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Pour another cup of ambition in Dolly’s Tennessee

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And because we never restrict ourselves to 9 to 5 on our travels… we invite you to pour another cup of ambition in Dolly’s Tennessee.

And tell us that you’re surprised that Dolly Parton has dotted new song references all around the Volunteer State.

We are namechecking, of course, the brand-new travel stop opening in Cornersville on Wednesday.

Stretch and try to come to life

Located off Interstate 65, the flagship destination offers weary travellers a chance to refuel and recharge.

And sup a Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee and barbecue.

To the backdrop of live music and a genuine Southern welcome.

While you can channel your inner Country star by hopping on a tour bus inspired by Dolly’s own years on the road.

Check out her Life of Many Colors

We will always love you: A younger Dolly

The opening is just one chapter in what’s shaping up to be the Year of Dolly.

In Nashville, the new SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum will soon welcome guests.

For an immersive celebration of her music, stories and career.

There’s nowhere though that is celebrating Dolly’s 80th year more or louder than Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

As it should be.

Making a splash

And visitors can look forward to the park’s biggest-ever ride investment at NightFlight Expedition.

The groundbreaking attraction invites us to soar, splash and travel from here to the moon and back in true Dolly style.

So for all that she’s given us we should give back by marking her eight decades with a visit.

And fly out with Aer Lingus from your pre-clearance European airport in Dublin with Aer Lingus.

For a sample week in July from €947.35.

Indulge the song-dropping

And indulge the song-dropping.

And this pitch.

From Jolene to journeying down every open road, from her Coat of Many Colors to a whole state stitched together with new attractions.

Dolly is once again proving she’s the one calling the tune and making all the right moves.

Africa, Countries

St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON

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And not because it’s a slow news day but because Guinness have deemed St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON.

Regular visitors to these musings will know that we keep a close eye on Jonathan’s movements, which being a tortoise, are naturally very slow.

Go on then, you see how far you can walk when you get to 194.

There are some superhumans, of course, who will probably be plying their craft then, such as fellow inductee Cristiano Ronaldo.

As well as living legends Usain Bolt and LeBron James, the latter who has been holding court on Scotland’s golf courses and clubhouses these past few days.

And female powerhouses, serial gymnastic gold medallist Simone Biles, Paralympic swimming champion and Strictly dancer Ellie Simmonds and Brazilian legend Marta.

And those who will for ever be immortal such as Don Bradman.

A tortoise for the ages

Great men and women all, but not godlike status on St Helena, like Jonathan.

And what’s more Jonathan is happy to mingle with visitors and will gladly agree to a selfie.

Particularly if you bring along some cabbage, lettuce, apples, bananas, guavas and maybe the secret of eternal life, monkey’s ears herbs.

Outside his home at Plantation House, the official residence of the island’s Governor.

Jonathan has seen it all

Sign of times: Nothing much changes though

Of course, nothing very much fazes Jonathan.

As he has witnessed the evolution of modern society, including the arrival of cars, electricity, television, and digital connectivity.

More broadly, Guinness World Records recognises him as the oldest living land animal.

Now this tiny British outcrop lies 3,329 miles west of South Africa from where you’ll come in which, of course, we were set to do before Covid intervened.

Jonathan, of course, survived that, and seeing he shows no sign of leaving us any time soon, I dare say, and hope he will hang on until we do get there.

America, Countries, Europe, Food & Wine, UK

Irish bar flagging up Ivorian green, white and gold

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And as Scotland basks in World Cup glory let’s include our Celtic cousins too and the Irish bar flagging up Ivorian Green, white and gold.

Now we’ve been here ourselves, and too often, with the world champions in waiting (that’s us) outside looking in for 28 years.

And in that decade and a half trying to immerse ourselves in the tourney through clever tie-ins.

Like adopting whichever team is playing England with some smart word play in the marketing merch.

Although worryingly one in ten Scots want England to do well, including Royalist Roy next door.

The Green, White and Verde

It is the birthright, of course, of all Celts that you get to support Ireland or Wales too if your own country miss out.

