Deals Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sustainable Tourism

Lie back and think of Portugal

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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, 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.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying

Glasgow’s planes like clockwork

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Glasgow’s planes like Swiss clockwork always arrive on time. And its trains.

Because when my birth city’s burghers go upgrading their transport network they sensibly choose Swiss.

Now few of you might put Scotland’s largest city as the third oldest subway in the world.

Built in 1896 they are only behind Budapest, earlier that year, and the Daddy of them all, London in 1863.

Which means they’ve been at it 130 years.

The toblerone underground

And in contrast to the Hungarian capital you won’t get spot-fined by a scary Magyar guard for not validating your ticket.

Today’s Glasgow Subway looks very different from the one my grandparents would have taken.

The witty Glaswegians christening the Subway they have today the Clockwork Orange on account of their orange livery.

And with some driverless trains on the way later this year.

Although our Swiss hosts, at the grand Glasgow City Chambers last night, would not say if our trains would now be toblerone-shaped.

Ca va, we’re having some fun with you here, Swiss trains run, well, like clockwork.

Edelweiss, bless my Swiss home

On the right track: With your Swiss TravelPass

We gathered to mark the opening of the new summer seasonal Edelweiss flight route from Glasgow to Zurich.

Which will launch on May 29, running twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) until September 14.

And because this is a return arrangement us Scots have put their mark on the Edelweiss planes.

With the Scottish Leather Group, the largest manufacturer of leather in Britain, kitting out the planes and seating passengers in style.

Deal us in

Best seat in house: And they’re Scottish leather

Switzerland, of course, has four seasons like the rest of us although we naturally associate it with winter and falling down mountains.

But having enjoyed its summer charms, walking and yodelling in the valleys.

There’s a whole new summer world waiting for those who travel through Glasgow.

Now you’ll be wanting to know how much you’ll have to shell out and the fares aren’t mountainous.

We found a sample return flight for the first week in June from £215.11.

Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe, Food & Wine, Music

Efharisto Rhodes you are Colossal

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Efharisto Rhodes you are colossal and as we say Yassas at the end of our loveholidays odyssey we reflect on the legends we have met.

Michael, the pick-up driver who took us on our first night to the Amphitryon Hotel.

May you make enough from your driving and your day building job to realise your ambition to settle down and slow down in your 40s.

Manolis, our bar manager who patiently and smilingly put up with this Bandanaman mangling his language.

To you and those who fed us so fully a Yamas (or cheers).

Over an ouzo with the best Greek traditional band Bouzouki playing in the background.

Yamas to new friends

To the new friends we met, the Three Yorkshiremen and Jay, Cherry and Jane.

And thanks for the offer of your room on the day of your check-out Jane.

Only I am still haunted by another invitation from my Athens odyssey.

And Toy Boy Brian, OK, he’s a fellow Sixtysomething like myself but travels the world selling vintage toys.

And meets celebs and gets the VIP treatment, hence him meeting the Bandanaman.

Then, of course, the army of cats who responded to our cheery kalimera.

Even when noon had passed and it should be a kalispera.

Especially Symi2, our forever friend who took residence of our laps.

And whose picture will now occupy a place on our crowded fridge.

Legends carved in rock

It is back now to chilly North Berwickety in Scotland where Rufus Rules now has a lot of living up to and explaining.

But not before a nod to the legends who come out at night.

Now Rhodes is clearly not shy of gods carved into rock.

But Nicklas and Despina are the god and goddess of rock at the Legends Rock Bar in Old Rhodes town.

Downing shots as they serve and producing a bottle of Bunnahabhain smoky Islay whisky and testing me on my Scottishness.

By asking me to pronounce it which incidentally is Bunahaveain.

And all the time Nikos the singer, of course, belts out the standards from across the rocky lane.

Reading the words perfectly from his screen which is no mean feat when it’s Cher’s warbling.

Kalinihta and dreams of gold

I leave with a kalinihta and breathe a sigh of relief that I have not said anything inappropriate.

