The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

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Thailand Travel Destination – Koh Bulon Lae

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Thailand is without doubt a beautiful and diverse country, ever popular as a holiday destination. Its better known tourist locations are well documented and have been enjoyed by millions of people for many, many years. But the wants, needs and desires of the tourist evolve, and this evolution has found visitors looking for something that differs from the well-trodden tourist hotspots.

There is now a great deal more focus on the kingdom’s islands. Of course some are already well known, Phuket and Krabi to name just two. But Thailand has 1430 islands that sit in its coastal waters. Many of these islands are unspoilt, uncommercialized and epitomize Thailand’s natural beauty.

Lapped by the blue waters of the Andaman Sea, to the Southwest of Phuket and part of Surat Province, lies Koh Bulon Lae. A visitor is unlikely to find a more natural location, one which is almost entirely untouched by modernity or the commercial giants that view each visitor as part of their ledger’s bottom line.

If you enjoy glitzy shopping malls, beer swilling on a bar crawl, beach parties or the thumping music spewing from neon lit nightclubs, then give Koh Bulon Lae a wide birth. Wild hedonism is not to be found here, nor are cars, there are no cars on the island, no ATMs and definitely no 7-11s. With everything that the island doesn’t have, it has become much loved by singles, couples and families as a rare gem of a place to be enjoyed and cherished simply for what it is. Paradise!

The island is tiny, you can walk from one side to the other in around 20 minutes, and in taking such a walk you will go from pristine beaches, to mangrove, swamp and dense jungle, such diversity in a small area is astonishing. When visiting the island, a walk from coast to coast is a must.

Meander along the trail that cuts across the island to see and feel the diversity of the island. The one thing that is striking is the noise, with every decibel being given by nature. Shrieking bird calls are endless, the millions of cicadas create a cacophony of noise that most people never experience. You are also likely to encounter the large, but harmless, monitor lizards that lounge around the mangroves.

Getting to Koh Bulon Lae

Traveling to Surat Province is straight forward. There are many bus and minivan services to the area, many of which can be booked to take you straight to Pakbara pier. There are flight services to Hat Yai and Trang from where transfers can be taken to Pakbara. It is from Pakbara pier that the power boats make the short crossing to Koh Bulon Lae. The power boats are met just off the beach by longtail boats to ferry visitors ashore.

There are also inter-island boat services that connect the many islands that lie off the West coast of the Kra Isthmus. Island hopping has become a popular way to explore the kingdom away from its mainland, thus, from the mainland or any of the Andaman Sea islands, getting to Koh Bulon Lae is without problem.

Where to stay on Koh Bulon Lae

Many of the island’s visitors are backpackers on a budget, and they are well accommodated. Between Panka Yai Bay and Mango Bay, set on the forested trail are the Jungle Huts. Basic but entirely adequate, these homely residences are the bargain stay option on the island. Yes, staying here does require a walk to the beach, but on Koh Bulon Lae there is no such thing as a long walk!

School Beach is the islands best beach, and one of the most beautiful in the whole of Thailand, not surprisingly the cost of accommodation here tends to be higher. Although, close by is Panka Noi Bay, which offers excellent accommodation at very reasonable rates. Go just a little further North to Panka Yai Bay and visitors can enjoy the cheapest bungalows on the island. Visitors planning a trip to the island should be aware that many places close up between June or July, through to October.

Koh Bulon Lae, What to Do

Koh Bulon Lae is not about expelling boundless levels of energy, quite the contrary in fact. The most energetic activity you are likely to indulge in will be swimming and snorkeling in the island’s silky blue waters. Visitors can hire a kayak and paddle around the island with ease and explore its quiet coves, above and below the water.

Trekking is popular, and you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to trek across the island. Trek at your own pace and enjoy being enveloped by unspoilt natural beauty. You may even hear the island spirits that are said to whisper in the gentle breeze.

Undoubtedly, most visitors love the pristine beaches and pure white sand. Lap up the sun, loose yourself in quiet contemplation, meditate and be at peace with the world. For any explorer coming to the Kingdom of Thailand that is seeking natural tranquility, it is Koh Bulon Lae.

What to See in Florence: Florence, Italy Travel Guide

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View of Florence skyline from top view in Italy

The unrivaled charm of Florence, Italy attracts more than 15.4 million visitors each year, and this number only continues to grow as the city becomes a more popular travel destination.

Really, it’s no question as to why! People flock from all across the globe to immerse themselves in Florence’s world-renowned art, stunning architecture, and culture unlike anything else.

Are you planning a trip to Florence? It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the wide variety of sights and attractions available, so we’ve created a must-see guide for you!

