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America, Countries, Deals, Music

Don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis

17th August 2024 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it and for something to look forward to… don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

Today, of course, we remember The King leaving us too early 45 years ago.

And there have been commemorations in Graceland and around the world.

Now every day is Elvis Day for fans and there is a party and an Elvis for every occasion.

Elvis Pres-sea

Land or sea with Elvis Cruise who will be sailing fans from Los Angeles to Hawaii… aloha!h

With 16 days of Elvis overload from October 16-31 on board The Grand Princess.

Billed PRINCESS AND THE KING Custom Vacations and Cruise Planners and will treat you to:

Entertainment and Activities Welcome cocktail party.

An Elvis dress-up costume party (with prizes).

Elvis-themed entertainment shows, artist meet and greets and Q&A.

A DJ dance party, speaker events and sock hop 50s/60s live band dance party lounge event.

A ‘So You Think You Can Sing Like Elvis’ karaoke party.

And a farewell mix and mingle party.

Accommodations stretch from affordable interior staterooms to luxurious suites.

And come with ‘Dine My Way’ multi-course rotational dining in a variety of restaurants and eateries.

With activities and daily entertainment.

The King and LA

Like the real thing: With Elvis in Vegas

Now Elvis Cruise clearly have no desire for you to Return to Sender.

And so recommend the best hotels to stay before you hop on board.

And that’ll be a Marriott obviously…

With the Los Angeles Airport Marriott just a mile and a half from LAX and your Aer Lingus with pre-clearance flight.

From $169 per night and additional nights from $69.

Jive in 2025

Now as The Son and Heir never tires of saying that ship has sailed for this year, on July 1.

But keep your eyes peeled for next year’s Elvis extravaganza.

You’ll need a $400pp initial deposit is due at the time of submitting your reservation registration.

And a monthly payment plan is available if you prefer to spread your payments out.

Their balcony staterooms are from $3,299.

So, do your prep and forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

America, Countries, Ireland, Music

Garth Brooks got friends in Las Vegas

16th August 2024 funtime65

If you missed him way back then when his no-show brought Ireland to a standstill, fear not, Garth Brooks got friends in Las Vegas.

Garth’s cancelled shows in 2014 consumed the nation and even got then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny to try to play peacemaker.

The Country & Western star had hoped to play five consecutive concerts at Croke Park.

Only for Dublin Council to pull the gigs because of a petition of complaints from local residents, many with recognisable names from history.

It ain’t Garth hot

A full ten years have passed since Garthgate as it was inevitably called.

With the saga even turned into a stage play.

And the Great Man did get to play a fab five concerts two years ago at the home of Gaelic Sports.

All of which piqued Garth fans’ appetite to see him again whether in Dublin or in his own patch of America.

And where better than the home of superstar residencies, Sin City now that Aer Lingus are flying directly?

Particularly as Garth Brooks got friends in Las Vegas… see what we’ve done there with I got friends in low places.

Garthmania

Cassidy Travel have got on board the Garthmania with their Las Vegas Concert Packages.

You’ll get a Garth Brooks/Plus ONE – The Vegas Residency at the Colosseum Theatre at Caesars Palace.

With concert dates of September 23-October 13.

The package includes return flights, four night’s accommodation, concert ticket – Section 300s, upgraded seating available. Prices from €1189pps.

Elvis and the Eagles

The King and I: My Elvis in Graceland Wedding Chapel

Now this being Vegas there are more Elvises than you could shake a stick at.

And this being Elvis week in Graceland it’s timely to flag up the tribute singer Cassidy will take you out to see in Vegas next year.

While fans of supergroup The Eagles will want to sign up for a Vegas spectacular next year.

And we guess you’d not complain if your hotel is one where you could check out any time you want but you could never leave.

America, Countries, Music

Ah to live through the Taylor Swift Eras

13th August 202413th August 2024 funtime65

Future civilisations will read of the Simian, Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic eras while we, of course, are fortunate enough to ah live through the Taylor Swift Eras.

Our descendants will doubtless find Tay-Tay playlists, tickets, t-shirts and friendship bracelets from the early 21st century and wonder just who was this goddess of our age.

Unless, of course, the whole world is not by then worshipping at the altar of Taylor Swift.

Swiftie wisdom: To all you Swifties out there

But that is for then, for now let us just count our blessings that we get to see The Great One in concert and listen to her pronouncements.

It is, of course, entry to heaven to get to witness her hold worship at any of her performances.

