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Twilight holidays, the weirdest thing ever?

Jul 12 2013

If you’re a twihard, like us, then here are some holidays you might want to to think about. From the rolling hills of Ireland to the breathtaking landscapes
of Italy, we’ve got the top trips for Twilight holidays.

Olympic Coven, Forks, Washington, USA

Home to the Cullens, Edward, with added Bella, Carlisle and Esme and (of course!) the newest edition, Renesmee, Forks has become a haven for Twilight fans. Of course, starting off with a Twilight tour is a must. A trip to Seattle nearby is a great family friendly choice; you can even visit the famous Space Needle, while Forks’ national park shows off the setting that inspired Stephanie Meyer.

Volturi Coven, Tuscany, Italy

Romance is alive and well in Tuscany of course, even if you don’t see much niceness from the Volturi themselves. Volterra is the home of the vampire royalty who’ve lived there for over 3000 years, enforcing their strict code of conduct. It might be home to a fictional vampire elite, but don’t let that put you off. It’s one of the most popular places in Europe to get married (think summer evenings, eating outdoors, fireworks and olive groves,) while the show stopping scenery and long, lazy days surrounded by sunshine and pasta make for a totally laidback holiday.

Egyptian Coven, somewhere in Egypt

Egypt might reveal vampires pretty quickly – with all that sunshine, you couldn’t help but sparkle. For non-vamps, the historic homeland of one of Twilight’s oldest clans is an unbelievably beautiful experience. From snorkelling the clear waters of the Red Sea, to discovering the ancient historic sights of the King and Queens valleys.

Denali Coven, Alaska, USA

The Denalis are the Cullens’ closest friends and the only other known ‘vegetarian’ clan. Found in the wilds of Alaska, the Denalis must be making the most of the 67 days of night found in the northern American state. The untouched landscape and a trip to the (aptly named) Denali National Park, mean you can get close to nature and hike to your heart’s content.

Amazon Coven, Brazil

The ultimate in honeymoon destinations, Rio is where Edward and Bella kicked off their first holiday after their wedding and the stars Robert Pattinson and Kirsten Stewart were the star attraction when they filmed there. The secretive Amazon coven, stays out of the way of humans, but you probably don’t need to worry about that. There’s a whole country worth of sights, sounds and smells to soak up in this Latin American gem.

Dublin, Ireland

Ireland Ireland’s capital city Dublin is a great introduction to the home of the Irish Coven with the vampires Maggie and Siobhan. It’s got that legendary nightlife, which is always helpful for vampires who are used to not sleeping. Head to the coast, either West or South, for the hip towns of Galway or Cork and indulge in some of the finest ‘craic’ this side of the Atlantic.

In Pictures: 6 Reasons To Love The Fourth of July

Jul 04 2013

Arguably the biggest holiday of the US calendar, July 4^th is a celebration of the Founding Fathers, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Here’s why you should get in the swing and celebrate Independence Day!

Because… New York City’s Fourth of July celebration fireworks show uses 22 tonnes alone. That’s pretty cool to us

Image via @ Matthew Straubmuller

Because… Parades look like this

Parade image via @ chumlee

Because… Food competitions and it’s big brother, food fighting

Food fight image via @ usaghumphreys

Because… Pool party, beach party, picnic party

Image via @ Yotut

Because… Katy Perry gets dressed up like this

Because… Eat a burger, cake, beer or cocktail. As many as you like. It’s a holiday

Purple Tips: Best Summer Cocktails

Jul 03 2013

If there’s a beach bar or cocktail that you’ve been raving about, share it with us in the comments section below! Enjoy our tips for the best summer cocktails and where you can enjoy them.

1. Tiki Beach Cocktail & Music Bar, Benidorm Busy AND fantastic and slap, bang on the boulevard of the Levante Beach in Benidorm. Have a cool and sophisticated Sangria on its sunny terrace and soak up as much Spanish sunshine as you can.

Image via @ Bastien

2. Azul Lounge, Tulum, Mexico Tequila, lime and a beautiful view. Where else to enjoy this lovely summer drink than in Riviera Maya’s own Azul Lounge in Tulum.

