Culture Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Make a tourism killing from the Fjords to Guadeloupe

30th August 202630th August 2026 funtime65

And as next big Nordic noir thing Randi Fuglehaug popularises Norway we explore where they make a tourism killing from the Fjords to Guadeloupe.

Now you probably know Randi from her young adult Netflix series Royalteen.

But you’ll soon be acquainted with her and her and her detective Agnes Tveit’s stomping ground of Voss in west Norway.

Normally a sleepy mountain town close to Norway’s Hardanger region Randi ramps it up.

With murders around an extreme-sports week and a sheep’s-head feast Ekstremsportveko, jazz festival Vossa Jazz and food fest Smalahovesleppet.

All standard settings for crime writers and a tourist board’s dream for promoting their region.

Elementary detective setting

We have, of course, seen Guadeloupe given the tourism treatment as the site of many a murder in Death in Paradise.

While here on this island and the rocks off it there is no shortage of murder capitals.

The actual English and British one where Sherlock Holmes’ fictional abode 221b Baker Street is a popular tourist spot.

While as far north as you can be in the Shetland Islands you can walk in Jimmy Perez and Ruth Calder’s footsteps.

C’est murder

While way south, almost France really you can soak up Bergerac’s Jersey.

Why not walk the rues of Paris and the Quai des Orfèvres, the historic police headquarters of Inspector Maigret?

Back on Holmes, you can pay homage to the Scots author in his hometown of Edinburgh.

And at the Conan Doyle boozer in the New Town.

And the scene of Holmes and Moriarty’s set-to at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland.

Wallander to Marlowe

Back in the frozen north you can visit Wallander’s favorite haunt, Fridolfs Konditori in Sweden and order a Wallander pastry.

While Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia is an obvious setting for detectives.

From Hercule Poirot on the Orient Express to today’s Turkish Detective.

And in America my uncle would dine out on when Kojak was shot in his Pirate’s Cove pub in Manhattan.

While if it’s old Californian tec vibes you want.

Then San Francisco is an enduring character for Sam Spade and Los Angeles for Philip Marlowe.

The fourth book in the Agnes Tveit set will be out early next year.

And it is set during a local football tournament.

Caribbean, Countries, Music, UK

Rainy Days and Songdays… five Notting Hill bangers

29th August 202629th August 2026 funtime65

And if like us you reckon that Ronan Keating says it best when he says nothing at all, you’ll join us on the truck for Rainy Days and Songdays… five Notting Hill bangers.

Because you don’t have to go out to the West Indies for the full Caribbean experience.

It’s just that London doesn’t have the natural beaches and palm trees, that’s all.

And so it was in Barbados where I got my first taste of carnival, Grand Kadooment, Foreday Morning and Mas.

Now to warm you up for that and educate you in Caribbean.

We have the annual Notting Hall Carnival, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

From Junior to the Clash

Police and Thieves: If there’s one anthem that has recognition from Carnivalites and non-Carnivalites alike it’s this anthem from Jamaicans Junior Murvin and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

The story goes that The Clash’s Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon got on the song for their eponymous debut album.

Because they were involved in a riot as part of the 1976 carnival.

Memorable line: And all the crowd come in, day by day/No one stop it in any way/All the peacemaker turn war officer/Hear what I say.

Jumpin’

Jump: And what would a carnival be without the jumpin’ and the chippin’?

This classic beat from Bajan soca star Rupee (real name Rupert Antonio Clarke) from the turn of the Millennium had us all, well jumpin’.

Memorable line: And the men, selling their craft/And don’t talk about the girls in the costume, yeahIt just does something to me and it makes me wanna/jump around the place.

Take note

If you don’t know me by now: And another which is as well known for its cover as its original.

Philly soul band Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes first had a stab at this plea for forgiveness back in 1972.

Before Simply Red reprised it in 1989, complete with Mick Hucknall flicking his carrot-top tresses around.