Miss Taylor Swift

And so, for those who haven’t been able to then the next best thing is to see artefacts and memorabilia of Taylor Swift.

In the much-anticipated exhibition of her Eras at the peerless Grammy Museum, in Cleveland, Mississippi.

The exhibit is sponsored by Visit Mississippi and celebrates the 14-time Grammy winner’s unparalleled 18-year career.

From her 2006 titular album to this year’s The Tortured Poets Department.

Oh, to be alive across these Eras

On display until February, the exhibit will feature representations from each of Swift’s 11 eras, including:

The BCBG Max Azria dress worn on tour in 2007
Taylor’s custom Taylor GS-6 “Sparkle Guitar” played throughout her Fearless Tour from 2009–2010
A red sparkle top Gibson Les Paul played by Taylor during her Speak Now World Tour
Custom Marina Toybina ensemble and LaDuca boots worn during “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” at the GRAMMY Awards in 2013
Custom Jessica Jones bodysuit and jacket and Christian Louboutin boots worn during her 2018 reputation Stadium Tour
Gibson J-180 played during Taylor’s 2019 City of Lover concert in Paris, celebrating the release of seventh studio album, Lover
Oscar de la Renta dress and Christian Louboutin shoes worn at the GRAMMY Awards in 2021
Stella McCartney coat worn by Taylor on the cover of her 2020 album evermore
Free People coat worn in the music video for “Lavender Haze”
Maticevski gown and gloves worn in the music video for “Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)”

Golden Grammies

Now a day surrounded by Taylorabilia is a day to savour, but in truth any day spent in the Grammy Museum in Cleveland is one well spent.

And it is no exaggeration to say that it is never long enough.

From looking at how the wireless transformed the lives of cropholders and the poor whites of the Deep South such as the Pressleys.

To how the Blues and Country became rock’n’roll to rootsy bluegrass to cutting your own version of John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom Boom.

To be emailed home to you as a souvenir of your visit the Grammy Museum as part of your Deep South odyssey is magical.

And now on top of all that, and be still my giddy heart, is a celebration of what it it is to ah live through the Taylor Swift Eras.

Caribbean, Countries, Music

Antigua for the Caribbean Soca Showdown

5th August 20245th August 2024 funtime65

The West Indies are on a roll so ready, steady, go, it’s a hop, skip and a jump to Antigua for The Caribbean Soca Showdown.

Our favourite set of islands in the sun are beloved for their laid-back lifestyle.

But they do, of course, punch above their weight too on the sporting field as they continue to show at the Paris Olympics.

Jamaican flyers Usain Bolt, Don Quarry, Merlene Ottey, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have led the way over the years.

As have cricketing royalty Sir Garfield Sobers (Barbados) and Sir Viv Richards (Antigua).

And my Foreday Morning mate Brian Lara and his footie pal Dwight Yorke from Trinidad & Tobago among many, many more.

Add to that new Olympic heroes from Paris 2024 in pride of St Lucia in 200m women’s champ Julien Alfred, their first-ever medal winner.

And the island looks like it will never stop partying since the weekend win.

While triple jumper Thea LaFond worked the same magic for Dominica.

Soca not soccer

Of course all eyes are on the Olympics right now but for many of us attention will switch back, and has already started with the resumption of Scottish league football, on soccer.

Soccer has its place in the Caribbean, but in truth, if you ask about it, you’re more likely to be taken to a big field for a Mas (party) and a festival of Soca, or So Calypyso music.

Where there is no tribal rivalry, only peace, love, rhythm and rum.

There will be good-natured island competition across 12 islands on Saturday it is true.

But that just adds to the carnival when the Kari Soca Caribbean Soca Monarch Showdown.

Take to the stage

Empress will proudly represent Antigua and Barbuda, while D Phillip Blackest will showcase talent from the US Virgin Islands.

Christy D will sing for Barbados, and Rae will fly the Trinidad and Tobago flag.

Dominica will have two representatives, Mr Gwada and Benji.

Montserrat have sent Lyrikal, Riggy is flying in from Grenada, and Eazi from Nevis.

Imran Nerdy is St Lucia’s pride and joy, TR Shine represents Belize, and Ras Kelly is St Kitts’ contestant.

None of the names there that I’ve come across and Biggie Irie, King Bubba and his pals will no doubt be jumping at Crop Over in Barbados just now.

So that means new names and friends to jump alongside.

So for a celebration of life and music get out to Antigua for the Caribbean Soca Showdown.