Margarita via @ mnapoleon

3. Daiquiri Palace, Magaluf Enjoy a delicious Daiquiri in a variety of flavours in the Daiquiri Palace in legendary Magaluf to get ahead for a brilliant night out in some of its famous clubs.

Image via @ The Hungry Australian

4. Blue Marlin, Ibiza This could just be the best Mojito of your life, (apart from actually visiting Cuba) on this amazing beach bar on Cala Jonda. It comes with a pretty decent sunset too.

Image via @ Wikicommons

5. Little Ochie, Manchester, Jamaica Perfect if you fancy indulging in some great seafood, this ramshackle little bar offers a true taste of local life, with plenty of great fish on the side. Enjoy some epic food with a Big Bamboo or a Dirty Banana.

Image via @ David Berkowitz

6. Cavalieri Hotel, Corfu Climb up to the top floor of this town-house styled hotel and get a look in at the exceptional roof garden, where delicious cocktails are served. Try a sophisticated Barbecue Bourbon Bloody Mary with a view of the Old Fortress.

Image via @ kthread

7. Lighthouse Beach Bar, Paphos Situated along Lighthouse Beach in Paphos, the Lighthouse Beach Bar is the best place to chill out with a mouthwatering Zombie cocktail.

Image via @ Stewart

8. Hula Hula Beach Bar, Hvar, Croatia Enjoy a pina colada in the footsteps of Beyonce and Jay-Z, apparently they’ve been seen stopping at the Hula Hula Bar and indulging in a drink or two. If it’s good enough for them…

Pina Colada via @ Advencap

Purple 10 really weird museums

Jun 19 2013

A spy museum, all you’ve ever wanted to know about toilets and real life samples from Big Foot, we’ve got 10 really weird museums from around the world for your pleasure.

Want to become a spy? Actually, can we just ask, who doesn’t? Well, now you can, for a day anyway, at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC, USA. We’re talking gadgets, code breaking and generally being a bit James Bond as you learn about the history of secret agents and get to grips with a life of espionage.
Iceland’s Phallological Museum in Reykjavik, is as the name suggests all about biology and takes it very seriously too. It is home to a collection of more than 215 penis specimens from various mammals found in the wild all over the island including a walrus, a rogue polar bear, a whale. There are also four examples from humans, but we didn’t ask where they came from.
We always hear of the priceless art found in countless cities throughout the world, but what about the bad stuff? The Museum of Bad Art in Boston claims to be the only one of its kind in the world. Featuring art that’s ‘too bad to be ignored’ it features plenty of paintings of dodgy blue people, symbols that don’t mean much and some weird uses of nudity.
For all you’ve ever wanted to know about the humble toilet, you could do worse than the International Museum of Toilets in New Delhi. The curators tell us: ‘the toilet is a part of the history of human hygiene which is a critical chapter in the growth of civilisation.’
Athens is well known for its museums filled with thousands of years of artefacts that document the birthplace of science and democracy. We like the Tactual Museum, where you’re actively encouraged to touch everything. There are all kinds of replicas, statues and frescoes that you can get up close and personal with.
The Hair Museum of Avanos in Cappadocia, Turkey is a fairly simple idea, but definitely one of the most bizarre things you’ll see. In a room under an unassuming pottery shop, you’ll find caves covered with a collection of over 16,000 locks of hair from women from all over the world. It’s free to enter, and women can leave a lock of their own if they want.
For the latest information and conjecture on the likes of Big Foot, the Montauk Monster, or the Abominable Snowman, then the Cryptozoology Museum, in Portland, USA is a good place to start. It claims to have ‘actual samples’ of hair and unique pieces of evidence from mythical creatures from all over the world.
Your green fingers will start tingling when you hear about the British Lawnmower Museum. As you would expect, it’s dedicated to all things grass cutting and is home to specialised gardening machines, vintage lawnmowers and all manner of parts and conservation materials from all over the world. A truly British experience.
If you’ve got a weak stomach, it might be best to skip the Paris Sewer Museum. You’re guided through the tunnels and pummelled by historical and factual information about the famous underground areas that have featured in French literature including Les Miserables and Phantom Of The Opera.
Love chips? So do we and so do the Belgians apparently, if the Friet Museum is anything to go by. The ground floor offers a 10,000 year potted history of the humble spud and it’s development into the tasty chip we know and love today.

