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And we thought you’d appreciate some good aeronautical news and that is that Aer Lingus is working Nine to Flyve for Dolly.

The Irish national airline carrier has only marked The Queen of Country’s passing by dedicating their flight to Nashville.

In Dolly’s name… renumbering their Dublin-to-Nashville service EI95.

Been there, bought the t-shirt: The Great Dolly

Aer Lingus currently has transatlantic fares available from €199 each way, as part of a return trip.

So doll up, get your nails done and your blonde wig on… and ladies do the same.

Bookings must be made before 29 September 2026 for travel between October 1-March 19.

A Parton gift

Talking of books the promotion of reading was one of Dolly’s great passions.

And we all know of her roots and that she pledged to get the world reading.

After growing up in a Tennessee home where her Daddy couldn’t read.

And that she went on to found the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Which since its inception since 1995 has gifted more than 330,000 books to under-5s.

A leaf out of Dolly’s book

Now taking a leaf out of Dolly’s book Aer Lingus are donating books on their Nine to Flyve flight.

Every child on the first EI95 service will receive a book to enjoy during their journey.

And to take home as a memento of the flight.

Which parents will be delighted with to keep the wee ones quiet.

While Daddy and Mummy Dolly listen to their Dolly playlist on their headphones.

Or maybe watch 9 to 5 on the infotainment.

To get them in the mood for celebrating Dolly at the Grand Ole Opry.

Or further afield at Dollywood.

America, Countries, UK

Saturday Night Live… from Chicago

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As the UK laps up another dose of US improv, here’s why it was really Saturday Night Live… from Chicago.

Comedy fans have long greeted the holler after the opening sketch announcing Saturday Night Live… from New York.

And while the weekly anarchic tilt at the week is shot now in New York, and its UK version in London.

It is Chicago where improv is rooted, and in particular The Second City comedy club.

Which spawned Belushi and Aykroyd, Murray and Gardner, Fey and Poehler and Louis-Dreyfus and Carrell.

The original and best

John Boy: John Belushi, middle back, Second City

The Windy City is rightly proud of its hallowed place in the comedy firmament.

And it is not by accident with Chicagoans showing all the spontaneity and inventiveness.

Which led them to the Mid-West in the first place.

Viola Spolin is credited with being the Godmother of Modern Improv.

And that surely is a stage name given to gags.

And she passed on the funny gene to son Paul Sills who founded the Compass Players which led to the formation of the Second City.

Now what happens in Chicago soon gets taken up in the Big Apple and beyond… think skyscrapers.

And Second City has expanded since its inception in the 50s to spread the word to NY and Toronto and to the virtual ether.

Of course there is nothing quite like the original.

And if you want to discover the next SNL superstars then The Second City Chicago always put on the best show.

Sheer Pandemonium

As a sample Chicago is putting on Pandemonium, Please Hold through Friday.

Which they call The Second City’s 114th MainStage Revue Pandemonium.

A loud fast and gloriously unhinged night of comedic mayhem.

With the six-person cast cranking the amps and stage dives headfirst into the chaos with blistering sketches.

With tickets from $40-$80… and with a card and your own joke to go, In conjunction with The National Comedy Center New York.

And now the punchline

And because you’re you we’re sharing ours with you here for nothing.

Why didn’t the toilet paper cross the road?

Because it got stuck in a crack.

America, Countries

Muhammad Ali’s gift to Kentucky

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Down by the Ohio legend has it that there’s an Olympic gold medal in the mud… Muhammad Ali’s gift to Kentucky.

In truth, the world’s greatest-ever sportsman’s legacy is far greater than the trinket he threw.

Into the Ohio River in protest against racism.

And in this the tenth year we are reminded of how we can mark it in his home town of Louisville.

On a knockout Internet Traveller 14-night Legends & Landmarks of Kentucky fly-drive holiday from £2,375pps.