And in Ireland’s case anybody with any tangental connection.

Such as Cape Verde’s Roberto “Pico” Lopes, a Shamrock Rovers defender the Africans tapped up on LinkedIn.

After discovering he qualified through his father.

Now Ireland and the diaspora have lent their support to Cape Verde.

With the Honey Fitz bar in Astoria, New York adopting the archipelago as their team for the tourney.

And we dare say that the old family bar, the iconic Irish Cottage, in Queens too would have done the same was it still here now.

Men in the mirror

For us living in the country of the world champion heir apparents there is another Irish link, for when Scotland aren’t playing.

In the shape of Cote D’Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast, because their flag is the mirror image of Ireland’s.

Ireland’s green, white and orange represented green Irish catholicism, orange Northern protestantism and white for peace.

And the Cote D’Ivoire’s green for its grasslands, orange for its forests and white, er, for peace again.

Edinburgh and Ivory

Your best Biddy: Channeling the Ivorians

Biddy Mulligan’s in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket has gone full Ivorian.

With all Irish flags, which feature the same tricolour as the Ivory Coast in a different order, will be flipped to represent the African nation.

While Ivory Coast tunes will be played before and after matches.

And Biddy’s has also partnered with an Ivory Coast snacks company to bring food to customers ‘straight from the source’.

And have even bought in hundreds of bottle of African Guinness. with the stout selling more in Africa than any other continent.

Caribbean, Countries, Europe, Sport

Wunderbear… here’s Germany and Curacao

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Only a World Cup could bring Old Europe and the Caribbean like this together but Wunderbear… here’s Germany and Curacao.

Courtesy of Derself, who was born on a British military base.

And circumnavigated the world when her family returned from a posting in Australia.

Bringing back mementoes, as we all do, which have taken on another life as the years have rolled on.

A word from the advertisers

So meet Yorkie, here modelling a Curacao t-shirt which once adorned Derself and Der Daughterie of Derself.

And Barney Bear who despite his very Bavarian lederhosen hails from the home of German beardom, Swabia.

Now whisper it around Barney who doesn’t have the iconic button in his ear which all Steiff bears have.

He’s actually bear ein Berliner but the German capital too has a bear tradition going back 600 years.

All of which he told me at one of those hydration breaks they have brought in during halfs to sell advertising.

New alliances

World in my hands: At the German Football Museum in Dortmund

Now such is the bonhomie of a World Cup that new alliances are forged regardless of the scoreline.

Such as German football fans and Curacao supporters.

Although, in truth, the 150,000 party people of Curaçao’s connection is with the Netherlands.

Of which they are a constituent island nation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

While old alliances are renewed such as that between the Tartan Army and the samba-dancing Brazilians.

And yes, senor, we can boogie.

With the two sets of famously partying fans renewing acquaintances for a fifth time at World Cups in 50 years.

Another reason to see Amsterdam

Ride on: Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam

Now we obviously know our way around Germany but Curacao clearly takes more prep.

So if you’re not on a round-the-world boat journey, and you should, you deserve it.

Then it makes sense that you’ll fly out of Amsterdam with KLM.

Which we priced up at from £1,177pp from Edinburgh going through Tuliptown.

America, Countries, Sport

Coming down the road in our football tops

13th June 2026 funtime65

We’ll be coming down the road in our football tops in the early hours for the World Cup.

Alas, at the Law bar lock-in in North Berwickety, here east of Edinburgh, rather than our old stomping ground of Boston.

The World Cup, of course, is prime time for the sale of football tops with outlets greedy to inflate prices.

For shirts with the distributors often changing just the date on the shirt and change every 18 months.

Cry for us Argentina

One solution is replica shirts with this Scotland Tartan Army foot soldier donning his iconic retro top.

From Scotland’s ill-fated (aren’t they all?) Argentina 1978 misadventure.

With the No.15 on it in a nod to Scotland’s only shining light then, Archie Gemmill.

