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Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying, Skiing, Sport

Norway where the Aer is cleaner

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Let the snowbirds fly south for winter, Ireland’s national airline is heading for Norway where the Aer is cleaner.

Aer Lingus launched its inaugural Dublin-Tromsø service today, December 3.

Giving customers a new way to experience the magic of the Northern Lights.

Flights to Tromsø will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays, until March.

With one-way fares starting from €101 including taxes, charges, and carrier-imposed fees.

Arctic awe

Won’t you ride my sleigh: Get in the festive spirit

Now the most popular spot to spot the Aurora Borealis, or Heavenly Dancers, is from atop Mount Storsteinen.

Which you can access on the Fjellheisen cable car to the summit of Mount Storsteinen.

Where you can see the city clearly lit up including Arctic Cathedral.

All white

Skiers too dot the Norwegian landscape at Tromsø Alpinpark, just 12 km from the airport.

Now our Tromsø venner (or friends) have put on a wide and varied range of ways to see the Northern Lights.

Of course, standing still and waiting is an option, with a warm gløgg mulled wine.

Get there how you can

But it looks more fun letting the Norwegians take you to the best vantage points on any numbers of Arctic transport.

Some of which even include whale as well as star watching.

Including night reindeer sledding with dinner, and don’t worry Rudolph is not on the menu. Or husky.

Seafarers will hone in on sailboats, catamarans, cruises, vintage vessels or if it’s your thang, kayaking.

For those who like to get somewhere on foot then you can even ski or snowshoe to your destination.

Or minibus, or whisper it Tesla it.

America, Countries

Get rail tracks on Route 66

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For when you don’t have a motorbike or a Winnebago.. get rail tracks on Route 66.

Because in the Land of the Road Trip and on the most famous one of them all nervous drivers can let the train make the strain.

You’ll be riding on the Amtrak and sleeping in a Roomette and all in the centenary of the route next year.

You’ll start off in Chicago and be treated to an Architecture Cruise and learn just why the great metropolis of the Mid-West is called the Second City.

Rivers and deserts

This Internet Traveller trip gives you plenty of time to get out on the great rivers too.

And there are none more iconic than the Mississippi where you’ll be treated to a river cruise..

In the St Louis leg of your journey where you’ll get to climb the soaring Gateway Arch.

Cross into Albuquerque, rich with desert hues and soak up the southwestern spirit.

Walk in the footsteps of the New Mexicans of yore on an Albuquerque Old Town History, Legends & Lore Tour.

Immerse yourself in Albuquerque’s Native American and Spanish traditions.

And fare with their green chilli stew.

Grand Canyon

Then it’s on to Flagstaff, your doorway to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.

Now having seen the wild horses of the Canyon and meandering Colorado River from the air on a Maverick Helicopters ride.

Then I’m keen to experience it on the ground which you will with a Grand Canyon Rail Tour.

And really channel your Wild West hero at night and relax under a big sky and galaxy of stars.

On the Santa Monica Boulevard

Before rounding it off in style on the Santa Monica Boulevard.

And having got stuck in an Uber from the pier which went round in circles there the train and foot feels a far better option.

With plenty of time to explore LA on a Sightseeing Tour and see where the stars come out to shine in Hollywood.

Deal me in

Your Internet Traveller 13-nighter will set you back ¢2,945pps.

And include your air travel from Britain.

And you’ll spend two nights at the 4* Silversmith Hotel Downtown, Chicago.

Two nights at the 4* Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis, three nights at the 4* Little America Hotel, Flagstaff.

One in an Amtrak Roomette, Flagstaff to Los Angeles and two in the 4* Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica.

MEET YOU ON THE TRAIN

America, Asia, Countries, Flying

Avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin

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It’s music to the ears. Avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin.

With British travellers feeling the pinch of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ money grab for their air pounds many are looking to their neighbours.

Just like they did when there was a rush on Irish passports after Brexit, Britons are looking to cash in on Ireland’s easier relationship with the world.

Particularly when they are flying transatlantic.

Which we’ve been advising here for all Bandanini and Bandanistas to do since we moved back from Ireland.

Because, of course, as well as being exempt from the tax, unique to the UK, Ireland boasts pre-clearance for visitors going to North America.

Dublin for the night

Catching up with friends: With Teresa, Eoghan Corry and Sharon Jordan in Dublin

It’s a route I know well and confession time here there is a right way and a stressful way of doing things here.

And you won’t be surprised to hear that your Accidental Tourist has more often than not chosen the stressful option.

Through on the day connections from Edinburgh to Dublin and then the States.

Only however many hours you think you have on your side ‘domestic’ flights will usually let you down.

And you may well find yourself rushing through customs and finding yourself still catching your breath on board for your connecting flight to Chicago.

Even if your lemon suitcase takes another four days to join you.