Here’s what to see in Florence so that you can experience it all and get the most out of your time in this beautiful Renaissance city!

What to See in Florence

Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation or a night out, you’ll be sure to find it in Florence. Keep reading to find out what would be an absolute sin to miss out on!

The Accademia Gallery

Deservedly referred to as the capital of arts, Florence is home to around 30 percent of the world’s most important and influential works of art. If you’re craving a taste of the city’s more creative side, then visiting the Accademia Gallery is a must!

Roam the hallways of this famous art museum and witness the sheer beauty of iconic art pieces like Michelangelo’s David and Madonna of the Sea.

Inside tip: touring Florence with The Roman Guy allows you to skip the line for Michelangelo’s David (among other things)! Not to mention, you’ll be able to explore the whole city with an expert guide if you book a tour.

The Duomo

If you’re looking at photos of Florence, you’ve probably seen the great cathedral glowing against the backdrop of an Italian sunset. That’s the Duomo, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and it’s widely recognized as one of the world’s most stunning religious monuments.

Take an afternoon stroll through the heart of the city and immerse yourself in some of Florence’s grandeur and 14th-century architecture as you tour the huge domes, steps, and hallways. You can’t miss it!

The Boboli Gardens

Wander along the manicured pathways of the Boboli Gardens and unwind with the serenity of green grass, glittering fountains, and stunning sculptures. This historical park once served as the first template for the “Italian Garden” and boasts some of the world’s greatest green architecture.

Guests can explore Italy’s most famous gardens on foot here and really enjoy the warm Florence weather as they stroll through blooming flowers, twisting vines.

Ponte Vecchio

Spend a charming afternoon taking a stroll across one of the oldest bridges in Italy. The Ponte Vecchio overlooks the famous river Arno and is a popular sight-seeing destination for all types of tourists!

When you’re done, you can wander off to the nearby shops and spend a few hours browsing the gifts fit for all budgets.

Nightlife

Once the sun goes down, some of Italy’s best nightlife is found right in Florence!

Depending on your taste, there are many different bars and clubs to choose from if you’re looking for some fun after dark.

Listen to a live DJ at Tenax, sit down at and meet locals at the Friends Pub or bust some moves at Space Electronic Discoteca — either way you’re guaranteed for an incredible night!

Start Exploring

With so much to fill your trip itinerary up, these are what to see in Florence, Italy. Add a few of these to your list and you’ll be in for an unforgettable vacation!

If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our other articles about all things travel and entertainment!

Must Visit Attractions in San Francisco

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San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. It’s a mix of cultures from around the world – during the gold rush in the 1800s, Chinese migrated and stayed here. In recent years, many of the newest and brightest tech companies choose to reside their headquarters here. The city’s also heavily influenced by Mexican and Victorian culture, making San Francisco bits and pieces of everything and anything.

While the city’s not huge, it might be difficult for any first time travelers to navigate their way through the city. Here are some of the attractions that you should visit during your stay.

1. Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco. It isn’t just one of the many landmarks of San Francisco, but the first thing you would think of when talking about San Francisco, or even The United States.

Built during the 1930s, The Golden Gate Bridge is often recognized as one of the modern wonders of modern architecture. The bridge is famously colored with ‘international orange’, which allows the bridge to stand out in heavy fog. The bridge connects The San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean and is still heavy with traffic till this day.

You might want to start your journey at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, a location dedicated to providing information and relative merchandise to tourists. The observatory here is great for taking pictures of this picturesque bridge.

You can further explore Golden Gate Bridge in a few different ways. The Golden Gate Bridge has a pedestrian side lane opened for tourists, where you can enjoy the sceneries up there. While tourists can walk across the bridge, it will take roughly 2 hours to walk from one side to the other. Biking would take roughly half the time. For those with limited time, cruises around the Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland Bay Bridge are also available.

2. City Light Bookstore

Name one thing in common for these influential writers: Georges Bataille. Charles Bukowski. Frank O’Hara. Allen Ginsberg. The answer: They have all been published by City Light, a legendary book store and publisher operating in San Francisco.

While the bookstore was first opened by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin since 1953, it rose to fame by publishing Allen Ginsberg’s ‘Howl and Other poems’, a collection of poems that depicts a generation hooked with drugs and sex. Allen Ginsberg’s collection was so controversial that it had caused Lawrence Ferlinghetti to be jailed. Fortunately, the judgment was later revoked. Ferlinghetti was released, and City Light has then become a symbol not only for the beat generation but also for freedom of speech.

As the bookstore has been expanded several times, some remains. For instance, a room has always been dedicated to poetry. The bookstore is much bigger than it used to be, but it’s still dedicated to selling leftist critical theories, political theories and literature. They still sell books coming from small and indie publishers.

