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Countries, Deals, Music, UK

Mamma Mia in London

2nd December 20252nd December 2025 funtime65

And if you don’t want to leave your kids with a ‘free house’ then take them with you… to Mamma Mia in London.

Take one precious neighbour back home in Ireland.

And a much-earned weekend away in the West End.

And your peace will be broken.

With endless texts about how she’s had to get the Gardaí out to break up the Son and Daughterie’s party.

Just as you are dancing away to the show-stopping finale to Beautiful: The Carole King Story.

Take a chance on Mamma Mia!

Alas, it’s too late baby to see the brilliant which packed up and moved on.

But Mamma Mia! Here we go again with the magical musical on at Novello Theatre (Holborn).

And you can dig in the dancing scene with Cassidy Travel who are offering a two-nights package in March.

With two nights’ accommodation, March 11 and 12.

You’ll get a seated show ticket in the Dress Circle with return flights (optional). Prices from €289pp.

Super troupers

Now if you’re looking for a Christmas gift for Herself.

And aren’t women always harder to buy for than men.

Then why not take your Dancing Queen to London’s bright lights for the big Abba musical.

Only make sure that you don’t leave a free house behind.

And seeing you’re asking then all My Own Little Spirit of Christmas wants is…

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy… a man after midnight.

Austria, Countries, Deals, Europe, Skiing

They start them young in Söll

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They start them young in Söll in Austria which is why Junior is zipping by you as you snow plough down the run.

Junior, of course, has been waiting since April to get back out on the mountains.

And this weekend is when he/she and you get to strap on your ski boots again.

And if you feel deflated by them lapping you on the slopes there is the consolation that it’s not costing you.

Because the start of the ski season, sees kiddies go free.

In the Wilder Kaiser region, which includes our favourite, Soll, and Hopfgarten, Brixen, Scheffau and Ellmau.

Kiddies and big kiddies

It’s definitely child’s play in Söll this winter.

With the Hexenwiese Beginners and Family area at the Söll Valley Station offering exciting new attractions.

Including a Magic Carpet for Beginners, a Bewitched Lock, magical sounds from the Witches of Söll, and a tubing slide.

Now, us big kiddies don’t get left behind though with our hosts offering special rates.

It always helps when you’ve got an insider and ‘Austrian’ Aileen has done all the heavy lifting for us here.

To bring us up to date with what’s been happening around the Ski Welt since last we visited.

Kaiser Wilder things

And a sample range of accommodations when you book your five-night stay through Wilder Kaiser for January 10-15.

4 Star Hotel Feldwebel – 5 nights for 2 sharing – from €1,305 including full breakfast.
4 Star Hotel Alpenschlössl – 5 nights for 2 sharing – from €1,085 half board plus skiers afternoon snack.
4 Star Hotel Berghof – 5 nights for 2 sharing – from €1,135 half board.
Appartement Unterbering – 5 nights for 2 sharing – from €760 room only.
Haus Niederacher – 5 nights for 2 sharing – from €465 room only.

And seeing that Aileen flies the flag on Austria for the Irish market, she rightly bigs up the 30 direct flights per week from Ireland, including Aer Lingus.

Get there how you can

The Wilder Kaiser is just one and a half hours from Munich.

Winter season access is also available from Salzburg and Innsbruck.

With charter flights from operators including Crystal Ski, Topflight, and DirectSki.com.

There are access flights from Dublin, Cork and Belfast for Austria.

And, of course, check out their Black Friday deals.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Sole-baticals in the fjords

26th November 202526th November 2025 funtime65

It doesn’t matter how experienced a traveller you are it feels more stressful every time, which is why we’re handing the process over to holidaymakers and honing in on the likes of sole-baticals in the fjords.

Because God knows after a budget which gives us all less spending money, we need to escape for a few days at least in 2026.

According to You Gov’s 2025 Travel Report, seven in ten (71%) of British holidaymakers find at least one part of booking a holiday stressful.

