Deals Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Countries, Deals, Europe, Music

Good times with CHIC in Marbella

2nd June 2026 funtime65

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times in Marbella with CHIC at the Starlite Occident Festival.

Rick Astley and John Legend will also be there and Kool & The Gang and Lenny Kravitz and rock legends Deep Purple.

And you can be too and stay at the best billet at the El Fuerte Marbella, 15 minutes from the festival site.

Stars come out at night

The only 5* in Marbella Old Town, built in 1957 and reimagined in 2023, has long been a favoured retreat for the stars.

With Penélope Cruz and Walt Disney among the famous names to have stayed within its walls.

Now in its 14^th iteration, Starlite Occident has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s most exclusive boutique festivals.

The best arenas we know are of the open-air amphitheatre.

And Occident is set within a former quarry.

Music to our ears

Beyond the music, the festival is billed as a complete lifestyle experience.

With award-winning restaurants including Tanabata, Temazo, Sandra’s Caviar Bar and Ánima.

Plus the Starlite Night Club, where DJs and special performances keep the party going into the early hours.

Highlights of the 2026 line-up include Lenny Kravitz (29 June), Gipsy Kings (3 July), Maroon 5 (7 July), Rick Astley (10 July), Anastacia (14 July), John Legend (20 July), Kool & The Gang (23 July) and Nile Rodgers & CHIC (26 August).

El of an hotel

El Fuerte Marbella’s quiet elegance is evident throughout the hotel, where each space reflects a balance of style and comfort.

The rooms and suites feature chic design with a soothing, relaxed feel, thoughtful amenities and Molton Brown products.

Take a dip in either or both of the two swimming pools set in landscaped gardens – including one reserved for adults.

An outdoor hot tub, a beach club, a gym, and inviting indoor-outdoor areas that flow seamlessly together.

For guests seeking wellness experiences, Spa by Clarins offers a subterranean haven.

With a serene, low-lit hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and six treatment rooms.

Feed your soul

El Fuerte Marbella has a strong emphasis on gastronomy, showcasing local Andalucian ingredients wherever possible.

A sumptuous breakfast buffet at Soleo Beach Club is complemented with views of the Med, and tastes, in Le Marché.

Levante takes guests on a culinary journey that combines Andalucia’s abundant pantry with global ingredients.

And, of course, for celebrity watchers, the El Puerto Deportivo hotspot is also nearby.

Make my Day

El Fuerte Marbella has introduced a brand-new Day Pass experience for 2026.

Priced from €79.50pp, the pass offers non-resident guests access to an exclusive premium sunbed by the pool.

Or the beach from 11am-7pm, plus entry to the hotel’s VIP area.

Even better, 50% of the booking value is included as credit to spend at Bar Levante.

Prices at El Fuerte Marbella start from €390 per night in a Standard Double, with breakfast included for two people.

Countries, Deals, Music, UK

London Paddington Musical tour which is simply the zest

30th May 202630th May 2026 funtime65

And here’s something to get your teeth into… the London Paddington Musical Tour which is simply the zest.

Now nobody has done more to promote the orange-flavoured preserve than the Peruvian teddy bear.

Apart maybe for Elizabeth Windsor although I’d pitch Dundonian James Keiller.

As it was Jamesie who invented the first commercial marmalade as far back as 1797.

All of which you can chew on as you follow in the Great Bear’s paw steps around London.

With our pals at Irish holiday provider Keith Prowse Attractions.

Meet the Browns

You’ll join Paddington on a journey from ‘deepest, darkest Peru’ to London and revel in his misadventures.

KP is also offering packages including tickets to the interactive Paddington Bear Experience on London’s South Bank.

Where your mission is to save Marmalade Day.

The Paddington Bear Experience has recreated the whole world from the moment you arrive at Paddington Station.

And take the train to meet the Browns at 32 Windsor Gardens.

Deepest, darkest Peru

What makes this trip extra tangy is that you’ll be transported to Peru.

To retrieve oranges and turn them into marmalade on Montgomery Clyde’s marmalade making machine.

All to serve the Marmalade Day Festival Street Party at Windsor Gardens where you’ll be Paddington’s guest of honour.

A nice appetiser, of course, for the main fare, your Paddington the Musical spectacular at The Savoy.

Bearly believable deals

ESCAPE TO LONDON WITH PADDINGTON!:

July 17-19 from €319pps

Package includes:

Ticket to The Paddington Bear™ Experience
2 nights at the President Hotel
Breakfast included

SEE PADDINGTON LIVE ON STAGE!:

May 21-23 2027 from €497pps

Package includes:

Stalls ticket to Paddington the Musical
2 nights at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Breakfast included

THE ULTIMATE PADDINGTON WEEKEND:

November 6-8 from €592pps

Package includes:

Ticket to The Paddington Bear™ Experience
Stalls Ticket to Paddington The Musical
2 nights at the Royal National Hotel
Breakfast included

FAMILY PADDINGTON ADVENTURE IN LONDON:

December 16-19 from €2,564 per family (2 adults & 2 kids)

Package includes:

Tickets to The Paddington Bear Experience
Stalls Tickets to Paddington The Musical
2 nights at the Hilton London Metropole (Family Room)
Breakfast included

*Flights can be added at time of booking for best price options

Countries, Deals, Europe, UK

The best of times in London and Paris

24th May 202624th May 2026 funtime65

It was the best of times in London and Paris it was… well, time heals the scars from even the most stressful family getaway.

