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Dolly Parton Day… and she’s working it 9 to 5

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So power up the karaoke because Monday is Dolly Parton Day… and she’s working it 9 to 5.

The evergreen Dolly turns 80 in two days’ time, January 19And to mark the occasion her fellow Tennesseans have given their favourite daughter her very own day.

And Dolly being Dolly she has given back with a special rerelease of her classic Light of a Clear Blue Morning.

With Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire, with David Foster on piano, all pitching in in perfect pitch.

And the money going to pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home

Every day, of course, is a Dollyday at Dollywood.

Although you’d expect her Tennessee Mountain Home will be dialling it up to 11 on Monday.

With Dollywood boasting more than 40 rides, splash park, high-energy entertainment and exceptional dining.

And that good ole Southern hospitality.

Of course as with everything Dolly there’s that little bit extra up top.

With Dollywood laying out the pink carpet to y’all to stay at the HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

And crimp yourself at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.

Dolly good show

While, of course, the shows are spectacular, whether the Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.

Or the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, the Comedy Barn Theater, Frizzle Chicken Cafe and even the Titanic Museum Attraction (just because she can).

So to stay in a Dolly Bear Cabin with all the Dolly bells and whistles.

Then Dollywood is offering for May 23-September 20 the 2026 Dollywood Summer Fun Pass.

Smoky Mountain Hide-Away

Now Dolly’s cabins are all playfully named but we alighted on A Smoky Mountain Hide-Away.

Which you’ll be able to make your own for $3,252 for two bedrooms for six guests and two baths for a sample May’s week vacation…. well this is caring, sharing country.

And with British Airways flights now to Nashville from London Heathrow.

Since last we visited Tennessee and had to get an interconnecting flight through Newark you’re made up.

With it costing you £867.99.

And to mark her standing in Country music the Grand Ole Opry are dedicating tonight, January 71 to Dolly.

Because, Dolly you know we will always love you.

Countries, Europe, Flying

An Edelweiss by any other Alpine name

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If a rose is a rose by any other name then surely it figures that an Edelweiss is… An Edelweiss by any other Apine name.

Now this horticultural turn isn’t because of the influence of my very own Green-fingered One or Burns Night coming up on January 25.

Although I did serenade her at our wedding with My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose.

But because of the news of Swiss airline Edelweiss Air‘s launch of new Glasgow-Zurich flights this summer.

A tale of the roses

Another flower of Scotland: The Jacobite Little White Rose

It got us thinking that symbols often come without borders.

As they grow across lines and are also celebrated and worn too by neighbours who can fall out and fall back in again.

Which is the case of the Scottish Jacobite Little White Rose.

While our English friends mark equally a Yorkshire red and Lancastrian white rose.

Small and white clean and bright

So it can be done, and is, in the Alps where the Edelweiss is hailed by both Austrians and Swiss.

And as we discovered from the globetrotting Daughterie and Mr Daughterie.

That the wee flower figures too on Romanian currency.

So if you thought that it was the preserve of Austria because of The Sound of Music then you would be wrong.

The Swiss too treasure the mountain flower and market it in their tourist brands.

As does Edelweiss Air which has been trading and flying us Helvetiaphiles out to Switzerland for 30 years this year.

An Alpine hand

How sweet is my valley: Switzerland for all seasons

Glasgow will be served by flights every Monday and Friday from May 29 to September 14.

And continuing the Burns theme this is how ithers see us.

Although we know already that the Swiss are fans.

From their regular visits up to Caledonia to showcase their beautiful country and to share Scots-Swiss stories.

Our Alpine amis describe Scotland’s largest city as ‘combining Victorian architecture with modern culture, a vibrant music scene, and a rich football tradition.

‘And thanks to its location, Glasgow is ideal for a city break.

‘As well as a perfect base for tours through the Scottish Highlands or in combination with Edinburgh.’