So you might consider a stop-off in the Irish capital the night before and what’s not to like about that option.

Particularly as you’ll still be in pocket through the money you would have spent on those extra Rachel Reeves surcharges.

Turk an overnighter in Istanbul

So you’re going long-haul the other way to Asia or Australia and New Zealand.

Travel expert Simon Calder of the Independent, advises, as we do, Istanbul as your stop-off point.

Where again you can take advantage of the rules by taking a 24-hour plus break in your journey to avoid those extra costs.

Which you won’t regret as you cross continents on a boat trip on the Bosphorus, count your blessings in the Blue Mosque.

And detox from your kofti and Antalya wine in the Cagaloglu Hamam, just like Florence Nightingale, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey et al have done.

So while all these Rachel Rates have been taxing Britons this week and for years to come, stick with us.

To avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin and the jewel of Turkey.

And we’ll keep you straight and with more cash in your pocket through our Holidos and Holidon’ts tips.

America, Countries, Culture

Party like a pioneer in Plymouth on Thanksgiving

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The people of Massachusetts feel more blessed on this day than any neighbour which is why they party like a pioneer on Thanksgiving.

Because, of course, legend tells us that it was in Plymouth where the Pilgrims and the people who were already there first broke bread and wine in 1621.

Some 53 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, feasting on fish, shellfish and veg.

The table is set: What it might have looked like in 1621

Now talk around whether everything happened exactly the way we play it out today keeps a whole industry of historians in work, which is no bad thing.

Of course, the best place to immerse yourself in everything Thanksgiving is where it all began, in Plymouth.

Where they are feasting like it’s 1621.

Pilgrim’s Progress

Free the turkey: And vote for Thanksgiving

Our Plymouth pals direct us to the Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth Rock and the National Monument to the Forefathers.

And as we’re channeling 1621 then first off is the Pilgrim’s Progress, a procession to Sabbath worship.

The Donald will: Even if he gets his feathers ruffled

On the site of the original fort/meetinghouse where psalms are sung.

And passages are read by ‘Elder Brewster’ from Governor Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation or other sources.

The First Nations

Now Thanksgiving Day, on the third Thursday of November, should be as much about the indigenous population as the settlers.

And Plymouth doesn’t forget them with a National Day of Mourning March and ceremonies at Massasoit Statue, Cole’s Hill.

Now Plymouth is only 40 miles from Boston and should be part of every American history fan’s odyssey.

Thanks to Aer Lingus

And like everything American for us travelling from these next rocks at the eastern end of the Atlantic.

We advise to travel through Dublin.

Irish-Americans all: Thanksgivings in Dublin

With Aer Lingus with pre-clearance.

We found a random return flight for next month from €634.42.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

America, Countries, Flying

Rock me mama to Wagon Wheel to Raleigh

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Nathan Carter has done more for Irish and North Carolinian relationships than anyone, so we expect the inaugural Aer Lingus flight will rock me mama to Wagon Wheel to Raleigh.

Raleigh becomes the 26th Aer Lingus North American route when it takes off from 13 regional British airports through Dublin next April.

We’ve yet to hear a song around that odyssey so there’s an opening there for us.

There is one though famously out of Maine in New England and on to Raleigh, North Caroline.

Which Nathan and Carolinian Darius Rucker popularised.

With stop-offs in Philly and in Roanoke, Virginia.

Up in New England

And all because the lovelorn hitchhiker wanted to run from the cold and poker losses in New England.

Though we can’t understand that because we’d run to it.

Although he is clearly missing his baby.

Now as romantic as it all sounds, a banjo-playing wannabe fiddle player going to these lengths to get to his guitar-playing baby.

A Breeze of an alternative

He could always have flown with Breeze Airways (no, us neither).

From £132 from Portland and be in her arms in just over two hours.

But then it would have been a very different song, and maybe Boeing Wheels doesn’t have the same lyrical sound to it.

Sweet Caroline

Now while our hero clearly had a warm welcome waiting for him with his baby you’ll more than likely need your own billet.

Our friends at Rome2Rio have kindly pointed us in the direction of a range of hotels and Black Friday deals.

And their three sample nights in March at the Raleigh Marriott City Center has grabbed our eye at £574 for two, down from £820.

Rock me mamma

Now you’ll want to know what you and your loved-one can do in Raleigh.

So we’ll fill in the gaps, or rather Getyourguide will.

As American history buffs we’re clearly all over the full-day Historian Guided City and Raleigh African American History tours.

While of the ghoulish, fiendish or downright criminal can choose between ghost and crime tours.

But our interest is piqued most by the four-hour Raleigh/Durham: Mystery Date Night in the Triangle Area.

Which our pals in the song would doubtless of availed of, particularly after the long hours of hitching.