In the rounds

You’ll fly into Cincinnati and stay two nights at the vibrant Hotel Covington in Covington.

And sign up for a Sin City Mobster Tour.

Days 3-6 will be spent in Louisville at the 21c Museum Hotel, Louisville, where you’ll came face to face with a 20C icon.

Where you can step into the ring at the Muhammad Ali Center.

While if racing is more your thing and it is Favourite Cousin Kath’s Kentuckian husband Mark’s.

Then you can immerse yourself in the Churchill Downs at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Where the history of ‘The Run for the Roses’ gallops to life.

Drink it all in

Now drinking in Kentucky obviously means bourbon and where better to stay than the Distll-Inn in Bardstown.

Stay two nights and embark on A Taste of Bardstown Tour where you’ll learn the art of bourbon-making.

Shifting gear your next pit stop is the National Corvette Museum in the lyrically-named Bowling Green.

Going underground; The world’s longest caves

With a billet at the Holiday Inn Express.

And the enchanting Mammoth Cave, which is no idle boast, with it stretching 426 miles.

Making it the longest known cave system in the world, though we don’t expect you to do it all.

It’s finger-licking’ good

Now no visit to Kentucky is complete obviously without a stop-off for a KFC.

And where better than the Colonel’s home town of Corbin and the original Sanders Café.

While because Southerners believe that anything the North can do they do it better.

Then take in the nearby Cumberland Falls, ‘the Niagara of the South.’

You’ll round off your tour with three nights in classic equine country, Lexington.

Not in a stable although Kentuckian horses are housed in style.

But in the elegant Campbell House in Lexington.

And be treated to a Kentucky Horse Farms Tour that takes you through the rolling pastures of the Bluegrass Region.

America, Countries, Deals

Get your skates on for Ireland’s Aer exodus

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It’s as much a sign of autumn as leaves on the ground, the Irish flier, and this is where you get your skates on for Ireland’s Aer exodus.

Because as beautiful as Autumn is in Ireland, and we spent 13 years seeing the Garden County of Wicklow turn a golden hue.

There is a world out there in all its many-splendoured colours waiting for us to explore or revisit.

Of course, New York is a true rite of passage for Irish youngsters and J1ers.

Halloween in the Big Apple

And my first trip to the Big Apple being in the Fall when it was New Amsterdam it has always been a special time to visit.

Which we reprised with our wee apples.

Skated on the rink outside the Rockefeller Center with Daughterie.

Went native when we took the Staten Island Ferry where every second brown build had a carved Obama pumpkin to greet us.

And joined the Paw Parade at Battery back on Manhattan where naturally New Yorkers dress their pooches as superheroes.

Before partying with the people on the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

The American Each-Way

All of which we can all enjoy and much more thanks to our friends at the national airline carrier.

With great value transatlantic fares available from €199 each way.

While of course the Irish have been known to pop up all over America.

With Aer Lingus flying to 20 destinations from Boston and Orlando to California and great spots in between.

America, Countries

Universal Orlando clown fixture scareactor

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Had the creative geniuses been there for my mock-up circus promo back then I’d be a Universal Orlando clown fixture scareactor now.

Nowhere does Halloween come around quicker than Universal Orlando.

With horror fans straining at the leash for today’s launch (in August!) of its 35th Halloween Horror Nights spooktacular.

When they will showcase sinister new experiences, ten haunted houses, chilling street experiences… and clowns.

Roll up for the Carnival

All of the fun unfolds within the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares.

A decrepit carnival overseen by Jack the Clown and his legendary rival, Dr. Oddfellow.

With old pals The Usher, The Storyteller and more.

While there’s no escape either on the streets where in Downtown Clowntown a troupe of maniacal clowns have taken over the New York area .

Horror fans will come face to face with the Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Art the Clown, and returning characters Chance and Eddie Schmidt.

