1. Beers, booze and more beer! Our 10 kick ass European party cities got lots of love this year.
Image via @ Ze Warren
2. Looking good in a bikini is always a top priority! Get swimwear ready with our Bikini Files Guide: The Ultimate Bikini Diet Plan.
3. Test your knowledge of the best Ibiza Superclubs! They’re all there, Privilege and Space to Ibiza Rocks. Which one will you visit this year?
Image via @ Bombman
Huge jumbo jet, tiny runway. Despite all the technology involved, some planes still land in the wrong place. This exact thing happened in November 2013, when a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter landed at a tiny airport in Kansas, 8 miles from its original destination. New pilots were brought in and the flight was (just about) able to take off the next day.
Predict the weather with plane trails. The little white lines in the sky that planes leave behind will tell you if it’s about to rain. If the con trails are thick, long last tails indicate a storm is on the way, while thin, short lasting tails suggest decent weather.
LAX was once shut down over a haircut. Los Angeles International Airport had two runways shutdown for an hour when a hair stylist was called to Air Force One, to give then President Bill Clinton a short, back and sides. That’s one of our absolute favourite facts about flying!
You don’t get drunk faster in the air. Contrary to popular belief, Mythbusters asked an ‘alcohol expert’ who said your alcohol level doesn’t increase, but you can get higher levels of hypoxi. That’s less oxygen in your blood. The symptoms are similar to drunkenness, but that’s no excuse!
Pilots don’t eat the same meals. It’s one of those just-in-case things. It’s not exactly forbidden by airlines, but it is discouraged.
Flying is incredibly safe. Even though aviophobia, fear of flying is very common, the risk of dying in a commercial flight varies, but it is well over 1 in 5 million. Safe enough if you ask us.
If you’re still scared. Statistics say the back of the airplane is safer than the front. In over half of 20 crashes surveyed, passengers at the back had a better rate of survival.
A plane lands somewhere in the world every 3 seconds. In the US alone, around 87,000 planes take off every single day. Don’t believe us? Take a look at flight tracker to see what’s in the air right now.
You can’t get stuck on an airplane toilet. The 2002 news story about a woman trapped on a toilet for two hours because of the vacuum suction was announced as a myth. In reality the flush button is behind the lid, so it’s not possible to push it while you’re doing your business.
Don’t bother with tea. Sorry, but it’s impossible to make a good cup of tea on a flight. Air pressure is reduced, so water boils at 90 degrees, so it’s never quite hot enough for a proper brew.
Do you have anymore facts about flying? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.
If visiting a real Jurassic Park is high on your bucket list, then listen up? Ok we wouldn’t exactly call Palmersaurus a real Jurassic Park, but it’s the next best thing.
Image via @ PalmercoolumResort
Newly opened, the Australian dinosaur theme park is home to 160 life size robot prehistoric delights, ranging from 22 metres long, to 10 metres tall. There are velociraptors, T-rexs and lots of other ancient carnivores come to life.
The dino theme park is the work of a billionaire mining boss, who’s recently been elected an MP. Clive Palmer is also responsible for an exact replica of the Titanic, aimed at tourists from China. The park rubs shoulders with a luxury golf resort and spa next door, so it really is a culture clash!
Image via @ PalmercoolumResort
Scary or not? Take a look for yourself.
Enjoy our top tips on the best swimsuit care with our expert fashion tips.
Laundering a Bikini
It is always a good idea to follow the instructions on the care label of your bikini or swimsuit. As a rule of thumb, hand washed in cool water and a mild detergent will help to preserve the elasticity in your swimsuit as well as preventing piling. It is a method that will also protect delicate detailing like sequins and other embellishments. Avoid putting your swim suit in the dryer, as not only can this damage the strings of your costume but they can also cause damage to the dryer itself. Instead, lay the bikini or one-piece flat to dry and in the correct shape. Designer swimwear should be washed as soon after exposure to salt and chlorine as possible. A small amount of delicate soap/detergent should be used to make sure your swimsuit keeps its original appearance.
Protecting a Bikini
If you’re planning to go in a hot tub on while on holiday, it’s advisable to wear an older bikini. The heat and chemicals can cause the colours to fade or run if the swimsuit is new and hasn’t been washed before. Fading can also occur if the swimsuit is exposed to long-term sun. Long heat exposure can also compromise the elasticity of the fabric. Sitting on surfaces can also cause damage to the bikinis fabric. To prevent this, place a towel between the bikini and the surface, for example sand or a pebbly beach.
Buying swimwear
Choose swimwear that is flattering and functional on your summer vacation. Swimwear with good support is important for all body types and helps you to feel super confident. There are swimsuits to support, lift and hide those troublesome areas like bust, bums and tums. When considering the right type, use our simple swimsuit guide and remember to pick a swimsuit to suit your body shape and the amount of skin you feel comfortable flaunting to look your best poolside this summer.
Author Bio:
Article written by Faria Ahmad, Ecommerce Executive at Heidi Klein. heidi klein is the one-stop destination holiday shop offering the perfect holiday wardrobe from luxury swimsuits and designer maxis to beauty products.
To view the heidi klein swimwear collection visit: http://www.heidiklein.com/swimwear/
Christmas time around the world is celebrated according to local traditions and every family has their own little quirks. For many though, what makes it really special is the Christmas Food! When families take their seats for Christmas dinner, they feast their eyes on a variety of mouthwatering favourites. In our house it includes Spiced beef! Every house is different though, so we’ve taken a look at some Christmas food favourites from all over the world… Share yours in comments below!
