Search Results for “Cait” – Purple Travel Official Blog

Purple 10 December Holiday Ideas

Nov 14 2013

Where is hot in December? We’ve compiled our list of the best holidays in December so you can soak up the sun and start the new year with the best tan.
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai 26C Exotic, hot and amazing shopping. Dubai is the perfect December holiday choice. Bring the kids, go for high tea in the Burj Khalifa and try not to laugh too much at anyone who’s stuck at home.

Image via @ bryangeek

Funchal, Madeira 18C One of Europe’s best kept secrets, Madeira is a lush, green island with great beaches and friendly people. December holidays in Madeira are especially good thanks to its excellent New Years Eve Party.

Image via @ valtergouveia

Cancun, Mexico 28C Beaches, beaches, beaches and more beaches. Mexico and the entire Caribbean is truly beautiful anytime of year, but there’s nothing quite as nice as sunning yourself on a brilliant white beach and thinking of the snow back home. Book a cheap December holiday in Mexico now with Purple Travel.

Image via @ jhetzel

Red Sea Resort, Egypt 22C Take your pick of golden beaches, excellent hotels, diving amongst tropical reefs or history come to life on a December holiday to Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada or Marsa Alam.

Image via @ dkeats

Costa Adeje, Tenerife 22C Reliable all yar round for great weather, Tenerife and its black beach , buckets of water sports and traditional fishing villages make the Canary Islands a permanent December holiday ideas favourite.

Image via @ ahisgett

Montego Bay, Jamaica 26C The most indulgent resort on the island, Montego Bay is filled with upmarket, luxury hotels most of which are right on the beach. There are golf courses, water sports, day trips, buckets of sunshine and that special Jamaica rhythm. An especially good choice if you fancy breaking out and going wild like at no holds barred Hedonism resort.

Image via @ sercasey

Rauris, Austria 6c If you like your holidays more traditional, why not grab a great value ski holiday in Austria this December. With a great choice of slopes, schools to help out any beginners and excellent apres-ski Rauris is a top notch December holiday experience.

Image via @ Sabine

Anjuna, Goa 27C Once a playground for hippies in the 60s, Anjuna in Goa is now more likely to be populated with young couples who want a relaxed, romantic getaway on golden sands and with great food. December in Goa is usually warm, so although it’s a long trip, it’s worth it.

Image via @ Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose

Barcelona, Spain 10C Cheap and tasty tapas, cool bars and trips to the Nou Camp or racking up museum tickets at the Picasso Exhibition or the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s cheap flights and hotel make it a great December holiday idea. Just remember to wrap up well, it can get a bit chilly.

Barcelona via @ Aigle_dore

Banjul, Gambia 31C Get the sunshine, with no jetlag, Banjul is one of our winter holiday bestsellers. The tiny African country is packed with beaches made of soft sand, with perfect transparent water and plenty of cheap hotels.

Kate Power is community manager for Purple Travel. Connect with her on Google + now.

Book now – Half term holidays

Sep 09 2013

Extend your summer or get in early for half term. The kids are back to school and a new (school) year is starting. Why not have something to look forward to, like an autumn tan, a spring in your step and a good injection of vitamin D in some of our favourite half term holiday picks. We take a look at where is hot during half term and what makes a great choice for children of all ages. If you fancy water slide parks, history lessons or just plain, old sandcastles and paddling in the sea, find out where to go with our best value destinations for half term holidays.

