Countries Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Virginia Beach beat them to it

8th May 20268th May 2026 funtime65

So we’ve rewound the clock since the Puritans got a shock when they landed on Plymouth Rock and say… Virginia Beach beat them to it.

And with thanks to Porter and Gershwin and because anything goes we’re retelling the story of New America’s birth.

Because the first landfall of English settlers in the Americas actually took place in what is now Virginia Beach in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

You’re going to need a bigger boat: Land ahoy

On April 26, 1607, English settlers first came ashore at Cape Henry, in present-day Virginia Beach.

The area was originally home to the Chesepian tribe, who had lived there for generations.

Those same settlers would go on to establish Jamestown, recognised as the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.

Life’s a beach

Today Virginia Beach is a vibrant coastal city just southeast of Washington DC.

Offering 38 miles of Atlantic coastline, more than 200 miles of waterways, and a thriving food and arts scene.

And all that history of more than 250 years… more 419.

With the beacon of hope and Old World meets New World enlightenment centred around Cape Henry Lighthouse

The first public works project authorised by the US government, this landmark marks where English settlers first set foot in 1607.

The First Landing

Then there’s the First Landing State Park.

This largely untouched park offers miles of trails and waterways through cypress swamps, sand dunes and coastal scenery.

And where there’s parks there’s historic houses, some of the oldest surviving in North America.

The Thoroughgood House, a designated National Historic Landmark, offers insight into early colonial life.

Lynnhaven House, undergoing renovation, with limited preservation tours available, is one of the best-preserved examples.

While the Francis Land House provides another window into 18th-century living.

The Auld Triangle

History tourists will shape up then for The Historic Triangle.

Around an hour’s drive away, Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown together chart the evolution of early America.

From first settlement to revolution.

Virginia Beach provides an ideal coastal base from which to explore these landmark sites.

The world’s your oyster

And eat it all up with a farm visit at the Pleasure House Oyster Farm.

The Lynnhaven oysters, named for the river, have a direct link to early colonial history.

They were among the first foods enjoyed by Captain John Smith and the Jamestown settlers in 1607.

And, of course, visitors from the Old World now arriving by air to Washington Dulles Airport rather than ships.

Countries, Europe, Music

Calvin and Capaldi are acceptable in the Maltese

7th May 20267th May 2026 funtime65

And because pop tourists keep coming back it’s why Calvin and Capaldi are acceptable in the Maltese.

The Scots singing superstars are hitting the Med party island this August.

And yes it is down with the kids, and the old kids.

Oh my Daze

Our Irish holidaymakers friends Cassidy Travel have put together packages for us around the gigs.

SummerDaze is one of Europe’s premier music festivals.

And brings visitors live open-air performances from global stars.

So we guess this is what you came for and who knows Dumfries DJ Cal may even bring Rihanna with her.

While if Lew is someone you loved then you will be happy he’s back since his Glastonbury meltdown.

And ready to give you a bleeding good time in front of the Maltese masses.

Someone Lew loved

Now you can give yourself a single helping of Lew.

And are broken by desire to be heavenly sent, whatever that means.

Then Cassidy will give you four nights of SummerDaze Malta with flights and concert ticket included from August 9.

And you’ll stay at the 4* Bora Bora Ibiza Malta Resort at €499pps.

While because we know Cassidy Travel is always thinking of you and it is summer.

Calvin callin’

You can book yourself a four-nighter around Calvin Harris from August 14 with flights and concert ticket included.

Staying at the 3* Lady Todd Hotel at €599pps.

While if you can’t choose between the two then Cassidy puts on a seven-nighter covering both superstars.

From August 10 with flights and concert tickets included.

Staying at the 3* Lady Todd Hotel at €849pps.

Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Keep walking to Edinburgh’s Johnnie Walker Experience

6th May 20266th May 2026 funtime65

Now I’ve had my share of distillery tours and that has taken me to keep walking to Edinburgh’s Johnnie Walker Experience.

The JWE for those who know the Scottish capital and Princes Street, and even those who don’t, occupies the old House of Fraser store.

Where whisky fans are kept walking and drinking through more than 200 years of Scotland’s most popular dram.

Now we’ll not try to bottle the history of whisky into this post.

And better visit the Scotch Whisky Experrience next to Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile for that.

Nor will we bring into the distillery and face to face with pot stills.