Countries, Europe, Music

Yodel-Ay-Hee-Ho and fly a flag this Swiss Day

1st August 2024 funtime65

Yodel-Ay-Hee-Ho and fly a flag this Swiss Day… or better still make a sport of it.

After all every country in the world is waving or wrapping themselves in theirs just now at the Olympics in Paris.

All of which is a treat for vexillophiles everywhere.

So with all that drapery fluttering around why not put it to good use and turn it into an event?

With a swish of the flag

Hip to be square: The Vatican State flag

After all, the Swiss, who fly one of the oldest in the world, dating to 1339 and the battle of Laupen in the canton of Bern in 1339 do.

When they adopted it on their chain mail to distinguish themselves from the other participants on the battlefield.

Like all of us the Swiss are rightly proud of their flag which, with the Vatican State‘s, is the only square flag on the world.

So much so that the right to fly a flag was a privilege reserved for the urban guilds from the Middle Ages onwards.

Now, of course, any Tom, Dick or Harald flies theirs whether at a sporting event, political rally or from their back garden.

And I’m watching you out of my window, Royalist Roy!

Now you can judge for yourself how well the athletes at the Olympics wave theirs.

But, in truth, if there was a gold medal for flag flying then the Swiss would surely be champions.

Because since the turn of the century 1910, the Swiss Yodeling Association have taken it under their wing.

Catch the wave

Blowing your own horn: And the Swiss have a right

Now with a swish, let’s begin.

Flag throwing involves swinging a 120 x 120cm silk flag back and forth on a short staff.

And then throwing it into the air and catching it by the staff as it falls.

Now if you thought that waving a flag was just swishing it from left to right then you would, of course, be oversimplifying the whole art.

There are, of course, more than 90 regulated swings.

As well as the two grips there are body swings, plate swings, medium-high swings, leg and body combinations and passes for duets.

All to the accompaniment of alphorn music.

Fly the flag

Now, I’m not sure if a cocktail Swiss flag counts for the competition… well, looking above it clearly doesn’t.

But I will wave mine in honour of my Swiss amis today for Swiss National Day and the significant moment.

When in 1291 the Swiss Federal Charter was signed by the three founding cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden.

As they agreed to ‘stand together against outside judges and aggressors.’

All of which is good reason to let out a Yodel-Ay-Hee-Ho and fly a flag this Swiss Day and word up to my old amie from Iterlaken, Brigitte, I have been practising.

As a postscript and whisper it today as it’s the Swiss day so get on board Swiss and fly yourself out there.

But us Scots have the oldest national flag in Europe dating back to the 9th century.

And it’s a national shame that we don’t make more of it than just an exhibition in a dovecot near where we live now, in Athelstaneford, East Lothian.

Culture, Ireland, Sustainable Tourism, UK

Heady World Heritage days for County Antrim

27th July 202427th July 2024 funtime65

These are heady World Heritage days for County Antrim with its Game of Thrones iconography, the return of the Open Golf to Royal Portrush and a WH site in Gracehill.

All bested, of course, by the Giant’s Causeway which should always be accompanied by a wobbly walk over the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge.

It is, of course, refreshing to see sectarian Northern Ireland celebrated by UNESCO for religion.

And that is just what’s happened with the extension of the Moravian Church Settlements to include Gracehill, near Portrush.

Raving about the Moravians

All of which was lauded to the high heavens along with The Flow Land peat grounds of north Scotland, and more of which later.

Moravians have, of course, gone under the radar in a Northern Ireland defined by Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.

And we’re reminded of the Billy Connolly joke here when a Jew in Belfast explains he is neither religion.

To which his interrogator asked: ‘But are you a Catholic Jew or a Protestant Jew?’

Well, the Moravian Church Settlement you’ll find in sleepy Gracehill is Protestant.

And emanates from modern-day Southern Czechia around that country’s second city Brno.

That Protestantism is used as a catch-all term is misleading as there were myriad breakaways from the Catholic Church.

Check out the Czech churches

And in Prague, the wonderfully cultural capital of Czechia, I fell in one such church,

And despite the organist on the altar having his back to the congregation I wasn’t deterred.

Where I learned that this was the original Protestant parish in these parts.

The Moravian emigrees who washed up on this northern coast of Europe’s outpost in 1758 were we are told a tolerant people.

And that they even supported pan-Irish nationalism.

And as far back as 1798 Gracehill ‘a place of refuge’ for all sides during the United Irishmen’s Rebellion.

Hail Moravia full of Gracehill

Gracehill and its schoolhouse and church are marked out as an example of a socio-religious system of its time.