America, Countries

The Huck stops here 150 years on in Missouri

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They’re literature’s ragtag rascals who stole our hearts and The Huck stops here 150 years on in Missouri.

Big reveal, I was cynical about Tom Sawyer and his outlaw friend Huckleberry Finn.

When I was introduced him to as an English Lit student in Aberdeen where I was a bit of a rascal myself.

Thinking the raggedy-arsed boys from Ol’ Mississippi a childish yarn and the racial language provocative.

To the Britain of my time, the Eighties.

Hannibal lecture

Only to have my eyes opened to the nuance in Mark Twain’s writings.

And piquing an interest in the Deep South which I have been able to explore later in life in Mississippi.

All of which naturally draws me to Hannibal in Missouri in a landmark year in 2026, 150 years since Twain introduced the bad lads to the world.

As part of the new self-drive from The Internet Traveller following in the footsteps of iconoclastic Americans.

St Lou too

Tom and Huck, Jesse James and the picture-book town that became the model for Disney’s Main Street USA.

All on the new ‘Missouri’s Legendary Trail’ 11-night self-drive trip.

Flying into St Louis, travellers can experience the iconic Gateway Arch.

And the city’s rich Blues history, and remember St Lou is the birthplace of Chuck Berry.

Before heading to Hannibal, the boyhood home of author Mark Twain.

And which inspired the fictional Mississippi river town of St Petersburg in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Then continue west on Highway 36 – known as the ‘Way of American Genius’.

The best thing since…

To Marceline, the cherished hometown of Walt Disney who based his theme-park vision of Main Street USA.

On the beautiful real-life Main Street he knew so well.

Other stops along the Way include Chillicothe, the birthplace of sliced bread in 1928, the best thing since…

And the town of St Joseph which is steeped in Wild West lore as the eastern terminus of the Pony Express mail service.

While visitors can also visit the Jesse James Home Museum.

In the building where the outlaw was killed in 1882.

Continue to Kansas City for a final night, taking in the city’s rich jazz and barbecue scenes, before flying home.

Deal us in

The itinerary is priced from £1,739pps, including return flights, 11 nights’ accommodation and nine days’ inclusive car hire.

America, Countries

Today’s Wild West train traveller

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Buffalo Bill would, of course, have ridden the Plains on his steed, but today’s Wild West train traveller would take a three-day train journey and now for the price of two.

Our friends at Canyon Spirit have put together a Black Friday promotion for a savings of up to 18%/£300pp for Red Rocks and Wild West fans.

On the new Rockies to the Red Rocks route from Salt Lake to Denver (or vice versa) in the US from April.

The rail deal

Where you’ll get to soak up the plunging-rugged canyons, spectacular red-rock formations and the winding Colorado River from eye level.

Which will bookend that Papillon Helicopter tour you took back in the day above the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.

You’ll overnight in Glenwood Springs (the clue is in the name), Colorado and Moab, Utah.

The additional day of train travel will traverse the mountain passes of eastern Utah and the open vistas of the Great Basin.

While connecting to the urban hub of Salt Lake City.

Hosts with the most

Framing your journey: Zip through the Wild West

And all with your hosts talking you through the destinations through which you pass.

While feasting on the best local fare and beer, wines, and spirits.

And maybe a concert: OneRepublic at Red Rocks

The new three-day Rockies to the Red Rocks Extension journey will take off on April 10.

It will travel weekly with one westbound departure from Denver and one eastbound departure from Salt Lake City.

The three-day rail journey, including overnight hotel accommodation in Glenwood Springs and Moab.

Costs from £1,331 pp (was £1,631 pp – saving 18%/£300 pp) with the Black Friday promotion.

The Rocky Mountain high

Bandanaman: And the Bandanettes In Denver

And if all this looks familiar it’s probably because it’s the new name.

For the luxury train that welcomes travellers to experience the American Southwest by rail.

And which has been operating under the Rocky Mountaineer brand since 2021.

America, Countries, Music

Hardware Hotel

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With apologies to Elvis, it’s down at the end of West Main Street, it’s Hardware Hotel… in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Continuing our Elvis education our Presleyphile pals are flagging up the 80 years since our hero got his first guitar there.

And because I often do things back to front and I hit Santa Monica Pier first on Route 66.

Before marking off the start of the trail on South Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

My Elvis odyssey then ought to have seen me party with the other Elvises in Las Vegas at the end of the journey.

Or have got his first guitar at Tupelo Hardware and then having to strum an air one at Sun Studio.

The wonder of you

Ra King: The Scottish Elvis in Sun Studio

And instead start at the very beginning which is why Presleyphiles should return to sender.

And the address that IS known is 114 West Main Street, Tupelo.

Which is turning 100 next year so would have been well established when Gladys Presley popped by with her lively 11-year-old in 1946.

And famously a shop employee settled the young Mississippian down when he sulked after Gladys refused to buy him a rifle.

