The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

travel

The Top 6 US Cities for Live Theater Shows

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If someone mentions live theater in the United States, one of the first suggestions is New York City and Broadway. New York is great. You have Times Square and many other attractions, but it is incredibly expensive. Los Angeles is similar; it has great theater thanks to its proximity to Hollywood, but it is expensive and crowded. However, there are many great destinations that are just as good but come with a lower price tag. Here are the top 7 US cities for live theater shows.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston has one of the most culturally significant theaters in the United States. Better yet, it hosts many shows from Broadway. And, most importantly, many shows start in Boston before they get picked up by Broadway. Hit the Boston theater scene, and you might see a play before it becomes a Broadway hit. You could also hit the Williamstown Theater Festival that’s a short drive away.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has a history of producing comedy geniuses, and this city is a must-see if you’re into comedy. After all, it is the birthplace of long-form improv. However, its theater scene has much more than comedy. Many tours end here, and the local scene is worth exploring, too. The training programs in DePaul and Northwestern, for instance, will give you the chance to see budding talents before they hit the main stage.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis has the most theaters per capita than any city in the U.S. except NYC. The Minneapolis theater scene is a mix of tours and local productions bolstered by the up-and-coming writers at the Playwright’s Center. It is even home to one of the oldest theater companies in the country, and they have a history of great live shows.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle’s theater scene is notable for its risk-taking. The theaters in Seattle can take on more controversial topics or cater to more niche audiences because they don’t have the same economic burden as Broadway shows. They also deal with lower overheads, so they can host more experimental shows and be more ambitious than Broadway theaters that need to maximize revenue. You can also buy your tickets from an online reseller to save even more money over the cost of Broadway tickets.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco should be first on your list if you’re interested in opera. The city is home to the second largest opera company in the United States as well as dozens of live theaters. These feature a mix of classic and original works. For example, the Berkeley Rep hosts a mix of regional and world premieres.

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky, would make this list because of the 30 shows a year held at the Actor’s Theater alone. However, it is also home to the Humana Festival, a new theater festival. If there is a new play that’s creating a storm, there is a fair chance it premiered here first.

No matter where you want to visit in the United States, the odds are that there is a great theater center that you can hit. Or you could visit one of these cities, which we think are the best incubators for theater and the arts, to see shows not available anywhere else in the world.

The 4 Best Destinations in Asia for a Family Vacation

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Looking for a place to take the kids over their next school holiday? Traveling with your children is a great way to educate them about different cultures and customs, broadening their horizons in the process. There’s no place better to do it than multicultural Asia, which offers plenty of wholesome amusements for the entire family to enjoy. Below are the best countries to take your kids to when school lets out for the year.

Vietnam

For a family vacation in Vietnam, stick to historical Hanoi or on Phu Quoc island. An easy and convenient way of setting it up would be to search online for Vietnam travel packages, which will also allow you to save money on flights and accommodations. If you go with booking with travel agents, many of them are even able to suggest family-friendly itineraries for the location of your preference, saving you the hassle of looking up which sites are worth the effort of seeing.

In Hanoi, the city itself is a living piece of history. A cyclo ride into the narrow streets of the Old Quarter is sure to be a novel experience for the little ones. Take them to the Thang Long Water Puppet Show for an audiovisual retelling of some of Hanoi’s classic folk tales, and then bring them to Hoan Kiem Lake to show them the shrine dedicated to the magical turtle featured in Vietnam’s centuries-old stories.

On the island of Phu Quoc, your kids can go up close and personal with rare wildlife at the Phu Quoc Safari or learn more about the environment by trekking through Phu Quoc National Park. You may also want to visit Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc, an amusement park and water park combo filled with thrilling rides, slides, and other attractions.

Singapore

Singapore is one of the best places for a holiday with kids if convenience is what you’re after. It’s a very walkable city, and going from one attraction to the other is made that much easier because of the city-state’s phenomenal public transport network.

Your little animal lovers will remember you taking them to the open-air Singapore Zoo, where they can view their favorite creatures in their close-to-natural habitats. Same goes for a visit to Jurong Bird Park and the S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa Island.

Speaking of Sentosa Island, your children may never want to leave this place! After all, it’s a hub of wholesome and family-friendly activities. Here, they can do go-karting at Skyline Luge, go swimming in the man-made Rainbow Reef over at Adventure Cove Waterpark, and go on all their favorite rides at Universal Studios Singapore.

Japan

Just like Singapore, Japan is a popular choice with families for its orderliness and for its many theme parks. There are two big ones: Tokyo Disneyland in Tokyo, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. You don’t even have to pick just one to go to. Travel between the major prefectures of Kanto (where Tokyo is in) and Kansai (where Osaka is in) is fast and easy, since they are both served by the Shinkansen or bullet train.

Japan is also a great place to introduce your kids to arguably one of the best cuisines in the world. They’ll always remember their first bite of onigiri or their first bowl of ramen. They’re also likely to be amused with the variety of foodstuff that one can buy from any one of the country’s ubiquitous vending machines!

After introducing your kids to some of Japan’s temples and pagodas, also make sure to visit some of country’s well-known kid-friendly  museum. For example, consider dropping by the cutting-edge MORI Building Digital Art Museum in Tokyo, which is guaranteed to be a full-on sensory experience your little ones will love. If you can score tickets, a visit to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is also both delightful and educational. It’s specifically geared towards younger audiences, so they’ll learn how animated films are made and produced in a manner that’s easy for them to absorb and understand.