You can visit the any of the hundreds of whisky manufactures, big and small, across Scotland.

Bells and whistles

Instead take in the Johnnie Walker Experience in the hands of actress Rachel and guide Grace.

For the best bells and whistles interactive tour of the life and reach of the grocer from Kilmarnock in the west of Scotland.

Everyone’s whisky takeaway, of course, will be different but ours was an explanation of the distinctive square bottles.

To increase the amount of bottles that could be transported on ships from Britain to North America.

Of course, it’s what is in those bottles that is always more interesting.

And which makes listening to the science bit in any ways palatable.

Band of gold

To get you started JWE ask you to take a quiz in reception.

To find out what flavours suit you for your cocktails.

You get three and depending on the colour of your band it should reflect your tastes.

Although guess what, there is no whisky police to say what you can and can’t put in your whisky.

And this traditionalist was happy to try.

A pineapple-infused highball alongside a smoky bay leaf flavoured smoky whisky and spicy old-fashioned.

Tour de force

Now at the end of your 90-minute tour you will arrive, unsurprisingly, at the merch shop.

Where you can also buy the uisge beatha and at a 10% discount although at a ceiling of £400.

Which means you won’t be able to get a cut on the £15,000 bottle of 1978 Isle of Arran whisky.

Although you’ll be disappointed anyway as I’ve raided the Scary One’s House Refurb Fund.

KEEP WALKING

America, Countries

Who wants to be a ranch hand?

2nd May 20262nd May 2026 funtime65

And when a guy in a Mississippi bar starts up with a lasso you put it on the bucket list for a twirl… so who wants to be a ranch hand?

America is many things to many people but for the post-war Old World generation their first introduction to the US was cowboy movies.

So when you get the chance to saddle up on the Prairies you take it with both reins.

As I did in Colorado channeling my inner Buffalo Bill.

With my fellow congress of rough riders of the world.

Although I’d say that easy-going Issy was made from a different breed from Bill’s steed Brigham.

And Issy would doubtless be happy to leave the other horses to rustle the cows.

The Big Sky

Having spent five minutes trying to get her to turn round I reckon I’ve some way to go to be much use around a range.

But luckily our old pals at American Sky have the very thing for wannabe cowboys and girls.

A chance to Live the Ranch Life in the Wild West.

Set within 60,000 acres in Arizona’s Rincon Mountains, on the eastern edge of Tucson.

Tanque Verde Ranch offers an authentic yet upscale take on the classic dude ranch experience.

Hit the trail

Guests can spend their days riding through desert trails, hiking among cacti or soaking up the scenery.

Before gathering for relaxed, communal evenings.

So get your cowboy boots on for this Wild West itinerary.

The special ranch

The Tanque Verde Ranch Stay is an authentic six-night Western adventure.

Which combines activity, nature and heritage.

From £2,649pp, on a full-board basis, including flights, accommodation and selected activities.

Now American Sky suggest a minimum three- night stay.

But they can tailor-make your holiday to suit you and book any number of nights at the ranch.

America, Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Trump rolling out Kentucky barrels for Scotch whisky

1st May 20261st May 2026 funtime65

And because we (and King Charles) have his ear Donald Trump is rolling out Kentucky barrels for Scotch whisky.

The US President is the toast of his late beloved mother Mary’s Scots homeland today after lifting prohibitive tariffs on uisce beatha.

Because he told us of ‘Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon.

‘In that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used.’

A toast to Trump

This year’s blond: ‘The Donald’ in New York

All very timely too as Favourite Cousin, New York Kath and Kentucky Cousin-in-law Mark fly in to see us in North Berwickety.

And we will be breaking out the Woodford Reserve he first introduced me too, and in front of tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby too.

The truth is that almost everyone who has enjoyed a drap of Scotch will also be drinking in the best of Kentucky too.

Because ex-bourbon barrels are used to mature over 90% of all scotch whisky today.

We have, of course, the half-Scottish 45th and 47th President to thank for cutting the cost of our national drink.

A New Deal

But it his predecessor, the 32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt who made it all possible.

When he stipulated as part of his New Deal that all bourbon whiskey barrels must br single-use barrels.

Which created a supply of barrels for Scots to pounce on to store their liquid gold.

And so Kentucky barrels became the standard containers for Scotch ever since.