Of course, the rest is history and while Tupelo foxes and birdlife breathed a sigh of relief.

The rest of the world sucked in and got ready for the musical trip of a lifetime.

It’s nail or never

Now today’s employees at the Tupelo Hardware Store exude the same good ol’ Southern hospitality that Gladys and Elvis knew back in 1946.

And will be happy to share stories about the Presleys as you browse for guitars, rifles, nuts, bolts and spirit levels.

While you stand in the spot where musical history was made.

Tupelo Hardware Store is one of 14 significant sites in Elvis’ formative years in Tupelo.

All marked with bronze plaques on the Elvis’ Tupelo Driving Tour.

And our Tupelo buddies gladly give us a virtual tour on their site to see what they’re selling,which is still hardware essentials with a little hard rock Elvis.

If I can dream

Mark off all 14 plaques because you’ve come all this way in the first place.

But maybe spend more time at the Hardware Store, compiling stories to tell y’all when you get home.

And the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum on 306 Elvis Presley Drive.

The house, built by Elvis’ father with $180, which draws visitors each year from across the world.

And is part of the 15-acre Elvis Presley Park, which includes many exhibits and Elvis’ childhood church.

Countries, Cruising, Ships, South America

Rio by the Sea-oh with Swan Hellenic

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The hospitality manager on our first cruise told us their favourite trip was Brazil which is why we’re alighting on Rio by the Sea-oh with Swan Hellenic.

One of the 36 voyages on offer as part of the Black Friday Expedition Collection sale, ranging from six to 20 nights.

The offer comes with a$1,000 onboard credit per cabin and savings reaching up to £2,600 per stateroom.

Clients can choose from journeys across Antarctica and the Arctic, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

For departures spanning March 5 to July 29 with bookings to be made between November 17 and December 2 to avail of the offer.

With offer inclusive fares starting at £2,695pp.

Braziliant cruising

Among the standout sailings is the six-night Salvadore Rio voyage departing November 25. Soul, Samba and Sea Journey to Heart of Brazil.

From £2,835pp, your Braziliant cruise, our pals at Swan Hellenic tell us that it is an unforgettable journey.

Starting in Salvador de Bahia, a city rich in Afro-Brazilian culture, and culminating in the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro.

They encourage us to explore the historic Pelourinho in Salvador and take in the colonial architecture.

While Itacaré buzzes to the rhythms of local capoeira dancers (no, us neither but we’re here to learn).

Trancoso is known for its boho-chic setting, with its iconic quadrado surrounded by lush rainforest.

Dip you toe in

The Abrolhos Archipelago throbs with marine life and breathtaking biodiversity.

While you can dive in too to the clear waters of its natural pools.

And snorkel, or simply enjoy the ship’s observation decks.

And because you know that you like to spend your nights partying.

Then you’ll be lapping up in Buzios and Rio, savouring caipirinha cocktails and the carnival vibe.

And having taken in the charms of Swan Hellenic in rather different shores, off Leith, Edinburgh’s port, we long for warmer Brazilian climes.

Countries, Flying

Ryanair’s new friendly face

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Michael O’Leary famously quipped ‘if I’d known being nice to passengers would be so good for business I’d have done it years ago’ and that goes too to his staff, and Ryanair’s new friendly face.

Today, of course, was the big roll-out of Ryanair going fully digi with passengers’ boarding passes.

And for those fearful that they would be strong-armed by ground crew, such as Mrs Bandanaman who on being chivvied along called the woman at the gate a fascist, bravely under her breath.

Green for go

Ya dancer: Ryanair staff happy to meet you

The evidence at Dublin Airport was completely to the contrary.

My old travel pack colleague from Ireland, the award-winning Conor Power, reported in the Irish Times of a seemless transition.

With Michael O’Leary seemingly putting out the directive to his staff to be patient with customers… he must be getting soft in his old age.

And the company has said it will accommodate the paper generation.

And that ‘if you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet [or it dies or gets left behind].’

‘Your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate’.

While for those who turned up without digital boarding passes staff were there.

To show travellers where it could be found on your phone.

And they were only too happy to direct stressed-out holidaymakers to the Visa check desks for further assistance.

At your assistance

All of which we welcome as airport travel grows increasingly more stressful.

And it doesn’t matter how seasoned you are because it seems the more you know about what can go wrong the more anxious you become.

Thankfully, of course, some of those mishaps are behind me.

Such as not reading the small print on the paper boarding pass on the Olympic Air ticket.

And realising I’m at the wrong terminal.

And putting on my naughty schoolboy face to Greta at the Lufthansa desk and taking the telling-off.

To ensure I get put on the next flight from Munich to Athens on my Greek Odyssey without a charge.

Maybe then these digi check-ins and boarding passes are the answer.

Even for old technophobes like Bandanaman.