MEET YOU IN THE AIR

America, Countries

The Scots-American who made America great the first time

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He’s the Scots-American who made America great the first time and we’re celebrating his very special birthday today.

Yes, Alexander Hamilton, whose Caledonian roots we are famously reminded of in the opening lines of the titular musical.

‘How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by Providence, impoverished, in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?’

Or become the centrepiece of a rap Broadway production?

There is, of course, another Scots-American sheriff, and New Yorker to boot, in town now who will be front and centre of the 250th anniversary celebrations.

Hamilton’s New York

Whether this year is also the 270th anniversary of Hamilton is difficult to say.

Records for bastard, orphan sons of a whore and a Scotsman weren’t too reliable back in the mid-18th century.

And historians argue about whether he came mewling into the world on January 11, 1775 or 1777, which means it could have been 1776 too.

Which is what we’re hanging on to for the purposes of our lesson today.

Now Hamilton, of course, bestrides Broadway and has done since Lin Manuel Miranda’s show opened in 2015.

On a pedestal

But few will, in truth, venture further afield in NY to see the places that define him or his granite statue in Central Park.

Unless, of course, you are a Scots Anglophile history buff, fresh up from Washington DC.

With an unusual request of a Kimpton Hotel receptionist to point out on a Subway map where I could walk in Hamilton’s footsteps.

Now New York had much to thank this Scots-American for.

As did the nation for his financial acumen in saving the new country from certain bankruptcy.

The world’s debt to Scots-Americans

Hamilton raised the New York Provincial Company of Artillery of 60 men in 1776, and was then appointed captain.

The company took part in the campaign of 1776 in and around New York City.

As rearguard of the Continental Army’s retreat up Manhattan.

And served at the Battle of Harlem Heights shortly after, and at the Battle of White Plains a month later.

Just a little to think on what the world owes to Scots-Americans.

America, Countries, Culture, Music

Route 66 terminus Santa Monica is getting its licks

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Famously it winds from Chicago to LA and takes in ten other named destinations on the way but we’re glad to say at last that the Route 66 terminus Santa Monica is getting its licks.

Route 66 has been following us all the past year since checking in to Chicago, where the great western highway begins… and we’ll go there again.

But here we’re flagging up the official finishing spot, the pier in Santa Monica, your final stop-off, unless you want to end up in the Pacific Ocean.

Why Bobby Troup bodyswerved Santa Monica when writing his classic 80 years ago about the odyssey to California is lost to history.

But the Santa Monica Travel & Tourism is putting that right.

By inviting musicians and songwriters from across the globe to celebrate the centennial of Route 66 through music.

A hundred-thousand reasons

And he’s off: Route 66 starting point in Chicago

The Route 66 Song Contest offers artists over-18 (we just qualify) the chance to submit an original track capturing the spirit of Santa Monica.

And its legendary connection to the highway for a chance to win $10,000.

Entries are welcome from the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Route 66, The Mother Road, stretches 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica.

‘The Santa Monica Route 66 Song Contest presents an opportunity for music lovers to be part of this historic anniversary’ said President/CEO Misti Kerns..

‘By invoking their artistic imagination and sharing what the road’s legacy and Santa Monica’s connection means to them.

‘The arts are core to Santa Monica’s community and culture.

‘And we’re pleased to invite artists from around the world to join us in creatively honoring this milestone.’

‘As part of the 100-year celebration, we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the globe.

‘to begin or end their Route 66 journey in our urban beach city.’

Riding into history

And, of course, who’s to know if you cheat by getting a picture at the start in Chicago and one at the end in Santa Monica?

Maybe even ask a kind Hell’s Angel to take a photo of yourself next to his motorbike…

Well, it worked with a bicycle at the highest point of the Tour de France on the Col du Tourmalet.

The centennial festivities kicked off with The Drive Home.

Thorn among roses: With the gang in Santa Monica

A cross-country journey by America’s Automotive Trust in partnership with the National Route 66 Centennial Commission.