Back then, whisper it, the England Admiral football top was considered the height of football fashion.

So much so that some Scottish schoolboys put aside their loyalties and followed each other on their choice of shirts.

Gift that keeps on giving

Quite what red-blooded Scottish parents thought of that we can only imagine.

Of course football tops were always a safe bet to get your football-mad child for Christmas.

Even if it was the Argentina jersey instead of the vibrant orange shirt of the Netherlands team he’d adopted.

Which might explain the grumpy look in that Christmas’s photographs.

Moroccans on a roll

When it came time to make up our own decisions in life and we had the money.

We’d pick up tops on our travels… Fenerbahce and Besiktas for dad and lad in Turkey.

And the Morocco national top from a chaotic trip to Marrakech which has come out of the drawer.

Now that the African champions are in Scotland’s group along with Haiti and Brazil.

Although, naturally, it won’t be getting an outing when Scotland play Morocco in their second game in Beantown.

It’s just that sticking it back on takes me back to haggling with a Moroccan trader in Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

The Tartan Army Boys

Before everything went Pete Tong… a bit like Scotland’s World Cup story.

It’s true what they say, it’s the hope that kills you.

Still we’ll keep the faith.

So when you hear the noise of the Tartan Army Boys we’ll be coming down the road.

Countries, Culture, Deals, UK

Where there’s a Will, there’s an Irish, you will, you will, you will

12th June 2026 funtime65

Ok, so this is a bit of a laboured Irish ink to Shakespeare country (what’s new, you say) but where there’s a Will, there’s an Irish you will, you will, you will.

Is it just me (again, probably) but I could just see Father Ted’s char lady Mrs Doyle in one of Shakespeare’s comedies?

But certainly Irish actors were the go-to for Chloe Zhao when she was casting Hamnet, the moving film around the death of the son of Will and Anne (or Agnes).

With Jessie Buckley scoring an Oscar for Best Actress opposite Irish compatriot Paul Mescal.

Stratford on the map

While all the world’s a stage and millions’ focus is centred on footballers running around the field, hopefully with a football attached, let’s not forget the other players.

The ones that put Stratford-on-Avon in the Heart of England on the map.

Our friends at Institute for Culture Travel have put together a mini-break to Shakespeare Country.

Because each of us must play our part.

Its Oxford, Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds trip departs on August 9 and will set you back €1,189pps, with a single supplement €259.

Will’s World

Cottage industry: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

You’ll base yourself in Stratford, perfect to explore Will’s World and the heritage connected to his life and times.

Now, if you’re worried, having mugged up on Will that you’ll be put in his second best bed.

Like the fate of poor Agnes, who was bequeathed this in his last will and testament.

King of the castle: Or queen in Warwick Castle

Then don’t be… your three nights will be spent in the lush 4* Crowne Plaza Hotel.

So boiled all down you can look forward to…

Return flights from Dublin, taxes and transfers
Three nights in the 4* Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon with breakfast
Four lunches and one evening meal
Entrance to Warwick Castle
Full-day excursion to Oxford and Blenheim Palace
Visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Excursion through the scenic villages of the Cotswolds
Private transfers and local guide throughout.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Inside the United Nations in Geneva

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And you thought it was in New York, well it is, but here’s somewhere else where you don’t have to press your nose up to the glass… inside the United Nations in Geneva.

Switzerland is famous for its internationalism and neutrality so of course it embraces the whole United Nations ideal.

And is more than happy to open its doors for a new gateway into how the world works… the Portail des Nations.

Located at the entrance of the Palais des Nations (along the Alley of Flags), this immersive visitor centre invites you, we’re told, to explore the forces shaping our world.

Of course, now we’ve had our big kick-off to the football World Cup, we’ve got our own Alley of Flags along the garden fence.

Our own little effort at world unity.

Flagging up the Portail des Nations

More than a visitor centre, the Portail des Nations, which opens on Friday, June 18, is designed as a journey.

Across nearly 1,000m², interactive installations bring global challenges to life.