And they prefer providers to do it for them.

Which is where our old friends Solos come in.

With their fully hosted walking holidays offering exactly that.

With flights, transfers, routes, accommodation and itineraries all included.

Things are looking up

Now walking through the fjords will relax even the most pent-up with hits breathtaking scenery which we found out for ourselves.

On a stop-off in Bergen on our MSC Cruises Norwegian epic.

Where we took off on up the Fløyen and Ulriken mountains to breathe in the Nordic air.

And all the time ducking those shape-shifting trolls who try to trip you up and in my case did.

Of course, all that heady air will tire out even the hardiest trekker.

And sometimes we need the train to take the strain.

Let the train take the strain

And that’s where the renowned Flåm Railway, where we wondered at Norway’s wonders through the gloom that day, comes in.

Solos also offer a peaceful cruise along the Naeroyfjord and a memorable hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).

Each walk lasts two-three hours, plenty of time to soak up the scenery.

The seven-night Norwegian Fjords Walking Holiday, departing on 10 July, costs £3,495 pp.

And it includes return flights and transfers, airport taxes, a room for solo use.

Breakfast daily with two dinners, welcome drink and four fully guided walking days.

A boat journey from Bergen to Stavanger, a trip on the Flåm Railway and a cruise in the fjords, and an experienced Solos Tour Leader.

Countries, Deals, Europe

How to be the life and Soll of a skiing trip

20th November 202520th November 2025 funtime65

And this one’s for Daughterie and her partner Cakes as she takes her first steps on the snows of a nursery slope… how to be the life and Soll of a skiing trip.

Because the Austrian user-friendly skiing resort was where we, the Scary One and myself, tested whether we were suited for the mountains.

The answer to which is ja, but only through patience and the reviving powers of shots and schnapps.

Which I should have tried with my University sweetheart in Aberdeen.

Now as Daughterie and Cakes (and as an ex-ice hockey player, I put him down as a black runner) scope out trips for their first skiing holiday.

I’m gently directing them to Irish providers Directski.com.

And the Black Friday deals which run until December 2.

Live life to the Max

Reach for the heights: The Austrian Alps

With a tag line of ‘founded on the belief that skiing shouldn’t be reserved for the loaded or Lycra-clad’ Directski.com sounds just right for my party people.

Directski.com offers flights, accommodation transfers and a friendly rep in resort, all bundled in in a week of snowy fun.

Of the destinations they’re flagging up is our old stomping ground of Soll.

Where you’ll stay at the Pension, or Hotel, Maximilian on January 31.

With a bumper reduction, from €948, down to €699, which is a saving of €249 per person.

Of course, proximity is key with any accommodation, then this billet will suit you down to the Max.

It’s just a three-minute walk to the ski bus stop, with easy access to the slopes.

Andorra’s box

Alternatively, Andorra is often mooted as the ideal destination to learn how to ski plough.

And, of course, visitors from Ireland need no education in apres-ski.

Now Directski.com are all over the tiny Pyrenees country between France and Spain.

Arinsal is the pick of the bunch with Directski.com pointing us in the direction of the Hotel St Gothard for a week from March 8.

Where they’re offering a ski couple getaway to knock your ski socks off.

Pitched at €679, down from €903, which, and we’ll do the math for you, is a saving of €224pp.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage

No man gets left behind on a Tenerife trek

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My old colleague, The Other Jim, is, of course, well-travelled and his boots well-trodden but even he wilted under the Canarian sun… then again no man gets left behind on a Tenerife trek.

You may well have seen the esteemed James Gallagher, with whom I shared a parish for years in Ireland, striding along a lane near you.

Particularly if that lane is the Wild Atlantic Way.

On this occasion we were pioneers on a recce for a new CaminoWays trek in Tenerife, CanariaWays.

Only our guides had overestimated our Irish pastiness.

Or our need for more than the usual water, chocolate and protein bar supply on those open hills.

All of which meant that we had to come back down the hill from the Franco memorial bar (now, that’s another story).

