Countries, Europe, Flying

Van Gogh Museum at 50

It’s apt that the Dutch are celebrating the Van Gogh Museum at 50 with sunflowers, it’s blooming marvellous.

Flowers are one of the things the Dutch are known for which is why Vincent and his fellow artists are so darned good at them.

I’m thinking my school art teacher Mr Cairney missed a trick with us budding Scottish artists giving us apples to draw.

Although he probably thought the Scottish national flower, the thistle, might not have been the most aesthetic.

Flowers of Amsterdam

My wee flower: In Amsterdam

Flowers are at the heart of the Dutch story with tulips the must-have status symbol of the 17th century.

The rarest of which was as expensive as a Dutch townhouse.

With the demand in the bulb causing a run which led to the world’s first financial bubble.

All of which you can learn more about at the Tulip Museum in Amsterdam and check out Breughel’s observations.

And how tulips saved the Dutch during the last winter of the Second World War.

Vincent Sun Gogh

Bloomin’ mad: Another flower girl

Whether Van Gogh was giving in allowing others to paint the Dutch national flower (unlikely) we’ll never know.

But he never painted one tulip in his lifetime although there is one named for him, a reddish-brown one that reaches 50-60cms.

Perhaps though he’d realised that sunflowers were more his thing.

They’re certainly the Dutch Royal Family’s.

With Queen Juliana symbolically presented with a sunflower at the museum’s opening back in 1973.

And Princess Beatrix the same, although a new flower obvs, this week at the Museumplein.

Drone rangers

Pictures of Vincent: A changing scene

Earlier in the day, employees distributed tens of thousands of sunflowers, transforming the Museumplein into a sea of flowers.

As a gift to the city of Amsterdam, a drone display took place at 11pm.

The Sunflowers represented generosity to Van Gogh and he painted three in the Yellow House in Arles.

And hung two in the guest room when Paul Gauguin came to stay.

One of which the Frenchman asked if he could have which may have sparked the row which saw Vincent hack his ear off.

Play to the gallery

Eat up: Potato Eaters

We’ll never know but we do know he painted two more and we’re just grateful one hangs in the Van Gogh Museum.

Alongside the Potato Eaters, Bedroom in Arles and Almond Blossoms among others, Starry Night is at the MOMA in New York.

The Van Gogh Museum is indeed the gift that keeps on giving as you explore the Pictures  of Amsterdam.

So as we celebrate the Van Gogh Museum at 50 we’ll be sure to add again to there  53 million who have already been through its doors.

And we’ll be flying into Schiphol, one of our fave airports, with Dutch airline carrier KLM… check out site for best offers.

And maybe pushing the boat out to stay at George and Amal’s fave Dutch hotel, the Dylan.

 

 

Asia, Countries, Europe, Flying

Plane tips for flying toddlers

We were so grateful for the air steward’s unorthodox way of calming our screaming baby we thought it might make these plane TUI tips for flying toddlers.

You know, putting lukewarm teabags over your kiddie’s lugs to curb air pressure.

Babe in arms: With the Son and Heir in Liverpool

All of which meant we and the Son and Heir hit the ground running on that TUI trip.

Treat them to a new toy

Build it up: Lego

And also make sure you pack some of their existing toys (ours was Lego).

It’s even worth investing in a couple of new toys if you have a longer flight.

This tip alone can help to keep your little one entertained throughout the entire flight.

Let them watch out the window

Window to the world: A window seat

We can all remember feeling like we’re floating on a cloud.

On those first giddy flights as children.

Which is why we should treat our kids to a window seat.

And let them follow too the world map on the sensor to help your child identify where you are.

That’s entertainment

Quick on the draw: Colouring book

Dig your old colouring books out of the attic or garage.

While sticker books are always reliable and try theming it with your holiday.

Read them a book

Put it there: Bring a Potter book

Taking a flight with your child gives you a great opportunity to bond.

For the Son and Heir a memorable trip to Turkey saw him holding his place in his Harry Potter book as he walked through market.

In-flight entertainment

Screen time: Download movies

Not that we’re against modern technology.

Where there aren’t screens for films, you can download movies to a device they can watch.

Keep them refuelled

How bazaar: But we love a Turkish marketplace

So let’s start at the very beginning with babies.

It’s definitely worth taking a bottle of milk for the flight or breastfeeding on take-off and landing.

The sucking motion can help to stop their ears from popping.

You can carry more than 100ml through security and the cabin crew can heat it up for you on the plane.

If your child is older, try giving them a drink or something to eat instead.

So seeing that TUI has us covered on their planes let’s jump on this sample Turkey offer with a free child place.

Deal us in

Hats off: To Turkiye

And because Turkey is the ideal destination for kids and big kids here’s what’s on the radar.

Seven nights self-catering at the Club Candan on August 21 from €1,849 (2+1), €2,439 (2+2).

America, Countries, Flying

Air Miles and Hurry Styles

And I’m back with more pins for my world map… but only after a 26-hour trans-Atlantic odyssey of air miles and Hurry Styles.

Now they say the last yards are the hardest for a runner to which my 16-year-old Scottish long-distance champion can testify.

