The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Top Reasons You Should Experience Travelling Alone

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Everyone knows that travelling is one of the most worthwhile experiences a person can have. Taking your family on holiday, visiting relatives abroad and going on a business trip all have one thing in common – they involve travelling with other people. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with bringing people along for the journey but taking the plunge and travelling by yourself is an important step. Whether it’s for a few days or a few months, here are some of the top reasons you should try travelling alone.

Making Decisions

When you’re young, it’s easy to let life guide you since many people have more control over your environment and activities than you. As you get older, however, learning to make good decisions for yourself becomes vital. People in their twenties, people in their seventies and everyone in between can gain much-needed experience by travelling alone and forcing themselves to make all the important decisions on their own. When you return from your trip, you’ll have a new self-confidence that you can trust yourself and the choices you make in life after surviving all by yourself.

Independence

The freedom to make your own choices gives you a better appreciation of your independence. Being able to take care of yourself and avoid relying on other people is a valuable quality to have and one that can be earned by travelling alone. Every step of your journey is decided by you and nobody else. You choose which accommodation you prefer; you choose the restaurants you want to eat at, you choose what time you go to bed. Take a look at some accommodation for single traveller holidays to inspire you. Being on your own doesn’t mean you have to be bored.

Building Character

Not everything will necessarily go to plan while you’re taking your solo trip. You might lose or forget something important, eat something that makes you ill, overspend on your budget. These are things that are incredibly stressful at the time but can teach you valuable lessons. Being the only person responsible for your circumstances is a great way to build your character and learn more about yourself. How do you handle being in a crisis? Do you still treat other people politely when under stress? Are you reliable when a stranger needs your help? These are all useful lessons to become a better, more well-rounded human being and travelling alone challenges you to do just that.

New Experiences

No matter your initial reasons for travelling on your own, the new experiences you have along the way will be priceless. You can never fully predict what will happen and so being able to embrace the unexpected and go with the flow will open you up to people and places you might never have dreamed of. Sometimes travelling with family or friends can be restrictive in that you must act as a group. Travelling alone lets you experience the world on your own terms and at your own pace.

3 Most Welcoming Countries for Students

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The market for international studies is getting bigger day by day. More students across the globe are looking for the best quality education, and they are willing to travel thousands of miles to acquire it. Certain countries boast of better international education systems than others; these are the countries that international students flock to.

Top tutors at IBuyEssay have vast experience with international studies, and they recommend the following three countries as the most welcoming for international students.

1. The United States

The international studies market in the US is estimated to be worth over $50 billion. Therefore, the US is the top choice for international students.

The US boasts of some of the leading international universities. These include Harvard, Princeton, and MIT. It is also home to lesser-known international universities such as Illinois State University and Pace University. All these universities have the most advanced systems of international studies, and the knowledge obtained here is easily marketable.

The US is welcoming to international students in a variety of ways:

  • Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity

The US is the boiling pot of the world with a population that comprises people from all walks of life. The cultures here are diverse, and your peers will make you feel at home.

  • Student Financial Aid

While the US is not the cheapest place to study, there are lots of organizations that offer financial aid to international students. There are also other organizations that help international students settle down and even get citizenship.

  • Enlightening Experiences

The US student lifestyle is under-rated. It is not all about partying. Smart students take advantage of their time in the campus to network, gain new skills and exciting ideas. You will meet thousands of international students like yourself. You will also interact with young minds seeking to change the world with innovative, progressive ideas.

2. United Kingdom

The UK takes in over 500,000 international students every year. Most of the UK’s international students come from China, The United States, Germany, Ireland, and India. It is estimated that the UK’s international studies market is worth about $5 billion.

There are several reasons why international students are drawn to the UK:

  • Globally Recognized International Universities

The UK is home to some of the leading international universities. These include Oxford, Cambridge, the University of London, Newcastle University, and Cardiff University. These universities offer over 50,000 courses spread across more than 25 subject areas.

  • Financial Support

Scholarship programs in the UK are offered on a merit basis. That means that outstanding international students have better chances of qualifying for financial aid. There are also other organizations that help international students settle down in the country.

  • Law Requirements of Entry

The UK student visa is easy to get as the process is transparent and straightforward. International students can also obtain a work permit that allows them to work while studying, and even after graduating.

