The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

holiday

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.

Discover the best of Goa in the rains

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Come monsoons and I am off to Goa again. It has always been one of “the destinations” I prefer to enjoy during the rains. The beauty of the beaches coupled with rains and lush greenery makes the place even more amazing. Though the best time to visit this tourist hot spot is sometime between October to March, I do not prefer it due to the tourist infestation. The ideal meaning of vacation to me is enjoying the beauty of a destination when it neither feels lonely nor overtly crowded. And a weekend in Goa is the answer.

I discovered that the monsoons are an ideal time for me to unwind and rejuvenate on the Goan beaches. I wanted this trip to be well-planned and executed as I was eagerly anticipating it and thus, I went about researching the places to visit and stay to enjoy this unwinding interlude. It was then I realized that I could bask in the glory of everything in Goa with three popular monsoon hot spots of the city, the Baga beach, Calangute, and Candolim.

Travel to Goa

As an inevitable tourist destination that nestles amidst the beautiful seas and hills, I have witnessed Goa enthralling a limited number of tourists during the monsoons. It was not just the amazing discounts I found online but also the promise of solace and tranquillity in the otherwise crowded city bustling with tourists during the ideal visiting seasons.

I prefer traveling to Goa by air as it saves a lot of time. The airport is 29 km off Panaji and I opted to get a car on rent with Savaari car rentals for a convenient and optimal experience.

Goa, an overview 

Goa is one of the coolest and serene destinations to visit during the monsoons. Green Ghats like the Chorla Ghat, Amboli Ghat are no less pristine and refreshing, washed up in the Goan torrents. Take a drive to the exotic valleys and marvelous waterfalls to be equally mesmerized.

I booked a taxi for my travel to the stunning Dudhsagar Falls, Tambdi Surla, Chorla, and the Netravali Waterfalls and was glad that I visited there during the monsoons. The cascading water with the increased flow of water, thanks to the rain, was an overwhelming sight. I took the adventurous trek to the falls and spotted some beautiful butterflies, exotic birds, and animals. The next morning, we headed to the Aguada and Chapora forts where the rains added on to the charms of these timeless classics. The car driver was aware of the roads and this made our life simpler.

I feasted on the Goanese, Konkan, and continental cuisine at some of the permanent restaurants and shacks. The next stop was suggested by our car driver – the Savoi spice plantation. The scenic drive through the tropical forests and the verdant valleys were simply perfect. I savored the aroma of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla. To top it all, Goan Saraswat meal was served for lunch and I couldn’t have asked for more.

I had saved the best for the last; the beaches. We visited the butterfly beach, Colva beach and the Palolem beach in South Goa. The little drops from the sky made these places worthwhile to visit.

It is recommended to book rooms in advance during the off-season and avail the discounts on some of the luxury hotels in the city for a comfortable stay. I had made my reservations and sought accommodation at a beach resort in Baga, North Goa. Since the Baga beach is one of the most happening beaches in Goa, I had a good taste of the nightlife as well.

Reaching Goa by cabs

A drive to Goa is quite an adventure. The versatile terrains, ghats with infinite twists and turns are a challenge. As a frequent traveler to Goa, I suggest you book a reliable and affordable taxi in Goa for a road trip during the weekend. The drivers are well versed with the roads and know the best places where you could stop to click amazing pictures. I particularly find cabs to be convenient when I am out on vacation. I believe that I can cover most of the places with the help of a local taxi driver who will make sure to cover all the places that I cannot afford to miss on my weekend getaway.

Distance and time taken

The Goa International Airport is in Dabolim. The nearest tourist destination I could visit first was the Candolim which was approximately 37 km. We were able to cover this distance in about an hour while driving on the NH 366 and NH 66. The distance from the airport to Baga beach depends on the route taken where the distance via NH 66 is approximately 47 km, and the distance via NH 366 is 52 km. It takes 40 km to reach the Calangute beach from the Dabolim Airport. There are innumerable beach resorts and luxury resorts in Goa for a comfy stay. You may book your place of stay accordingly.

If you are an adventure seeker like me, then Goa is the place to be during the monsoons. It is the perfect break with a whole bunch of offbeat things to do. I was pleased that my trip to one of the popular tourist destinations in India during the offseason indeed turned out to be one of the best to date.

