November 2012 – Purple Travel Official Blog

Alessandra Ambrosio photoshoot

Nov 30 2012

Travel News: Alessandra Ambrosio photoshoot

While runways are, of course, Alessandra Ambrosia’s area of expertise, she may not have had this kind of runway in mind. The Victoria’s Secret star posed this week in an airfield photoshoot for German luggage firm RIMOWA. Enjoy this Alessandra Ambrosio Photoshoot with these images below.

Located on the Son Bonet Aerodrome in Palma de Majorca, the photoshoot also featured Olivia Palermo’s model boyfriend Johannes Huebl. He and the Brazilian beauty posed before a backdrop of classic-looking planes for photographer, Horst Diekgerdes.

Pictured firstly in a blue trench coat with a pair of skyscraper heels, neatly finished off with a waist-defining belt, the star looked prim and proper with her stylish suitcase and hand luggage set.

Alessandra recently strutted down the runway for this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and is now back in California following her whirlwind trip. She and Johannes made for a stylish pair of travellers with their eye-catching threads and suitcases.

Book your cheap holiday to Palma de Majorca with Purple Travel now by calling 02079939228.

Another reason to enjoy Red Sea holidays this year

Nov 29 2012

The bustling resort of El Gouna is getting ready to introduce a brand new attraction: the world’s largest cable water park.

Due to open in July 2013, just in time for summer holiday season, the El Gouna Watersports Complex will feature facilities for water skiing, wakeboarding as well as new pool facilities. As if you needed another reasons to enjoy Red Sea holidays this year?

The 90,000m² area, known as the Sliders Cablepark will feature two parks, for beginners and youngsters to get to grips with wakeboarding in the red sea. This is where sliders and kickers come in. (No, we didn’t really know what they were either!) It will be the place for water skiers, wake boarders and wake skaters to really put their skills to work.

If you prefer to relax, the Malibu Beach Club will feature two large sun terraces, a beach club, pool and spa, while in the evening the club turns into a party zone with DJs from all over Europe.

And the best bit? Thanks to the wonderful weather in El Gouna, the complex, aided by floodlights will stay open all year around.

Click here to find out more about holidays in El Gouna from Purple Travel.

The hobbit plane arrives

Nov 27 2012

First, we had Hobbit health and safety, then we had secret tours of the Shire, now we’ve got the Hobbit Jumbo Jet. As fans around the world gear up for the next JRR Tolkien masterpiece, Air New Zealand (now known as the official airline of Middle Earth) has gone one better with its dedicated Hobbit plane. The airline launched its special Boeing 777 has been dressed up with images from the film.

New Zealand is going all out to celebrate the launch of the new Peter Jackson film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Wellington has been renamed Middle of Middle Earth, and the city is gripped by Hobbit fever as are we!

And if that’s not exciting enough, here’s what the new Hobbit trailer looks like.

The Hobbit is released in the UK on Dec 13th.

Foodie Corner: Where to find the best gelato Rome

Nov 27 2012

This is not simply going for ice cream, this is gelato. It’s a much richer and smoother treat that the ice lollies we’ve all had as children. It’s made by churning, it’s not whipped and the richness brings out the flavour for an intense ice creamy experience.

Oh, and it’s not just available in any old shop; you have to make a trip especially to a gelateria. It’s nice to go in the evening (but of course any time of day suits us!) Take a passeggiata stroll, choose your flavours and let your taste buds thank us later.

Get licked with our 7 picks for the best gelato Rome

Della Palma, Via della Maddalena 19, 00186 Rome

With flavours you might not even know existed, Della Palma is a firm favourite amongst tourists and locals alike. It’s not just serving delicious gelato in a magnificent setting, but is an absolute feast for the eyes too.

San Crispino, via della Panetteria, 42, 00187 Rome

San Crispino’s delicious gelato incorporates diverse flavours like whiskey and meringue. So popular, it’s actually spawned its own franchise around the city, so this one won’t be hard to find.

Giolitti, Via Uffici del Vicario 40, 00186 Rome

If politicians in Italy stop for ice cream, this must be where they do it. A stone’s throw from the famous Pantheon, it’s practically next door to the chambers of the Italian parliament. Proudly open 365 days a year until 1.30 in the morning, you’ll be able to visit whenever you’re next in Rome.

