The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

Paris

Journey through Two Cosmopolitan Classics – A Road Trip from Paris to Berlin

by

Road trips are some of the most exhilarating and sought out adventures today. Instead of just loitering and lapping up all the entertainment and activity of one country, you could take in more than one. Europe is a great place to do a road trip; with culture that everyone craves for, and scenery that everyone wants to see.

Paris is a world renowned city, which boasts of romance and ravishing sites; the Eiffel Tower being one of them. Dine on the French cuisines, or dress up in some designer outfits from the many infamous boutiques. Berlin is also a must-see capital, and that’s why it’s an estimable expedition to take. See the city’s turbulent 20th century history turned into tremendous landmarks and terrain.

Paris and Berlin are two desired destinations to travel to, and one of the most fascinating #RoadTripsofEurope. But before you set out on your journey, you should make sure your vehicle is charged, and take care that your car meets all the safety checks to endure the ride. Kwik Fit is a great place to stop off before you commence, and get them checks done. So here are some places you could visit on your trip.

Trier

Visit this south-western German City on your journey and be wined and dined. This city founded by the Romans will leave you saying ‘when in Trier, do as the Triers do.’ Marvel at the monuments and take in the exhibitions of the ancient Romans baths and forums. It’s the oldest city in Germany, and lies in the heart of ‘the wine region’ Moselle, where you can drink to your hearts content and savour some of the most rich and remarkable ‘vin de table.’

Heidelberg

Browse the affordable and attractive cafes of Germany’s student city. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and provides both relaxing and riveting activities. The Heidelberg Castle is the symbolic heart of the city, and is something that should definitely be seen. Park your car up and take a touristic tram ride up to the castle and enjoy the view.

Nuremberg

Let the mind-blowing medieval architecture of Nuremberg leave you marvelling. If you’re taking a trip to this city during the festive season, the Christmas market is a must visit, it’s the oldest and most authentic Christmas market around. See the tremendous timber constructs throughout this neighbourhood and let the landscapes take your breath away.

Dresden

Take in some of the ornate and extravagant Baroque building work; the city of Dresden is flooded with them. It’s a lovely destination to stop off at after days of driving around the previous cities. Be refreshed by a view of the city skyline from Neustadt. Dresden is a site to behold, and will surely set you up to complete the rest of your road trip. And while you’re in ‘the Land of Beer’ nothing should hold you back from sampling one, or maybe even two, of the 5000 flavours of beer this country boasts of.

London Vs Paris: Which capital city is the king for shopping?

by

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.