Gracias amigos

Best family bar none: Johnnie Fox’s in Dublin mountains

Enhanced further by Spain’s decision in the Eighties that all sherry must be bottled on home soil, taking their casks off the market.

The rest as they say is history and science.

And for that bit we’ll turn to the whisky attraction experts this week.

The distilleries, the Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and the Johnnie Walker Experience, on the capital’s Princes Street.

And now that The Donald is channeling his Scots half we humbly implore that he looks again at the ban on Scottish sheep lungs.

An integral part of our national dish haggis.

Because we know he takes calls from journalists… and reads Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel.com.

SLÁINTE AND MEET YOU IN THE BAR

Countries, Ireland, Pilgrimage, UK

Shrinecations near you

29th April 202629th April 2026 funtime65

And because we were on pilgrimage long before Gen Z turned it into a TikTok fashion here are our shrinecations near you.

All of which is timely, and not just because it’s never been a better time to get off the mad path the world has chosen.

But because ten years after we first explored the most famous trek of all, The Camino Way.

We’re following our own footsteps and taking on the Portuguese Coastal Camino with our go-to providers CaminoWays.

Traditional Caminos, of course, started outside our own doorsteps and that’s where we’re beginning here.

World Expeditions or its Euro brands, UTracks and Walkers’ Britain & Europe, kick us off.

On the BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island.

The Holy Island

We’ve been here before but we’ve never been worried about retracing our steps.

And Walk Northumberland Coast Path & Lindisfarne.

A seven-day self-guided with Walkers’ Britain & Europe.

Replicate the journey of the BBC’s celebrity pilgrims with highlights.

Including walking the St Cuthbert’s Pilgrim route over the causeway to Holy Island.

And visiting ancient castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne and staying in fishing villages Alnmouth, Seahouses and Craster.

From £860pp, daily departures from April-September.

Man alive

And because the isle that Finn MacCool created, the Isle of Man, is more than just daredevil TT motorcyclists, walk this way.

As the bird flies the nine-day self-guided Isle of Man Coastal Path: The Way of the Seagull is a 100-mile route.

Walkers’ Britain & Europe will map out your walk which overlaps with many sections of the Raad Ny Foillan Pilgrimage Trail.

You’ll take in cultural heritage towns such as Castletown and Peel, while WB&E want us to try some sea swimming too.

You’ll pass the remains of Celtic chapels, clifftop carved crosses and remnants of island life in times gone by.

From £990pp, daily departures from April-October.

Mingle on the Dingle

And while I’ll probably be having a glass of wine before my red-eye out to start the Camino, our Irish pals do things differently.

Irish pilgrims would traditionally sail from the south-west for Finisterre, so for the hardy you could bolt on UTracks’ The Kerry Camino.

A six-day self-guided tour with UTracks in the Kingdom of Kerry.

And an exploration of the wild Atlantic coast on foot.

And the chance to immerse yourself in the music and culture of Dingle.

On a lesser-known camino which we’ll call the Camino with the Craic.

From £720pp, daily departures April-October.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sustainable Tourism

Lie back and think of Portugal

28th April 202628th April 2026 funtime65

And because the most important thing about a hotel bedroom is its bed then here’s where it’s best to lie back and think of Portugal.

In the south of the country in tranquil Alentejo, near Lisbon.

Where Amazing Evolution are placing sleep and deep rest at the centre of the travel experience.

With Sleep & Nature Hotel and Gandum Conscious Hotel leading the way.

Surrounded by forests and rolling plains, both destinations offer a powerful antidote to modern fatigue.

Which we have experienced first-hand from getting right into the interior in Portugal Centro.

EaZzzzy living

Not that we find sleep easy if Britain’s health service is to be believed.

With reports that the average Briton sleeps just six and a half hours per night.

Well below the NHS-recommended 7–9 hours.

While the 2025 Healthy Ireland Survey, Irish adults average 6.9 hours of sleep on weeknights, with 32% getting six hours or less.

Get some therapy

Sleep & Nature Hotel, located near Montemor-o-Novo, is built around the concept of sleep therapy.

Mentored by specialist Professor Teresa Paiva.

Every guest experience is rooted in in nature, good practices, relaxing therapies and sleep hygiene.

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is among the activities guests can indulge in.

The hotel features 32 rooms and suites, each carefully designed to actively support better sleep.

Natural materials such as cork and wood help regulate temperature and acoustics.