Which may very well be the best argument for going it alone.

So you don’t have to spend your mornings battling to get kids changed and out.

Arbitrating in arguments on les rues et boulevards and stopping every other hour so they can graze.

Thankfully then there’s a specialised tour provider, Solos, who will think only of you.

London calling

And seeing we’re all being adults about this, which means starting your London leg of your tour with a traditional pub welcome dinner.

And also putting on classic experiences including Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and a Thames River cruise.

All made easy with included public transport access.

Paris light

All before you travel by Eurostar to Paris.

Where naturellement you’ll visit to the Eiffel Tower.

And see how the other half lived before the Parisians embarked on their spring of hope…

Mais oui, a full-day visit to the Palace of Versailles.

This being the City of Light you can walk the streets of Montmartre with élan, or Alain or Elaine…

This is your Solos holiday after all.

You’ll admire Notre Dame, and dip into the Louvre, before rounding things off with a farewell dinner cruise on the Seine.

Just the ticket

A seven-night London and Paris Multi-City Break departs on 1 October.

From £3,525pp including Eurostar from London to Paris, flight from Paris to London, airport taxes and charges,

You’ll get the London Oyster card with £20 credit, Paris Vistre travel card zone 1-5.

Breakfast daily and two dinners, a welcome drink and informal welcome meeting.

Entrance to Westminister Abbey, standard experience on the London Eye and a Thames River Cruise.

The Eiffel Tower ticket to the top, entrance and Vox audio-whispers.

The Palace of Versailles Palace State Apartments & Gardens, standard visit including audio-whispers to Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris.

Dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and an experienced Solos Tour Leader.

Asia, Countries, Deals

Bullet for speed in Japan

15th May 202615th May 2026 funtime65

We’ve experience, of course, of Japanese trains over 13 years in Ireland, but we won’t hold our breath that the country will get the top-grade stock, the type that’s bullet for speed in Japan.

Passengers will be quick to share with you how Iarnrod Eirann ordered in a stock of Japanese trains back in the day.

And RTE archives recalls that there was much excitement after they were shipped in to Dublin Port after a six-week journey from Asia.

And that the new rail cars were lifted by a 400-hundred tonne crane from ship to dockside.

With two land-based cranes to place the carriages on rail lines, to be linked to a locomotive and towed to the Iarnród Éireann Inchicore railway works.

With especial emphasis on the accessible toilets on board.

Only the stock that they got for their Dublin Area Regional Transport (DART) service had seats to accommodate the smaller Japanese rather than hearty Irish people.

And no toilets!

On the right track

We digress and that digression takes us today to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Courtesy of our pals at Tropical Sky who are tempting us with a 20-day rail trail.

This immersive adventure, they promise, takes passengers across all three of the country’s main islands, Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido.

Where you’ll be able to take in the poignant history of Nagasaki and Hiroshima to the timeless temples of Kyoto.

The vibrant streets of Tokyo and the scenic beauty of Northern Japan.

With every destination seamlessly connected by one of the world’s most efficient rail systems.

The rail thing

And this is what you can look forward to…

Travel across Japan aboard its renowned rail network, including high-speed bullet trains
Contemplate the history of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
Marvel at the temples and traditions of Kyoto
Seek out the famous Snow Monkeys in the Japanese Alps
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Tokyo
Discover the charm of Sendai and Hakodate
Experience the unique atmosphere of Sapporo

A 19-night Japan by Rail Tour is priced from £9,449 pp based on two sharing a room.

This includes international flights, all transportation and transfers, 19 nights accommodation, 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 19 dinners, air-conditioned coach travel, guides and entrance fees.

Although Tropical Sky can’t tell us if they can arrange Brad Pitt to be there on our bullet train.

But if they can arrange it for anyone, they will, for us.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sustainable Tourism

Lie back and think of Portugal

28th April 202628th April 2026 funtime65

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

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

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

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

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

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

EaZzzzy living

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

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

Well below the NHS-recommended 7–9 hours.

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

Get some therapy

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

Mentored by specialist Professor Teresa Paiva.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pillow talk

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

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

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

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

While overstimulation must be avoided in the evening.

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

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

Do the Gandum

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

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

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

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

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

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

Food for thought

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

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

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

Countries, 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

23rd April 202623rd April 2026 funtime65

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

21st April 202621st April 2026 funtime65

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

20th April 202620th April 2026 funtime65

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

19th April 202619th April 2026 funtime65

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.