The trip started in Santa Monica on January 3 and is covering the full length of the highway.

And culminating in an exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show.

Visitors can also explore Route 66 stops along the way, including retro diners, neon-lit motels, and cultural landmarks.

Asia, Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying

A flying horse the answer to your airport stress

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A flying horse the answer to your airport stress… and very little drachma.

And see what we’ve done there.

Because our old friends at Pegasus Airlines have put on some epic deals for 2026.

And flagged up Istanbul for special treatment.

We have take-off: The original Pegasus/Tulpar

Although we’re almost surprised they haven’t stuck with Constantinople, the Greek name for the Grand Old City.

Which our Athenian guides cling doggedly to when casting an eye east.

Now Pegasus is the half-man/half-equine begotten by Poseidon and Medusa.

When the Gorgon let her snake hair down.

On a wing and a prayer

Now we’re not sure what a sample £117.49 return is in old Socratearian coinage.

But in today’s money it’s classic.

And as far as what we call things around here well, potato, po-ta-to.

The Greeks and the Turks are cut from more similar cloth than they sometimes care to admit.

And where Pegasus gives the Greeks wings the Turks turn to Tulpar.

Faster and truer

Now we’re reliably informed that Tulpar flies between three ancient worlds, the upper, middle and lower.

Runs faster than the world and is the horse of batirs, or heroes.

Now as two things can be the same at the same time then Pegasus and Tulpar will fly you faster and truer.

Which is music to the ears for when you get to Istanbul/Constantinople and explore the city of two cultures, civilisations and continents.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, UK

St Stephen’s Day v Boxing Day which is better?

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Straddling Britain and Ireland means switching Christmas hats… so St Stephen’s Day v Boxing Day which is better?

Just one of the many cultural differences between the two islands is in what we call the Day After Christmas.

Being the first Christian martyr, St Stephen, of course, came before the consumerist Boxing Day.

And he has the jump on the alternative by dint of being by appointment to the Almighty.

With the Church decreeing early that the first martyr should bank the day after the day of Jesus’s birthday.

While Boxing Day had to wait until 1833, with Queen Victoria’s seat still warm on the throne.

When the aristocracy handed down some crumbs from their table.

From Melbourne to Massachussetts

The upper classes would box up gifts and give them to their servants, the poor or tradespeople the day after Christmas Day.

Now as you’d expect Boxing Day took root in the countries of Empire, now Commonwealth, and are still celebrated today.

With Boxing Day in Melbourne, Australia, noted for its Test Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or MCG.

Although England, on the end of an Ashes humiliation, aren’t doing much partying.

Randomly, there is a corner of America where Boxing Day is a thing and that is in the least likely, Patriots’ Massachusetts.

Where since 1996 it’s been celebrated, in response to the efforts of a coalition of British citizens to ‘transport the English tradition to the United States’.

Long to wren over us

Czech it out: On the King Charles Bridge in Prague

Stephen’s Day, on the other hand, is where the rest of the Christian world outside of the King’s hails the first Christian martyr.

And where the Good King Wenceslas first looked out in Prague, with his pizza deep pan, crisp and even.

The best tradition though, and we are biased here, is in Ireland.

Where Stephen’s Day is also called Wren Day… well, they would have two names for it.

It goes back to the legend that a wren’s cooing gave away Stephen.

And where Wrenboys, dressed in masks and costumes sang songs and played music for money,.

And used to hunt for wrens although now they’re carried around as stuffed or fake wren.

Then there’s the Mummer’s Festival, held every year in the village of New Inn, County Galway, and Dingle in County Kerry.

From Magyars to Murtys

While there’s also a Magyar Festival, a fertility ritual, which we discovered on our travels this year.

Where Hungarians wear sheepskin furs and use a bagpipe and a chained stick to make music.

Our household of all nations, for our part is called ‘You do the Christmas clean-up Day’.