While blackout curtains, and my Snory One has been pitching for them Casa Murty for six years.

Low lighting, and minimal in-room technology reduce sleep disruption.

Pillow talk

Beds are selected for ergonomic support and paired with high-quality linens to enhance comfort and encourage deeper sleep.

The hotel’s spa offers treatments specifically aimed at reducing tension and improving circulation.

While indoor and outdoor pools provide quiet spaces for pre-sleep unwinding.

Even dining plays a role, with balanced, seasonal menus designed to support relaxation.

While overstimulation must be avoided in the evening.

And get this, a pillows menu is available to better adjust ergonomics and rest needs.

Rooms start from €180 per night. For more information visit Sleep & Nature Hotel.

Do the Gandum

Now the Gandum Conscious Hotel has put down roots for sustainability with 50,000 trees planted in an agroforestry environment.

Set within the Alentejo countryside, the hotel blends minimalist architecture with a strong environmental ethos.

Gandum Conscious Hotel promises organic mattresses, natural pillows and comforters.

Made from sustainable materials and breathable cotton linens, all chosen to optimise comfort.

Thermal insulation and natural ventilation keep rooms cool and quiet, even during the warmer months.

While carefully filtered natural light aligns with circadian rhythms helping guests wake and sleep more naturally.

Food for thought

Nutritionally conscious, they follow a farm-to-fork philosophy.

In which mostly only what is available in the vegetable garden, orchard, and henhouse is cooked.

Rooms start from €220 per night. For more information visit Gandum Conscious Hotel.

Countries, Ireland, Music

Fleadh a note to follow so

27th April 2026 funtime65

And now you know how it’s pronounced we’re ready to sing the praises of the Fleadh a note to follow so, and this year’s host city Belfast.

The grand old city will be hosting the 75th iteration of the All-Ireland trad culture and arts festival from August 2-9.

And already ‘yir man’ (and woman) are in full flow with the prep.

With 100 days to go until Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann arrives the organisers have announced seven new headline acts.

Piping hot

Acts such as Tempest Ceol and acclaimed uilleann piper Conor Mallon are set to take centre stage.

As well as old favourite Sharon Shannon and her Big Band.

The Fleadh was a perennial in our 13 years in Ireland.

With Ballsbridge in D4 in the capital often rammers with Riverdancers in early August.

Fleadh being a celebration of all Ireland the party moves around the 26 Counties and for the first time checks in to Belfast.

Tickets for the Comhaltas events will go on sale from Friday from fleadhcheoil.ie.

Shannon off to a flier

SharShann will get the whole thing up and running on the Sunday with her award-winning group Goitse.

And former All-Ireland winners Blackwater Céilí Band.

The seven new acts announced will also perform on the iconic Gig Rig stage which will be located outside Belfast City Hall.

On the Wednesday audiences can look forward to performances from two dynamic quartet groups, Tempest Ceol and NxNW.

The following evening uilleann piper Conor Mallon will take to the stage.

Scots fly the flag

And because we have our own ‘special relationship’ with the Irish we’ll be there too.

With the weekend ushered in on Friday with Glasgow ensemble TRIP.

Before rising talents Peter Street and the electrifying Mec Lir headlines Peter Street and the electrifying Mec Lir on the Saturday.

This main stage will host free live performances across all eight days of the event.

Childs’ play

Aw, and get this, to mark the 100-day milestone.

Over 100 schoolchildren across North Down and Belfast as part of a School Choir Project.

There will also be a collaborative performance from host branch, Ards CCÉ, South Asian Dance Academy, Belfast Bands Forum.

And an array of Champion Irish dancers led by Riverdance lead Lauren Smyth.

Countries, Ireland

Quite interesting Viking Sandi’s Irish literary odyssey

26th April 202626th April 2026 funtime65

And with a nod to her eggheads panel show QI this is quite interesting Viking Sandi’s Irish literary odyssey.

Channel 4 is letting Sandi expand her love of Irish lit to show off on future QIs.

The Danish comedian is only, of course, following in the footsteps of a rich seem of Viking traveller.

To this greenest of green lands.

You may have seen the little mermaid, and she really is totey, around Ireland this past week.

As part of a two-part travel Tourism Ireland series Sandi Toksvig’s Irish Odyssey which airs later this year.