Where to spend your half term holidays

1. The Canaries – With an abundance of beaches, scuba diving, family bike rides and fantastic weather, cheap half term holidays in the Canaries are an obvious choice. Why not spend long, lazy days working on a winter tan on a black sandy beach in Tenerife, hike up the side of a volcano in Gran Canaria, or take a glass bottomed boat tour in Playa del Ingles? There is something to suit every type of family in the Canaries. Stay at Barcelo Lanzarote in Costa Teguise which offers adult and children’s swimming pools, playgrounds, kids club, giant monopoly and water slides as well as a spa for mum and dad.
2. Algarve – The Southern area of Portugal is still warm in October and there is plenty for children of all ages to keep busy with. Albufeira is a good family friendly hub, with plenty of child friendly restaurants, a sandy golden beach and nearby water parks. Stay at the Monica Isabel Beach Club in Albufeira, where you’ll find a great welcome, great rooms and great value.
3. Crete – The southern Aegean is ideal in October. Prices have dropped, but temperatures are still high and Crete is a perennial choice for family friendly holidays. Stay at the Knossos Beach Bungalows and Suites, right on a sandy beach, with lots of loungers, umbrellas and children’s activities available.
4. Marrakech – is an exciting, exotic holiday choice all year, but especially good around October. It’s still warm and at only three hours flying time, it’s not too far to get somewhere very exotic. Children and adults can enjoy hiking in the Atlas Mountains, visiting the colourful souks or exploring the Kasbahs. Stay at the Aqua Fun Club – All Inclusive. This 5* accommodation has extensive spa facilities as well as water slides, adult and children only pools, a rafting river and children’s aqua tower.
5. Rome – If you want to get some learning in during the half term break, why not choose a city break in Rome. The weather should still be ok, in the early 20s and you and your children can enjoy seeing the Colosseum and some gladiators up close, head for the Time Elevator Roma (a high tech history lesson made with some very special effects) spark imaginations at the Explora children’s museum and munch on pasta and pizza. Stay at the RSH Spanish Steps Apartments, centrally located near the Trevi Fountain and with plenty of space for all the family after long days exploring the city.
6. Florida – has over 1,000 miles of sandy beaches, is the home of theme parks and has some of the best shopping in the world. Then of course there is Disney World to think of. Meet Mickey Mouse, see the fireworks and parades and generally have the time of your life and a half term holiday you’ll never forget. Stay at the Disney Area Superior Homes for a home away from home experience in Orlando and all the amenities you want within easy reach of the World Disney World Resort.

Tell us your choices for the best half term holidays and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Kate Power is community manager for Purple Travel.

Dublin Ireland, where the craic is mighty

Mar 14 2013

Looking for craic? Find it in Dublin Ireland with our best city guide. Here’s our expert guide from a genuine Irish girl! If you’ve got any issues with this list, take it up with Kate.

Image via @ batintherain

Molly Malone the statue of Dublin’s most famous daughter takes pride of place in the city, at the end of Grafton Street, near Trinity College. Known (by some – my ma) as the ‘tart with the cart’ Molly is a well visited tourist favourite in the city.
The food Grab some traditional favourites like stew, boxty or coddle in one of many restaurants of the city’s Temple Bar area. If it’s more modern cuisine you’re after, Dublin’s become something of an oasis, practically bursting at the seams with great eateries. Try Bite or Crackbird. For high end, Chapter One on Parnell Square is where to go and for cakes, you couldn’t ask for better than the Avoca cafe on Wicklow street or Cake Cafe hidden away at the back of Lower Camden Street.
The hop-on, hop-off bus A handy way to see the city and pick up some interesting facts about Dublin Ireland from dedicated guides. I learned that the lion from the MGM movies came all the way from Dublin Zoo!
Phoenix Park is not only where the President of Ireland lives, but the rambling green space is gorgeous for a brisk stroll, a lazy day at a playground, a wander around the zoo or a summer time gig.
The lovely girls (and boys) Well, I did have to include a Fr Ted comment somewhere. It’s well known the people of Ireland are a friendly bunch, so get out and about and get chatting. At the very least, yo’ll get a story out of it or you could be lucky enough to make some friends for life!
The writer’s streak Powered by the mighty pen, Dublin’s history is synonymous with writers like George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, James Joyce and Jonathan Swift. Pretty much every year you go, you’ll find a landmark (Samuel Beckett Bridge, Oscar Wilde Statue, the George Bernard Shaw pub) dedicated to the great art of writing, while the Writers Museum is a one stop shop for all your literary questions.
The arts and culture life the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) the Book of Kells at Trinity College and Georgian Dublin on Merrion Square. Plenty of these are free and ideal for calming the head after a long evening before.
Scientific Ireland One of Dublin’s relative newcomers, the Science Gallery has been quietly packing them in. An absolute gem, it’s not just for kids as scientists will blow your mind with facts and demonstrations about diverse subjects like growing your own clothes and free coding classes. A little bit of everything!
The pubs Kehoe’s for a pint, the Long Hall for a quiet evening, the Stag’s Head for great atmosphere, Grogan’s for a drink with the locals, the Cobblestone for music, if you can’t make it to Croker, Baggot Street for the sport, Whelan’s for free live music, One Fade Street (or the no name) pub to hang with the hipsters, in the summer try the Pav in Trinity and in winter head for the cosy Library Bar on Exchequer street. And…well, I could go on, but I have to stop somewhere!
The craic This is not a drug. Craic is a really multi-usage word that describes everything from a good atmosphere, having fun or the latest news. Basically, as long as you’re havin’ the craic, you’re having a good time.