Gelateria I Caruso, Via Collina 13/15

This might be Rome’s best kept gelato secret! You’ll likely find a queue trailing right out the door, even early in the morning when suited business men and women flock for the pistachio flavour, which gets rave reviews. It even had a visit from Michelle Obama when she took her daughters out for ice cream during the G8 summit.

Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi, Via Principe Eugenio, 65, 00185 Rome

Claiming the title of the oldest gelateria in Italy, the traditional shop first opened its doors in 1880. It’s well worth a visit for the great prices and generous portions. The ice cream is made in the traditional way and the memorabilia on the walls tell a great story as you wait your turn being served the best gelato Rome.

Al Settimo Gelo, Via Vodice 21a, 00195 Rome

This is usually included in lists of best gelato in Rome and it’s easy to see why. The staff are friendly, they roast and grind their own nuts and other ingredients on site and it’s all organic. You’ll find the usual flavours like strawberry and caramel, but we think the chocolate mixed with hot peppers is the one to go for.

Fatmorgana, Via Lago di Lesina 9/11, 00199 Rome

These gelatos pack a punch with their flavours. Not only have they perfected the traditional chocolate or vanilla ones, but makers at Fatmorgana go the extra mile with pear and gorgonzola cheese, or celery and lime gelatos.

So, when in Rome…

Gelato image via @ Fortes

Purple Hearts… Paris for Lovers

Nov 26 2012

The city of lovers, the city of light, the city home of the Mona Lisa. Here’s the Purple Travel guide to Paris for Lovers: the ultimate guide on where to stay, what to see and how best to enjoy the French capital. Paris is a city filled with sights and sounds of hundreds of years dedicated to the arts and music, haute cuisine and haute couture and you’d be hard pressed in living there for many years to see it all.

For the big stuff, the Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs, Notre Dame and the Pantheon (among many others) we suggest the Paris Museum Pass. A pre paid ticket that gets you into over 70 museums across the city. It’s also worth remembering, most museums are closed on either Monday or Tuesday, so check before you go.

With so many sights it can get a little overwhelming, if you want to stay a little more off the beaten track, then here is our top five ‘other’ things to do in Paris.

A Night Less Ordinary: Toilet Hotel Japan

Nov 23 2012

In this weekly series, we scour the world in search of the most weird and wonderful hotels. From cave hotels to converted prisons, capsule pods to underwater guestrooms, you can expect only the unexpected. This week, our number one choice is this Toilet Hotel Japan.

What’s the gimmick? Where else can one enjoy room service while on the toilet than in Japan? The Nakanoshima Hotel (a.k.a. the world’s worst honeymoon idea) is a small, but luxurious, fully functioning public bathroom. Located in downtown Osaka, fenced by two rushing rivers, this one-room facility boasts an ivory-sheeted bed, a stylish desk, fresh-cut flowers and a prominent opening in the wall marked with a male figure on the right and female on the left. Through this opening, a stream of citizens flow in hopes of emptying their bladders.

You should read: Top weird ways to travel on holiday

Why stay? Stay if the idea of waking up to a cleaner mopping up urine from the tiles is intriguing to you. This hotel is less a place to spend an uncomfortable night and more a piece of tongue-in-cheek public art. Crafted by Tatzu Nishi (the guy who put a room six storeys high in New York’s Columbus statue), the hotel is his celebration of the everyman’s commode. On the other hand, it is thoroughly disinfected and designed to be comfortable even though you can still hear people using the toilet in the other side of the wall.

The Wow Factor: Although this is the part in which we usually tell of high-class spas and ultra snazzy decor, this is a toilet for God’s sake, there’s not really much of a wow going on here…

You should read: A Night Less Ordinary : Boot Bed ‘n’ Breakfast

Holiday vitamins and supplements

Nov 22 2012

From time to time, we all need a little bit of help in terms of health, beauty and general well-being. During your holiday, your choice of vitamins and supplements should fit accordingly. Does your skin need extra protection? Do you find yourself allergic to foreign cuisine? Find which supplements you should take away with you by completing our quiz…

Click here to see the quiz

Happy Thanksgiving: Awesome Pictures USA

Nov 22 2012

To celebrate one of America’s biggest holidays, we’ve put together some of our favourite places to see in the good old US of A. We’d love to hear your favourites in the comments section. And of course, a big happy holidays to everyone who is giving thanks today! Enjoy our awesome pictures USA.

Call us now on 0207 993 9228 to book an amazing cheap holiday to the USA.