And a blooming good tour

What an exhibit: Sandi with Tourism Ireland’s Aidan Power and Emma Gorman. Picture: Shane O’Neill.

Sandi’s literary journey will take her from the Mourne Mountains beloved by C.S. Lewis.

To Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy.

The Abbey Theatre, Museum of Literature Ireland, Sweney’s Pharmacy and the James Joyce Centre in Dublin.

As well as to WB Yeats’ grave at Drumcliffe, the Patrick Kavanagh Centre and the Maria Edgeworth Centre.

Along the way, she will meet with contemporary writers, poets and performers.

To explore how Ireland’s rich storytelling traditions continue to thrive and evolve today.

The Viking trail

And if Sandi inspires you to explore more of Ireland’s Viking museum.

Then Dublinia takes you back in time to a time when Dubliners walked around with horned helmets.

For three centuries when they brought their first longboat to shore and named the place Dyflin, or Black Pool which in Irish is Dubh Linn.

Dublinia offers Living History guides teaching you how to use Viking weapons.

The history of the barber surgeon, medieval medicine and herbs, and even showing you how to play Hnefatafl (Viking chess).

There are also daily tours of either the Viking or Medieval exhibitions at 2pm everyday, bar July.

And walking tours of Viking and Medieval Dublin at 11am Monday to Saturday.

Starting from their landmark building located in Dublin’s historic heart through the Viking and Medieval past of the 1,000-year-old city.

And there’s a bar

Now naturally when you get Vikings and Celts together there’s a very good chance you’ll get a watering hole too.

And our friends at Visit Dublin recommend The Brazen Head on Lower Bridge Street, Usher’s Quay as we do.

It is said to date back to 1198 when the horny-helmeted were in town.

While as with most things old the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street is the place to go to go back in time.

Its exhibition features swords, jewellery, toys, board games and wooden bows, all from the Wood Quay excavation in the 70s.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Ya dancer Kristina’s Strictly for MSC passengers

24th April 2026 funtime65

And good news for those who like to kick up their heels on a cruise… ya dancer Kristina’s Strictly for MSC passengers.

The fact is that dancing has always been a key part of cruise life.

Long before clubbing became a thing… and yes, I feel a Kinks song coming on.

Anyone for tangoes: With Judy Murray in Portugal

Not, of course, to downgrade the chance to dance with the likes of Alesha Dixon on a Celebrity Cruises launch in the Bahamas.

But ballroom will never go out of style.

And now because of the popularity of Strictly Come Dancing who isn’t lining up for any opportunity to dance with a Strictly star?

With sometimes the chance coming on of all places a tennis court in Portugal with the powerhouse that is Judy Murray.

Tango with Kristina

Of course the opportunity to smash it with the tennis coach cha-cha champion doesn’t present itself to everyone.

But MSC does.

And Kristina Rihanoff will show you how to move it, move it, move it.

She will be holding dance classes on board.

So go easy on the breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, food stations and drink packages.

And even use the ship’s gym facilities.

Because the Strictly professional will turn beginners (that’ll be me) into confident movers.

Tales from the ballroom

And, of course, ballroom dancing is open to guests of all ages.

Kristina will also regale passengers with the stories behind her dance career and life in the spotlight.

And you’ll get the chance to ask her your own questions.

And, of course, meet and greet the great woman for that obligatory photo opportunity.

So you can lead friends and family at home a merry dance about your new-found dancing ability.

From ball to balls

Clinched it: Kristina and Ben in training

Not that Kristina will be the only Strictly star on board.

With England Rugby World Cup winner Ben Cohen washing up on board with old team-mates Neil Back and Ben Kay.

Now Ben just happens to be Kristina’s partner away from the dance floor too.

And she will no doubt me making sure that he doesn’t go overboard on rugby rowdiness with his old sporting pals.

And that all the stories the try-scoring trio share with passengers are from the distant past.

They’ll also be holding rugby training for adults and kids.

Cash in on your cruise

So whether it’s a ball, or balls, there’s something for everyone on MSC as we know from foxtrotting around the fjords.

MSC cruise come in at from £1,279pp for a 12-night sailing on MSC Virtuosa to the Canary Islands.

Departing from Southampton on August 8.

With ports of call including Vigo, Funchal, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Arrecife De Lanzarote and Cadiz.

And those Spaniards certainly know a thing or two about dancing.