And I had to put the sprint of all sprints on along Princes Street and into Waverley Station to catch the last North Berwick train.

After the peacocked Harry had left Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium and its environs in gridlock and our Citylink bus running at snail’s pace.

That said chapeau to the bus driver for negotiating the back roads of the city.

To get me to the snaking Waverley station with half a chance of my connection.

Deep in the heart of Texas

Get off your horse: John Wayne in Alamo City

It had been a long day’s journey into night.

Starting out at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, my base over four days of the annual American Travel Fair, IPW.

Where I had booked a taxi only to cancel sheepishly when he arrived when a colleague kindly offered me her Uber ride.

My glee at saving a few precious bucks was tempered though when my airline carrier American Airlines charged me $70 for my check-in bag.

But I’d arrived five hours early, the advice is three for international travellers, but better safe than sorry.

And I couldn’t book online, I’m old school and irrationally don’t trust the digital pass.

And then the British Airways app crashed.

Dallas mini-series

Oil be back: Dallas

Now for all that Alamo City, San Antonio is America’s seventh-biggest city it is smaller in comparison to Dallas Fort Worth.

And with only a couple of hours to play with I’d lie if I said I wasn’t anxious.

Particularly with a shuttle to my terminal to negotiate.

What the duck: Heathrow, but the Coronation is still going on

If my last leg would be the longest my flight out of the US alas was seemless.

And here was me hoping it would be cancelled and I might be offered a free night in Dallas.

With the new pal I’d made in the line, the Dallas Stars basketball fan, celebrating a comeback play-off leg win that night.

American nights

Refuelling: With Philly cheesesteak and an Arnold Palmer

American Airlines has been a new experience for me but save for the baggage check-in surprise it went off smoothly.

Randomly I got front of aisle seating to help for the overnighter with those long legs I’d need later.

And timely films to take in such as the Civil Rights epic true story Till which brought back memories.

Of MLK50, walking in the footsteps of Martin Luther King through Tennessee and Mississippi.

Alas, and isn’t it always the way, the hardest leg was the home one?

My British Airways London to Edinburgh flight pushed out and then held up a couple of hours.

Making the whole experience longer than the nine hours it took to get from Dallas to London.

My heart is ticketying

Riverwalk of dreams: San Antonio

Mind you, American Airlines were as good as their word and got my baggage home.

Albeit my address slipped out of its Universal Orlando Shrek and Donkey ‘Are we there yet’ luggage tag.

The question I fired off like a repeater all through our crawl through the Harry Styles traffic to the train station.

Now Waverley with its random platforms is a challenge at the best of times…

Thankfully the train was delayed a couple of minutes and got on, a sweaty mess, just in time.

I’d made it home after all those Air Miles and Hurry Styles.

And the Scary One was there on the platform waiting for me.

Now to break it to her that I’m off to another Travel fair in early June.

Leeds should be a breeze but my travels are rarely ticketyboo.

Still it wouldn’t be any fun following my misadventures otherwise.

 

 

America, Countries, Flying, UK

Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Which, of course, some random wise guy smilingly stopped me on the platform to laugh at my expense.

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Luggage overheads

Slog: So pack light

Which, of course, some random wise guy smilingly stopped me on the platform to laugh at my expense.

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Because if you’re fixating on the online check-in that won’t go through you might just forget it.

Luggage overheads

Slog: So pack light

Which, of course, some random wise guy smilingly stopped me on the platform to laugh at my expense.

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

And a holidos and don’ts tip here… don’t put your suitcase in the overhead rack on the train.

Because if you’re fixating on the online check-in that won’t go through you might just forget it.

Luggage overheads

Slog: So pack light

Which, of course, some random wise guy smilingly stopped me on the platform to laugh at my expense.

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Of course being the man who invented the notion of the accidental traveller it wasn’t the first thing to trip me up.

And a holidos and don’ts tip here… don’t put your suitcase in the overhead rack on the train.

Because if you’re fixating on the online check-in that won’t go through you might just forget it.

Luggage overheads

Slog: So pack light

Which, of course, some random wise guy smilingly stopped me on the platform to laugh at my expense.

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.

Check out… the check-ins

And saw a sign saying ‘remember to take all your luggage with you.’

Now my own suitcase will have had an adventure of its own.

Before hopefully we are reunited later today in San Antonio.

Not tempting fate because I’ve been here before in Denver and in Munich at the start of my Greek Odyssey.

But so far I can report that this edition of Holidos and don’ts is ticketyboo.

 

 

Because American Airlines won’t accept your request if they’re not the sole carrier on your booking (me neither)!

Of course being the man who invented the notion of the accidental traveller it wasn’t the first thing to trip me up.

And a holidos and don’ts tip here… don’t put your suitcase in the overhead rack on the train.

Because if you’re fixating on the online check-in that won’t go through you might just forget it.

Luggage overheads

Slog: So pack light

Which, of course, some random wise guy smilingly stopped me on the platform to laugh at my expense.

After I’d run back to the stationed train to retrieve it.

Now whatever mishap may befall you on your travels take heart that someone is sure to have been there before you.

And that was brought home to me when clutching my suitcase close to me on the airport coach I looked up.