Merry Christmas And Happy New Year! | PurPurPurPur

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you for supporting my blog! Merry Christmas and happy winter holidays from my family to yours!

By Anna Purpurpurpur

As you know, I have Russian origin – and Russians don’t celebrate Catholic Christmas and celebrate New Year as the main winter holiday instead (and yes, we usually give presents for the New Year too).

But this only means that I start festivities in the 24th, then celebrate NY, then celebrate orthodox Christmas on the 7th of Jan and finally celebrate the Old New Year (another Russian tradition, sounds crazy isn’t it). The more holidays the merrier!

Let me share with you some of our home decorations and the shoot we had for the George‘s first winter festivities!

Our tree has the Under The Sea theme – this was clearly the influence of our stay at the Atlantis the Palm with their Lost Chambers and Aquarium charms.

Thank you for supporting my blog! Happy winter holidays from my family to yours!

Yours,
Anna
xxx

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Oct 16

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Where to stay in Qatar: The St. Regis Doha @stregisdoha

The St. Regis Doha is a luxury beachfront hotel located in West Bay. Standing guard at the entrance are two giant sculptures of the Arabian Oryx, the national symbol of Qatar, which you will spot immediately upon arrival.
A special collaboration with @vilebrequin took place during our stay, with the brand’s iconic turtle symbol visible everywhere - from La Plage and the brasserie to the poolside. At night, projections of giant turtles illuminated the entire pool area.

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Oct 15

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A must-visit if you’re in London:
🇰🇷Korea: Discover 2,000 years of Korean creativity

📍British museum
1 October 2026 – 31 January 2027

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Oct 14

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Not all sightseeing goes as planned - for instance, seeing Taal Volcano on Luzon Island, Philippines, from People’s Park in the Sky, the highest observation point, was a complete disaster!
Thankfully, we had a chance to observe the scenery from another spot, Twin Lakes Tagaytay. This is a redeveloped area with a vineyard, hotels, shops, cafés, and scenic views (and they have a Starbucks with the best views in the world, too!).

Don’t forget to check my guides to Manila and Luzon island, Philippines, at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

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Not all sightseeing goes as planned - for instance, seeing Taal Volcano on Luzon Island, Philippines, from People’s Park in the Sky, the highest observation point, was a complete disaster!
Thankfully, we had a chance to observe the scenery from another spot, Twin Lakes Tagaytay. This is a redeveloped area with a vineyard, hotels, shops, cafés, and scenic views (and they have a Starbucks with the best views in the world, too!).

Don’t forget to check my guides to Manila and Luzon island, Philippines, at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

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Oct 13

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Autumn in Venice, my favorite city in Europe 🩵

Where to go in Venice? Save my list!
Basilica St Marco
Gran Canal
Rialto Bridge
Doge’s Palace
Rialto Fish and Vegetables Market
Saint Mark’s Square
San Michele island
Libreria Aqua Alta
Bridge of Sighs
Caffé Florian
Galleria dell’accademia
Venetian Ghetto
Madonna Dell’Orto Church
Fortuny palace
Murano Island
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
House of Goldoni
Museo Сorrer and National Archaeological Museum of Venice
Burano Island
Peggy Guggenheim Museum
Lido of Venice
Museum of Music
Squero di San Trovaso
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute
Arsenal of Venezia
Ca’ Rezzonico

Thank you @siberian_in_rome you make me feel the prettiest!

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

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Autumn in Venice, my favorite city in Europe 🩵

Where to go in Venice? Save my list!
Basilica St Marco
Gran Canal
Rialto Bridge
Doge’s Palace
Rialto Fish and Vegetables Market
Saint Mark’s Square
San Michele island
Libreria Aqua Alta
Bridge of Sighs
Caffé Florian
Galleria dell’accademia
Venetian Ghetto
Madonna Dell’Orto Church
Fortuny palace
Murano Island
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
House of Goldoni
Museo Сorrer and National Archaeological Museum of Venice
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Peggy Guggenheim Museum
Lido of Venice
Museum of Music
Squero di San Trovaso
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute
Arsenal of Venezia
Ca’ Rezzonico

Thank you @siberian_in_rome you make me feel the prettiest!

