We’ve experience, of course, of Japanese trains over 13 years in Ireland, but we won’t hold our breath that the country will get the top-grade stock, the type that’s bullet for speed in Japan.
Passengers will be quick to share with you how Iarnrod Eirann ordered in a stock of Japanese trains back in the day.
And RTE archives recalls that there was much excitement after they were shipped in to Dublin Port after a six-week journey from Asia.
And that the new rail cars were lifted by a 400-hundred tonne crane from ship to dockside.
With two land-based cranes to place the carriages on rail lines, to be linked to a locomotive and towed to the Iarnród Éireann Inchicore railway works.
With especial emphasis on the accessible toilets on board.
Courtesy of our pals at Tropical Sky who are tempting us with a 20-day rail trail.
This immersive adventure, they promise, takes passengers across all three of the country’s main islands, Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido.
Where you’ll be able to take in the poignant history of Nagasaki and Hiroshima to the timeless temples of Kyoto.
The vibrant streets of Tokyo and the scenic beauty of Northern Japan.
With every destination seamlessly connected by one of the world’s most efficient rail systems.
The rail thing
In the pink: Blossoming Japan
And this is what you can look forward to…
Travel across Japan aboard its renowned rail network, including high-speed bullet trains
Contemplate the history of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
Marvel at the temples and traditions of Kyoto
Seek out the famous Snow Monkeys in the Japanese Alps
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Tokyo
Discover the charm of Sendai and Hakodate
Experience the unique atmosphere of Sapporo
A 19-night Japan by Rail Tour is priced from £9,449 pp based on two sharing a room.
This includes international flights, all transportation and transfers, 19 nights accommodation, 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 19 dinners, air-conditioned coach travel, guides and entrance fees.
Although Tropical Sky can’t tell us if they can arrange Brad Pitt to be there on our bullet train.
But if they can arrange it for anyone, they will, for us.
Whether it ranks as a miracle is for others to decide but this year after a two-year hiatius it’s away to the manger… Bethlehem is back.
Which is good news for the Little Town (population 32,000) which depends for 85% of its economy on tourism.
And unemployment is three in five, up from one in ten.
And which this year is restating their tree-lighting ceremony.
When a 50ft Christmas tree dominates Manger Square.
And vies in height with the basilica built over the grotto where Jesus was born.
And what of inns, we hear you ask.
Under the tree
Light up: Bethlehem tree
Well, in a usual year, we’re told that you’d have to book inns well in advance to avoid getting stuck with a stable.
While, of course, the local economy depends on the throngs of pilgrims snapping up religigous souvenirs.
And guides to tell us presumably where the shepherds watched their flocks at night and taxi drivers to take us there.
This year hotel bookings are up from virtually zero to 7,000 on December 8, the day of the tree-lighting ceremony.
Now the place to mark the First Christmas we’re told is the Church of St Catherine.
Midnight Mass with the Cardinal
Order a pizza: Cardinal Pizzaballa
Where none other than the late Pope Francis’s old friend, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, touted as his successor, holds Midnight Mass tonight, Christmas Eve,
For the record the British Foreign Commonwealth and Developments Office advises.
Against all but essential travel to Bethlehem.
While the Irish government too urges that only essential travel should be taken.
All our Christmases ahead
All across the world: Baby Jesus in Tobago
So where does that leave us?
Well, probably praying that things return to normal next year, firstly for everyone in the West Bank.
But also so that we can fulfil our life’s pilgrimage.
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.
It’s all talk: Rachel Reeves
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.
And as we increasingly start to run out of excuses to visit the Land of the Rising Sun a time when we brought Japan to a Scottish whisky isle for goodness Sake.
Now, of course, you need the perfect ingredients.
A Scots groom Stewart, a Japanese bride Hisayo, family and friends.
From the Scottish mainland and the bride’s family from France.
Mix with the Scottish whisky island, Islay, with its ten distilleries which is roughly one for every 300 of its inhabitants.
With the odds improving when you consider some of them will be children.
A humanist celebrant, a fine Islands day, the bridal party in kimonos and kilts.
And you have an occasion with which VisitScotland should surely have been on board.
The perfect mix
Spell it out: Sake making
Now distilleries and breweries can be hit and miss, often slowed up by information overload on mashing and the like.
And folk asking overscientific questions.
Just when you want to get wired into the drink.