And it has been the Irish village’s good fortune here to be able to piggyback on the Danish Christiansfeld Initiative.

Gracehill’s newly elevated status will it is hoped attract visitors.

Which, of course, sparked the conversation in our household around potential overtourism.

And were it to happen it would more likely rear its head in Antrim than the open areas of The Flow Land in Caithness and Sutherland.

And preserve the locals’ lifestyle

Of course, we’ll inevitably return to the challenges of overtourism and it might seem oversimplistic.

But to any community that boasts a special heritage site or achieves one then a word of advice.

Preserve first the ability of local people to afford and have the homes around them to live in.

Rather than sell them off for AirBnBs and in the same time deprive the hotel and hospitality sector of a living.

And ensure that yes, it’s heady World Heritage Days for County Antrim and The Flow Land of North Scotland.

And all sites for sore eyes.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Food, Sport

An Alpine hand to escape the heat

8th July 20248th July 2024 funtime65

Every summer my own fair maiden will shake her head at Med heatwaves… so happen she needs an Alpine hand to escape the heat.

Summer in the Alps is a very different experience to the winter skiing season.

And can, of course, be confusing when you come to dress for your trek through the valleys.

So if you sleep in, rush your shower and leave it on to seep through the ceiling to the breakfast room then you make the wrong choice.

And find yourself sweating under your ski jacket and become hampered by carrying it.

All of which you learned the hard way huffing and puffing up the hills while yodelling senior citizen Brigitte yodelled and hiked up to the peaks.

Now I tell you this out of love and to prepare you if you head for that summer Alpine trek in, say Morzine and Avoriaz in France this summer.

Take a hike

There all happy hikers can explore more than 200 km of marked trails.

While if you can pull off the lycra (not any more this MAMIL) look get on your bike.

In the expansive Portes du Soleil bike park, which features over 600 km of trails, ranging from beginner to expert levels.

Now those crystal-clear lakes look welcoming enough for a dip…

And in Lake Montriond you can swim, paddleboard, or kayak in the valleys.

While for a more exhilarating experience, thrill-seekers can take on the white-water rafting on the Dranse River.

Being more of a skimmer than a swimmer, although I have traversed rapids in a tub, I’ll let you pick your obsession.

Anyone for tennis… and fondues

Now I do less damage on a golf course or tennis court, although Judy Murray who trained is in the Algarve might say different.

Now you can practise your swing at the 9-hole Avoriaz golf course, one of the highest courses in Europe.

Or engage in a friendly match at the well-maintained tennis courts in Morzine.

All this healthy activity of course is hungry work.

And one of the joys of Alpine living is the refuel.

Our amis in Morzine and Avoriaz recommend this sample, the Savoyard specialists La Chamade, fondue fave La Grange and gourmet L’Atelier.

While the Mil8 restaurant and its terrace on the foot of the slopes offers the lunch of champions.

Sharing platters, street food and mountain dishes and nostalgic desserts served in jars.

Chalet La France

Now as long as you don’t shower the diners then Alpine hoteliers will be only too glad to make you welcome.

The Hotel le Dahu is a rustic family-run mountainside accommodation with spa and indoor and outdoor pools.

If chalets are more your thing (mais oui) then Chalet Eira has spacious rooms, a lively bar, and a sun terrace.

Pierre & Vacances are an old favourite and Résidence Pierre & Vacances Atria-Crozats in Avoriaz are your s/c apartment go-to.

With wellness facilities and close to all major attractions.

A oui flight

Morzine and Avoriaz is only one hour from Geneva Airport with direct, low-cost flight access.

From London, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

Return flights from London Gatwick to Geneva with easyJet are priced from just £49pp during the 2024 summer season.     

Canada, Countries, Flying, Music

Rainy Days and Songdays – Canada Eh Day

1st July 20241st July 2024 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it a welcome return for the occasional series and a dedication with Rainy Days and Songdays – Canada Eh Day.

A trip to see a Beatles/Sixties tribute band on the docked boat venue The Ferry in Glasgow brought me into contact with Canada Ken, as I’ll call him.

I’d wrongly identified him as an American as I earwigged on his conversation about Washington with another in the queue on the dock.

And related to him as I do all citizens I meet from that great city of my own perigrinations there.

Only for him to put me right on that and confirm his proud Torontonian roots and that he had come over to Scotland for six months 30 years and fell in love and stayed.