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

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Oct 12

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The most burning question if you stay in Lusail, Qatar: the Raffles or the Fairmont?😱 [my guide to Lusail is live, link in bio]

Two hotels are located inside the iconic Katara Towers and are interconnected by a massive conference hall.

🔸Rooms at the Fairmont (photos 1-10) feature a unique mix of modern luxury and traditional Arabic golden elements, with subtle decor honoring pearling, the Gulf’s most famous historic craft. I even felt like the bed was shaped like an oyster shell! And just wait until you see the view from our room - there were also several great spots to sit and admire the panorama.

In the Fairmont lobby, there is an impressive pearl chandelier, and the entire interior glitters with golden panels. On top of that, the hotel features a fantastic Asian restaurant and bar on one of the upper floors with breathtaking views over the city!

🔸At the Raffles hotel (photos 11-20), the rooms are super modern, featuring an iPad to control the music and browse the digital bath menu.
The interiors are absolutely breathtaking: both in our room and the hotel’s public areas, from the kaleidoscopic lobby with changing sky colors throughout the day, up to the breakfast area.
Head up to the 36th and 37th floors to feel like you’re on top of the world; the views from up there are incredible! I’d also highly suggest having afternoon tea here: it’s served on a Katara Tower-inspired stand with Wedgwood tableware, along with an impressive selection of sandwiches and desserts.
The cherry on top? The hotel even has its own private cinema!

🔸Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_hotels

© No reposts without permission apart from stories

The most burning question if you stay in Lusail, Qatar: the Raffles or the Fairmont?😱 [my guide to Lusail is live, link in bio]

Two hotels are located inside the iconic Katara Towers and are interconnected by a massive conference hall.

🔸Rooms at the Fairmont (photos 1-10) feature a unique mix of modern luxury and traditional Arabic golden elements, with subtle decor honoring pearling, the Gulf’s most famous historic craft. I even felt like the bed was shaped like an oyster shell! And just wait until you see the view from our room - there were also several great spots to sit and admire the panorama.

In the Fairmont lobby, there is an impressive pearl chandelier, and the entire interior glitters with golden panels. On top of that, the hotel features a fantastic Asian restaurant and bar on one of the upper floors with breathtaking views over the city!

🔸At the Raffles hotel (photos 11-20), the rooms are super modern, featuring an iPad to control the music and browse the digital bath menu.
The interiors are absolutely breathtaking: both in our room and the hotel’s public areas, from the kaleidoscopic lobby with changing sky colors throughout the day, up to the breakfast area.
Head up to the 36th and 37th floors to feel like you’re on top of the world; the views from up there are incredible! I’d also highly suggest having afternoon tea here: it’s served on a Katara Tower-inspired stand with Wedgwood tableware, along with an impressive selection of sandwiches and desserts.
The cherry on top? The hotel even has its own private cinema!

🔸Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_hotels

© No reposts without permission apart from stories ...

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Oct 11

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New article is live at purpurpurpur.co.uk: best sights to see in Lusail, Qatar 😍
I’m sure you’ve heard about Doha, the capital of Qatar, but what about Lusail? It is considered the second largest city of Qatar but feels like a part of Doha.
It’s a satellite city with many buildings still in development, and it’s hard to notice where Doha ends and Lusail begins. However, it’s a different entity with its own attractions, don’t miss this fantastic spot!

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories

New article is live at purpurpurpur.co.uk: best sights to see in Lusail, Qatar 😍
I’m sure you’ve heard about Doha, the capital of Qatar, but what about Lusail? It is considered the second largest city of Qatar but feels like a part of Doha.
It’s a satellite city with many buildings still in development, and it’s hard to notice where Doha ends and Lusail begins. However, it’s a different entity with its own attractions, don’t miss this fantastic spot!