Memorable line: Oh, don’t get so excited/When I come home a little late at night/You know, we only act like children/When we argue, fuss and fight.

The OG

Jamming: And, of course, no celebration of the Caribbean would be complete.

Without a nod to the Great Man, Bob Marley.

And nothing is guaranteed to get the crowd going than this classic.

Whistle while you work: But it’s all play

Although you could say that about One Love, Three Little Birds… you name it.

Memorable line: We’re jammin’/To think that jammin’ was a thing of the past/We’re jammin’/And I hope this jam is gonna last.

And Ri-Ri

Man Down: And that’s me every time the Queen of Barbados (they got rid of the other one) trills at me in her velvety voice.

And although the lyrics are challenging, it’s in the spirit of I Shot The Sheriff, and who can’t resist the refrain.

Particularly as it has rum in it and we’ve plenty of experience of chippin’ to the rum truck.

Memorable line: Rum-pum-pum-pum/Rum-pum-pum-pum/Rum-pum-pum-pum/Man down.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Food & Wine

Taking that Van der Valk in Old Amsterdam

15th August 2026 funtime65

If you’re like us, and we know you are, you’ll be looking for clues when you’re taking that Van der Valk in Old Amsterdam.

Now one of Amsterdam’s 165 canals looks like any other to this old clogger.

But we are determined to spot ours and George and Amal’s favourite hotel, the Dylan Amsterdam.

Before this run of the detective series ends.

The best place to start is Piet and his pals’ watering hole.

Hamburger Amsterdam Angus

The Café-Restaurant Scheltema near the Royal Palace in Dam Square.

Now far from it for us to tell the Dutch detective how to do his job or live his life.

But we reckon the rake-thin tec would be a little less surly with a good square meal.

And wonder why he and his pals are only ever seen drinking and never eating the de Langes’ sumptuous fare.

Of course, as Scots carnivores our eyes fixed on the Hamburger Black Angus at €17.75 and Steak Black Angus at €22.75.

Met spek, champignons & uien

While one of our defaults is to plump for the restaurant-brand.

And Steak Scheltema at €25.75 comes met spek, champignons & uien.

Now for thrillseekers who like to go blind on a foreign menu then there’s always the Kapucijners at €18.75.

Or Kalfslever at €20.50. Both met spek en uien.

Now fat as a laughing Frans Hal cavalier and lubricated by Piet’s favourite Amstel lager.

Watch an Old Master

For art’s sake: The Night Watch in the square

You can check out, as Piet does in his investigations, the Rijksmuseum.

And check out how Rembrandt’s famous The Night Watch is a work in progress centuries after the Old Master put down his pen.

Following five years of research that began in 2019, the Rijksmuseum has launched a major restoration.

And they have carried out the work in full view of museum visitors.

In among the canals

Carrying on walking in Van der Valk’s footsteps you can’t, nor ever would want to avoid the Canal Belts.

A historic 14km network of waterways, known as the Grachtengordel.

Additional filming spots have included the Baruch Spinoza statue, the NDSM wharf and the Muziekgebouw concert hall.

Now back to scanning the scenes and trying to guess the killers as we vicariously enjoy awesome Amsterdam watching Van Der Valk.

Countries, Culture, Europe

Ich bin Queen Berliner

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It has been a gay magnet since the hedonistic Cabaret Thirties and for the tragic day that’s in it we say Ich bin Queen Berliner.

And reflect on making the pilgrimage to the Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted Under Nazism in Berlin.

Not because I’m gay, because I’m not, but rather that is not the point but because hate crime comes for us all.

Spelling it out: Remembering the gay victims of the War

As best expressed by Pastor Martin Niemoller in his testament They First Came.

Inscribed on a wall in the Hall of Witness at the New aEngland Holocaust Memorial in Boston.

Outside my old Faneuil Hall stomping ground.

And the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC.

