The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

vacation

Dream Destinations To Go To In Sicily

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People travel the world for different reasons. Some travel for fun, some to unwind, and some to explore. The Italian country is, for sure, an excellent fit for all of those reasons plus more. But just like any other journey, you need to do a bit of research, check out some sites, visit parks and make an itinerary for your trip step by step. The places to be mentioned in this piece are one of the best scenes you must visit this summer.

1. Scopello

In the bright season of summer, when everyone heads for the beach, Scopello Sicily should be destination number one. This peaceful location is home to a plethora of hotels, villas, and beaches, each offering the tourists and the natives’ adventure, peace, and tranquility. On the west side, there is the wine country, the giant Etna Volcano in-between, and the medieval villages of the southeast.

Additionally, if coral reefs and gigantic rock formations are your cup of tea, then the Faraglioni neighborhood is the destination for you. As a matter of fact, the very name ‘Faraglioni’ means stacks of coastal rocks eroded off with oceanic water. Here, you can take a hiking or boating excursion over and under the stones, which is quite fascinating. A view on any of these sceneries will, without a doubt, take your breathe away.

2. Menfi

The Menfi town in Sicily is humbly adorned with rolling hills beautifully carpeted with vineyards. So much so, it is rather obvious to say that the town’s main job is wine-making. And this is reason enough that you should head there to taste one of the finest wines in the world paired with the best Italian cuisines. Additionally, Menfi’s shoreline is a paradise to beach-lovers with its fair share of sand dunes, white sands, and translucent waters, making its way to the land.

Still in Menfi, those with a hunger for cultural stimulation, could visit the Selinunte Archaeological Park. The park is very rich in classical Mediterranean history, taking you through a time capsule of what transpired and the reasons why some things happen the way they do today. The park has quite a lot of scenes to take in, including one of the oldest temple ruins in the world. It is both perfect for learning and having fun for you and your family.

3. Syracuse

Syracuse town is yet another location in Sicily, which is known for the ruins it posses. The Archeological Park has several historically magnificent sites that will amaze you, including a limestone structure shaped like a human ear. Besides the park, you can head to the beach, take a walking tour around the town and finish off by having a meal or two at any restaurant in the town.

Nearby, you can head to the marvelous island of Ortigia. Also rich in historical sceneries, that offers tourists and the natives quite an array of activities to partake. From the vast selection of hotels, villa, restaurants, and night clubs, there is so much to do in Ortigia.

As seen, Sicily is the place to be. So much so, you could head to our website Select Sicily and make your booking today for an experience of a lifetime In Sicily.

Why Mexico Should be Your Next Travel Destination

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There are so many amazing places you can visit for a fulfilling travel experience this year, and one of the best would be checking out Mexico. If you want to have a wonderful travel experience you need to choose the right destination, and there is so much that Mexico can offer you. This is truly one of the most wonderful countries in the world, and it would be the perfect choice for a new vacation experience.

It is so important to make sure you are able to focus on getting the best out of your travel experience. This means going on a cultural and culinary journey, and discovering a place you’ve never been to before. There are so many ways of being able to achieve this, and you need to make sure you explore all that Mexico has to offer; here’s why.

Breathtaking Natural Beauty

One of the most appealing factors when it comes to visiting Mexico is the supreme natural beauty of the place. A blend of North America and South America, Mexico has some of the most spectacular and diverse landscapes in the world. Whether you’re seeking bustling city streets, snow-capped mountain peaks, or lush, sprawling jungles, Mexico has it all, and more.

Fascinating Culture

But it’s not just the natural beauty and landscapes that make this an amazing choice, there are also plenty of amazing cultural reasons to check out Mexico as well. You could sample the Dia de Muertos festival, a massive part of the familial culture of the country. Additionally, there is wonderful Aztec and Maya culture prevalent throughout the country, and this has played a huge role in shaping the culture of Mexico long-term.

