The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Europe

Barcelona Travel Tips: 5 Things to Know Before Traveling to Barcelona

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Are you planning a trip to Barcelona? Before you go, make sure you inform yourself! After all, if you want to give yourself the best experience possible, you’ll need to do some planning (and learning a phrase or two in Spanish or Catalan won’t hurt either).

If you want to know all of the insider Barcelona travel tips, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for 5 things you need to know before you leave on a jet plane.

  1. There are Two Official Languages in Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, one of 17 autonomous regions of Spain. Catalonia has customs that differ from much of the rest of Spain and many residents of Catalonia believe that it should be independent.

As such, Barcelona has two official languages: Spanish and Catalan. It is a language that is similar to Spanish, and has the same roots, but does have many differences. Most Catalonians are bilingual, so if you speak one or the other, you should be good.

  1. Be Strategic About When You Visit

You should be strategic about when you visit Barcelona so you can see the city without millions of other tourists. Early spring (prior to Holy Week or Semana Santa) and early fall (September and October) are some of the best times to visit. Late summer is probably the worst time, as many locals head on their own vacations and it’s the hottest time of the year.

  1. Book Tours in Advance

Barcelona is a huge tourist attraction (nearly 20 million people visited last year!), so it’s important to plan ahead if there are tours or other attractions you want to experience while you are there.

Whether you want to tour Barcelona with a tour guide or on your own, you’ll want to plan ahead for major attractions, like the Sagrada Familia or the Picasso Museum.

  1. Be Aware of the Schedule

The schedule in Barcelona is very different from other places in Europe and much different than what Americans are used to. Lunch is in the late afternoon (think after 2:30) and dinner is rarely before 9:00 p.m. Show up at a restaurant at what you think is a regular dinner time of 7:00 p.m. and you may just find it closed!

Many shops close after lunch and before dinner as well, so be aware of that. You might find places closed from 5 to 8 p.m.

This is all part of the extremely laid-back environment in Barcelona. No one is in a hurry, so don’t expect fast service in bars and restaurants. Instead, slow down, take it all in, and enjoy the more relaxed pace of the city!

  1. Stay Off Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is basically the Times Square of Barcelona. Overcrowded, extremely touristy, and full of the same old street vendors and tourist traps. If you can stand it, avoid Las Ramblas, as this isn’t the real Barcelona. Not to mention, you’ll also be at risk of being pickpocketed, especially if you give off the tourist vibe.

If you must, take a stroll or two just to say you’ve seen it, but save your meals, drinks, and other experiences for some of the other, more authentic areas of Barcelona.

Barcelona Travel Tips to Make It a Trip to Remember

If you fancy yourself a world traveler, Barcelona is a must-see destination. Use these Barcelona travel tips to go at the right time and make sure you know what to expect when you get there!

Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share it on social media and be sure to take a look around for more valuable information.

The Best Things to Do in Chelmsford

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Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Thanks to a certain television programme, we are all familiar with the county of Essex, but how much do you know about Chelmsford? The only city in the county, Chelmsford has a great deal to offer – Stage Security have compiled a list of some of the best things you can do there.

Just a 35-minute train ride from London, there’s plenty to explore in Chelmsford, and if it’s events you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed.

Go Green

For lovers of nature, the Grade II listed neo-classical Hylands Estate will be a big hit, with its stunning landscaped gardens, fairs, festivals, café, ancient woodlands and Adventure Playground.

Place Your Bets

Race-goers can attend Chelmsford City Racecourse, one of the country’s newest racecourses and one of only three to be floodlit. Whatever the weather, there’s always an exciting race on, and you can enjoy a lively atmosphere at two on-site restaurants and many bars. The city’s annual beer festival also takes place here – cheers!

Family Fun

Jump Street (not associated with the films) is a large indoor activity centre guaranteed to entertain the whole family. With more than 300 trampolines, 4000 sq ft of soft play area and the world’s largest Clip and Climb centre, expect little ones to be tired out! Great family fun for when it’s wet outside!

Spend Spend Spend

If you’re looking for some retail therapy, High Chelmer is the place for you. The largest shopping centre in the city, High Chelmer is home to more than 80 high-street favourites including Topshop, Pandora and SuperDry. When you’re all shopped out, grab a bite to eat at Turtle Bay, Carluccios or Cote Brasserie.

Catch a Show

If you’re a fan of the theatre, you’re in for a treat! The Civic Theatre offers fabulous views from every seat and provides an incredibly immersive experience. It’s the city’s largest theatre, with audiences of more than 500 and an array of productions. With everything from drama and comedy to musicals and talks about famous figures, there’s something for everyone. The city’s oldest theatre is the Old Court Theatre, which provides a more cosy, intimate atmosphere with shows the whole family can enjoy at a reasonable price.

Stroll Back in Time

Why not enjoy a stroll around Chelmsford Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic buildings? With over 800 years of rich history, the cathedral is the third smallest in the country and provides a picturesque backdrop for an autumnal walk.

At Stage Security, we’re big fans of this city and all it has to offer. If you are interested in the Chelmsford security services we can provide in the area, visit our website for more information.