To retrieve Big Jim because no man gets left behind on a Tenerife walking trek.

Walk like an Irishman

I found that too in a different terrain and a different walking group, the most resilient trekkers you can meet, the senior citizens’ walkers.

On a hike through the Austrian Tyrol with Travel Department.

Now, of course, have boots, will travel, is the TD motto and they will guide you through the multi-faceted, multi-climate zone, idyll that is Tenerife.

You’ll be based in the town of Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy the volcanic black beaches of Playa Jardín.

Mojo rojo: In Tenerife with Matthew Hirtes

Your guide will lead you on trails through Teide National Park, offering stunning views of Mount Teide.

You’ll explore the lush laurel forests and rugged cliffs of Teno Rural Park.

And trek the historic Las Vueltas Footpath in Anaga Rural Park.

The volcanic landscapes of Montana Samara.

And visit the ancient caves of the indigenous inhabitants within Corona Forestal Nature Park.

A walk for all

You’ll travel on February 5 with prices from €1,719pp.

The seven-night trip will offer moderate routes on each walking day.

And is ideal for moderately experienced or experienced walkers, and Our Jim.

The average daily walking distance on moderate walks is between 7.6km-12.85km.

With ascents between of between 369-730m.

And a maximum daily walking duration of up to four and a half hours.

A Teide packet

TD offers €100pp off tours departing before April 1 use code WALKING100.

Explore magnificent natural scenery & impressive hiking trails on this walking holiday in Tenerife.

There will be five guided walking trips through diverse terrains & national parks.

Experience highlights like Mount Teide, Anaga Rural Park & Montana Samara.

Unwind after hikes on the volcanic black sand beaches of Playa Jardín.

Your seven nights will be spent in a three-star half board hotel with flights and transfers from Dublin.

Countries, Deals, Europe

A Vlads holiday in budget Romania

31st October 2025 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it here’s one to get your teeth into, a Vlads holiday in budget Romania.

We all know that the oul’ blood-sucker themselves, no, not Rachel Reeves, but Dracula hails from Transylvania.

Which despite the protests from the Hungarian friends we met this year belongs to modern-day Romania.

And which draws tens of thousands to the ancient Central European state particularly at this time of year.

Now if you want a fangtastic Autumn holiday to look forward to next year then keep your black cape to hand.

Legends & Landscapes

Solos puts on an escorted Legends & Landscapes of Romania tour.

Which takes solo travellers deep into the landscapes that inspired the Dracula legend.

From the medieval streets of Bucharest’s Old Town to the dramatic peaks of the Carpathian Mountains.

Guests will visit the imposing Bran Castle, long associated with Count Dracula.

As well as the fairytale Peleș Castle and the UNESCO-listed citadel of Sighișoara.

The birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure behind Bram Stoker’s vampire.

From Dublin to Romania

Bram, with an ‘n’ being the Dublin Victorian author who brought the oul’ vampire back to life.

And who is marked every year in Dublin with his own day where you can visit his home, a modern-day attraction.

Solos’ week-long itinerary also includes guided walking tours of Sibiu and Brașov.

Plus a visit to the Zărnești Bear Sanctuary, home to rescued brown bears.

Vampires and bears

The seven-night Legends & Landscapes of Romania tour departs 4 May and costs £2,199 pp.

Including return flights, airport transfers and taxes.

A room for solo use, daily breakfast, welcome dinner, one lunch and farewell dinner and a welcome drink.

A walking tour of Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov and Bucharest.

Visits to Prejmer, Brukenthal Museum, Biertan, Viscri, Peles Castle, Dracula’s Castle, Libearty Bear Sanctuary and a dedicated Solos Tour Leader.

Alternatively, Solos also offers a 28 September departure if you want to get closer to the Halloween date.

Africa, Countries, Deals

Sharm el-Sheikh it up

26th October 202526th October 2025 funtime65

And when the leaders of the world have to combine work with pleasure they Sharm el-Sheikh it up.