There are exceptions, of course, and Ardbeg Distillery on that day especially.
But any day really with its smoky, peaty tincture soothing your soul as well as your palate.
Same with the sake which was shared just like a quaich around the party after Stewart and Hisayo had broken the wooden box open.
Made in Scotland and Japan
Across continents: But Japanese and Scots is a perfect mix
The links between Scotland and Japan run deep.
With our Asian friends’ interest in our usca beatha, or water of life, pricked by a Japanese student in Glasgow University in 1918.
The future father of Japanese whisky Masataka Taketsuru enrolled in the West End of Glasgow.
To study chemistry and learn our distilling secrets.
The Fab Five: And Stewart, far back
And find himself a new wife, Rita, a doctor’s daughter from Dunbartonshire.
And a perfect fusion Scots and Japanese is with our friends Stewart and Hisayo having gone on to forge a new generation themselves.
Now apart from my imminent move into my sixties and a bout of nostalgia holiday providers Heaven Publicity have tipped us the wink.
I could have done with Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine as a travel companion when I was wasting away from food poisoning in Marrakech and the Moroccan desert.
And it’s not even as if Ibn’s potions are new on the market either with this year marking 1000 years.
Since the great physician first brought his medicines to the Arabic world’s attentions.
But hey ho, you only hear of these things and Immodium when you get home.
And I’ve lived to travel another day.
Of course having the right medicines with you and knowing what to do in an emergency will take the stress out of every holiday.
Now you’ll never be caught short on a wellness retreat.
Eclectic Qatar
Give yourself a shake: And get out to resort
And the Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar is only the Middle East’s first and largest full-immersion wellness resort.
And the world’s first contemporary showcase of Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM).
So in the year of Ibn’s 1,000th this resort invites guests.
To discover a millennium of holistic wellbeing with its ‘Wellness Plus’ offer.
And that’ll be an opportunity to stay longer, address personal wellbeing needs and goals.
And explore the ancient roots of modern wellbeing with five nights for the price of four.
Glad medicine
What’s up Doc: Ibn Sina
With Ibn’s Canon of Medicine laying the foundations for many aspects of modern medicine.
And continuing to inspire holistic health approaches around the world.
All of which encompasses diet and nutrition, physical movement and recovery.
Adequate rest and sleep, optimal digestive function, and mindfulness practices.
Spoiled for choice
Case for treatment: Anything you need
Those enjoying the benefit of an additional complimentary night can further immerse themselves in the resort’s comprehensive programmes.
And experience an array of treatments and consultations including:
Wellness Retreats and Activities: Whether stress and burnout recovery or rehabilitation, every programme is tailored with the TAIM philosophy in mind.
Integrative TAIM Consultation: Guests receive tailored guidance on optimal nutrition, herbal remedies, and therapies to support holistic wellbeing.
Signature TAIM Treatments and Therapies: Treatments include Hijama (cupping therapy), Massage Al Batin (abdominal massage), Traditional Qatari Hamiz (deep tissue massage), and herbal remedies.
Daily Wellness Cuisine: With menus that are anti-inflammatory, high in fibre, and rich in antioxidants with lentils, herbs, legumes, whole grains, and regional superfoods. Three daily wellness cuisine meals.
The House of Wisdom: Inspired by the legendary library of Baghdad, the collection of over 4,000 English & Arabic books includes rare texts and wellness literature.
The Apothecary and Tea House: Guests can explore the time-honoured use of herbs, spices, and natural remedies with handcrafted elixirs and botanical blends.
All guests benefit from daily group activities and movement classes.
Access to resort facilities, and a personalised wellness journey tailored to their individual goals and TAIM constitution.
The resort is home to men’s and women’s gyms, a Pilates studio, Mind & Body studio, fitness assessment room, Watsu pool, swimming pools and an aesthetics centre.
Drawing on Chiva-Som’s 30 years of pioneering wellness expertise, Zulal Wellness Resort offers two distinct paths to achieving wellness goals.
Zulal Discovery, which invites families to connect and embark on a wellness journey together.
And the adults-only Zulal Serenity.
Deal us in
Full of life: You’ll come back refreshed
A five-night retreat, based on the Wellness Plus offer starts from QAR 22,600 (approx. £4,642).
Based on two sharing a Serenity Deluxe Room, inclusive of complimentary fifth night.
And all of which entitles you to Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine as a travel companion.