From climate change to human rights and global health.

A highlight of the visit: an immersive experience inspired by how the United Nations operates.

And it offers visitors insight into the mechanisms behind international decision-making.

Designed for everyone, the experience is easy to access and does not require the usual formalities associated with institutional visits.

The art of diplomacy

Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or in a group, it’s the perfect introduction to international Geneva.

With this new landmark, the city on the lake reinforces its position as a hub of dialogue and diplomacy.

The Portail des Nations becomes a must-visit starting point.

To understand how global decisions are made and how they impact us all.

We found an EasyJet return flight from our local airport here in Edinburgh to Geneva for £200 return…

That’s assuming that the half-Scottish Donald Trump can’t get us on Air Force One.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

VIVA the Danube’s Iron Gates

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They sound like something out of Game of Thrones but VIVA the Danube’s Iron Gates are all too real and more dramatic than anything in George RR Martin’s world.

The Iron Gates, for those who are not too familiar with the great river gateway of central Europe, are the natural border between Serbia and Romania.

An 83-mile route, with the last barrier, the Kazan (Great Boiler) gorge being the narrowest and most breathtaking at just 15om just beyond the Romanian city of Orsova.

The side of the gorge in Romania constitutes the Iron Gates Natural Park, and the Serbian Đerdap National Park.

And what’s more Lepenski Vir in Serbia in the gorge and on the banks of the Danube is mooted as being the oldest planned settlement in Europe at 13,000 years ago.

Long before we’d hazard those Starks and their dragons were around.

Move aside Winterfell

Now all this will naturally pull in any of us who have enjoyed the charms of the Danube.

And even more so with VIVA Cruises tempting us with a gentle amble through its waters.

The 11-night ‘The Danube’s Iron Gates’, sailing on VIVA TWO departs Passau on September 6.

With ports of call including Bratislava, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Novi Sad and an overnight in Ilok.

Then on to Aljmas, Budapest, Hainburg and Vienna, Dürnstein; and Melk.

Many of those stop-offs sounding like they’ve come straight out of Winterfell.

With prices starting from €2950, the campaign comprises a free cabin upgrade and onboard credit.

VIVA the river

In addition, a reduced single supplement of 20 per cent is available for applicable solo bookings.

The offer is valid on 65 river cruises departing in 2026, with prices listed for Emerald deck cabins.

And if you can’t extend to 11 nights on VIVA TWO then there is a seven-night Danube from Vienna, sailing on VIVA MOMENTS from €1795pp.

Or a seven-night Whispers of the Rhone, sailing on VIVA VOYAGE, departing Lyons and flowing through France, from €1695pp.

While there’s a seven-night Waterways of the North, sailing on VIVA ONE through the Low Countries from €1795pp.

Guests will receive €25pp onboard spending money on cruises of up to six nights.

And €50pp for voyages of more than seven nights in duration.

The credit can be used for shore excursions, spa treatments and in onboard retails shops.Cabin upgrades will be applied to the next higher cabin category.

Countries

They start their Soca singers young in the Caribbean

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They start their Soca singers young in the Caribbean which is why everyone has a Soca song in them by Carnival.

Our friends in Saint Lucia are putting the finishing touches to the prep for Lucian Carnival from July 1-22.

And their secret to the best party is not waiting around for the next generation because they’re already here.

In kids like Mr Personality, and he sounds like me back in my schooldays.

Remember me

Azeil Philgence, from Dugard Combined School, sauntered off with the National Primary Schools Calypso Monarch title.

With his jumpin’ rendition of Remember Me.

Mr P saw off, although we reckon every one of the kids is a winner, 21 students.

At the National Primary Schools Calypso & Soca Competition at Mindoo Phillip Park.

While Soca Storm of Ave Maria Girls’ School claimed the National Primary Schools Soca Monarch title with the song Lash Up.

With the competition divided into Calypso and Soca categories.

Child’s play

Now music class looks a whole lot more fun than singing lessons.

In this cold island of Britain in which I was reared.