The fabled resort on the Egyptian Red Sea was, of course, the setting for the Middle Eastern peace conference.

Fittingly, really, as the great watery pleasure ground fronts on to eight states.

Which you’ll know if you’ve been taken out on the water.

Which, we were, in our case by Zuhair, our Jordanian guide on our G Adventures break.

Alas in this region you are never too far away from reminders of conflicts past and present.

Such as tanks which have been dropped in the sea… to help with the marine life.

And which the snorkelers in our party availed of, swimming down to the great hulks.

While others wimped out on first contact with the water and got back on board to get an early start on lunch.

Now should you wish to alight on Sharm el-Sheikh and it is to my regret that I caved in to the Scary One.

And gave away our invitation there back in the day to a less deserving colleague and friend.

Then here are five 5* options hand-picked by our friends at the welcomingly named Plenty Holidays.

With emojis compliments of Plenty Holidays, symbols we think would meet The Donald’s approval.

Good luck Sharm

📍 Stay 7 nights at the 5* Sheraton Sharm Hotel & Spa
🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
🌊 Free Upgrade to Sea View Limited availability !
💰 Just £379 pp with Return Flights Included!
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Jan 2026.

The Phew Lagoon

📍 Stay 7 nights at the 𝟓* 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭
🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
💰 Just £349 pp with Return Flights Included!
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Jan 2026.

The lucky Pickalbatross

📍 Stay 7 nights at the 𝟓* 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭
🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
💰 Just £449 pp with Return Flights Included!
🌊 Free Upgrade to Superior with Balcony/Terrace Limited availability !
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Dec 2025.

Asp and you shall receive

📍 7 nights at the 𝟓* 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 Resort

🛏️ All Inclusive Stay + FREE Transfers!
💰 Just £459 pp with Return Flights Included!
📅 Travel Oct-Dec 2025 / Jan- Oct 2026. Price based on Dec 2025.

Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe

Your night at the Dresden Semperoper

25th October 202525th October 2025 funtime65

Theirs is an epic story of resilience and rebirth to play out ahead of your night at the Dresden Semperoper.

Twice destroyed by fire and once by water the Semperoper looks every inch the Renaissance classic erected in 1841.

Only this is the second opera house, the original having been destroyed in a blaze in 1869.

And then by Allied bombers targeting Saxony at the end of the Second World War.

The voice of Dresden: With Ingrid in Dresden

All of which I know and more from my freunde and guide, see I was listening Ingrid.

Dresden’s reputation as the Florence of the Elbe alas did not preserve it from Allied Bombers.

Despite the convention that cities of culture should be immune.

Feather touches

Dresden’s renaissance, brick by brick, fresco by fresco, makes it the perfect pick.

For your Institute for Cultural Travel mini-break.

Billed as The Magic of Dresden: A Three-Night Cultural Escape, your delve into history and opera comes in at from €1495pps for April 27.

You’ll arrive from Dublin on your Ryanair flight in Berlin early on your first day in Berlin.

And your guide will drive you the two hours down the road to Baroque palace and moated castle, Moritzburg.

If it’s hunting trophies and ornate gilt leather tapestries that’s your thing then Moritzburg is the place for you.

Never mind the famed Feather Room, adorned with over a million coloured ticklers… followed by lunch in a local restaurant.

The stage is set

You’ll stay the next three nights being wined and dined and sleeping the night off at the Hilton Dresden.

But maybe pace yourself as you’ve 700 years of history to walk through and that Verdi opera at the Semperoper.

Admire the graceful Augustus Bridge and the magnificent Residenzschloss, one of the city’s oldest and most historic buildings.

Your guide will take you to the historic Sophienkeller restaurant for pre-opera dinner and drinks.

Before taking your category 1 seats for La Traviata.

Culture vultures will delight in the next morning’s trip to the Old Masters Picture Gallery.

In the 19th-century Semper Building at the Zwinger, restored after seven years of renovation.