As happened when I greeted the concierge in Rome with a buona notte e sogni d’oro.

But come to think of it, good night and dreams of gold does sound a fitting farewell to Helios, the Sun God’s island, Rhodes.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sport

Fun and Games in Rhodes

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And as stadiums go this one has real history, where the locals have been coming for 2,500 years for fun and Games in Rhodes.

And apologies here for breaking with tradition and keeping my kit on at the Rhodes Acropolis.

The original Halieia athletes going commando for the 600ft race in honour of Helios the Sun God.

There was, of course, a time as a Scottish Cross Country champion when I held high hopes of an Olympic future.

But while I puff and pant for picture purposes a local hero barely breaks a sweat circling the stadium.

Unfortunately for Dimitrios there are but one or two in the stone seats today where once 30,000 cheered on their heroes.

The future champions

Greece lightning: Running is in the blood

The Stadium and the Acropolis complex on the outskirts of Rhodes is packed today with future champions.

With the Acropolis the place where Rhodian families come to play on a Sunday.

With kids kicking a ball around while dads dribble a basketball, mums chat around prams and grandparents sit and smoke in the cafe.

We bus it to the Acropolis from Rhodes Town harbour only to do a double take when it circled around past our hotel, the Amphitryon.

You can too take a hop-on, hop-off coach which will cost you €20 of today’s coin which will also take you to the Old Town.

But better still you could show your athleticism by walking the couple of kilometres to the Acropolis.

The stuff of Legends

Passing the baton: She’s relay something

It feels right to spend our last full day cosplaying Ancient Rhodian heroes in the iconic tree-lined Stadium.

Although we are not quite finished with Rhodes yet as we will spend the evening back in Rhodes Old Town with the Legends of today.

But you will just have to wait for the next instalment of our Rhodes odyssey for that.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Symi, see you, Symi 2

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And seeing we’ve got Helios the Sun God back on side we’re off Greek island hopping, so SYMI, see you, SYMI 2.

All of which will become as clear in time as the Aegean we’re sailing on to the Rhodes neighbouring island on our loveholidays odyssey.

Where after an hour and a half on the water on our Sea Dreams boat Symi 2.

The pristine blue and white Captains Houses and neo-classical mansions around Gialos harbour and hills hove into view.

We dive into island life though not literally.

Dive straight in

We will leave that to the likes of the moustachioed Stathis Hatzis, the legendary naked diver who stands sentry at the bay.

Who we learn dived to retrieve and tie an Italian anchor, holding his breath for nearly four minutes.

Now did we say that Gialos is breathtaking?

Particularly from higher up, as you can see from the lens of the expert in the family.

We scale the steep steps after calamari and a kalimera and Greek salad at Trata Trawler.

And discover that the best welcome is from a friendly Simi cat we christen Simi 2 after our boat.

The best habits

Alas, the mechanical Symi 2’s hooter reminds us that we must part.

But hopefully our prayers will be answered at our next port of call, a monastery on the north end of the island.

Greek churches as we have all come to appreciate appreciate their icons and you can’t move for them here.

At the Holy Monastery of the Taxiarch Michael Panarmitis.

Again, we bump into a Greek Orthodox priest in flowing black robe.

Now he may or may not know our Archbishop Makarios back at the Alphatron Hotel in Rhodes.

But we imagine he will be waiting near the bar for his liqueur as he has been all week.

Though not necessarily for us.

The cat’s whiskers of a deal

But Socrates, the hotel cat… OK, not the only one but the one we took to first will be.

And he can have the Amphitryon because Simi belongs to Symi 2.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe

When it rains on the Sun God’s island

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So where to go when it rains on the Sun God’s island of Rhodes?

What we’d done to offend Zeus on Mount Olympus or whether Helios was away, we need shelter from their wrath.

And that means a visit to the Throne of Helios opposite the harbour off the Old Town.

For the 9D spectacular of the history of Rhodes, the first of its type in Europe, and a very special chariot race.