You should read… Amazing Days Out: Pig Museum Stuttgart

Love the sky at night? You’ll love dark sky holidays

Jun 11 2013

Image via @ Christopher.Michel

If you fancy yourself a little bit of an amateur astronomer, then we’ve got just the bit of news for you. A new craze is sweeping the tourism industry, for dark sky getaways. We’re not talking about space travel, (although that is a growing industry!) we mean places with reduced light pollution, away from the glare of street lamps and cars where you can really see the skies at night. Here are a couple of top tips for your star gazing holiday.

Image via @ jason jenkins

La Palma, Canary Islands La Palma has a local law called Sky Law, a money saving initiative that stalls pollution, radiation and outdoor lighting and therefore encourages dark sky holidays. The island is also home to the Roque de los Muchachose Observatory. It’s renowned in the Northern Hemisphere for some of the best views of the night sky with consistently cloudless skies making for almost guaranteed sights.

Provence, France You’ll find an astronomy farmhouse where the owner Olly will take you through the nebulae and galaxies far, far away. The owners even offer you the chance for sophisticated space photography with no experience necessary.

Image via @ Phillip Chee

Wadi Rum, Jordan the ancient historical Bedouin Camp, offers Arabic banquets and al fresco beds, as you gaze skywards. A perfect opportunity to take in the vast twinkling lights, away from any light or air pollution. You’ll also be surrounded by the stunning ancient sites of Jordan to fill your days as well as your nights with wonder.

Spain El Milano Real Hotel near Madrid offers guided sessions in Spanish and English of the skies above. With little air or light pollution and an observatory with a 250mm telescope mirror. For anyone serious about dark sky holidays, this is certainly one to consider.

The Most Amazing Travel Photos You Will See Today

Jun 10 2013

National Geographic’s 2013 Traveler Photo Contest is on and we’ve been sneaking a peek at some of the amazing pictures sent in from all over the world. Showcasing the natural beauty of the world, stunning portraits of people, spontaneous moments and gorgeous landscapes, it’s a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul.

The competition is open to professional or amateur photographers who can submit their own entries until June 30th. See all the pictures from this years competition here, in the meantime we’ve picked out a couple of our favourites below.

Photo and caption by Fevzi DINTAS. This photograph was taken at Lipe Island in Thailand. Long exposure used and selective colours adjusted. Location: Lipe-Hat Yai, THAILAND

Photo and caption by vafa adib. Carpet for sale by beach vendor. Location: Mexico, Puerto Vallarta.

Photo and caption by Jennifer Holmes Beamer. While traveling through Tasmania, we took a detour to find this spectacular lavender field. After a soothing meander among endless fields of fragrant lavender we were ready for a nap in the red soil. Location: Tasmania Australia.

Photo and caption by Jasminder Singh Oberai. A boy in Nandgaon was playing Holi with his friends. I alongwith some friends was shooting the village side during holi and spotted him. He ran inside his house trying to avoid us. We stayed right outside his house waiting for him to emerge. Patience paid off very soon and he peeped from behind the door, smiled and vanished again. This moment was enough for us to capture this portrait. Location: Nandagaon, Uttar Pradesh, India

Photo and caption by Paul Oeschger. At the end of my last day of snorkeling in Kauai, I came upon this green sea turtle. It was the most amazing turtle I saw all week. Not only did it seem unfazed by my presence in the water, it actually kept swimming up to me, almost as if it was asking to have its portrait taken. I love underwater photography, something I didn’t discover until 25 years after I first picked up a camera. It’s a joy to experience the beauty of the sea and the life in it through snorkeling and photography. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors. Location: Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Photo and caption by Pei-Chen Sung. She’s lying easily on the grass, within her mind’s absence, I captured this beautiful portrait. Location: Domaine de Boisbuchet, France

Photo and caption by Herschel Pollard. Amelia Island, Florida Camera: Zero Image 69 Pinhole, f/235 Film: Expired Kodak Portra 100T Exposure: About 5 seconds. Location: Amelia Island, Florida.

Anchorman 2, it’s kind of a big deal at this Museum

Jun 07 2013

Finally! Ron Burgundy’s amazing commitment to quality journalism is about to be recognised with a dedicated exhibition in Washington DC. Anchorman: The Exhibit will open on November 14.