Although I’d hope that our kids’ musical education has moved on from tests on Bizet’s Toriador… sorry, Mrs Bowers.

It was revealing too to hear that our pals in the West Indies still embrace the tunes our ancestors took out to the Caribbean.

Which we heard for ourselves when a teacher led her tartan-clad kindergarten kids in Coulter’s Candy and the Skye Boat Song.

At the Barbados Celtic Festival.

Just the ticket

Now Lucian Carnival is the feast of family fun, fashion, food, rum and rumba that you would expect of a Caribbean tear-up.

It’s just that we thought we’d give the kids a shout-out because doesn’t Carnival make us all feel like big kids.

Helpfully too, we stumbled on a British Airways sale.

Now for Carnival with you going out for a week it’s from £615 from Britain.

And the sale seems to be August-November from. £509.

Caribbean, Countries

Haiti and Scotland a game of two halfs

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And it is the luck of the World Cup draw which has brought us together but on one level Haiti and Scotland are a game of two halfs.

On account of the two nations being among the very few nations that are halves of an island.

In Scotland’s case it has been our fate to share our rock with England and Wales and Haiti’s to be locked on Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.

With both Scotland and Haiti each the poorer relation.

Not though that either of us should hide our lights under a bushel.

And for readers of this here Bandanaman will be well familiar with the charms of this jutty bit of Britain through my scribblings.

But perhaps less so of Haiti.

Well. let us put that right and our perception of it as crime-ridden and destitute.

When it is a beacon for the freedoms of small nations as the first country formed from a slaves revolt ion 1804.

Haitians lead the way

Grab a chair: Women at a Vodou ceremony. Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

The Haitians and the Dominicans had a couple of gos at ruling together but have been going it alone since 1859.

Now, worryingly for Scotland who face the Haitians in Boston next Sunday at 2am, they are something of good form.

Having beaten New Zealand 4-0 in a friendly.

While they may just have a trick up their sleeve which would make football’s most recent Spygate look more like a vicar’s tea party.

Vodou child

Take it as red: Vodou Ceremony elder. Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

We refer, of course, to Vodou, a Haitian religion, which is voodoo to you and me.

And if that conjures up images of dolls of Scotland’s star footie players Shankland, McTominay, McGinn and Robertson being stabbed with pins.

Then you’ve probably been watching too many horror, or old James Bond, films.

Our friends in Haiti have helfpully given us the lowdown on how to fit in at a Vodou festival.

And recommend to attend a Rada dance (or dans).

Not least because you’re less likely to see animal sacrifice.

We fancy a springtime dans, as something unthreatening.

Held to usher in a season of abundant harvest, good luck and good health.

And the Rada dance for Erzulie Freda, the goddess of love and sensuality looks up our rue.

Or La Sirène, the mermaid goddess of good luck, fertility and material abundance.

And, of course, there’s rum

A rum do: Keep the drummers sated. PhotoL Franck Fontan

We’re advised too to bring an offering, preferably a litre, or half gallon of unrefined rum, called kleren for the drummers.

And don’t be put off if some in the congregation go into a trance.

Now if all this has piqued your interest.

Or you just want to show off when the match is on, then here’s where you can find out more about Haiti.

Haiti’s National Museum in Port-au-Prince where you’ll find the oldest, most historic Vodou drums – some dating back to the 1500s.

The Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien is on the Champs de Mars Boulevard .

And features artefacts from the revolution, and the tools they used to found modern Haitian culture.

While the Bureau of Ethnology is a museum dedicated entirely to Haitian Vodou.

How to get there

Vodou spirit: Ren Kongo. Photo: Verdy Verna

The good news is that Haiti and the Haitians are welcoming and there are lots of ways to get there.

Air France will fly you from Europe, while there are direct flights from the US.

A return flight from Florida starts at about $250m a roundtrip from New York will set you back about $400.

While a round trip from London is about $850.

Or you can to take a short flight from the Dom Rep.

Or to hop on to one of the many tourist bus companies such as Terra Bus.