Countries, Flying, Ireland

A dog is for Christmas with Aer Lingus

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And a Joyeux Noel to all our pets and why a dog is for Christmas with Aer Lingus.

All animal lovers will know the challenges of transporting their creatures great and small at this time of year.

And our first-born, Celtic the Cat, would travel up in the back of the plane with a wee sleeping jag to help him with the journey.

Not that he would have needed it as he would sleep on Herself’s lap on the motorway into work in Berkshire back in the day… don’t tell!

We’ll all have our tails (sorry) about how we reunite with our pets or bring them home.

And just like us they don’t like waiting in a tailback on the motorway.

Which, and don’t shoot us here, is why short-haul flights are often the answer.

Puppy heroes

Our friends at Aer Lingus certainly know how to look after our furry friends.

As can be seen here with Aer Lingus cabin crew member Pedro de Barros giving a warm welcome to Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland’s superhero puppies.

Or Rocket, Hulk and Phoenix to their friends, as they checked in at Dublin Airport today.

The three golden labradors, who are just 8 weeks old, were flying with Aer Lingus to Brussels.

Where they will begin specialised training to become life-changing assistance dogs for autistic children.

Aer Lingus worked closely with Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, a Cork-based charity dedicated to providing assistance dogs to families of autistic children.

To ensure the pups travel safely and comfortably.

That’s a brood

Donegal doggies tale: With my Dear Old Dad

The puppies are part of a record-breaking litter of 15 golden labradors born in Co Tipperary in October to Labrador parents, Omma and Mango.

Which in Grandpa McNulty’s day wasn’t unusual for country folk, as he was the youngest of 15 in the Donegal townland of Brockagh.

The pups, nine male and six female, are all named after superheroes.

And I’m thinking here that my Grandpa’s poor mum was something of a hero herself.

Over the next two years, the adorable litter will transform from playful pups into expertly trained companions.

And they’ll offer independence and support to children who need them most.

My pet project

Remember too to spoil your pets this Christmas.

Because remember a certain little donkey and shepherds tending their flock at night were all part of the first Christmas.

And, of course, there will always be a home on my lap for the neighbourhood cat, Rufus.

Who we expect will get more Christmas dinners than anybody.

America, Caribbean, Countries

A Californian Christmas with the Adams family

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It’s altogether kooky, a Californian Christmas with the Adams family, where ‘even Santa will have a tan’.

For half the world where it glows rather than snows on Christmas Day.

Which is what it is for rock legend, the Groover from Vancouver, in his Californian home.

And don’t you know that Bryan Adams’ Christmas offering is the earworm on our radio stations this festive period.

Now does it do for you?

Bryan tells us that every day you know it’s going to shine in the Golden State and he’s never let us down in the past.

Chasing the sun

Of course, we’re all of us in the chilly northern bit of the northern hemisphere, dreaming of that.

And it has been our good fortune to find ourselves in warmer parts around this time of year.

Although, not as you would expect the Deep South of America.

Where I awoke in our coach journey through Mississippi to discover the fields in a blanket of white.

Which my Tennessean guide Heather told me was what the sharecroppers would call the snow.

Not that any of it diminished the warm welcome we received in an antibellum house.

Where we learned that the movie the Help had been filmed.

And a Caribbean Christmas too

Now we trust that our Californian chums will be indulging in their favourite pastime of hiking over the holidays.

And chilling out which is really all you can do in the warm.

And which our pals in the Caribbean have down to a fine art.

Not that we’d recommend the big red and white robes more suited to northern climes.

But which they faithfully don in a nod to our more Old World traditions.

Although, of course, as with all things in the Caribbean, and in this case Tobago it comes with a shot of rum.

An Irie and a peel of parang Soca music.

So whatever your poison or pastime the festive season is always better with a song in your heart.

America, Countries, Deals, Flying, Ireland

Eiretale of New York

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And it’s an Eiretale of New York which is enough to get the boys of the NYPD choir singing Galway Bay.

