The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

London

Choosing the Right Hotel in London

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If you are planning a trip to the vibrant and exciting city of London, you can look forward to a host of attractions. This is a city that boasts a rich and long history, diverse culture, and some world-famous landmarks and attractions. One thing you can be certain of when you visit this city is that you will benefit from a full itinerary, so you can enjoy plenty of excitement and adventure.

Of course, you need to ensure you find the right accommodations for your stay in London, and this can be tricky. Not only do you have to consider the cost of hotels but also the location, as there are so many distinct areas of London. Fortunately, if you are visiting central London, there are plenty of hotels that offer access to all the main attractions within walking distance, so you may be better to choose a central hotel such as those in Piccadilly Circus or the West End.

What You Should Consider

There are online tools that allow you to do everything from an address lookup to a people search free, so you can use the address lookup facility to try and learn more about the area where you are considering staying. When it comes to choosing the right hotels, there are various factors you have to take into consideration. Some of the main ones include:

The Overall Cost of the Stay

The cost of London hotels can be high, but there are some deals to be had if you do your research. You should make sure you look at the overall cost of your stay rather than the average per night, as this will then enable you to see exactly how much you will pay for your hotel. Also, consider whether anything is included in the price, such as breakfast, free wifi, and other amenities and services. You can then determine whether the cost offers value for money.

The Location of the Hotel

There are many desirable places to stay in London, from the bustling West End and upmarket Mayfair to the political heart of the city in Westminster or the grungy music hub of Camden in North London. In order to choose the best location, work out which attractions and sights you are most interested in seeing, as you can then choose a hotel that offers easy access to them. However, no matter where you choose a hotel, you can reach attractions with ease via the bus and train services as well as on foot.

Facilities and Amenities

You also need to check the facilities and amenities in the hotel to ensure it is suited to your needs. If you plan on doing some work while in the city, check if there are business facilities and free wifi available. Also, look at facilities such as a fitness center, restaurants, bars, and other amenities that you are interested in.

Looking at these factors will make it easier to choose the ideal hotel for your needs when you visit London.

12 top things to do during the visit to Las Vegas

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The United States is undoubtedly one of the most visited places by tourists from all over the world. Visiting Las Vegas is a dream come true for majority of the tourists and it is also referred to as the ‘Sin City’. Besides casinos, there are plenty of places to visit and activities to indulge in throughout the trip. You just need to plan your itinerary much in advance and book one of the finest and affordable hotels In Las Vegas to double your pleasure.

Top things to do

  1. Aria Fine Arts Collection: Those who love art are sure to enjoy visiting this place. The City Centre campus surrounding boasts of having 21 art sites committed generally to art aficionados. You can check out the works of the top contemporary artists for free. You can spend this self-directed walk tour as long as you desire. Here, you can get to experience the city’s cultural side.
  2. Neon Museum: This fence museum had originated as ‘neon boneyard’, where majority of neon signs of the Strip had been stored after removal from casinos to be imploded or renovated. Approximately 120 signs created by YESCO corporation during 1950s to 80s can be found in the ‘boneyard’. You can take a guided tour to know more about sign technology and design changing trends. Also present in the museum La Concha’s translocated lobby, an old motel saved from demolition. Presently it serves as visitors’ center.
  3. Smith Center for Performing Arts: It has broad mixture of productions and genre, ranging from ballet to symphony orchestra to musical acts and Broadway productions. It is also the city’s premier arts institution. The largest venue ‘Reynolds Hall’ has terrific acoustics and 2050 seats. To host small performances, there is present cabaret jazz room, with 200 seat space as black box styled theatre to function as traditional theatre or rehearsal space.
  4. Sundance Helicopters City Lights Tour: The 15-minute helicopter tour offers you with scenic flights allowing you to check out the city and its beauty. If you take the evening one, then you can enjoy the lit-up Strip at its very best. Sundance company pilots are experienced and will readily share their knowledge about the city.
  5. Art at Palms: Palms Casino Resort art collections are not actually a museum. Instead there are several groundbreaking works put up by owner’s personal collection besides newly commissioned ones all of which are part of $690 million renovation. You can find the collection to be like organically built. Wherever you visit, be it nightclubs to The Empathy Villa (new Sky Villa) or restaurants, it is designed as well as conceptualized entirely by Daimen Hirst.
  6. 7 Magic Mountains: This large-scale public work is presently open adjacent to Jean Dry Lake and can be viewed by anyone from the I-15, 10 mile south to the strip, leaving or arriving the city. This 30 ft. massive neon painted limestone offers an amazing backdrop against the desert. This creation is of Ugo Rondinone and is likely to be in view until 2021.
  7. Shops at Crystals: Although technically it is a mall, this place cannot be just called a mall. This art rich retail district is known to house the likes of Tom Ford, Gucci, Harry Windston to Bulgari, considered to be the largest luxury brands in the world. It is also the very first place to look out for exclusive release or limited-edition products. The stores are also quite special. You can come across 8000 Swarovski life sized crystal chandelier replica of a horse at Stella McCartney.
  8. Mob Museum: You can get to know all about organized crime and its history in the USA at this downtown museum. The 1933 Courthouse & Post Office has been converted into a museum and holds few of the most defining and vital trials held in organized crime world, including the well-known Kefauver hearings. You can get to walk through the halls of the building like that of the mobsters, informants and federal investigators in those days. Also you can check out the collection like memorabilia of crime bosses and law enforcement, weapons films of court proceedings as well as part of the wall taken from St. Valentine’s Day massacre (having blood stains & bullet holes).
  9. Exotics Racing: If you love racing cars, then the car collections here is sure to spellbind you with its beauty. You can watch a Ferrari 488 GTB, McLaren 570s or Lamborghini Aventador LP700 speed on the track, during the summer season. Here, you can be sitting in driver’s seat. The type of package booked is likely to determine your experiences.
  10. Wynn Golf Club: It is a gorgeous looking golf course and is among the industry’s famous landmarks. It is created by Steve Wynn and was later revived recently and redesigned by Logan and Tom Fazio. There is also a showpiece, which is the mammoth 100 ft wide and 35 ft. high waterfall. There are several suites and rooms with Fairway Villas of the resort that offers spectacular views of the greenery around.
  11. The Chandelier: You can step into the 3-floored lounge that is housed within 2million crystal chandelier. The second, within the chandelier is the favorite, although each floor boasts of having own vibe. Here, the bartenders also referred to as artists concoct magic with tinctures, foams, spirits, garnishes and purees.
  12. XS Nightclub: At Wynn Las Vegas is present the XS nightclub, considered to be the country’s top grossing club for many years. It has amazing looking interiors, gold leaf bas reliefs showcasing actual people kept at the oversize DJ booth entrance and pyrotechnic with laser outfitted club floor. You can book a table here and get to hear top resident DJs like Skrillex, Diplo, Alesso, David Guetta and The Chainsmokers.