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories ...

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Oct 10

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Save this spot for your future trip to Bali:

📍 @bread_yard

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Oct 9

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Looking to stay close to nature in Singapore? The treehouse of this hotel gives you access to what might be the coolest pool ever - it’s shaped like a bird’s nest and located right above the jungle canopy! 🌿🌿🌿
📍 @mandairainforestresort

[free stay] Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_hotels

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Looking to stay close to nature in Singapore? The treehouse of this hotel gives you access to what might be the coolest pool ever - it’s shaped like a bird’s nest and located right above the jungle canopy! 🌿🌿🌿
📍 @mandairainforestresort

[free stay] Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_hotels

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Oct 8

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Counting down the days until London dresses up for Christmas 😍😍

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Oct 7

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Save this location for the prettiest restaurant in Miami

📍 Gianni’s at the Versace mansion

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Oct 6

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This is what a perfect stay in the Middle East looks like 😍

📍 Raffles Al Areen Palace, Bahrain 🇧🇭

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Oct 5

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Save a list of dishes to try in Marrakech, Morocco!

🔸Tagine
A slow-cooked stew with couscous served in tagine, a clay pot with conical upper part
🔸Tangia Marrakchia
Slow-cooked lamb prepared in a clay pot (for instance, at Terrace Des Espices)
🔸Bessara
Soup with beans or peas
🔸Kaab el Ghazal
Crescent-shaped pastry alluring to the gazelle horns and made with almond paste (come to the Kasbah café with a panoramic view)
🔸Jawhara Pastilla
Layered dessert made out of fried dough and sweet milk (we tried the best at Mamounia)
🔸Fresh Orange with Honey and Cinnamon
🔸Saffron Ice Cream (best served at the café in Anima Garden)
🔸 Moroccan Mint Tea
Served throughout all cafés and riads in Marrakech, I liked the one at the House of photography’s rooftop
🔸Specialty Arabica coffees and desserts at Bacha Coffee café and shop

Video also features Fez, Meknes and Casablanca

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories

Save a list of dishes to try in Marrakech, Morocco!

🔸Tagine
A slow-cooked stew with couscous served in tagine, a clay pot with conical upper part
🔸Tangia Marrakchia
Slow-cooked lamb prepared in a clay pot (for instance, at Terrace Des Espices)
🔸Bessara
Soup with beans or peas
🔸Kaab el Ghazal
Crescent-shaped pastry alluring to the gazelle horns and made with almond paste (come to the Kasbah café with a panoramic view)
🔸Jawhara Pastilla
Layered dessert made out of fried dough and sweet milk (we tried the best at Mamounia)
🔸Fresh Orange with Honey and Cinnamon
🔸Saffron Ice Cream (best served at the café in Anima Garden)
🔸 Moroccan Mint Tea
Served throughout all cafés and riads in Marrakech, I liked the one at the House of photography’s rooftop
🔸Specialty Arabica coffees and desserts at Bacha Coffee café and shop

Video also features Fez, Meknes and Casablanca

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories ...

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Oct 4

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I’m sure you know about Marrakech and Fez, but what about Meknes, one of four imperial cities of Morocco?🇲🇦 It was founded in the 11th century and for centuries remained a military citadel until Moulay Ismail, the sultan from the Alaouite dynasty, made it the capital in the 17th century.

Save your list of what to see there:
🔸Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
🔸Bab Mansour
🔸Royal palace and Agdal reservoir
🔸Place El Hedim
🔸Medina of Meknes: Museum of Meknes, Museum of Music, the former psychiatric hospital for women in Dar Chrifat, and the library and mosque of Jamaa Lakbir open to Muslims only

More activities:
🔹Learn about local artisans:
Carpet weaving;
Damascene technique of decorating metal objects with silver threads that came from Jews expelled from Spain;
Christian and Islamic embroidery traditions
🔹Eat at Palais Ismailia
🔹Take a short trip to the Roman archaeological site Volubilis

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories

I’m sure you know about Marrakech and Fez, but what about Meknes, one of four imperial cities of Morocco?🇲🇦 It was founded in the 11th century and for centuries remained a military citadel until Moulay Ismail, the sultan from the Alaouite dynasty, made it the capital in the 17th century.