With the Tourism Ireland team getting an early Christmas gift in the form of a Best Destination in Europe award for the 12^th year in a row.

Beating off heavyweight France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia at the New York bash.

Prize guys: Tourism Ireland’s Alison Metcalfe and Paul McDonagh

Subscribers to Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice who held their 23rd Awards in New York may not be aware or little care.

But the NYPD do not actually boast a choir.

Although they do have a Pipes and Drums band who played on the video.

And who mimed the words to the Mickey Mouse March because they didn’t know the lyrics to Galway Bay.

An Epic revision

You can only imagine Shane MacGowan took some artistic licence because boys of the NYPD Pipes and Drums band didn’t scan as well.

Of course, it’s a birthright of the Irish to lay claim to any number of truisms we now take for granted.

With St Patrick, actually a Welshman, the daddy of them all.

And it is in that rich tradition that Shane and Epic the Irish Emigration Museum have followed.

With the award-winning tourist attraction marking the Great Man’s passing two years ago by assembling their very own NYPD choir.

To sing Galway Bay, just before the bells on Christmas Day.

All on video as part of the They Gave the Walls a Talking exhibition to showcase the diaspora.

Which Shane of course did more to champion than most.

Singing Galway Bay

It was one-such Irish emigrant Dr Arthur Colahan, native of Fermanagh but reared in County Galway who wrote the much-loved song about the City of Tribes while living in Leicester.

While it was another Irish-American, Bing Crosby, whose mother Catherine Harrigan’s family hailed from County Cork who popularised the song.

Making Galway Bay at one point the biggest selling record of all time.

And you can’t get better Christmas cred than Bing and Shane a double act we’d have loved to have seen.

And we’ve even come up with the perfect collab… Eiretale of New York.

While Aer Lingus will fly you to the Big Apple with pre-clearance out of the Oul Country and we found a sample return flight from €566.76 for next month.

America, Countries, Europe, Flying

Aer Lingus is sticking it to the rest with its new routes

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WHEN did we stop parading our destinations on our suitcases… pah, Aer Lingus is sticking it to the rest with its new routes.

Ireland’s national airline carrier has six brand-new ones launching next year.

Taking off in time for summer 2026, the airline will commence five short-haul services from Dublin and Cork..

With the flagship transatlantic route four times weekly from May 25, Pittsburgh.

Where new friendships will be renewed following the historic NFL game between Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings.

Touchdown Pennsylvanians

Flying high: Steelers touch down in Dublin

The gridironistas will be back again in 2027 when the Pitt Panthers fly to Dublin to face the Wisconsin Badgers.

In the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Week Zero of the College Football calendar.

The new route brings the total number of routes Aer Lingus operates from Ireland to North America to 24.

Do the Continental

If you want to stay closer to home then the national airline carrier has expanded its options to continental Europe.

Customers departing from Dublin will have access to new destinations including Norway’s capital city, Oslo.

Majestic Montpellier in the south of France, and Asturias, a hidden gem located on Spain’s Galician northern coast.

And not forgetting Corkonians and the south of Ireland.

Who will benefit from services to Nice on the French Riviera.

As well as to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, offering convenient access to the Camino de Santiago.

And there will be plenty of space in the overhead cabins for those rucksacks and walking sticks.

Becherovka all round

Furthermore, Aer Lingus is extending its Cork-Prague service to operate throughout the year.

Which will give Czechiaphiles the chance to stock up on their Becherovka.

Which I do after the Son and Heir drained my Czech licquer with his pals on one of the occasions we left him with a Free House.

And he defensively told me that he would replace it after thinking that I would be duped by him and his Daft Pals leaving just a dribble at the bottom.

So if it’s Pittsburgh or Prague, Montpellier or Santiago be sure to get on board and get those stickers on your suitcase.

To show off, of course, but also to ensure your luggage stands out on the carousel.