Must see Historical places in Bangalore

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Bengaluru, or more popularly referred as Bangalore, is known as the garden city, and techies love to call it by the Silicon Valley of India. Full of lavishly laid gardens all over the city, you’ll find clean and smooth roads, corporate offices of all major tech MNCs and high-rises. And what you’d expect least in this city is historical places, as Bengaluru is not very commonly mentioned for historical monuments, correct? However, you’ll be surprised to know that there are lots of places where you’ll witness some of the most important events from the pages of history which helped to shape India what it is today. There are lots of resorts near Bangalore like Discovery Village with all modern amenities where you can stay for a couple of days to visit these places. Let’s have a brief journey over those places and monuments to know our root and culture deeper.

  1. Fort of Tipu Sultan: Imagine walking back in the history when the great emperor Tipu Sultan administered the Mysore, in his own summer palace. This fort and palace are located at the heart of the Bengaluru; you’d have no problem finding the place even if you’re a first timer in the city. Hyder Ali, the father of Tipu Sultan, started building this fort and later was completed by his son. The construction of the palace reflects the architectural prowess of the Indo-Islamic style. Every pillar, every balcony, every wall and every part of the fort and palace neatly describes the royalty once dominated a significant portion of India back then. If you’re a keen student of history, there’s no better place to learn more about Tipu Sultan and his reign than the museum of the palace, where you’ll see lots of things with immense historical importance. The place opens at 8.30 am and remains open till 5.30 pm, including holidays. Entry fee for a single person is 15 rupees only.
  2. Bangalore Fort: The great Kempe Gowda, known as the founder of Bengaluru, built this fort using mud. Later the father of Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali fortified the fort with stones and made it like how it looks today. Once it had nine gates, but most of the structure got destroyed over the beating of time. The famous Delhi gate is still there and preserved well for the tourists to see. You can go there anytime between 8.30am to 5.30 pm every day for an entry fee of 5 rupees only.
  3. Bangalore Palace: This place would make its spot among the top contenders of any list of top historical attractions in Bengaluru, and for good reasons. In a city like Bengaluru which is the fourth most populated and one of the busiest cities of India, it adds as a surprise element to come across such a gorgeous historical place spread around 454 acres of area. This place is breathtakingly beautiful, thanks to the Tudor Revival architecture which sets it apart from other historical monuments in the city. This palace was built in the impression of the famous Windsor palace of England, one of the homes of Royal British family, and it reflects that same British architectural finesse of that time. King Chamaraja Wadiyar built this palace in 1887 and it still standing there as the epitome of British historical architecture in India. The place opens for the public every day at 10 am and closes at 5.30 pm.
  4. Government Museum: Museums are the places where historical and archaeological elements are being preserved for the keen souls, but the government museum of Bengaluru itself is a building of prominent historical importance. It is among the oldest museums of India and was founded in 1865 by the surgeon Balfour (who also established the Madras Museum). The architecture of the building followed the neo-classical style in the exterior, and the interior comprises eighteen galleries total with rarest artifacts, paintings, coins and scriptures from the centuries of Indian history. The museum remains closed every Monday; you can go there to have a glimpse of history at any other days of the week within 10 am to 5m.

If you’re in Bengaluru or somewhere near it, it will be one of your best weekend road trips; If you come to visit some of these finest references of Indian history.

Royal Holiday Vacation Club Mexican Holiday Plans

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Royal Holiday Membership Offers Luxurious Mexican Vacation!

The Royal Holiday Vacation Club is an elite traveling club that brings many traveling options and arranges luxurious accommodation for its members. The club has a strong presence in all the major holiday destinations of the world covering more than 180 vacationing regions, and they strive to bring the members the facilities and staying options that make the trip truly memorable for the whole family.

The club membership plans are highly economical and unlike other clubs, the Royal Holiday Vacation Club offers its members exclusive deals such as the option to lock in the holiday payments and fees for all the excursions, so the members do not have to face any extra charges during their membership.

Is the Membership Legit?