Overall, the well-planned itinerary is sure to help you to make the most of the trip and also be safe throughout the trip. You can also ensure that you do not overspend your budget and visit all those places which you had heard about from others.

Thrill Seekers Apply: How to Have an Action-Packed London Adventure

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Are you sick of staring at Buckingham Palace? Is wandering through the Houses of Parliament the last thing you want to do? Is the London Eye too tame for your tastes?

London might not seem like the best destination for thrill-seekers initially, but you have to dig a little under the surface. Away from the countless museums and historical landmarks is a healthy collection of exhilarating activities.

For a small sample of what activities are on offer, read on for five examples that can turn your next London trip into an action-packed adventure.

Drop down the world’s longest tunnel slide

The London 2012 Olympic Games waved goodbye a long time ago, but it did leave behind one welcome present for the capital: the actual venue. Now Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is open for the public to visit, and they can participate in different activities.

One such activity is dropping going down the world’s longest tunnel slide. That’s right. It may not have been an Olympic event, but this slide – known as the ArcelorMittal Orbit – is housed within the UK’s tallest sculpture. With multiple twists and turns, this 178m long tunnel is a dream for thrill-seekers.

Tackle white-water rapids

Another remnant of the Olympics is the course of the white-water rapid, which is found at the Lee Valley White Water Centre. Whether it’s in a canoe, raft, or kayak, you have the chance to traverse the rapids that posed a serious challenge to the world’s best back in 2012.

Journey down the Thames

Have you ever wanted to go on the Thames? Rather than going for a gentle boat ride, the best way to do this is with an extreme jet-powered boat. At least, that’s the case for those who like to push boundaries.

Companies such as ThamesJet provide the opportunity to zip along the river with the Thames RIB Experience. Taking the latter as an example, you can go on an exhilarating 50 or 75-minute trip as you take in London’s landscape via unconventional means.

Climb the O2

Formerly the Millennium Dome, the O2 Arena is now a large arena that hosts everything from live music concerts to boxing events. Recently, it has also opened up the opportunity for visitors to climb up the venue’s roof.

The 52-metre climb isn’t for those who have a fear of heights. Yet once you reach the top of the dome, you’re rewarded with a stunning 360-degree view of the city.

Trapeze school

Ever felt like you could have been a circus act in another life? To test that theory out, there’s one attraction you cannot miss in London: trapeze school.

Gorilla Circus, which is located in both Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens, gives visitors the chance to experience the thrills of acrobatics in a safe, controlled setting. The experts will teach you the basics to ensure you get from one bar to the other. Keep partaking in classes, however, and you will eventually be taught a whole range of advanced tricks.

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.