Serenity and History at the Confucius Temple

April 20, 2011

BEIJING, CHINA – Religion is always a hot-button issue, as the history of man’s religious wars can attest. Conflicts continue to rage over which spiritual practice has the divine on direct dial. But in China, strangely enough, one of the lengthiest religious debates has been not between two religions but… (more)

Nosh with a side of nostalgia at the Fountain Coffee Room

August 3, 2011

BEVERLY HILLS, US – As it turns out, so much beloved Americana from the 1940s and ’50s ended up being pretty bad for us. Our nation’s love affair with “glamorous” cigarettes? A precursor to a cancerous epidemic. The era’s iconic burgers, shakes, and fries? A heart attack waiting to happen. … (more)

The Hunt: Hot Beverages

December 1, 2011

Global – Every week, The Purple Passport team goes out in search of a designated item in whatever city our team members happen to be in at that time. We wanted to share with you, our readers, some of our finds from around the world! This week’s theme in light… (more)

These bombolinis are the bomb: pre-brunching at Falai Panetteria

December 29, 2008

NEW YORK, USA – It was a wet, miserable Sunday for most in New York, but as I had my galoshes on, I was loving every puddle I met as I sloshed my way through the Lower East Side to get to brunch. The original destination was the Clinton Street… (more)

Clank like an Egyptian at Alex and Ani

December 22, 2011

PALM BEACH, USA – The bangle bracelet is almost as old as civilization itself. Back in the day (“the day” being ancient Egypt and Babylonia), women wore bangles to demonstrate their prominence in society (just think Cleopatra with a gold scarab around her wrist). Also, in some cultures, the clanging… (more)

Getting to the heart of Palm Beach on Worth Avenue

September 19, 2011

PALM BEACH, USA – From Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive to Paris’ Champs-Elysées, sometimes a stretch of road is so iconic that it defines a whole town. Such is the case with Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue, where the mix of luxury boutiques, scene-conscious bars and restaurants, and flower-drenched byways trumpet the… (more)

The Purple Passport’s eBook Guides to London and Paris Have Arrived!

October 24, 2011

LONDON, UK and PARIS, FRANCE – We at The Purple Passport are delighted to announce the launch of our eBook travel series with our two inaugural guides, The Purple Passport to London and The Purple Passport to Paris. Designed for on-the-go travelers and locals, these guides package our handpicked recommendations in… (more)

Tempting Tuesday: Jetsetter starter kit from Virgin America

August 9, 2011

UNITED STATES – There are some easy-to-spot signs that you are becoming a true jetsetter: you only buy shampoo in 100 ml bottles, your wardrobe has been pared down to a handful of wrinkle-free outfits, and you’ve always got your passport to hand in case a last-minute dash to the… (more)

Not in your backyard at Beihai Park

May 5, 2011

BEIJING, CHINA – In most American cities, the concept of a backyard is fairly limited. In New York, forget about it; in San Francisco, you’re talking a small patch of grass and trees (usually shrouded in fog). Only in warmer climes like Los Angeles and Miami do backyards get much… (more)

Friday Finds: Winter Getaways

January 20, 2012

Today we’re dreaming about quick winter getaways, especially since we’ve been talking about visiting Palm Beach all week long. Here, some of our picks for escaping (or embracing) the winter chill… Journeying through the stunning Rocky Mountains by train. [Velvet Escape] Desert sunsets and vintage crawls in sunny Phoenix. [Far… (more)