5 Most Fun Things to do in Portugal

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Planning for a vacation to Portugal? You have made the best decision ever. Located in Southwestern Europe and bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal is a country with striking scenes. It is a country where millions of tourists visit annually. Sunny beaches, festivals, surfing, canoeing, visiting national parks, clubbing, and many other activities that will entice you are found in Portugal.

However, if you have not made up your mind where you would like to spend your vacation. Then Portugal is the best place you need to visit. I know convincing you at this stage is very challenging. Thus, in this guide, you will learn about the most fun things you can do while in Portugal. In the end, I know you will have made up your mind.

Sports

Looking forward to watch your favorite race track event in Portugal? Then the Circuito Estoril is where you need to go during your vacation. Found near the shores of the Atlantic it has attractive views and you will be amazed while watching famous race track drivers competing. Furthermore, you can go play golf in the best courses in Portugal. You can the best golf packages through the Algarve golf holidays.

Canoeing

You want to experience a whole new experience of canoeing. You might be doing this for the first time or it’s your hobby. While visiting Portugal you can go canoeing in Furnas Lake. Located in the Azores this is one of the attractive places you can visit. Furnas Lake is unique because the water is green. Moreover, the landscape around this lake is beautiful. It is in between hills covered with bamboo trees, meadows, and redwood trees.

Taste Wine

Wine is a precious drink you can have while relaxing. Your only purpose in going to Portugal is relaxation. And one of the best ways while you are there is tasting the finest wines from the best wineries in Portugal. Therefore, one of the best places to get the best wine is the Douro Valley it has several wineries like Porto Calem. So, if you are a wine enthusiast then visiting Portugal is your best option as you will drink wine at any time. An interesting thing is that wine is not reserved for special events. You can drink wine in Portugal the way you want.

Partying

Do you enjoy partying? Or do you want to explore the best parties? Then Portugal is the best place you need to go. With several club’s restaurants and casinos, the nightlife in Portugal is always amazing. To have a great time you can visit cities like Porto, Braga, Lisbon, and Algarve for the best parties. Consequently, if you are looking forward to going for your vacation in Portugal then I assure you will have a great time to party. Additionally, while in Lisbon you can go to Bairro Alto District. This is considered as the home of nightlife in this city. Furthermore, you can explore other nightlife places like Cais do Sodre.

Fado Music

Listening to new music can be so appealing. And where’s is the best place to listen to the best kind of music than Portugal? Fado is the best kind of music you can listen to when you visit Lisbon. This type of music is dated back to 1800. If you fear not listening to Fado while in Lisbon you can travel to Coimbra and have a good taste of Fado. The following are music houses in Lisbon where you can listen to Fado. They include:

  • Clube do Fado in Alfama
  • The Fado Museum
  • Fado de Alfama

Conclusion

You now have made your decision about visiting Portugal. The above are things you can do when you go for your vacation to Portugal. There are many other things you can do while in Portugal. It is a cool country where you can enjoy your holidays. Thank you for your time and you can comment or share this guide.

The Best Places to See and Photograph in Mallorca

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Mallorca, also spelt as Majorca, is one of the most famous islands in the world, and for great reason. It has resorts and beaches that have been enjoyed by many of all ages, but for photographers, this stunning Balearic island offers something more. Something unique. From sheltered coves to caves, and stunning mountains made of limestone, the island itself is worth photographing every detail.

Even its towns offer something exceptional, and you can explore and photograph ancient cities and ruins of Roman and Moorish backgrounds. Many visit Mallorca for the resort, but the photographer will wish to use this guide to truly enjoy the island and all it has to offer.

The Best Beaches to Photograph

Beach photos are a challenge to photograph. You have glare and overexposure to deal with, on top of the fact that the best beaches are often full of people. Thankfully, in Mallorca, just having a car of your own and a sense of adventure is enough to take you from the overpopulated resort beaches and straight to the doorstep of your own private oases. From nestled coves to crystal water caves, Mallorca offers beaches you will love to photograph for hours on end.

Formentor 

For stunning white sands and the scent of pine trees head to this sanctuary on the Mallorcan coast. It isn’t quite as popular as other beaches in the area because it is only accessible by boat or by car. As there are limited parking spaces available, it is wise to head here early and capture sunrise photos of the empty beach rather than sunset.

Cala Estellencs

If cliffside beaches are your preferred landscape, then head on over to Cala Estellencs. This beach is nestled against golden cliffs and is a great place to take photos of rock caves and, if you have a camera that can be taken underwater, is a great place for such advanced photography.

Cala Mondragó

Another beach that offers white sand and beautiful pine forests is Cala Mondragó. This beach, unlike the other option on this list, is located in an environmentally protected area and is a natural reserve untouched by human society.

Cala Varques

This hidden gem can be difficult to find because the parking lot is approximately 15 minutes away from the beach. For that very reason, however, it is also something of a hidden gem. Visit here for golden shaded rocks that branch out over turquoise waters.