The Bean in Chicago, image via Creative Commons @ Dan Perry

Las Vegas, image via Creative Commons @ Moyan Brenn

New York City, image via Creative Commons @Jahborgs

Ruby Falls, Tennessee, image via Creative Commons @ NatalieLucier

San Francisco, image via Creative Commons @ BG3

Florida Keys, via Creative Commons @ Jim

Grand Canyon, via Creative Commons @ Moyan Brenn

Purple 10 Signs you need a holiday

Nov 21 2012

Purple 10 signs you need a holiday … If you answer yes to any of these it’s official. You need a holiday. Visit Purple Travel to find out more.

The weather: It’s only been a few months since summer that was summer right? But already the rain is putting a frown on that face of yours. Jet off to some sunshine for a quick fix in Tenerife.

Rainy Day via @ 4Neus

You are always the last one to leave the office: You’re there until eight or later every night and you’re first in. Getting burnt out with work won’t make your career go any better. Take a load off on a sun kissed beach in Majorca.

Getting a lungful: City life, smokey atmospheres and constant commuting can leave your body tired. Take at least 72 hours of fresh air to give your whole lungs a new lease of life. Head for clear air on the island of Mykonos.

Fresh air via @ Jurijus Azanovas

You didn’t get a holiday this year: What? Are you crazy? Nothing but work all year will leave your senses a little duller and you’ll be gasping for air. Take advantage of the prices now for a holiday you can look forward to. How about splashing the cash in Vegas?

No holiday this year via @ danielJordahl

Give the kids a break: Two words: Mickey Mouse. Give your children the holiday of a lifetime with a visit to the Magic Kingdom.

Kids at disney via @ serena_in_va

Too pale: Stop getting tangoed, a little bit of gentle sunshine (please don’t forget the suncream) will leave you with a healthy golden glow, perfect ahead of that Christmas party. Soak up the sun in the Maldives.

Too pale via @ Schatz

Crying at holiday ads: You see an ad for a beautiful beach and it brings a tear to your eye, your friends’ bikini pics on facebook turn you into a simpering wreck. You need a holiday! Head for the sun soaked beaches of Turkey.

Crying via @ WikiCommons

Brain drain: Do you finish each day feeling brain fried? Let your mind wander as you soak up the sights and the sunshine of the awesome city of Dubai.

Brain drain via @ BaileyRaeWeaver

Bags under your eyes: Just like when you’re a bit too pale, bags under your eyes are a dead giveaway that you need a break. Relax on some of the legendary beaches of Gran Canaria, where you’re almost guaranteed sunshine all year around.

Eye bags via @ Derrick T

That look: People in the street have started stopping you to ask you, are you alright? You look rough, you’ve been working/stressing too much. You need a break. Relax to the sound of Caribbean rhythms in Mexico.

Image via @ vauvau

Amazing Days Out: Heart Attack Grill

Nov 19 2012

If your idea of heaven is a burger, topped with cheese, onions and bacon, and another burger topped with cheese, onions and bacon… and another burger, topped with cheese, onion and bacon and so on, then a trip to the calorific Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas is the place to be.

This is a merciless assault on the arteries, offering Single Bypass Burger®, Double Bypass Burger®, Triple Bypass Burger®, Quadruple Bypass Burger®. The biggest, (the quadruple) is made of four half pound meat burgers, eight slices of cheese and 16 slices of bacon. Oh and the bun is layered in lard. The name might have started jokingly, but people have actually had heart attacks eating here.

The restaurant is a kind of play on the infamous over-consumption found in the States and its founder, John Basso says it’s “nutritional pornography… food so bad for you it is shocking.”

Image via @ ejh

The whole place is kitted out like a hospital, complete with busty waitresses dressed as nurses who hand out prescriptions and for anyone who can’t quite make it through their huge orders, they’ll smack their bottoms with a wooden paddle. We are not even kidding! Some of our Purple Travel staff visited last year and saw it with their own eyes.

In April 2012, the Guinness World Records awarded the HAG with the official title for the … Most calorific burger Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas includes in its menu the 1.444kg (3lb 2.94oz) Quadruple Bypass Burger® packing 9,982 calories. It is 6.91 calories per gram (195.95 calories per ounce) makes it the world’s most calorific burger as verified by Guinness World Records. How do they celebrate? By developing new burgers, like the Octuple Bypass Burger™ as well as other treats like the Coronary Dog™, Butterfat Milkshakes™.

You’ll find Heart Attack Grill at 450 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.

Archive - November 2012

Travel News: Alessandra Ambrosio photoshoot