CityWalk to CityStalk

The horror extends beyond the scare zones and into other areas of the park as the streets teem with even more lurking frights, including:

The hotels and entertainment hub CityWalk are, of course, all part of the party.

With the CityWalk’s Dead Coconut Club, which transforming into a Harvest Festival this fall.

And don’t you know our pals at themeland have only put on a scarily good offer here.

Deal me in

A 7-nighter in Universal Orlando Resort from £1,422.57pps.

With Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando.

Room Only accommodation at Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites.

The package also includes 14-day Universal Orlando All Parks Tickets and Halloween Horror Nights Single Night Tickets.

Price is based on a departure on 10 September and includes all applicable taxes, local fees, resort fees and fuel surcharges..

Book by 30 September 2026 to take advantage of Virgin Atlantic Holidays’ September Sale,

including a reduced £75 per person deposit and additional savings on selected Universal Orlando Resort holidays using promo code UNIVERSAL.

America, Countries

The young also rises in Florida Keys

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In the fiesta that is the Hemingway lookalike competition the young also rises in Florida Keys.

Because as the much lamented Dolly Parton, who was overlooked even in her own competition, reminds us you need to stick out.

And so white beardie Hemingways have become just too difficult to separate.

Kudos then to Chris Dutton, who made history by becoming the first Young Hemingway to win Sloppy Joe’s 45th Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest.

The Tampa native channeling Ernest’s earlier moustachioed days.

With, of course, the hairy top lip into the full bush face being a natural progression.

For all of us budding writers.

Importance of being Ernest

Now for those who wish to put their Hemingway credentials to the test and be judged by other Ernests.

Then pencil in July 21-26 at Hemingway’s hang-out Sloppy Joe’s in Key West.

The 39-year-old lawyer emerged from a field of 134 registered contestants, in two preliminary rounds.

Before defeating 23 other finalists to claim the title on his seventh attempt.

The tache Ernest wore: In his younger days

By making a pitch to the judges, or Papas.

All of whom evaluate resemblance to Hemingway, stage presence and character.

And the ability to represent a society devoted to preserving the celebrated author’s legacy.

A chunky white jumper

Sloppy drinkers: The hard-drinking Ernest

Now a good Hemingway chunky white jumper is sure to help.

And Chris had the very thing, a gift from an old Papa.

‘Papa David Douglas gave me this sweater,’ said Chris. ‘I’ve had it for a few years and I never told anybody.’

Now like the Great Man himself the Papas are famous for their generosity.

And after his first appearance at the lookalike contest, a past Papa invited him to Cuba.

Because a Papa is not just for Christmas, as somebody just said.

Papa’s brand new bag

The bell tolls: Skylar Massella of Delray Beach, Fla., Mari Portal of Miami, and Allison Plumadore of Key West.Picture: Carol Tedesco/Florida Keys News Bureau.

Chris now moves from contestant to judge, helping select future winners.

And supporting the Hemingway Look-Alike Society’s scholarship program, which has awarded more than $350,000 to Florida Keys students.

He also becomes one of the tradition’s ambassadors, helping ensure Hemingway’s enduring influence.

Hemingway lived and wrote some of his most famous works in Key West through much of the 1930s.

And he was a regular at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where the contest was held.

The annual contest remains the signature event of the six-day Hemingway Days celebration honouring the 127th anniversary of his July 21 birth.

America, Countries, Sustainable Tourism

Harping on about underwater music in Florida

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And because we’re all in need of a smile these days that’s why we’re harping on about underwater music in Florida.

And the sonorous snorkelers who have just put on a coral concert for the ages.

Beneath the waves for the 42nd annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival.

Ocean-themed favorites streamed through underwater speakers at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

As dancing mermaids strummed guitars, plucked harps and sounded trumpets.

And tropical fish swam through the melodies.

Between songs, divers heard reminders about protecting fragile coral reefs.

By respecting marine life, using mooring buoys, and practising responsible diving and snorkelling.