Delectable Food

One of Mexico’s enduring appeals lies in the cuisine it has to offer, and this is something you should look at getting right as much as you can. You have to make sure you sample the food and enjoy everything Mexico has to offer. We’re sure you’ve tried tacos, nachos, enchiladas, and burritos before, but have you ever had them in Mexico? Mind blowing! Don’t miss this opportunity to sample some of the most amazing Mexican food on the market.

UNESCO World Heritage

There are so many amazing places here that you need to make sure you check out, and if you want to know where to find the best places to visit in Mexico there is a great way to achieve this. The country has a richly impressive selection of UNESCO Heritage Sites, in fact, it boasts the most in the Americas. So, you should make sure you consider this when you are trying to choose where you would like to go in the country.

It’s pretty clear that this is one of the leading countries in the world for tourism, and there are so many amazing adventures that can be had in Mexico. Make sure you plot the perfect vacation experience right now by making the most of everything Mexico has to offer. It’s one of the finest travel destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why.

Should You Take Out a Loan to Travel?

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There is no doubt that travelling has countless benefits. In addition to having some fun, it gives you the chance to explore different places, relax, and learn and try out new things among many other benefits. However, travelling requires money. You need money for your ticket, accommodation, food, activities and souvenirs. So, what happens when you want to travel but don’t have enough money to pay for it? Should you wait until you have enough, or should you take out a loan and travel right away? This article highlights some of the key reasons why taking a loan out to travel can be a good idea as well as instances when you shouldn’t take a loan.

Cost is Spread Over a Couple of Months

When you take a loan to travel, you will make the repayments over a couple of months. This spreads the burden, especially when you are taking an expensive trip. For instance, when taking a trip in January, instead of covering the whole amount in January, travellers can consider short term loans from sites like LoanPig that can be repaid in three to twelve months.

No Need to Postpone Travel

Loans can also be helpful when you want to travel at a certain time but don’t have enough money for it at the moment. Maybe you wanted a summer trip but by the time you save up enough, it will be snowing. In such a case, you can weigh the benefits and cost of the loan and apply for the financing you need to make your trip a success.

Travel When You Have Free Time

Loans can also make it easy to travel when you get some free time but hadn’t planned financially for a trip. Maybe you just got some days off work or you are taking a business break and you just get the urge to take a short vacation. Since it may be a while before you get some more days off, you can consider taking a loan and travelling while you have the time.

However, as stated above, there are times when you shouldn’t take a loan to travel. And when you decide to take one, you should think about your decision carefully. Consider these three points:

  • Before you apply for the loan, check the interest rates and see if it’s worth it. Also, compare loans from a couple of lenders to ensure you get one with the lowest cost.
  • Don’t take a loan to travel if you won’t be able to pay it back on time. Late payments attract interest and penalties. Also, don’t do it if it will cause you to strain financially when making the payments. It’s not worth taking a trip if it will cause you to struggle with basic needs over the next couple of months.
  • Finally, find ways to lower your travel costs so that even if you need a loan, it won’t be a big one. Some steps you can take to achieve this include taking advantage of shopping cash backs and credit card rewards, booking your trip when airfares are low, and house sittinginstead of staying in a hotel.

Hopefully this guide has helped make it clearer on whether or not taking out a loan is right for you.

Bali Travel Tips – What to Know About Visiting with a Family

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If you’ve had a trip to Bali on your bucket list and finally want to make it happen, then you’ve got plenty of excitement in store. Bali is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, packed with incredible culture and natural beauty, and visiting with your family can be a hugely rewarding experience.

To make the most of your holiday on the Indonesian island, it’s important to be aware of a few practical family-friendly tips. Read on to find out more.

Beach-side stays will always have plenty to offer

Bali attracts a diverse crowd of people, and there’s a lot to experience and do all over, but when you’re visiting with children, you probably want to prioritise activities that the whole family will enjoy.

Staying by a beach, such as some of the beautiful villas in Seminyak, can be a great choice, as you are conveniently close to all of the fun activities in the ocean and on the sand, as well as a good variety of restaurants and cafes to eat out in.  It’s also much nicer to explore the area on foot with ease.