The Newseum in partnership with Paramount Pictures is opening the special exhibit ahead of the long awaited sequel, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. The original film starring Will Ferrell, Cristina Applegate and Steve Carell became a huge hit and one of the most quotable films of recent years. Fans of the film will get to see props, like Burgundy’s jazz flute and the whip used in that rival anchormen fight scene. The costumes worn by the Channel 4 Evening News Team will feature and visitors can check out a re-creation of the KVWN-TV anchor desk and set. If you’re a budding Burgundy, you can even step in front of the camera yourself, just be careful no one adds a question mark to your auto cue. We’re also hoping it’ll be filled with leather bound books and smell of rich mahogany. Ron Burgundy himself is delighted with the dedication: ‘I’m literally trapped in a glass case of emotion.’ The trailer for Anchorman 2 is a hint at what to expect: Find more information on the Anchorman Exhibition at the Newseum website.

Purple 10: Food in Greece

Jun 05 2013

From the freshest fruit and vegetables to mountains of cheese, perfectly grilled meats and desserts dripping with honey, Greece knows its food. Here’s what you should eat on your next holiday to the Mainland or the famous Greek Islands. Enjoy our Purple Travel guide to the best food in Greece.

Feta via @ Grongar

Greek Salad via @ Roger.salzGyros via @ Burger Baroness

Grilled Octopus via @ Klearchos Kapoutsis

Pastitsio via @ Wikicommons

Stuffed Vine Leaves via @ Avlxyz

Tzatziki via @ traaf

Frappe via @ Avlxyz

Loukoumades via @ Wikicommons

Bougatsa via @ wikicommons

Hot Swimwear Trends for Spring/Summer 2013

Jun 04 2013

This is a guest post by Faria Ahmad at heidi klein.

Like all aspects of fashion, swimwear trends change year on year and this year is no different, as we are once again spoilt for choice with a huge range of bold and bright, girly, boho and classic styles. Get the inside track on the best bikinis for summer 2013 from the experts at heidi klein.

Bold & Brights

Expect to find sleek black swimsuits, but with a neon twist. This extra detailing is fun and flirty for the summer season as well as super flattering. This darker palette can also be spotted with funky white chevron patterns for a little poolside punk rock. Classic styles like the one piece will also have a makeover this season, with vintage 50s inspired prints and watercolour effects. Could it be the Mad Men effect?

Keep an eye out for digital prints this season too – they’re everywhere, taking inspiration from spring and summer outerwear trends. Expect to find floral and animal prints alongside skylines and other bold images. Mixing and matching your prints oozes an eclectic, fun summer vibe.

Brights via @ heidiklein

Girly

It’s nice to see the return of flirty and feminine swimsuits – ruffles, checks, bows and hot pinks come as standard at the beach this season. Ruffles are also super flattering for curvy frames as they highlight silhouettes in all the right places. Expect to find pink neon crochet too, combing girly trends as well as a tick in the bold and brights box.

You Should Read… More By heidi klein

Classic

With style and function the classic convertible bandeau is great for switching from water sports activities to bathing without the fear of tan lines. Again, reflecting some of the other season’s trends: muted greens paired with green crochet fabric makes an appearance as well as baby blue girly bows, lending a sweet touch to classic bikini cuts, alongside, the all American red, white and blue one-pieces.

Image via @ heidiklein

Boho

Of course, boho wouldn’t be boho without the tie-dye! Make sure a tie-dye bikini is at the top of your packing list this summer. They are making an appearance in all the classic bikini shapes, so mix it up a little with lots of light floaty layers.

Mosaic prints are in vogue at the moment, so getting your hands on one of these bikinis will definitely help you to stand out on the beach this summer in all the right ways. We love a mosaic print as an alternative to the florals that we saw during Spring/Summer 2012.

If you’re after original, keep an eye out for side cutouts in tribal prints – this cut lets you show a bit of skin whilst keeping to the silhouette of a traditional one piece. If you want to tone the hippy vibe down a little, opt for a classic strappy cut in mosaic prints.

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 swimwear to designer kaftans and maxi dresses.

Infographic: Just Beachy

May 20 2013

Find out more about some of the best and most unusual beaches in the world in our brand new infographic.

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