Save your list of what to see there:
🔸Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
🔸Bab Mansour
🔸Royal palace and Agdal reservoir
🔸Place El Hedim
🔸Medina of Meknes: Museum of Meknes, Museum of Music, the former psychiatric hospital for women in Dar Chrifat, and the library and mosque of Jamaa Lakbir open to Muslims only

More activities:
🔹Learn about local artisans:
Carpet weaving;
Damascene technique of decorating metal objects with silver threads that came from Jews expelled from Spain;
Christian and Islamic embroidery traditions
🔹Eat at Palais Ismailia
🔹Take a short trip to the Roman archaeological site Volubilis

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories ...

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Oct 3

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New guide is live at purpurpurpur.co.uk: Rabat, Morocco!

Rabat is located a bit far away from the usual tourist itineraries of Morocco. It’s the modern capital city and the main administrative center of the country for more than a century since the French transferred it here from Fez in the early 20th century. Besides that, Rabat is the cleanest and most organized Moroccan city of all we visited!

Rabat was founded in the 12th century by the sultans from the Almohad dynasty, thus it’s the fourth imperial city of Morocco (we visited all of them) alongside Marrakesh, Fez, and Meknes. Although its population is just below 600 thousand, together with Salé and Kénitra on Rabat’s sides, it doubles in size and makes quite a large metropolitan area.

It took us 1.5 hours by car to get here from Casablanca, but you can also go by train.

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories

New guide is live at purpurpurpur.co.uk: Rabat, Morocco!

Rabat is located a bit far away from the usual tourist itineraries of Morocco. It’s the modern capital city and the main administrative center of the country for more than a century since the French transferred it here from Fez in the early 20th century. Besides that, Rabat is the cleanest and most organized Moroccan city of all we visited!

Rabat was founded in the 12th century by the sultans from the Almohad dynasty, thus it’s the fourth imperial city of Morocco (we visited all of them) alongside Marrakesh, Fez, and Meknes. Although its population is just below 600 thousand, together with Salé and Kénitra on Rabat’s sides, it doubles in size and makes quite a large metropolitan area.

It took us 1.5 hours by car to get here from Casablanca, but you can also go by train.

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎

© No reposts without permission apart from stories ...

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Oct 2

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September highlights in London ❤️

Featuring:
🔸Buckingham palace
🔸 @tate Modern’s Frida: The Making of an Icon
🔸 @kewgardens Henry Moore: Monumental Nature
🔸 @akirarestaurantlondon
🔸 @framelessldn
🔸Regent’s canal
🔸 @libertylondon
🔸 @googleuk Gemini pack
🔸 @aquashard
🔸 @sadlers_wells Mere Mortals
🔸 @qinwanlondon
🔸 GSQ @thechanceryrosewood
🔸 @natural_history_museum Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep
🔸 @senorceviche

[Includes invites and gifts]

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio

© No reposts without permission apart from stories

September highlights in London ❤️

Featuring:
🔸Buckingham palace
🔸 @tate Modern’s Frida: The Making of an Icon
🔸 @kewgardens Henry Moore: Monumental Nature
🔸 @akirarestaurantlondon
🔸 @framelessldn
🔸Regent’s canal
🔸 @libertylondon
🔸 @googleuk Gemini pack
🔸 @aquashard
🔸 @sadlers_wells Mere Mortals
🔸 @qinwanlondon
🔸 GSQ @thechanceryrosewood
🔸 @natural_history_museum Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep
🔸 @senorceviche

[Includes invites and gifts]

Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio

© No reposts without permission apart from stories ...

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