Indonesia

Bali tops the list when it comes to kid-friendly provinces in Indonesia. Sure, the island is famous for being a haven for honeymooners, but it’s great for families with children, too!

Many resorts in Bali offer activities that are geared towards kids, and these include those that don’t involve swimming. Look for resorts with dedicated kids’ clubs that will keep the young ones engaged with arts and crafts, sports lessons, or cultural experiences. Of course, it’s also important to venture outside for more unforgettable experiences, like meeting the elephants at Elephant Safari Park Bali, whitewater rafting in the Ayung River, or ziplining from tree to tree at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park.

There’s no need to go halfway across the world for a memorable family vacation; the trick is in making it meaningful. Visit any of the destinations on our list, and we guarantee that you’ll have a family vacation your children will be talking about for years to come.

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.

4 Tips for British Drivers Who Are Driving on the Right for the First Time

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Hiring a car on holiday gives you a great deal of freedom, allowing you to get off the beaten track and fit more sightseeing into your holiday. However, if you’re a British holidaymaker, driving while abroad can present many challenges. Only about a third of the countries in the world drive on the left, so unless you’re visiting Australia, or parts of South Asia or Southern Africa, you’re probably going to have to learn to drive on the right. So how do you get used to this change?

1. Make your first trip somewhere easy

Don’t make your first journey on the right-hand side during rush hour on the autobahn or through a traffic-clogged city centre. Some countries have terrible reputations for having poorly maintained roads or locals who don’t obey traffic laws, so it’s worth knowing the safest and most dangerous places to drive across the world. British travellers may want to learn to drive somewhere quiet, and where locals are used to confused tourists on the roads. The Canary and Balearic Islands, islands around Greece, and Spanish coastal areas tend to be quite tourist-friendly, so it’s worth hiring a car and getting some practice before you commit to an epic road trip.

2. Know the local laws

It’s important to have a quick read-up on local traffic laws and familiarise yourself with any unusual or unique road signs. Remember, not all countries will have signs in English, especially once you get off the beaten track, so you may want to download a translation app on your phone. If you take your own car, you may need to carry certain items, i.e. in France you’ll need to carry a warning triangle, fluorescent vest, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and more. If you’re caught without them, you can get fined.

You should also read up on local customs that aren’t officially law, but drivers will expect you to know. For example, if you drive in Turkey, you’ll find people beep their horn at you a lot, especially if you hesitate for more than a second, and tailgating is quite common. Other drivers aren’t trying to be threatening, it’s just how they drive.

3. Get the right insurance

Getting the right insurance is very important when driving abroad, and you shouldn’t assume that your travel insurance policy will cover everything. Even if you take your own car overseas within the EU, you may not have a great deal of cover, and your breakdown cover may not extend to destinations abroad. You should look at options for temp cover for the duration of your holiday so you have the best possible level of cover.

4. Choose a suitable hire car

Driving on the right is a little easier if you have a left-hand drive, and if you hire an automatic then you also don’t need to worry about gears. If you have the option of hiring a GPS, then this can help too, as you can focus on the road rather than directions. Stick to a car that’s similar to your vehicle at home, as this will mean you’ll already be used to this size and style of car.

While driving on the right can be nerve-wracking, it’s a handy skill for travellers as it opens up so many more destinations around the world.

The Best Places to Visit in France With Kids

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Due to its proximity to the UK, a large number of families cross the sea every year in favour of the French coast, with great transport links such as the Eurostar allowing families to travel abroad in a few short hours. France is not only enjoyable because of its proximity, there are also a wide range of attractions and places in Paris and beyond that your kids will fall in love with.

1. Disneyland

If you do not have the time or money to travel to America to enjoy the magic of Disney World, you can still experience the magic with Disneyland tickets, giving you the opportunity to relax in a resort only a stone’s throw from Paris. Disneyland is a haven for kids and adults alike, with a wide range of slow and thrill rides for every age group, from the excitement of Splash Mountain to the iconic ‘It’s a Small World’, which will have your children singing along for days afterwards. Not only this, but Disneyland is also filled with other activities for all ages, whether that be watching one of their colourful, musical parades or tucking into some of the special grub that can only be found in the Disney parks.

2. Eiffel Tower

France is the second most visited country by UK citizens, and Paris is the top destination for Brits. You can’t visit Paris without going to the Eiffel Tower, and for kids, this will be one of the most recognisable monuments in the city, though you may want to beat the queues. Your kids may complain about the 1,710 steps to the top of the structure, so how about taking one of the elevators to help them along? From the top of the tower, you will be treated to amazing views of Paris beneath you.

3. French Alps

If your kids love being active and you want to try out an activity that you may not be able to enjoy in the UK, head to the French Alps. Skiing in the French Alps is a must-do for any sport-loving family, with slopes for every age group. Not only this, but the French Alps is also home to many ski schools where your children can learn the basics of the slopes with other individuals their own age.

4. The Louvre

If you want your child to come home having learnt something new, France is a hub of culture, with many museums scattered about the country. The Louvre in particular is a favourite with families due to its famous portrait, the Mona Lisa. Museums in France also regularly set up workshops that your children can attend, which usually take place on a Wednesday afternoon, when French children are off school.

5. The Beaches

If you want to spend your final days in France relaxing, your kids will love nowhere more than France’s variety of beaches. Family-friendly locations include Plage du Bosquet in Portiragnes and Conche Des Baleines, which is close enough to the A-list glamour of St Tropez for the adults in your family to have a relaxing outing too. If you want to travel off the mainland, Ile D’ Oleron is also the perfect option for families looking to entertain the children, with beautiful beaches such as Plage de Saumonards.