The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

vacation

Travel Tips to Live By

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When you travel, you lucky, lucky person, do live by the following. You perhaps have your own tips, but have a read of these and see if they resonate.

Earlier is Cheaper

It’s generally cheaper to book your ticket sometime in advance of when you plan to travel. Although there can sometimes be shockingly cheap last-minute travel deals for holidays like a Caribbean cruise with Celebrity, tickets are usually more expensive closer to the time you want to go.

Your Passport

Memorize your passport number. Take a picture of the necessary parts of your passport and save it somewhere accessible (and in more than one place).

Cash

Always have some cash on you, even if all you’ll often need to use are your cards. In the unlikely event that you lose your cards, you’ll then have some cash on you.

Your Phone

If you’re traveling internationally and you plan to use your phone to make and receive calls, know what your phone company charges for it. It can be expensive. There’s an option to switch your phone to airplane mode so you don’t receive calls/texts.

Also, if you want to steer clear of charges when you’re on the net, using email or other data services, switch off data roaming on your phone. (How to switch to airplane mode/switch off data roaming might vary depending on the make of your phone.)

Be Flexible

Sometimes, when traveling, certain things might not go according to plan. If you’ve traveled more than a few times, you will know this to be true. It balances out, though, with the people you meet, the foods you eat and the places you go.

When you’re a bit flexible, when you factor in that some things mightn’t go quite the way you expected, it makes you are a river. A river flows over things. It flows nonetheless.

Pretending you’re a river may help you deal with other things in life such as if you ever decide to study a master of education in adult and continuing education program online. Be like a river there too.

Be Present

When you travel, really take in where you are. Taste it with all your senses. Take in the people. Take in the culture. Take in the food. Take in the surroundings, the environment.

Tell yourself or remind yourself that nothing matters apart from where you are right now. Tomorrow takes care of itself as always, and yesterday is already taken care of.

Be grateful

Traveling is a gift, a wonderful experience, an education (a bit like an online MEAD degree in adult and continuing education, but more leisurely). Be grateful for as much as you can, for the money to travel, for the wonder of being in a big metallic butterfly in the sky, for safe travels to and through your destination, for those you meet along the way (some as if they’ve been sent to you), for the food, etc.

Hopefully, some of these tips have been useful and you plan on taking on some.

Enjoy your time away whenever next you go.

The Most Romantic Experiences in Thailand

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Are you looking for a romantic getaway with your special someone in South East Asia? Perhaps you’re celebrating an anniversary or just want to escape from the stresses of life back at home. If this sounds like you, your dream destination is Thailand. You can book a beautiful rental in thailand near the beach or a luxurious hotel in Bangkok to unwind for a week or two. So, before you pack your bags and jump on the plane, check out the following romantic experiences to make your trip even more special.

Sunset Stroll on the Beach

What can be more romantic than walking along the soft sandy beach with the warm waters gently lapping on the shoe? You’re hand in hand with palm trees to one side and the darkening blue water of the sea to the other. The scenery is incredible, and you’re walking in the very definition of a tropical paradise. Watching the sunset is a romantic experience anywhere in the world. But, that feeling is magnified in Thailand. If you’re staying at a beachside resort or vacation rental, sit on your balcony and enjoy the magical experience with a glass of wine.

Watch the Sunrise

Watching the sunrise is equally as romantic as the sunset, but few people make it out of bed. The sun often rises before 6:00 am when most are still fast asleep. If you can get up, watching the sun light up Thailand’s natural beauty as the day breaks is unforgettable. Sometimes you may be able to see both the sunrise and sunset on the same beach depending on where you are. Other times you may need to travel to find the perfect spot.

Join Bangkok’s Private River Cruise

River cruises are a favourite pastime in Bangkok for tourists. Some take you on a sightseeing tour of the city whereas others have a romantic dinner. If you know the right places and aren’t on a budget, you might be able to get yourself a private boat. Picture sitting on comfortable leather seats being whisked around Bangkok’s network of canals and rivers while enjoying time with your partner. Boat rides are nice, but nothing can quite beat the feeling of exclusivity on a private one.

Sip Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar

Another romantic experience in Bangkok is to head to the Central District and go to The Moon Bar. This is an exceptional spot for a drink. The outdoor bar has 360-degree views from the 61st floor and claims to be one of the world’s highest outdoor bars. Drinks are, as expected, expensive but the price is worth it. You can sit on one of the cushioned sofas with a drink or have a candlelit table with incredible views. If you’re planning to spend any time in Bangkok, checking out The Moon Bar is a must.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai makes a great spot for couples with beautiful mountainous landscapes, a historical centre and a laid-back city a million miles away from Bangkok’s noise and pollution. Apart from enjoying the temples, hiking trails and renting a motorbike to explore the province, you can go on a hot air balloon tour. Tour packages include a short flight taking you high over the mountains and hills of Chiang Mai to give a bird’s eye view of the incredible landscapes below. Some packages offer private tours and have an after-flight meal. If you have never taken a hot air balloon ride before, now’s your chance to tick it off the bucket list in style.

Spend a Day at the Spa

Thai massages are available on almost every street around the country. Locals will give you a massage on the beach or in their own shop. But, Thailand is also famous for having world-class spas and wellness centres that are some of the best in South East Asia. You can have a massage and the full treatment with various types of therapies and relaxation techniques. If you and your partner are looking for a few days of recuperation, book yourselves into one of Thailand’s spas for some pampering. Most of the luxurious hotels have an onsite spa, which you should take advantage of at least once during your trip. And when you’re both super refreshed and relaxed, what can be better than a candlelit dinner or rooftop cocktails?