The elite club membership is a must have for all vacation lovers. It gives you the chance to explore different parts of the world, head for fantastic cruises and see some of the top attractions while taking full advantage of the membership.  The Club allows the member to get special vacation packages and the chance to travel to 52 countries. The club membership will make sure that the members get to stay at the best accommodation to make their trip memorable. Members can make a significant saving on some of the high-grade 5-star retreats, vacation hotels, clubs, and accommodation opportunities in all regions.

Royal Holiday Safety Concerns

The club strives to give its members the best travelling experience. The club is an exclusive winner of some of the prime travel honors that validate the distinction of the Club propositions and customer service measures. While the club offers discounts for retreats, cruises, airfare and runs many promotional plans for its members, they equally look after the safety of its members and to make sure that all vacation plans are safe for all the members to pursue.

The club works hard to build the best travel itinerary for its members. The travel accommodations plans offer by the clubs are safe, and located in some of the top destinations that remain some of the busiest and secure tourist attraction. The club also keeps a check on all developments where it hosts its vacation packages, and make sure that the members get the best and safest traveling options with full information about the region and its safety parameters to the members.

Royal Holiday Mexico Plans

The holiday club is famous for many vacationing plans; however, one of the most renowned packages is the trip to Mexico. Whether the members want to explore the Mexican City or have a desire to witness the beauty of Cancun and Zihuatanejo —  Royal Holiday Vacation Club can undoubtedly turn the holiday visions into actual excursions.

Mexico remains safe for tourism and to date is one of the hottest destinations that attracts travelers and vacationers from the world over. Mexico has stunning islands, beautiful beaches, the mesmerizing Caribbean coastline, and the delightful restaurant scene.  Whether the members are traveling alone or are in the company of family and friends, the Royal Holiday Mexico trips cover all the vacation requirements for a truly memorable trip. The safety of the members remain the top priority club, and all the vacation plans are for the safest and popular vacation attractions in Mexico.

For Membership and other Details

Visit the club’s official website, https://www.royal-holiday.com/en. You can also contact the club’s exceptional customer assistance and customer relation services.  You can learn more about the club, its policies and regulations and get complete information on the membership programs.

Royal Holiday Vacation Club

(81) 5980-1140

3 Types of Holidays You Can Enjoy in the U.S.

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No matter what kind of traveller you are or what type of holiday you wish to enjoy, the U.S. has you covered. Across the length and breadth of the United States, you will be able to experience all manner of vacation types — from family holidays to romantic retreats, America has it all.

To find three types of holidays that you can enjoy in the U.S., as well as advice on what you can do to make them as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible, make sure to read on.

1. Family holidays

If there’s one type of vacation that America has perfected, it’s the family holiday. Being the theme park capital of the world (it has over 400 parks scattered across its 50 states), this should come as no surprise! From the magical surroundings of Disneyland Orlando to the glitz and glamour of Universal Studios Hollywood, no matter what type of roller-coaster fun you and your family are into, you will be sure to have the time of your lives no matter what theme park you head to. If you’re a family that has a particular proclivity for all-things adrenaline, then you should definitely check out Carowinds in North Carolina.

Family holidays in America don’t just have to be spent in theme parks, however. There are plenty of National Parks for you, your partner, and your little ones to check out if hiking is what you’re into as a family. You could even camp out in a few of them, too, if you have a passion for getting closer to nature and toasting marshmallows!

 

2. Group getaways

Are you looking to head out on a travelling experience with a large group of friends? If that’s the case, then look no further than the United States of America. Whether you choose to roll the dice in Las Vegas or whether you head on a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience in New York, the memories that you and your friends make in the U.S. will be sure to last a lifetime.

When on a group getaway, you don’t want to be pigeonholed to just one destination, do you? Of course you don’t, which is why it is ever so fortunate that the U.S. also offers up an array of different road tripping options. Click here to find the USA car rental location that suits you best, pick the vehicle that looks the best, and head out on the best all-American road trip ever — the Blue Ridge Parkway is a particularly scenic route to take, especially during the autumn.

 

3. Romantic retreats

If you and that special someone are in a need of a holiday, then you’ve got plenty of romantic retreats to choose from in America. You could go stargazing in the Nevada Desert, check out the sights in New York, enjoy the wine in California, or head up north to Vermont.

Regardless of what type of holiday you are currently looking to book, make sure to consider the United States of America. From family holidays to group getaways to romantic retreats, it offers everything.