A cloak of honesty

That points to the Nazi vilification, victimisation and evisceration of homosexuals and lesbians.

Berlin wears its history in its memorials and museums but not as a hair shirt but as a cloak of honesty.

The German capital is, of course, a great learning city and a great walking one.

And you can stumble upon the memorial to the gay victims of the Third Reich.

While on your way through the city to your digs.

In the shadows

Learn how 50,000 were convicted and thousands sent to their deaths in concentration camps.

And were still criminalised after the War and that it was not until the Millennium that there sacrifice began to be acknowledged.

And 18 years ago that a lasting memorial was erected.

The kiss-off

Everyone’s doing it: Brezhnev and Honecker

In a concrete tribute with a film depicting a same sex couple kissing inside.

Which is the Berliners’ calling card to the world.

With their satirical merchandising of the Brezhnev and Honecker kiss on every stand.

Anyone can, and does kiss each other at the big Berliner Pride party at the Brandenburg Gate.

Or Christopher Street Day on July 15 and 25 over these past 47 years in commemoration of the Greenwich Village protests from 1969.

The most enabling resistance day

Christopher Day 2026 will forever be remembered for the victims of homophobia.

But the near million and maybe more, and many straights among them, will be back next year.

For the most enabling resistance day in its history.

Countries, Music, UK

Roll up for Jay and Macca’s Magical Mystery Tour

26th July 202625th July 2026 funtime65

And as recommendations go there’s some beating this… roll up for Jay and Macca’s Magical Mystery Tour.

And we won’t even ask Jay Johnson for a refund for not getting Paul McCartney to wave and greet us.

Like he did to the passengers on his bus on Hope Street in Beatles Town.

With Macca even showing the gasping tour group who he was talking to on his video call… one Ringo Starr.

With a little help from his friends

Now if you think that was just too much of a coincidence then you might be right.

Because MMT boss is only the brother of Holly Johnson, he of Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

And he knows Macca as well as he knows himself after playing him in stage production Two of Us.

A tale of Macca and John Lennon meeting in New York in 1976 in Lennon’s NY flat.

And how they almost got back together.

In my life

New tales to tell his Fab Four fans then on his tour around Liverpool.

Where they were born, strummed their first songs together and the places we all know and love from their songs.

Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields… and the stories behind them.

Now Lennon famously said that while he was born in Liverpool he grew up in Hamburg.

Where then Super Six (OK, our name), including Lennon’s pal Stuart Sutcliffe and Ringo’s predecessor Pete Best honed their act.

Jasterday

All of which you’ll learn in fuller detail in Stefanie Hempel’s Beatles-Tour.

With a ukulele set thrown in from Stef… it was George Harrison’s favourite instrument after all.

Now your Beatles odyssey should, of course, take in Abbey Road in London.

And the Dakota Building and Strawberry Fields tribute in New York.

As well as, of course, Liverpool and the Cavern Club from where you’ll pick up your Magical Mystery Tour Bus.

And insert your own Beatles-related link here.

And we’ll Get Back to you.

Countries, Culture, Europe

In the sandlestraps of Odysseus

13th July 2026 funtime65

And ahead of the release of this summer’s Ancient Greeks blockbuster here’s how to follow in the sandlestraps of Odysseus.

Now we know, like your Bandanaman, you’ll recognise Ody’s itinerary from studying the poem in your Ancient Greek class.

We join Ody in the island of Ogygia where he is held captive by the goddess Calypso (poor little soldier).

And those of us who love the Maltese archipelago might recognise it on Christopher Nolan’s movie as its little sister Gozo.

Our love odyssey

But don’t take our word for it. Well, actually do, but no less a figure than the ancient historian Callimachus.

Which lies 350 miles southwest of Corfu (Ody’s penultimate stop Scheria in the poem).

And perfectly aligns with Odysseus’s perilous maritime journey.