3. Australia

 

Australia’s international studies market generates about $3 billion of annual revenues. Most international students studying here are from India, Canada, China, South Korea, and Indonesia. Some of the incentives they find here include:

  • Notable International Universities

Australia is home to several global universities that include Macquarie University and The University of Western Australia. Certifications from these universities are coveted and easily marketable. Courses taken by the international students in Australia are fully covered by the Australian Qualification Framework.

  • Inclusive Society

Australia has a diverse population of people from all over the world. The sheer number of international students also means that you will interact with different cultures and gain new perspectives on life in general.

  • Low Cost of Living

The cost of living in Australia is significantly lower compared to the US and the UK. It is also easier to get a student visa here, as there is less bureaucracy involved.

With competition in the job market heating up, students with highly esteemed certifications are at an advantage. International learning at the leading universities in the above-mentioned countries is the way to go. They have some of the best global learning institutions, and you will find them extremely friendly.

Unusual Tourist Attractions in New York

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New York is one of the world’s most iconic cities and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Everyone who heads to New York will tick the usual items off the list in terms of attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, The World Trade Center memorial and Times Square, but what about the slightly weirder attractions that New York has to offer?

If you are looking at booking flights to New York and you want to visit something a little more strange during your time in the Big Apple, here are some of the coolest and most unusual attractions which you should consider.

Bank Vault Cocktails

Right in the heart of New York city’s financial district you will find an old bank vault which is hidden below the surface. The bank vault was built in 1904 by the Mosler Safe Company for the New York Realty bank, and when it was built it had to be sailed down the Hudson River such was its sheer magnitude. The bank vault is no longer in action and it has been turned into a Swiss bar and restaurant called Trinity Place Vault Bar. The bar still features all of the vaults details and monstrous steel doors weighing in at 35 tonnes each! If you like the idea of dining out or heading for a cocktail in a bank vault then head to 115 Broadway for a unique experience.

Feature in Lewis Carroll’s Masterpiece

If you love Alice in Wonderland then you can have the chance to star in it yourself as part of a project by a theater group called Third Rail Projects. This is an experience which you must immerse yourself in entirely and it offers a unique style of storytelling. The play is called ‘And Then She Fell’ and to add even more weirdness to proceedings it takes place in an old mental hospital. You will attend the play in groups of 15 and move from room to room as the plot takes twists and turns which you won’t be expecting. You can find this awesome artistic experience in Brooklyn at Kingsland Ward, St Johns.

The Doyers Street Tunnel

In the early 20th Century Chinatown in New York was a collection of secret allies and back passages which were the ideal spots for talks of smuggling, illegal gambling and all manner of interesting practices. Between the streets of Pell and Mott you will find a place on Doyers Street which is named the Bloody Angle because this is where the gangs used to wait for people as they came around the corner. During that time there were two Chinese gangs vying for control of Chinatown and this street bore witness to some of the most bloody battles of the time. The walls here were stained red with the blood of victims for many years. A section of the tunnel has been since removed but you can still head to the Bloody Angle and walk in the footsteps of the madness which took place here.

The Earth Room

If you are looking for a kooky art exhibition then the Earth Room in Soho is the perfect place to go. Artist Walter De Maria put this installation here in 1977 which features a 23-inch layer of Earth spread out across a 3,500 square foot gallery. This display was only supposed to be here for 3 months but ended up staying for 42 years! You can find this mad art exhibition at 131 Wooster Street, why not check it out and see just what 280,000 lbs of dirt looks like?

Track 61

Track 61 exists underneath Grand Central station and it was once used by presidents and public officials looking to escape the public. This private railway was built in 1938 and it has direct access to the Waldorf Astoria hotel, offering the perfect getaway for an important person. Famously Franklin D Roosevelt used this access point to arrive in his bulletproof train and limo, and when he arrived the limo and the president were whisked upstairs by the freight elevator. The track ceased operations in the late 70s and became something of a squatter’s paradise. No tours are available to track 61 but if you  know what you are looking for then you can head down and check it out for yourself.

New York is not only packed with amazing world-famous attractions, but this is also an old city which hides a great deal behind the facade of a bridge, a home, a train track or a doorway. Next  time you hit the Big Apple, do a little bit of digging and you can discover all kinds of incredible places to visit.

How to Have the Perfect Staycation

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Source: Unsplash | Le Creuset

Although you might associate holidays with trips abroad, due to time allowances and your budget, this may not always be possible. However, this does not mean that you cannot have a fun and relaxing holiday in the UK. All the activities that many tourists enjoy abroad, such as sunbathing on the beach and sightseeing are available in the UK if you choose the right destination.