Manatees & other marine mates

We have seen first hand what is being done in the name of those who live under the sea.

And made some conservation chums along the way.

Such as JP, the manatees’ mate and penguins pal at SeaWorld in Orlando.

Of course, you don’t have to have fins for feet and be able to breathe underwater to help out our fishy friends.

Which is just as well for this landlubber who struggles in water.

Gulping most of it from the Red Sea to the Caribbean.

And for the most part missing out on swimming through the shoals.

Although with a deep breath I still managed to see Mr and Mrs Turtle on a couples holiday…

And to clarify, that was a humans break.

Turtle Girl Power

And talking of turtle power a big shout-out to Girl Power and her handlers.

This honey in a half-shell was rescued in the Keys around International Women’s Day last month.

And taken to The Turtle Hospital tangled in fishing line and covered in life-threatening tumours.

Four months later, she proved resilience can be stronger than any obstacles in her way.

“Girl Power was a long shot,” said manager Bette Zirkelbach.

With a satellite transmitter attached to her shell, Girl Power was released from Sombrero Beach in Marathon.

As the Turtle Hospital’s official competitor in the Tour de Turtles race, she will be tracked by Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Tour de Turtles

Off you go: Bette Zirkelbach and Jory Geib release Girl Power. (Natalie Danko/Florida Keys News Bureau)

As she journeys out to sea. Girl Power’s satellite tag will transmit her location whenever she surfaces

And that allows scientists to study her migration while giving us a front-row seat to cheer her on.

For roughly three months, she will compete against other rehabilitated sea turtles.

To see who swims the farthest in this year’s Tour de Turtles.

America, Countries

The beginning of the US’s rail story

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And today’s question is where can you track the beginning of the US’s rail story?

Well, if you said Baltimore then first class, although to be fare (we can go like this all day) everyone travelled the same back in 1827.

Now our Baltimore buddies are preparing for next year’s bicentennial of American railroading in 2027.

With the B&O Railroad Museum, birthplace of American railroading, rebranding itself as the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation.

To tell the story of how a 13-mile line between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mill in Maryland kickstarted the networks we have today.

Of course, in the beginning they were horse-drawn cars which were then replaced by steam locos.

And then there’s its place in history as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.

And for trainspotters

The announcement comes as the museum continues its transformative $38 million campus expansion.

The project includes new visitor experiences, expanded gathering spaces and an outdoor amphitheater.

And for trainspotters… 30 million archive documents, chronicling the history, development and impact of American railroading.

The expansion will culminate in the opening of Innovation Hall ahead of the nation’s commemoration of the 200th anniversary of American railroading next year.

But it’s not just about looking back, the Innovation Hall will showcase the future of railroading technologies.

Visitors will explore engineering, automation, sustainability, freight systems, passenger mobility.

And emerging innovations shaping the next generation of rail transportation.

The train reigns

All of which shines a light on this much-overlooked mode of American transport.

With the car the king and residents of the big cities warning any and every visitor of the dangers of rail travel.

While because of the size of the country Americans take planes like we take trains…

My train set: Miniature rail in Colorado

Amtrak on the east coast, Chicago monorails, the Boston T, miniature versions.

And those who want the authentic beatnik experience bus it or bike it.

We say, though, let the American train take the strain and wonder at the classical stations.

And, of course, start in Baltimore.

America, Countries

One hundred and fifty years of Colorado

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And they’re having a high old time today as they celebrate One hundred and fifty years of Colorado.

Although it’s known by all as the Centennial State on account of it being this day in 1776 that Ulysses Grant granted them statehood.

Now like all Coloradophiles we have been following progress of the Sesquicentenary all year.

And particularly since we gathered in my Glasgow birthplace to toast our Mid-West pals.

Now because every day is a school day here are some killer Colorado factoids which make the 38th State special.

Colorado Rocks

Now there have been many Coloradan singers of note and tributes to the state’s beauty.