1. Germany – Roast goose with red cabbage. Simple, but carefully arranged (as always!) the Christmas table in Germany combines the meat with vegetables and of course potatoes, a Germans’ favourite!
One of the most beautiful and unique beaches in the world is found where else but on the warm shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The Sicily Turkish Steps are on the coast of the beautiful Italian Island and offer a one-off experience on great Sicily holidays. The rocky cliff face is famous for its unusual colouring, the bright white, which derives from sedimentary rocks and sits between two beautiful, sandy beaches. Visitors and locals are impressed alike when standing at this gorgeous piece of Sicilian coast.
Images via @ Wim Kristel, Sandy Kirchlechner,
We are talking about the stunning Scala dei Turchi, the English translation of which is Turkish steps. This superb geological formation is one of the most popular places to visit in Sicily. The first thing you’ll see when reaching the area is high rocks of white colour in the shape of steps and crowds of people lying and soaking up the sun, while others are swimming in the turquoise waters underneath. The beach is mainly famous for its natural sun loungers made of limestone and overlooking the sea and Africa, as well as the stunning natural landscape of Sicily.
There can be numerous benefits of resort hotels. They offer the best in get-away fun without the hassle of planning every detail. These facilities cater to those who just want to relax and enjoy being pampered for a while, no matter what country they’re in. Staying at resorts is especially helpful if you don’t speak the native language and are unsure of exploring on your own. Safety, convenience and fun are the keys to a great resort, and the memories you make there will last a lifetime.
Ready-made adventure
Whether you want to ride a zipline through the jungle, snorkel in the ocean or ski through the snow, resort hotels can make it happen. Their adventure packages make it easy to fulfill your dreams of the ultimate getaway. Most resorts also offer customizable options to their adventure menus, so you can pick and choose what you want each day. The facilities are often located close to the adventure site, and they either take care of all the arrangements or actually provide the staff supervising the activities, so you feel safe in trusting them with the details.
A resort stay means you can have a break from reality.
Days of fun, just one bill
Although resorts offer a host of activities plus spas, restaurants, clubs, lounges, golf courses and more, everything is connected digitally with in-house accounting. This means no matter where you go on the property, you’ll usually just have one bill to deal with at the end of your holiday. You can also opt for pre-paid services as well if you want to enjoy a resort holiday yet stay within your budget.
Image via @ ReneS
1. National Finals Rodeo
Where: Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, USA
When: First week of December
People might say that Las Vegas is a festival itself, as it’s a place where the lights never go out. However, if you opt for a December trip to Las Vegas, you’ ll have the chance to personally experience the 10-day National Finals Rodeo, a.k.a. Rodeo Superbowl. The festival involves, the top 15 rodeo cowboys who compete each other, claiming prizes up to $5.5 million!
Image via @ globeseeker
2. Quema del Diablo (Burning the Devil)
Where: Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala
When: December 7th
According to local tradition the Devil lurks in house corners, under every bed and in the garbage bins. Therefore, on 7th December of every year the locals clean their houses and streets, setting the garbage on fire at 6 o’clock in the evening. Usually, on top of the burning pile they also throw a figure of the Devil. Certainly an unusual addition to our list of December festivals.
Image via @ Box of Badgers
Image via @ IdleFormat
We’re nothing if not helpful here at Purple Travel, so make the most of your Greek holiday with our favourite facts about Crete.
#1 It’s said to be the birthplace of the supreme god Zeus. Legend has it; Zeus’ mother Rhea hid the newborn baby in a cave so he wouldn’t be killed by his father Cronus.
#2 It can be walked in 50 days. Well, if you follow the route of Belgian hiker Ivan Van Driesche. He decided to walk around the island as a fundraiser for stray animals and he did it in exactly 50 days.
#3 Crete has thousands of miles of beaches, making it an unparalleled choice for sun worshippers. There are lots of options for surfing or sunbathing, naturist beaches or scuba diving.
#4 A study in 1980 by Ancel Keys revealed that Crete is the healthiest country in the world and philosopher Hippocrates said the air of Crete has healing properties; this is a legend that continues today.
#5 It was Crete where Icarus, who flew too close to the sun, was from. Kept in prison by King Minos, he escaped with wings made from feathers and wax, but, unfortunately for him, he flew too close to the burning rays of the sun, his wings melted and he drowned in the sea.
#6 Many people in Crete own guns, but don’t worry it’s mostly for celebration reasons, especially at weddings.
#7 Crete is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, with remnants found that date back to 7 million BC.
For more information or to book cheap holidays in Crete talk to the experts at Purple Travel now.
There are so many festivals these days that Purple Travel just had to help and show you the best festivals going on this year and we’ve picked Ibiza Rocks as one of our best for 2014. Irresistible HAIM or indie The 1975, what’s it gonna be? Well, why not both? Our favourite Ibiza Rocks has just announced its stunning line up for June 2014. So, get ready for the frenziest of festivals opening parties in the Rocks’ history!
The so-hip-it-hurts girl band HAIM from California is performing at Ibiza Rocks 2014 on 4th June and the crowd will get the chance to shake up with the sound of the band’s debut album “Days Are Gone”. These amazing girls are the winners of BBC Sound of 2013 and have already shared the scene with Florence & The Machine and Mumford & Sons. Anticipation is reaching fever pitch!
A week after, June 11th – same place, Mancunian group The 1975 will make music bunnies go bananas, playing their addictive indie pop hits Chocolate, The City and Sex out loud! Stay tuned to the Purple Travel blog for more Festival 2014 lineups soon. Don’t put it off, book you summer 2014 holiday to Ibiza with Purple Travel for the best deal!