Ps. There are loads of things I would have included but couldn’t like Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, a walk on the boardwalk, Christ Church Cathedral, the National Concert Hall, the Hugh Lane and many more…

Book a great cheap city break to Dublin Ireland today with PurpleTravel.co.uk.

Purple 10 Most WTF weird theme parks in the world

Sep 26 2012

10 WTF weird theme parks that you’ll either love or want to avoid forever.

Harmonyland, Japan If hanging out with a whole bunch of life size versions of Hello Kitty is your idea of a good time, then read on! There are Hello Kitty live shows, a “rhythmic rollercoaster” the Kitty Castle and something called the Hello Kitty Black Wonder. We think this definitely deserves a place the weird theme parks list.
Grutas Park, Lithuania You won’t find any rollercoasters, or even a swing ride, but you will find a gulag experience and lots of Soviet era sculptures. It even has its own zoo, complete with ostriches, while every April 1st there’s an annual comedy festival with impersonations of Communist party bigwigs. Grutas Park’s founder built the park to remind people of past oppressions.
Loveland, South Korea If adults only is your way of thinking, then this park is for you, it’s completely based around “enjoying a harmonious sex life.” It’s easy to see why it’s becoming more and more popular with honeymooners. Prudish types need not apply as this park takes the hands on approach, with attractions like Breast Mountain; huge intimate works of art and ahem, DIY exhibitions.
BonBon Land, Denmark A few miles south of the Danish capital you’ll find this park, which is home to some delightful amusements like the Farting Dog rollercoaster and the Skid Mark. Not only that but dotted throughout the park you’ll find lovely cartoons characters like giant rats, half naked cows, hungover turtles and seagulls pooping on alligators. So, that’s nice.
Tayto Park, Ireland (Disclaimer!) We Irish are known for some mad cap ideas, but how about a theme park dedicated to crisps? Tayto are synonymous with the potatoey-tasty treat and the company has set up its own crisp theme park. In the wilds of county Meath you’ll find a factory tour to see how the crisps are made, visit the animals (which may or may not be fed on crisps) or have a go on a Tayto jumper or Mr Tayto’s Wacky Rodeo.
Shijingshan Amusement Park, China It might look a bit like Disney, it feels a bit like Disney but it’s definitely not Disney. The park blatantly rips off some of Walt’s greatest creations with the odd change here and there. So watch out for an extra tall Snow White or a strange looking Mickey Mouse.
Hacienda Napoles, Colombia At the entrance to the Hacienda Napoles, you’ll find an area decorated with an old plane. But, it’s not just any old plane; it is actually the one that transported the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar’s first batch of cocaine to the USA. The whole park is found in the grounds of the former drug baron’s ranch. Before he was shot and killed in 1993, Escobar filled his home with life size dinosaurs, old cars and a bunch of hippos. A group of businessmen came together to turn it into a tourist attraction and it draws around 50,000 visitors per year.
Dollywood, USA Yes, the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton has her own theme park and what else would it be called? A proper extravagance, you can ride Dolly’s Demolition Derby, meet wild eagles, go on the Barnstormer or visit a replica schoolhouse from the 1890s. Even Dolly herself says her theme park is “one of the greatest dreams she’s ever had come true.”
Dig This, Las Vegas Ok, Dig This is not really a theme park, more of a huge sandbox, where you can live out your Bob the Builder fantasies. Once you get in there, you can choose between hulking bulldozers or excavators, you get an introduction to how to use it and you’re off. The park centres around challenging you in cab, so you’ll get to indulge in a little Excavator Basketball or Bulldozer Teeter-Totter.
Zero Gravity, USA For around $30 you can have a go on a ride so scary, that it’s been used by scientists to simulate near death experiences. The ride goes up 16 stories, then you’re dropped, with no tie lines, completely unattached for a 130 foot free fall. Lucky for you a huge net is there to stop you from going splat.

Kate Power is community manager for Purple Travel.

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10 WTF weird theme parks that you’ll either love or want to avoid forever.