The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

travel

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.

Amazing European Destinations For This Summer

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Are you thinking of things to do this summer with your friends, family or just your sweetie for the holidays? It can be difficult to find the perfect getaway that everyone would enjoy, but with great destinations like Europe, you can get a bit of something for everyone. With so many countries to visit, history to be experienced and beautiful scenery to enjoy, Europe is more popular than ever for many travellers. Here’s a couple of the top destinations you should check out and consider for this summer’s ultimate holiday.

Norway

Norway is probably one of the most beautiful countries in northern Europe. With high mountains, stunning coastline and vast forested areas, what’s not to like about this welcoming and unique country? You can also see the Norwegian fjords on a cruise, the ultimate addition to any holiday, allowing you the ability to get up close and personal to stunningly carved, steep cliff sides that have been formed over millions of years of glacial erosion. It’s one of the top rated activities by almost everyone who experiences a fjord cruise in Norway, so definitely add it to your must do list if you pick this gorgeous country as one of your stops.

Spain

While many people think of Spain and its resort towns, there’s a lot more to Spain than the coastline on the Med. Inland cities such as Seville and Madrid offer amazing architecture, beautiful town squares and adorable cafes and coffee shops as well as shopping. Not only this, but these cities offer a much more authentic way of Spanish life that isn’t focused as heavily on tourism like the coastal resort towns like Benidorm can be. If you’re looking for a real challenge this summer, why not try the famed route of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of the country? This extensive hiking trail and pilgrimage route is a popular option for many travellers visiting Spain and can be a great way to meet new people and have an awe-inspiring experience.

Italy

Who doesn’t love a bit of Italy? With so many cities and towns to choose from it can be nigh on impossible to narrow your trip down to just a couple, so why try? Instead, why not rent a car and explore the length and breadth of the country over a couple of weeks from the rolling hills and terracotta coloured villages of Tuscany to the fashionable streets of Milan or the historic sites of the likes of Rome or Napoli. Don’t forget to try authentic Italian dishes like pizzas, pastas and gelato. You’re missing a huge experience if you don’t let your inner foodie out to play in Italy!

With so many unique and beautiful places to choose from throughout Europe, it can be difficult to nail your choices down to just a few, but hopefully this short list of awesome destinations and why they’re so great will help you and your friends or family make the best decision for your next European break – whether it’s this summer or sometime in the future!

 

The Last Cat Travel Checklist You’ll Ever Need

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If you’re one of those people that can’t go on holiday without one of the most important beings in their life — their dog or their cat — it’s a good thing you are reading this article. You can most definitely travel with your cat, but there are some things that you have to organize in advance, especially if you are leaving the country.

Let’s look at some things you need to make sure you take care of before you leave the house with your fluffy friend.

Vet check-ups

You probably love your cat enough to give her omega 3 for cats or probiotics regularly, but that’s not enough, and you know it. Your cat should have a vaccination plan that’s on par, and the truth is that for your cat to be entirely immune to diseases that can be transmitted to other animals or humans, you should take her to the vet at least 2 weeks before your departure.

Many vets can issue pet passports which need to contain details of your cat’s treatment that are up to date. If your cat needs to take treatment every day (for example, if your cat has diabetes), make sure that you get a prescription for the medication for the whole length of your trip.

There are cats that have histories of becoming anxious when they are confined. If that’s the case with yours, we urge you to talk to your vet and ask him or her to prescribe some sedatives. There are several to choose from, and there are also alternatives that don’t call for synthetic drugs to be used.

Planning your holiday with your cat

If your cat is not familiar with the outdoors, you should know that she needs to be kept indoors. Do you really want to take your feline friend with you if you’re likely to be out of the house for 8 to 10 hours every day? What would be the point of stressing your pet if he or she is going to be alone anyway?

Sure, if you’re visiting your parents for Christmas and you’re likely to spend a lot of time indoors or there will always be someone at home to watch over the cat, that’s something else. But if you are planning a trip to a strange country (and not a move), you might be better off with leaving your cat behind and hiring a pet sitter.

Whatever your case might be, the cat needs to have food, treats, water, a good supply of cat litter, as well as one or more litter boxes. Naturally, it’s always easier to travel by car than to have to go on a plane with your cat, and that’s because you will at least have the freedom to make a stop and clean your cat’s litter, deposit it into a plastic bag, and get the carrier cleaned.

What if you’re leaving your cat behind?

Leaving your cat behind is actually a good option. Dog parents don’t have that luxury as many dogs aren’t going to feel content with just having a food bowl, cozy napping spots, and a litter box. But cats are pretty self-sufficient, so all you need is a pet sitter. Besides, if your cat doesn’t even have any specific medical needs, you can just ask a neighbor, family member, or a friend to come feed them and clean their litter trays every day or every couple of days. You can also choose to take your cat to a cattery, but make sure you do as much reading about that place before you decide to do so — as much as you can.

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