From Henry John Deutschendorf Jr’s (or John Denver to you and me) Rocky Mountain High.

To Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic’s Stop And Stare at the iconic Red Rocks.

But even more ubiquitous than either is America the Beautiful, inspired by Katharine Lee Bates’ visit to Pikes Peak in 1893.

The same year as Colorado became the first state to grant women the right to vote through a popular referendum.

Here for the beer

Coloradans, of course, will be celebrating with a beer from any one of the 420 craft breweries.

And we’re lucky enough to have an insider in University of Boulder beer archaeologist Travis (no, we’re not making that up).

Now you probably know Colorado as a high old state… and not just for its liberal drugs laws.

But it also has the highest mean altitude of all the states with Denver known as The Mile High City.

And Coloradans are fond, of course, of saying that you only have to drink half as much to get twice as drunk.

Springs in the air

The Great Outdoors: Out and about in Colorado

The Centennial State is also famous for its hot springs.

With the world’s largest natural hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs.

With the two-block long pool across from the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite stop of former president Teddy Roosevelt.

The inimitable Teddy is, of course, not alone in embracing the charms of the Coloured Red (on account of the topography) state.

Here’s Bill & Johnny

And every visitor to Colorado naturally pays homage to Buffalo Bill at his tombstone.

Where you will be expected to throw a coin on to his stone in tribute.

But Colorado too is home to The Stanley Hotel, in Estes Park.

Where a host of celebrities and heads of state that have stayed at the luxurious 1909 hostelry.

And here’s Johnny, from Stephen King’s novel The Shining, the hotel inspiring the author.

Fair is fowl

Now if you’re of a strong constitution then maybe you’re looking for something a bit more head turning.

So head to Fruita, where the town folk celebrate Mike the Headless Chicken Day.

To commemorate farmer L.A. Olsen who cut off Mike’s head on September 10, 1945 for his dinner.

Only for Mike to live for another four years without a head.

So have a high old time today as you have all year.

And here’s to the next 150 years.

America, Countries

The Universal appeal of Ozzy Osbourne

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It was always a match made in heaven (or should that be hell) and that’s the Universal appeal of Ozzy Osbourne.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our old pals at Universal Orlando and Hollywood Resort have put together a homage to The Prince of Darkness.

With the people who know him best… mum Sharon and brother Jack.

Guests can anticipate a wild ride as they climb aboard the Crazy Train.

For a terrifying living horror movie trip through his disturbing world of rock and roll.

You’ll be transported through Ozzy’s outrageous and eccentric solo career.

All to the background music of Ozzy’s solo albums…

The Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, Bark at the Moon, No More Tears, Scream and Ordinary Man.

Brum notes

The haunted house will show you where it all began, in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham.

Starting with “Crazy Train”, Ozzy’s most famous song, guests will travel through time from his early childhood.

To the Osbourne Asylum, inspired by his iconic album Diary of a Madman.

And embrace his personas, Madman Ozzy and Werewolf Ozzy to the Prince of Darkness.

At Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights guests will venture through ancient ruins and foreboding dungeons.

Before boarding the Crazy Train for a twisted ride.

At home with Sharon & Jack

And who better to review the experience than Sharon and Jack themselves?

‘Ozzy never stopped pushing boundaries, and he loved anything that gave fans a new way to experience his music and the worlds he created,”

‘Halloween Horror Nights has done an incredible job bringing that spirit to life.

‘Walking through these haunted houses, you’ll recognise so many moments inspired by his music and imagination.

‘It’s a wonderful tribute to Ozzy, and we hope fans have as much fun experiencing it as he would have had seeing it come together.’

At Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights guests will venture through ancient ruins and foreboding dungeons.

Before boarding the “Crazy Train” for a twisted ride.

Just the ticket

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort, beginning Friday, August 28 through Sunday, November 1.

And at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, November 1.

Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are available at AttractionTickets.com.