And that he had been having some bants with the Washingtonian in the queue and that DC was in fact a great city but greatly changed from when a Canadian led the last invasion of the Potomac back in 1814.

Canadian chanteurs and chanteuses

When one Rear-Admiral George Cockburn led the army from up north down to burn Washington in a reprisal for American incursions in their territory in upper Canada.

Of course, the best thing to do when you see a Canadian and an American in the bants is to leave them too it, much like you would a Scotsman and Englishman, Irishman and Englishman, or anybody really and an Englishman.

Now today belongs to Canadians as the anniversary of the creation of the Canadian Federation in 1867 so the Americans will just have to wait for Thursday, July 4, for their jamboree.

And so to mark Canada Day, and our own family’s links with the world’s second biggest country through a grandfather who fought for the Canadian Army, an uncle and brother who went out there to live and a Torontonian sister-in-law and goddaughter…

And because of all the great singers they’ve given us, I give you five of the best Canadian chanteurs and chanteuses for Rainy Days and Songdays – Canada Eh Day.

Joni’s japes

Fare play, Joni: She belts out Big Yellow Taxi

Joni Mitchell: And not just because I share with her the distinction (probably with thousands others too) of being thrown out of the Hebridean Bar in Edinburgh.

Joni is, of course the nightingale of Sixties pop and muse to millions with timeless standards such as Both Sides Now, The Circle Game and Big Yellow Taxi.

With a unique style and wordcraft… I mean: ‘They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum and they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them.’

Cohen the chanteur

Hat’s off Leonard: And is that the Chelsea Hotel?

Leonard Cohen: While Joni was underscoring hippydom and self-reflection French-Canadian Leonard was the chanteur of shenanigans, writing and singing some of the most intimate and saucy songs of ours or any age.

And sending scores of pop tourists flooding to the Chelsea Hotel in New York to see if they could channel what went on there in the celebs’ hang-out. And if they yelled Allelujah after it all.

Alanis’s jagged little thrill

Well yeah, Alanis: It does make you think

Alanis Morissette: Now what is it about Canadians that they capture a genre with Alanis, the Queen of Angst.

Putting aside that ‘raaaaain on your wedding day’ isn’t strictly ironic, more just bad luck, we still love that her lyrics talk about subjects we’d never put in a song.

Like taking a long hard look at my ass/And then played golf for a while. And you can find out the next lines for yourself!

E’er the Twain

Shaniah Twain: OK, so there is a rich seam of Canadian male singers from Neil Young through Bryan Adams to Justin Bieber and Drake but man, I feel like a Canadian woman says it better.

This Canadian trouper is touring right now and looking as spectacular at 50 as she has ever done. And that and her message and party-whooping songs does impress me much.

Raising the Celine

Celine Dion: And obviously saving the Queen of Las Vegas until last.

With the tres magnifique warbler promising fans that she will hit the Strip again when she her Stiffness ailment allows.

And, of course, we won’t have to Think Twice.

So meet you on the road to Canada and remember that you can fly to North America with pre-clearance from Ireland.

With Aer Lingus flying to Toronto with a sample fare for next month coming in at €901.14.

Countries, Culture, Europe

Greek balls of fire around the Acropolis

13th June 202413th June 2024 funtime65

We’ve obviously upset the gods on Mount Olympus because there are Greek balls of fire around the Acropolis.

The dedication to Athena is currently taking a breather from us mere mortals because of the heatwave in the Greek capital.

With the Hellenic Hill closed to the public from midday to 5pm on account of the 43C (109F) temperatures in Athens.

Whether this is down to global warming we can debate, and we don’t know how hot it might have been under Socrates’ sandals.

But we do know that Socrates and his buddies favoured a himation, similar to a toga only with a straight bottom hem.

Dress for excess

Hat’s the gear: Cover up with your bandana

Although we understand less about what they put on their heads, if anything.

But, of course, my favourite headwear of choice, the bandana is a first step towards protecting a scalp.

We don’t know either if our skin is less leathery than our forebears.

But for paler-skinned Northerners hot climes are a challenge.

And we should cover ourselves against the heat and stay hydrated and fuelled.

No need to rush: Visitors to the Acropolis

So that in open spaces, whether the Roman Forum, the Acropolis or Jerash in Jordan it’s worth taking a moment.

And remember that as much as we want to channel the Classsicists we’re many of us just pre or post-Millennials northern folk.

The Athenians share with the rest of the Med a Manana laid-back image.

But, in truth, they have always just adapted to living in baking hot climes.

