diaper bags have the best features to provide you with lots of rooms to carry all the things that you need for your vacation.

Diaper bag backpacks are an ideal option for a parent who wants to travel with their infant. Not only are these diaper bags convenient but they are also so incredibly versatile. We use a diaper bag on the airport, as our carry-on for the plane as well as for all our explorations during the actual holiday. We have a unisex bag that both myself as well as my husband can use. We never leave home without our backpack diaper bag, you can see our favourite diaper bags for holidays by clicking here.

Here are some of the benefits of diaper bags, and reasons as to why we believe that they will help make your holiday with your baby easier!

1. Hands-Free!

The most appreciated advantage of a backpack diaper bag over a traditional messenger style bag must be the fact that it frees up both your hands while traveling with your baby.

With a backpack style bag, you won’t to worry about the balancing act of carrying your baby in one hand while using the other hand to try and keep the bag from coming off your shoulder.

It also leaves you free to deal with things such as flight tickets, passport controls or the simple act of purchasing tickets at attractions and sights.

2. Spacious

Diaper backpacks are generally very spacious. They contain lots of rooms to help accommodate your baby supplies.

These bags also come with many compartments to help you organize your things and keep them neatly so that you can retrieve them within the shortest time possible.  Which is great as you might possible need enough supplies to survive an entire day away from your hotel.

The bags are also spacious enough to let you even carry personal items such as mobile phones, keys and your tablet among other things.  So, no need to carry a personal bag for yourself.  You can click here to grab a printable checklist of what we pack for our holidays with our baby.

3. Comfortable

A diaper bag backpack has two straps which allows for even weight distribution of the bag so that you can carry it more comfortably. This will be a huge advantage especially for those with a back problem and will make it easier for you to carry your baby items without straining your back. So important as you might be out exploring all day.

The best diaper bags have padded shoulder straps for extra comfort. We love backpacks that also have extra padding in the back, together with a breathable material so that we don’t get to hot whilst hiking or exploring on our holiday.

4. Versatile

A backpack diaper bag works perfectly at the airport, inside the plane and during the travels. Our diaper bag fits easily into either the overhead compartment on the plane or even under the seat in front of us.

We often baby-wear our little one whilst exploring as many sights have stairs to navigate and we do find that the weight of the backpack on the back really helps to counterweight baby’s weight on the front.

5. Can be used by both Moms and Dads

Another advantage of a diaper backpack bag is the fact that it is convenient for use by both dads and moms. These bags don’t seem to be too feminine, which appeals to those dads who may want to carry something manly. Most diaper backpacks don’t look like diaper bags at all, which makes them easy to be carried by dads when they are traveling with their babies. Click here to see a list of some great masculine diaper bags for dad.

We love travelling with our baby.  She has been on over 22 flights since she was born.  It has taken us a while to find our groove with all the choices of baby supplies out there, but we have realized that with a baby, less is often more!  If you want more tips on how to travel with your baby, click here.

A backpack diaper is just great as it can fill the function of a carry-on bag, a hiking bag, a daypack as well as just your old traditional diaper bag. Try to find a bag that is spacious, but lightweight and that has added padding in the shoulders and back.

Enjoy your holiday with your baby!