Hair-raising stuff

Spooktacular: History lesson in Throne of Helios

You literally don’t have to leave your seat for a rocky thrill ride.

Although even inside the repurposed original Rhodian cinema, 100 years old next year, you won’t be entirely dry.

As you’ll get sprayed with water from the sea.

Caught up in a battle, rocked by an earthquake and sprayed with smoke.

And bumped from the back.

All of which might illicit a scream of ‘what, I’ve just done my hair.’

Up close with Helios

The Throne of Helios is a 20-minute riproaring thrill ride which will occupy kids and big kids, rain or shine.

And for just €13 of our modern coin you’ll forget that Helios has taken a day off and believe he is actually in here.

Of course, all good things must come to an end and it’s back out into the elements.

Stone me: Larking in the Archaeological Museum

But there is immediate help at hand in Umbrella Corner, where you have a choice of brolly good specialist shops.

With your Bandanaman hooded and Medusa covering her strands with her newly acquired brolly we go to have a word with Helios.

Where he was, or perhaps his spirit still is, between the two piers where the 80m Colossus in his memory is said to have stood.

At home among the old fossils

Peering enviously at the big yachts with Russian names nyet no reprieve.

We trudge back into the Old Town for our next stop.

And a step back in time at the Archaeological Museum.

And an education, and then some, of the civilisations which have passed through Rhodos.

For the overgrown schoolboys (guilty) and schoolgirls (a group of giggly gals from my hometown of Glasgow) there are naughty bits.

Greek busts and phallises but also beautifully preserved amphoras or jugs.

And on the grander scale statues to the gods and headstones.

The ancient and the modern

It is though in the small things that we often find God’s most wondrous hand.

And it takes some comprehending that the tiniest hedgehogs and frogs from thousands of years ago are preserved so beautifully.

Whether Helios had a late one he is arisen and shining now and we are ready to embrace his creation again.

Which for my goddess means a refuel at our now favourite stopping off point, Socrates Garden.

Before a shopping expedition around some very well-thumbed stall items.

Now that’s a whole different odyssey of epic proportions.’

Deal me in

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Better lute than never to the Bouzouki party

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And when in Rhodes better lute than never to the Bouzouki party.

If bouzoukis strike a Greek chord with you then it’s probably because of Zorba the Greek.

Filmed in Rhodes which is where we’re billeting for the week on our loveholidays odyssey.

Its unmistakeable hook draws us into Socrates Garden in Rhodes Old Town.

Where we go full Hellenic with an oiled and olived-up Greek salad.

Although our waiters resist the temptation to smash plates.

Zorba dancing at the Amphitryon

We have a Greek night later back at the Amphitryon Hotel presumably for that.

With local group Buzuki playing for the international clientele by the pool.

And captured for posterity here by your Bandanaman even if his posterior was not.

Because somebody in the organisation took the executive decision that that was not fit for family viewing.

The Amphitryon family

The Amphitryon family were out in force to lead the dancing with one particular toddler holding court.

And for our entertainment too the band’s main and veteran bouzouki player looked like he grew up with Socrates himself.

While straight out of central casting ‘Archbishop Makarios’ with his beanie hat as a nod to modernity joining in the clapping.

While tour guide Rosa from group Travel One The Amphitryon took the mic to belt out Hellenic standards.

Before Manolis and his bar staff brought the evening to an end with complimentary ouzos, Greek medicine, for all cures.

Deal us in

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

YAMAS AND MEET YOU ON THE FLOOR

Countries, Deals, Europe

The Lindos Hop

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And because there’s whole civilisations out there we’re heading out of Rhodes Town on our loveholidays odyssey… on the Lindos Hop.

Now you’ll need good boots as it’s a fair old hike up to the 4th BC acropolis.

Although maybe it wasn’t these boots they were advising… the 1litre glass boots of lager you can buy for €9 in old Rhodes Town.