The Best Views to Photograph

Hiking and photography go hand in hand because every photographer knows how beautiful natural vistas can be. To help you narrow down which panoramas to hunt down and photograph, here are the top two:

Cap de Formentor

This area is full of beautiful views, which is why it’s no wonder that locals refer to it as the meeting point of the winds.

Torrent de Pareis

For a scenic hike through a remote area, you should head here. You will be able to photograph a dramatic canyon and sea caves along the way and even enjoy a private beach that not many venture to.

It is a remote, scenic hike through a deep canyon next to the sea with caves & a small beach.

The Best Towns to Photograph

There are so many stunning towns to photograph in Mallorca, and these range from small pedestrian towns nestled in the mountains to sunlit beach towns of ancient stone.

It can be hard to pick just one to visit and photograph, which is why you shouldn’t try. Instead, rent out one of these stunning villas in Mallorca, rent a vehicle, and then make day trips to all of them so that you can truly capture stunning images.

You don’t want to limit yourself to just one town, especially a town that is populated predominately due to a resort. You want to escape the family holidays and the party-goers and find hidden secrets, and with this list of the most beautiful towns in Mallorca, you won’t have to stress about finding them:

Deià

This hillside town is nestled between the Teix mountain and the sea. It is old and stunning, and very laid back, making it the perfect escape for the photographer that wants nothing more than to take their time capturing every corner and every detail.

Valldemossa

Another hillside town is Valldemossa. It is located 400 meters above the sea, which means it offers not just stunning streets to explore, but some otherworldly views of the valley and beyond. It is a fan favourite for artists, and photographers are no exception.

Sóller

This stunning town must be visited. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it is also full of orange and lemon groves that will make for some truly great pictures.

Capdepera

Walled towns are always fun to explore as a photographer, and so Capdepera is the place to go. This enchanting town must be explored by foot, which is why it retains such a quaint charm and traditional feel. If you visit, make sure to spend some time photographing the castle.

Fornalutx

Above Sóller is Fornalutx, which is so beautiful it even made the list of Spain’s most beautiful villages. For photographers, there is no better place to go and take pictures on the entire island.

How to Get Truly Unique Photos in Mallorca

Photographers regularly go above and beyond for photographs. From renting a helicopter tour to buying underwater camera equipment. Thankfully, in Mallorca, the only things you need to do to snap some beautiful pictures of the island are to:

Rent a Boat

Renting a boat is one of the best ways that you can explore small and isolated beaches and, of course, capture the coastline from the sea.

Rent a Vehicle

If you want to get to remote beaches and to any of the hilltop villages and towns in the area a car is a must.

Your trip to Mallorca can be something special and unforgettable when you go with a photographer’s eye. Simply make time for these hot spots, and you will have photographed the best places in Mallorca.

Amazing European Destinations For This Summer

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Are you thinking of things to do this summer with your friends, family or just your sweetie for the holidays? It can be difficult to find the perfect getaway that everyone would enjoy, but with great destinations like Europe, you can get a bit of something for everyone. With so many countries to visit, history to be experienced and beautiful scenery to enjoy, Europe is more popular than ever for many travellers. Here’s a couple of the top destinations you should check out and consider for this summer’s ultimate holiday.

Norway

Norway is probably one of the most beautiful countries in northern Europe. With high mountains, stunning coastline and vast forested areas, what’s not to like about this welcoming and unique country? You can also see the Norwegian fjords on a cruise, the ultimate addition to any holiday, allowing you the ability to get up close and personal to stunningly carved, steep cliff sides that have been formed over millions of years of glacial erosion. It’s one of the top rated activities by almost everyone who experiences a fjord cruise in Norway, so definitely add it to your must do list if you pick this gorgeous country as one of your stops.

Spain

While many people think of Spain and its resort towns, there’s a lot more to Spain than the coastline on the Med. Inland cities such as Seville and Madrid offer amazing architecture, beautiful town squares and adorable cafes and coffee shops as well as shopping. Not only this, but these cities offer a much more authentic way of Spanish life that isn’t focused as heavily on tourism like the coastal resort towns like Benidorm can be. If you’re looking for a real challenge this summer, why not try the famed route of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of the country? This extensive hiking trail and pilgrimage route is a popular option for many travellers visiting Spain and can be a great way to meet new people and have an awe-inspiring experience.

Italy

Who doesn’t love a bit of Italy? With so many cities and towns to choose from it can be nigh on impossible to narrow your trip down to just a couple, so why try? Instead, why not rent a car and explore the length and breadth of the country over a couple of weeks from the rolling hills and terracotta coloured villages of Tuscany to the fashionable streets of Milan or the historic sites of the likes of Rome or Napoli. Don’t forget to try authentic Italian dishes like pizzas, pastas and gelato. You’re missing a huge experience if you don’t let your inner foodie out to play in Italy!

With so many unique and beautiful places to choose from throughout Europe, it can be difficult to nail your choices down to just a few, but hopefully this short list of awesome destinations and why they’re so great will help you and your friends or family make the best decision for your next European break – whether it’s this summer or sometime in the future!