Stay on a Secluded Island

There are thousands of islands in Thailand catering for different tourist interests. Some host the Full Moon Party attracting backpackers and younger travellers for a night of fun. Others are much quieter and have a very high level of luxury. It’s safe to say that you’ll find what you’re looking for on one of Thailand’s islands. But, if you want romance and privacy, check out some of the less visited spots. There are hundreds of places around Thailand’s archipelagos where very few tourists visit including Koh Samet, the Koh Yao Islands and Koh Similan. It’s also possible to find a beachfront rental or resort with a private beach on the more famous islands like Phuket and Koh Samui.

Having the Most Romantic Trip of Your Life

If you’re looking for romance, Thailand has it. From the secluded spots on tropical islands to Bangkok’s rooftop bars and Chiang Mai’s hot air balloon tours, you’ll find something to have a memorable trip. Be sure to see the sunrise and sunset at least once and have a day or two at the spa. Follow these suggestions, and you’re sure to have the most romantic time of your lives.

5 Simple Travel Hacks for Your Next Trip

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Almost everyone loves to visit a new destination, but few of us actually enjoy the process of getting there. Travelling can be frustrating, dull and stressful, particularly if you’re having to deal with flights, layovers and connections, and all the administrative stress that goes along with it. Add to that the joys of packing, dealing with hotels and the inevitability of forgetting something important, and it’s no wonder many people are exhausted by the time they reach their destination.

However, travel needn’t be so stressful, and with a few simple tips and tricks you can take some of the pain out of your next trip. Here’s 5 of our favourite travel hacks to help you on your next holiday:

Packing Jewellery

Jewellery isn’t the easiest thing to travel with, as it’s easy to lose or break, particularly during long journeys. If you’re taking a lot of jewellery, you can put smaller pieces into an ice cube tray and wrap a sheet of cling film around it to secure what’s inside. For more delicate pieces or breakable accessories such as glasses, you can secure them inside school binders or plastic folders. No more chipped statement necklaces or broken Ray Ban glasses!

Charging without the plug socket

Forgot your plug adapter or left the plug section of your charging cable at home? You can use the USB port on the back of the majority of hotel TV’s to charge your phone.

Roll your clothes

Instead of folding your clothes normally, try rolling them instead – they take up much less space in your suitcase and allow you to pack far more. It’s also easier to pick out a certain shirt without having to take everything out of your bag shoe storage

That space inside your shoes is wasted when they’re packed in your luggage, so take advantage of this unutilised space to fit more in your bag. Your shoes are an excellent place to put your socks, accessories or any small items without taking up any additional space.

DIY toothbrush holder

You can use an empty Tic Tac box as a toothbrush protector, keeping it clean while it’s packed in your bag and stopping it from picking up general fuzz or makeup dust.

5 romantic hotspots for lovers who travel

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I have always enjoyed combining my love for other things in life such as surfing, wine drinking and climbing but there is something else that I like to combine with my travels, romance. Throughout the years, my partner and I have been to some of the most romantic spots in the world and I wanted to share a few of them with you. If you are looking for inspiration as to where to take your loved one for your next trip, here are some passionate places where you could go.

Paris

They call Paris the city of love and very often these titles are not lived up to, Paris thankfully, most definitely does. There is just something in the air in the French capital which you can’t put your finger on, but most certainly feel, love really is in the air here. On the other hand, for lovers in Paris who are into anal sex, your partner’s bottom is certainly something you can put your finger on. If you’re uncomfortable with that, you can make use of sex toys such as lp anal beads to help you during your sexy times. I love Paris because of the sights such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame cathedral, as well as the romantic activities which you can do. Float with your loved one down the Seine at sunset, lovelock one of its bridges, drink red wine in a hidden away bistro and kiss under the Arc de Triomphe, the perfect city for lovers.”

Turks and Caicos Islands

The Caribbean has plenty of perfect getaways for couples but the pick of the bunch for me is the Turks and Caicos islands. This place is pure paradise, the straight-out-of-a-postcard sort of location where you can relax in each others company in pure bliss. These quiet islands give you the chance of complete seclusion, surrounded by white beaches, palm trees and crystal ocean. Paradise should be enjoyed by lovers which makes the Turks and Caicos a perfect destination.

Santorini

Of all the Greek islands it is Santorini that steals the show, the jewel in the crown of the Aegean sea, this small island offers plenty for getaway couples. Santorini ‘s houses and villas which hug the coast are the whitewashed buildings which you normally see when people talk about Greece. I really liked the choice between seclusion and getting involved here in Santorini and aside from the amazing food, my partner and I really enjoyed getting involved in the local culture.

The Maldives

There is absolutely nothing to dislike about the Maldives, sat deep in the heart of the Indian Ocean you can stay in small, secluded huts above the water, on your own slice of the planet. The idea of a romantic getaway for me is a little adventure with lots of time spent enjoying my partners company. If this sounds like your idea of romance too, then the Maldives is the best option for your getaway.

Florence

Italy offers a huge amount of places for romantic getaways but Florence has to be my favorite. This was the classic Italy that I had seen in movies, a city with art throughout the streets, good food, music, dancing, Florence really had it all. As far as romance goes, it doesn’t get more romantic than sitting in an ornate square, listening to opera and drinking a fresh white wine with your partner, and that is why Florence is perfect.