Balinese people love kids

People in Bali generally adore children, and kids are regarded as an important part of the community in Balinese culture, so families generally experience a very positive and welcoming stay.

Don’t be surprised if strangers pay your kids’ compliments on how cute they are or offer them gifts. It’s also polite to respond with a friendly comment about their children.

While some parents can occasionally find this behaviour a little surprising or intrusive, you’ll generally find a friendly and warm environment. A great way to help children understand Balinese culture is by taking part in local dance lessons or craft activities, which can be a wonderful way to learn something new.

Safety standards are very different

While Bali is a fantastic place, it does have a very different attitude to health and safety than what you might be used to, and one of the biggest factors to be aware of is basic travel safety.

If you are planning to drive in Bali, make sure that you are familiar with all the rules, and it can be helpful to bring your own child seat, if you need one, as you may not be provided with one from your car rental service. It is also wise to have some help from a local guide, especially if you’re planning to travel around on your own extensively, as they may be able to help you familiarise yourself with the roads more quickly.

As well as travelling safely, it is also important to check on basic safety issues, such as child seats or highchairs in restaurants, or when on any ride or activity. While local guides and instructors can be warm and inviting, they may not be fully aware or trained with all safety procedures, so it’s worth keeping an extra eye on this.

Barcelona Travel Tips: 5 Things to Know Before Traveling to Barcelona

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Are you planning a trip to Barcelona? Before you go, make sure you inform yourself! After all, if you want to give yourself the best experience possible, you’ll need to do some planning (and learning a phrase or two in Spanish or Catalan won’t hurt either).

If you want to know all of the insider Barcelona travel tips, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for 5 things you need to know before you leave on a jet plane.

  1. There are Two Official Languages in Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, one of 17 autonomous regions of Spain. Catalonia has customs that differ from much of the rest of Spain and many residents of Catalonia believe that it should be independent.

As such, Barcelona has two official languages: Spanish and Catalan. It is a language that is similar to Spanish, and has the same roots, but does have many differences. Most Catalonians are bilingual, so if you speak one or the other, you should be good.

  1. Be Strategic About When You Visit

You should be strategic about when you visit Barcelona so you can see the city without millions of other tourists. Early spring (prior to Holy Week or Semana Santa) and early fall (September and October) are some of the best times to visit. Late summer is probably the worst time, as many locals head on their own vacations and it’s the hottest time of the year.

  1. Book Tours in Advance

Barcelona is a huge tourist attraction (nearly 20 million people visited last year!), so it’s important to plan ahead if there are tours or other attractions you want to experience while you are there.

Whether you want to tour Barcelona with a tour guide or on your own, you’ll want to plan ahead for major attractions, like the Sagrada Familia or the Picasso Museum.

  1. Be Aware of the Schedule

The schedule in Barcelona is very different from other places in Europe and much different than what Americans are used to. Lunch is in the late afternoon (think after 2:30) and dinner is rarely before 9:00 p.m. Show up at a restaurant at what you think is a regular dinner time of 7:00 p.m. and you may just find it closed!

Many shops close after lunch and before dinner as well, so be aware of that. You might find places closed from 5 to 8 p.m.

This is all part of the extremely laid-back environment in Barcelona. No one is in a hurry, so don’t expect fast service in bars and restaurants. Instead, slow down, take it all in, and enjoy the more relaxed pace of the city!

  1. Stay Off Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is basically the Times Square of Barcelona. Overcrowded, extremely touristy, and full of the same old street vendors and tourist traps. If you can stand it, avoid Las Ramblas, as this isn’t the real Barcelona. Not to mention, you’ll also be at risk of being pickpocketed, especially if you give off the tourist vibe.

If you must, take a stroll or two just to say you’ve seen it, but save your meals, drinks, and other experiences for some of the other, more authentic areas of Barcelona.

Barcelona Travel Tips to Make It a Trip to Remember

If you fancy yourself a world traveler, Barcelona is a must-see destination. Use these Barcelona travel tips to go at the right time and make sure you know what to expect when you get there!

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