And, of course, we channeled our inner Calypso and Ody by getting engaged on Malta and honeymooning on Corfu.

High land and island

Ody tells us that his journey back to his homeland of Ithaca all began at the end of the Trojan War.

And yours will too, in what we believe was Troy, in north-west Anatolia.

Its archaeological site is situated on the mound of Hisarlık, near the village of Tevfikiye, 20 miles south of city Çanakkale.

You may too want to visit (best not raid) the foot of Mount Ismaros in Thrace, in north-east Greece.

Better known among Homerians as the Land of the Cicones (Ismarus).

Before diverting to the island of Djerba, Tunisia, this lad really could have done with GPS, or this site.

To the Land of the Lotus Eaters which Herodotus and Pliny the Elder credit as being the site of Lotophagi.

And where Ody no doubt enjoyed his downtime with the inhabitants who subsisted on narcotic, memory-erasing lotus plants.

Never mind the boulders

Now you would need that if your next mission is to fight and blind a one-eyed monster, Polyphemus.

On the island of the Cyclopes, which we know today as Sicily.

And which is also billed as the Land of the Laestrygonians where man-eating monsters sank Ody’s pals’ ships with boulders.

Of course today’s Sicilians are far friendlier although best start by calling them Sicilian and not Italian.

Now following Ody’s trail you’ll be glad that the Med islands transitioned from chasing tourists to welcoming them.

Pigging out

It helps, of course, to have the right God on your side.

Which would be, and we really hope you don’t need him.

But if the sorceress Circe tries to turn you and you’re family into pigs then Hermes is your go-to god.

Of course, don’t let any of this put you off visiting Cape Circeo (Mount Circeo), the erstwhile Aeaea.

A small peninsula on the west coast of Italy, about 100 km south of Rome.

While for all the misadventures Ody has in Sicily, Homer obviously likes it because he sends him back there (or Trinicaria).

Though maybe not mention his name around the island as Ody’s crew destroyed Helios’ sacred cattle there (no, us neither) and Zeus totalled them out at sea.

Ithaca Homer run

All of which meanderings and choppy maritine mayhem brings us to Ody’s home in Ithaca.

Where his Scary One, Penelope is waiting for him.

Now you can overload on all things Homer, or better still get a local guide to take you around.

The Cave of the Nymphs, Stavros Archaeological Museum, Polis Cave, and Homer’s School.

How to get there quicker

And because few of us have ten years free to wander around the east Med and daren’t risk the wrath of our Scary Ones either.

The quickest way to get to Ithaca is either by sea through Kefallonia and Lefkada, as well as with the mainland (Patras and Astakos).

While the closest airports are Kefallonia and Aktion-Preveza.

Countries, Culture, Music

The Daddy of all Songdays

21st June 202621st June 2026 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it we mark our fathers with the Daddy of all Songdays.

I can still hear James G (Jimmy G) in my head singing through the old house in Glasgow, 18 years after his voice faded.

Life is just a bowl of cherries, That old black magic has got me in its spell, Thank you very much for the Aintree Island.

So much so that I’ve a ceramic bowl of cherries by his headstone with my Dear Old Mum in the family plot in Donegal.

For him to nibble at when nobody’s around.

Daddy playlist

Now every one of us will have our own shared songs that conjure up our own fathers.

And while we belt out our own favourites and Daughterie turns on my playlist.

And twists my arm to belt out my karaoke favourite.

Here are five Father’s Day bangers…

Marilyn’s model

My Heart Belongs to Daddy (Marilyn Monroe): And of all the men in Marilyn Monroe’s life, she reminded us all that her heart belongs to Daddy.

Which is probably why the two men whose counsel she returned to were father-figures in Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller.

Although we would never have imagined the loathsome Hugh Hefner would slime his way into buying a burial plot next to him in Los Angeles.

No heirs and graces

Father and Son (Cat Stevens): And putting aside Ronan Keating wedging himself into a duet with the now renamed Yusuf Islam.