In the words of Philip Larkin: ‘in times when nothing stood but worsened, or grew strange’, City Light is one of those few good things that did not change.

3. Alcatraz Island

The only time you want to get inside a maximum security federal prison is a visit to Alcatraz Island.

While Alcatraz Island was once a military base (hence, structures of the Officers’ Club remains), Alcatraz Island was most known as a max security prison reserved for the nastiest and troubling criminals. Despite this, no one has successfully escaped—At least, that’s what the government claims.

Since the 1970s, Alcatraz Island has been turned into a tourist destination. Many of the cells remain as they were in the 1960s, while showing inmates personal items such as color paints, checkerboards, dominos, and libraries. Some of the more infamous prison breaks were also documented with exhibitions.

4. Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only the oldest Chinatown in North America but also the biggest Chinatown out of Asia.

Since the 1840s, many Chinese immigrants have immigrated to San Francisco because of the California Gold Rush. They then began to live here, opening businesses reflecting heritages of motherland. Hence, you can find many Chinese restaurants, Dim Sum Places or even Chinese Medicine shops here, with Chinese signs hanging all over the place.

While the restaurants here are well worth a visit, one of those shops where you shouldn’t miss is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. As the name suggests, this is a place that made and sold fortune cookies here. If you are interested in how these crackers were made, definitely check this place out.

5. Lombard Street

Lombard Street is known for being the crookedest Street in the United States. It is a block filled with 8 hairpin turns, decorated with expensive flowers and bushes around each turn. The 5 mile speed limit is another testimony to the difficulty of this one-way course.

While many tourists drive here to test their driving skills, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit here even if you are not driving. The cityscape from the high above of the Lombard Street is stunning, making this a perfect place for sightseeing.

Ready to start your journey? Fly with Cathay Pacific now by booking your Flight to San Francisco now.

6. Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is in the Bay Area. While initially built for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, the structure was built with plaster, wood and burlap that weren’t meant to withstand time. It was once torn apart due to safety reasons, but because of popular demand in the 1960s and donations from a philanthropist, the site was officially rebuilt with more formidable materials.

As for now, The Palace of Fine Art no longer expedites or showcases any arts, but the palace has then become one huge piece of art. The mixture of Greek and Roman styles is grandeur and stunning, with a central rotunda built in according to Roman temples. Next to the rotunda and structures is an artificial pond with sea birds chirping, with benches lying around the pond for any weary tourists to rest.

7. Union Square

Located in the heart of the city, the Union square is known for being the best location for shopping.

Many of the big international brands and luxury are in here, including Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Boss, Gucci, Tiffany’s, Levi’s or even H&Ms. Upscale shopping malls, such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Westfield can also be found here.

Besides shopping, the area is also home to the American Conservatory Theatre, one of the most reputable theaters of San Francisco.

8. Fisherman’s Wharf

If you are a foodie or looking for souvenirs, Fisherman’s Wharf is one of those places you can’t afford to miss.

Located just next to the San Francisco Bay, the area is known for its restaurants, serving fresh Dungeness crabs and scallops that have just been caught from the sea by local fishermen. The Sourdough bread and clam chowder are also tasty.

Besides the food, Fisherman’s Wharf is also known for hosting a bunch of souvenir shops, selling postcards, candies, chocolates, toys with the Golden Gate Bridge printed on them. If you are seeking new ways to explore the city, you can also join the cruise rides hosted by some of the local companies here.

Right next to the Wharf is Pier39, where you can see sea lions lying around, bathing in the sun. ‘The Aquarium Of the Bay’ and the ‘San Francisco 7D experience’ are also here, which are both entertaining and educational for any family visitors.

The Top Reasons to Let Travel Agencies Book Your Holiday

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While technology has altered the way people do various things, one thing has not changed much, and that is booking a holiday. That’s because having a travel agent by your side to handle some of your holiday tasks, such as choosing a destination and booking accommodation can make a huge difference.

If you want to visit a particular destination, for instance you want to visit Kochi, all you have to do is give the travel agency a call, and then they’ll book you any flights to Kochi.  Travel agencies are experts when it comes to traveling and so you won’t have to worry about anything.

If you are still not convinced about why you should let a travel agency book your holiday, continue reading this article to get more reasons.

They will save you time and money

A lot of people believe that travel agencies are very expensive. But in reality, you can save more money if you let a travel agency to book your holiday. Planning a trip, especially a business trip can be quite time-consuming and you may not have the time. Additionally, searching for places to have fun at your intended destination may also take your time. Travel agents know these places because they deal with them almost daily. They are also up-to-date with promotions and deals. So they will basically handle all these tasks of planning a trip for you, hence saving you time.