Choose Relaxing Accommodation

Firstly, the accommodation that you choose for your holiday can be the difference between the holiday of your dreams and wishing you had rather stayed at home. When searching for accommodation in the UK, there are many options to make your holiday feel just as special as if you had gone abroad, from resorts with lots of entertainment and activities to keep the kids occupied to camping if you want to get up close and personal to nature.

However, if you want a relaxing holiday to recharge for the next year of work, you should think about hiring a self-catered holiday home for the duration of your stay. Amberley House Cottage Holidays in Sussex are a great option for people looking for a staycation as they allow families to enjoy their holiday at their own pace at the same time as enjoying spectacular views and some of the best of the English countryside.

Pick a Dream Location

Although the UK is much smaller than many other countries that you have dreamed about exploring, the UK’s holiday destinations are vast, and each provides tourists with something different to enjoy. For instance, for a traditional beachside holiday where you can relax on the sand and take part in water sports, Devon and Cornwall are great options, but if you want to experience a new city, Liverpool, Chester and London are hubs of diverse and thrilling entertainment.

The UK is also home to many potential locations for island holidays where you can indulge in nature, such as the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Skye. If you have always wanted to visit somewhere in the UK but never got the chance, this is the perfect opportunity.

Consider Your Travel Options

You might be used to catching a plane to go on holiday, but holidaying in the UK gives you an array of options to choose from. This is especially important for individuals who go on holiday in the UK because of a fear of flying. Cars are the ideal vehicles to take around the UK, because the different places are within close proximity of each other, and these allow you to visit anywhere you want, including rural destinations, stopping off at spontaneous destinations and going at your own pace.

However, the UK also has great public transport options such as trains and coaches, which can take you all over the country to some of the most popular destinations like Brighton and Weymouth. Additionally, trains and coaches also have a wide range of travel cards available which may be able to reduce the cost.

Look Up Local Events

If you need an excuse to go away or are unsure which destination to choose, you should look up events nationally to find one which interests you. During the summer, the UK hosts many music and culture festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe and Hay on Wye Literature festival in which you can combine with exploring a new area.

How to Make the Most of Your Trip To Africa

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If you’re planning a trip to Africa, you’re going to want to make the most of your time there and enjoy every minute of your adventure. Africa is such a diverse continent with a wide variety of climates, landscapes, and lifestyles, so choosing where to go can be something of a challenge, but in truth, there aren’t any wrong choices to make.

If this is your first trip to Africa, you might feel more comfortable taking a more well-trodden path and going to one of the well-known tourist destinations. However, if you’ve been a few times before, you might decide it’s time to spread your wings and explore a bit further afield.

Going on safari has got to be on most people’s bucket list, and for good reason. The choice of places to go on safari has never been better, and you can take your pick of some of the world’s most breath-taking landscapes and wildlife on an African safari.

Tanzania has got to be one of the premier locations, being home to the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Zanzibar Archipelago to name just a few highlights.

If you’re considering a Tanzania safari or one to any other African country, be sure to check on the times of year that are best for seeing the wildlife you’re most interested in. There are certain times when you stand a better chance of seeing specific animals and other times when you’ve got virtually no chance. If you don’t mind what creatures you see, then it might be more economical to go outside of peak times.

There are innumerable other ways to get the most from a visit to Africa, so if you fancy trying something different, have a good browse online. You could visit Uganda and see the mountain gorillas, or take a trip to a vibrant city like Cape Town, depending on whether you prefer wildlife or culture.

Wherever you choose to go, make sure you have a successful trip by following these guidelines:

  1. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers you for every eventuality on your African trip.
  2. Make sure you’ve got all the vaccinations you need in good time – some, like yellow fever, are compulsory and without them, you won’t get back into the UK.
  3. Check with your doctor whether you should take malaria medications before you go.
  4. Follow the advice of seasoned travellers about what to pack. You’ll find plenty of helpful websites that provide detailed packing lists based on real people’s real experience of the holiday you’re taking.
  5. Make sure you can take high-quality photos and videos while you’re away. If you’re happy with the kind of results you get from a smartphone – some of which are now very good – that’s the most convenient way to record your trip, but don’t economise on your recording equipment when you’re going to be witnessing such incredible sights and events.

Last but not least, be sure to approach your African adventure with an open heart and mind, and embrace the experience to ensure you make the most of your time on this extraordinary continent.