The weight in this father-song relationship rests with the son.

‘From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen/

‘Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.’

Reminding us too that it is the natural way of things for a father, however hard, to let his son go to make his own way in life.

Isn’t she wonderful

Isn’t she lovely (Stevie Wonder): And Stevie’s paean to his daughter Aisha.

Isn’t she precious, less than one minute old is Stevie’s glorious capture of the moment you discover you’ve been blessed with a girl.

Which is, of course, what you’re robbing yourself of going down the Big Reveal route.

The Living Years

The Living Years (Mike & the Mechanics): And I wasn’t there the morning my father passed away either.

An anthem to missed moments and reflections on regrets.

But with the lift of the orator telling us that his father passes on his spirit to his own baby.

And that is a fact.

My Old Man

The Old Man (Phil Coulter): Now few people do pluck-at-your-heartstrings nostalgia as well as the Irish.

And Phil Coulter puts this song ahead of My Boy which he wrote for Elvis, Ireland’s Call or The Town I Loved So Well about Derry.

Now, I can’t say he showed me the colours of the pheasant as he rises in the dawn (not much cause for that in Glasgow).

Or how to fish and make a wish beside the Fairy Tree (or that either in Scotland).

But there were scores of others between us.

And I never will forget him/
For he made me ‘what I am’/

Though he may be gone/
Memories linger on/
And I miss him, the old man/

So here’s to us, the fathers

Now, of course, there are a plethora of songs about deadbeat or dads in denial.

Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Cat’s in the Cradle, Papa Don’t Preach or maudling music (Don’t Cry Daddy) (Daddy’s Eyes).

But we’re dwelling on the joys of being a father today (and every day).

And who knows, I might even channel my own James Brown Dancing Dad later because Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.

America, Countries, Music

Pour another cup of ambition in Dolly’s Tennessee

19th June 202619th June 2026 funtime65

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.

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, Culture, Europe, Sport

You can be straight at Valencia’s Gay Games

3rd June 20263rd June 2026 funtime65

Las Fallas brings out the sniggering schoolboy in all of us which only proves you can be straight in Valencia’s Gay Games.

The 12th iteration of the GG, which dates back to 1982, will be held under the sun from June 27-July 4.

And here’s the interesting thing, straights are welcome to compete, which is as it should be.

Just like modern Modern Games are now inclusive, so are Gay Games.

All of which is in keeping with the original Olympians in Ancient Greece.

For whom brotherly love in combat was a blood bond.

Ya dancer

GG features many of the events we know and love from Olympic Games in its 39-sports roster.

But which self-respecting Gay Games could not include DanceSport, same-sex ballroom?

Or The Pink Flamingo, a playful team event combining aquatics, theatre, and comedy.

Or cheerleading… Ole Valencia.

Spectators too are included with everybody encouraged to join in the 3km International Rainbow Memorial Run.

There’s music, fashion, film and The Memorial Quilt Exhibition and countless other events.

Transvia the way to go

Our amigos at Transviasport are the go-to travel providers for the Games.

With Olympia Ronda I and II coming in at €66 and €68 a night.

Our amigos in Valencia have helpfully mapped out the best places to enjoy ourselves while we’re there.

With the gay-friendly Piccadilly Downtown Club in Ruzafa a magnet for indie, pop, rock, and disco fans.

Or Deseo 54 in the Sagunto District, for international house and pop and commercial music.

If it’s cocktails and cakes you’re after, and it always is, then Cafe de las Horas in El Carmen District.

And which combines old palatial stables with a baroque design in a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

A Fetish for fun

Hand in hand: Through Valencia’s streets

While how could the Fetish Morning’s Social Club not stop us in our tracks?

Popular after party for the LGBTI+ crowd.

Which despite its name is not a fetish club and is welcome to mixed ages.

And with that we’re away to train… for the cocktails and the dancing.