And anyway isn’t it a better way to live than the hectic pace of those of us in the northern part of the continent.

Fare play

I’ve seen it first hand on my travels around Athens.

Where the taxi drivers will breezily suggest you pay whatever taxi fare you feel fit.

And will even wait for you as you hotfoot it around the Acropolis.

Although I was always going to take my time to take in the full majesty of Athena’s dedication.

It will, of course, take more than a burning sun to melt the stones that have stood for three millennia.

Return to Athens

Shield your eyes: Like the Classic Greeks did

And I know from personal experience that if we must wait then it is worth it, having missed my allotted time to visit on my Greek odyssey.

But I did get to take it all in on an eventful afternoon on my return from the sleepy island of Kythera.

And you will too.

Just say a big Efcharisto that we have this ancient wonder to enjoy.

And say a prayer to the Gods to keep them happy and spare us the Greek balls of fire around the Acropolis.

Deals, Europe, Music, UK

Our Swift guide to Taylor tourism

7th June 20248th June 2024 funtime65

And because there is literally (as Zen G would say) nobody bigger in the world right now, and for the weekend that’s in it with the circus coming to my adopted home city of Edinburgh, we give you our Swift guide to Taylor tourism.

Taylor has graced us by choosing our little city to kick off her Eras Tour in Britain.

And because it is as we are constantly reminded Taylor’s world and she lets us live in it we obviously set aside only the best hotel in Edinburgh for her.

That being the Caledonian Hotel at the top of Princes Street, with unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle, and easy motorcade access to her concerts at Murrayfield in the West End.

Now, of course, it might be a Cruel Summer (yes, I looked it up) for those who are wanting to see The Great Lady in concert.

With the cheapest tickets, probably to see just a speck of her (but then, hey, worth it!) are £86.90.

While Edinburgh hotels are charging anything up to triple the price of their normal stay in Auld Reekie while Taylor is in town.

Caledonian means everything to me

Fly the Flags: At the Caledonian, but where’s Taylor?

There is, of course, no room at the inn at the Caledonian for this weekend, but if you come back next weekend…

You can book a two-bedroom suite with a view for £2,836.

A single-night stay in Edinburgh across the weekend is said to cost on average £597.

With researchers Buzz Bingo telling us that the dearest place to stay are £923 per night.

And I’ve got the man too: With American footballer Kelcee

We’re reliably informed too of the rewards on offer for Airbnb owners.

With the average Taylor tariff £769.47, a 223% spike.

With the weekend before the Eras Tour, Airbnb rates are on average £237.88 a night, and £191.47 the weekend after.

None of which would make wholesome Taylor even blink or make a dent in her £1.3bn wealth.

Tour de force

Now the 34-year-old whose schtick is female empowerment, retribution lyrics for teens despite her 34 years.

And all through the prism of her very own form of modern country, pop and indie folk, or bland, as we’d prefer to tag it has been in Europe a whole month.

Making her way through France, Sweden, Portugal and Spain with her entourage.

And fear not, she will be making her way to a town near you soon.

With Liverpool’s Anfield stadium her next port of call after Edinburgh.

Followed by Cardiff, London and then Dublin.

Before making her merry way around Europe.

And then bringing it all to a thunderous climax with two more dates in London, at Wembley Stadium.

A Swift buck

You won’t pay that? Taylor is disappointed

Not that the countries who welcome her with open arms are complaining.

With the UK economy set to benefit by some £997 million from tourism and overnight stayers.

Because as we all know it’s not just the getting there and the staying but also the hospitality with bars and restaurants hiking the prices.

And of course you need new clobber for the night.

With fans expected to shell out around £56 although even that seems low.

Travel is likely to add up to another £111, while meals before the concert could be around £59, again a conservative estimate.

While you also need to show everybody for ever that you’re a Swiftie and you were there.

And that means merch, with Swift official merchandise expected to cost around £79 per fan.

All a long way from the less than £50 tickets you get with my old Wicklow neighbour Hozier.

She Penns a hit record

Buy my record: I’m down to my last billion

It’s easy to forget, of course, that the Girl from West Reading, Pennsylvania (and she has her own museum, online of course, at only 34) is first and foremost a musician.

And she certainly can belt out a good song which I can testify too after listening to the same tune, though called something else at every turn.

On every radio station, and in every shop and mall in the city and town around Edinburgh.

Remember it is her world and she’s only allowing us to live in it…. so Shake It Off, any negative vibes.

So get used to it, she’s here to stay so get on board with our Swift guide to Taylor tourism.