They provide additional bonuses

As an individual, when searching for the best rates and deals on the internet, you may not see everything that an airline or a hotel offers. Travel agencies have connections, so they can provide you with better-packaged deals with a hotel or airline such as Air India. The travel agency will also ensure that you get the best deals possible.

They provide a human touch

Travel agents care about your feelings and the things that you want. There are amazing deals on the internet, but you should know that what you see is not always what you get. By using the same travel agent to book your business trips or holidays, he or she will become more familiar with your likes and dislikes. And so he or she will ensure that the holiday becomes perfect.

All you’ve to do is to give them a call and let them know your plans, and then they will arrange everything you need for your holiday. This personal touch can have a huge impact on your trip.

They are there for you in case things go wrong

In life, nothing is certain and anything can happen anytime. To be honest many things usually go wrong than right. You may miss a flight or it may be canceled altogether. This might be stressful. But a travel agency has the necessary resources that can help them rebook your flight and make sure that you reach your destination. Additionally, during high seasons, many people travel and that can make it overcrowded. A travel agency can make the process easier for you.

Effective Ways to Save Money on Family Vacations

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A good family vacation can bring your entire crew closer together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, these perks often come at a tremendous cost. Depending on the destination whether it’s a UK trip or Thailand adventure, and the season in which the trip takes place, a travel excursion with your loved ones can leave a gaping hole in your finances. While there’s no denying that family vacations are costly affairs, there are numerous steps you can take to soften the financial blow and keep your savings intact. Anyone looking to embark on a first-rate family vacation without breaking the bank can benefit from the following measures.

Opt for Driving Over Flying

It’s easy to see why so many vacationers choose flying over driving. It takes far less time to reach your destination and requires virtually no effort on the part of you and your family. However, flying – particularly during the busy travel season – can be exorbitantly pricey and eat up a sizable chunk of your travel budget. Even if reaching your destination via car requires more time and effort on your end, you stand to save a considerable sum of money. The funds driving frees up can be used for a variety of vacation-related endeavors, thus making the trip even more memorable. So, if you can drive to your intended vacation spot in a reasonable amount of time, consider relying on your car instead of shelling out a small fortune for plane tickets.

Consider Off-Season Travel

Many families prefer to travel during the spring and summer months. After all, these seasons are synonymous with agreeable weather and time off from work and school. However, since so many travelers hit the road during these times of the year, airfare, lodgings, travel packages and assorted attractions tend to be quite pricey. Budget-conscious families can nip this problem in the bud by traveling during the off-season – i.e., the fall and winter months. While weather conditions may not be quite as nice, the money you’ll save should prove well-worth any minor inconveniences. During the off-season, you’ll have access to hotel rates and airfare prices you won’t find at any other time of year.

Not only will off-season travel save you money, but it can also increase your destination options. While certain destinations may be outside of your travel budget during the busy season, you may find them to be comfortably affordable throughout the off-season.

Look for Family Travel Packages

When perusing possible destinations, keep an eye out for family travel packages. A good travel package will consolidate airfare, lodging and various attraction fees into a manageable lump sum. Even if a certain destination doesn’t openly advertise family travel packages, don’t give up before doing a little bit of online research. For example, anyone interested in an affordable Niagara Falls family vacation can find a convenient assortment of travel packages with minimal effort.

Keep Snacks on Hand

As any seasoned parent can attest, children are constantly hungry – especially when affordable dining options aren’t easily accessible. Whenever a child gets a snack attack while on vacation, many parents head for the nearest street vendor, refreshment stand or restaurant. Needless to say, this approach to feeding your kids can eat away at even the most robust travel budget. With this in mind, make a point of keeping snacks on hand throughout your next trip. Sure, carrying food around can be a little cumbersome, but this slight inconvenience stands to save you hundreds of dollars.

You can take this a step further by limiting the number of meals you eat at restaurants. Staying at a hotel that offers complimentary breakfasts and packing a lunch when going on outings can decrease food costs exponentially, thus freeing up funds for other facets of the trip.

For many families, vacations serve as the highlight of the year. Unfortunately, as enjoyable as these trips can be, they’re generally not easy on the wallet. Many of us have simply accepted exorbitantly expensive vacations as a fact of life and resigned ourselves to spending unreasonable sums on travel excursions with loved ones. However, even if you’ve grown accustomed to shelling out a small fortune every time your family is bitten by the travel bug, it’s never too late for course-correction. Putting the tips outlined above to good use can help you save a bundle on your crew’s next big travel excursion.