The rumour is that I’ve matured in the 36 years my Medusa has been ruling my life.

Although I echo more the sentiments on the t-shirt in that kerching store…

‘I’m not 60 but 18 with 42 years experience.’

Have boots, will travel

My first couple of experiences of the glass boot being part of a party game in Austria with Aussies and Kiwis at Oktoberfest.

Of course, just like 40 years ago I digress and we are on an hour-and-three-quarter ride on Vangelis’s coach.

Where we are to spend three hours climbing up to the 116m settlement dedicated to Athena Lindia.

Which can be negotiated by donkey, but and we don’t want to be an ass about it, it’s work for Eeyore.

Acropolis now

Better then climbing up through the pristine old Lindos town to the rocky outpost.

For the best views of this stretch of the south-east Med and the beach in the bay.

The remains of the acropolis which must have made an imposing fortifications to visitors is kept is beautifully preserved.

Now the generations of invaders have stopped chipping bits off.

The biggest danger these days is getting a shrill whistle from curator Maria who guards a selfie-loving tourist from falling off the cliff.

Captain’s calling

A Kalispera (afternoon), Yassou (hello/goodbye), Parakalo (please) and Efharisto (thanks) go along way with Rhodians.

Though a haway is more the currency with the Geordies we met in The Captain’s House Bar.

A charming Lindos house bar with a traditional showpiece island living room/bedroom at the back to visit.

Take a seat: Back of Captain’s House Bar

Lindos is more frosted glasses for Mythos beer or tumblers for ouzo, or Greek medicine as mine host calls it.

And with a Yamas, or cheers, we while away an hour before I get the hook.

Because my goddess feels an hour will be a stretch to get in the shopping she needs.

And as stunning as the acropolis is I definitely don’t want to become a stone for tourists to slip on.’

Deal me in

We booked a three-hour Lindos day out with getyourguide for £27 for two.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe

All Rhodes lead to… getting lost in the Old Town

14th April 202614th April 2026 funtime65

Kalispera and when we’re around then all Rhodes lead to… getting lost in the Old Town.

And all because the lady loves a holiday and loveholidays and it’s 32 years since we honeymooned in the Greek islands.

And she feels a debt to Saint Phanourios for finding her set of keys from the recycling bin after Christmas.

When I prayed to the heavens for intervention which is as we all know is where you go for lost and found.

Mapping Phanourios’s journey

And so we’re pounding the cobbled stones of Rhodes Old Town looking for the chapel dedicated to Phanourios.

Only to find that we’re going around in circles.

Sure, we find the excellent Path of Gods museum, an old Turkish library and Stavros sports bar.

But Phanourios’s pad, no chance.

Now, a word or a dozen here while she’s turning her map around, on Phanourios.

When you’re lost

The saint is revered on the island of Rhodes where he revealed himself in icon form when the invading Turks ransacked a chapel.

The rest has been handed down to us about the seemingly hundred different ways he was martyred.

And how the spectre of the holy man came to the rescue of three priests.

After a right odyssey with our old stomping ground Kythera also getting a name check.

And then the vengeance he sent on their captors.

It’s all in the name

Where he gets tied up with finding lost things is rather more prosaic.

With the name Phanourios deriving from the Greek verb ‘phanerono’ or to reveal or to disclose.

Which means that the islanders, and further afield, pray to Saint Phanourius to help them find lost objects.

And the object is retrieved, they bake a sweet bread and share it with the poor.

And offer prayers for the salvation of saint’s mother.

Anthony’s partner in rhyme

Now if there are shades of the Saint Anthony of Padua’s secret powers about this story we reckon that’s no coincidence.

And that Western Catholicism’s finest Anthony and the pride of the Eastern Orthodox church Phanourius likely divvy up the requests.

So efcharisto Phanourius for finding her keys back then at Christmas.

And maybe you could help her with her map which she left somewhere when bending down to pet one of Rhodes’ many cats.

Or maybe ask them because they seem to have the run of the streets.

The full package

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.