Answer to our prayers

And Dresdenophiles will advise that you visit the Frauenkirche and Martin Luther will point you in the right direction.

Ich bin ein Dresdener: Und Martin Luther

Of course, whatever you miss you can come back and see the next day.

Before your guide takes you back to Berlin and onwards to Dublin.

Asia, Countries, Deals

Sumo Fomo then this is what’s big in Japan

18th October 202518th October 2025 funtime65

It’s the heavyweight attraction taking London by storm but if you can’t get there and are having Sumo Fomo then this is what’s big in Japan.

Wexas Travel will take you to the stable, well they are thoroughbreds.

Where for a £125pp extension to your holiday you can get inside the sumo wrestler (insert your own gag here).

All with the help of a guide and reference book (in English) for the tournament.

Of course the best place to learn about Sumo isn’t Channel Four.

Although that was for most of us our introduction to the heavyweight sport back in the 80s when the station launched in Britain.

A yen for sumo

But, fair play, they had gone out to the Kokugikan National Sumo Arena, Tokyo, where you’ll be going.

You’ll meet your guide at a nearby hotel at 1.15pm for a short lecture about the history of the sport.

And then join the crowds of fans awaiting their favourite wrestlers.

Sumo being as much about the stylised ritual as the sport you’ll enjoy the entrance ceremony of the highest ranked yokozuna wrestlers.

The matches start and continue until 6pm.

All the time guests will be free to explore the stadium as they please.

I’ll have what he’s having

The sumo museum is a must and you’ll be keen to fill your cart with merch and we just know a nodding sumo on your bookcase will get people talking.

Of course the highlight outside the arena will be channeling your inner Japanese at their food and drink stands.

And particularly the hall where sumo wrestlers serve chanko nabe, the delicious that they eat to bulk up.

All of this, of course, is a combo with your main tour.

Essential Japan

And Wexas offers Essential Japan, a 10-day tailor-made holiday from £4,125 pp including flights.

With three nights in Tokyo, two nights in Hakone and three nights in the ancient capital Kyoto.

Wexas kindly boil that down to:

Experience the big city commotion and skyscrapers of Tokyo
Stay in stunning national park ryokans, hike past peaceful forest-fringed lakes and soak in private onsen baths
Take in scenic mountain railways and elevated metropolitan loops on authentic Shinkansen bullet trains
Discover Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto
Explore ancient geisha districts and elaborate Buddhist temples.

America, Countries, Deals

Universal’s Fast & Furious Flying Cars

17th October 2025 funtime65

My Dear Old Mum‘s driving prowess was legendary with Dad calling her Stirling Moss, so I’d venture that she was airborne long before Universal’s Fast & Furious Flying Cars.

Time has surely whizzed by since Jimmy Fallon, no less, was audio guiding us through a crazy Fast & Furious studio tour at Universal Hollywood.

And now our Universal buddies have only up and added to the fun with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.

Universal Studios Hollywood has begun extended testing with its first launch of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride vehicles.

As the theme park’s first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster prepares to open in 2026.

The train containing the four ride vehicles, including the Dodge Charger, will be concealed during this initial test phase.

With the remaining ride vehicles revealed at a later date.

Get the drift

Jimmy, Jimmy: Jimmy Fallon and the Universal Studio Guided Tour

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will feature 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles.

As guests travel along 4,100 feet of elaborate track – the equivalent of nearly 12 football fields – built with sound reduction technology.

So for those who haven’t been in a car with my daredevil Mum, and we know you’ll have your own, it’s a seamless sensation of drifting cars.

As guests spin in motion at fast speeds while speeding along an aerial track.

Get there Fast

That winds its way over sections of the theme park, including the multi-level escalator that connects the Upper and Lower Lots.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be located on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood.

Guests will queue up within an expansive garage-like structure before settling into one of four ride vehicles, designed to look like the iconic cars from the films.

Including Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger.

We found a return Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Los Angeles (LAX) for a sample five days next month from €551.51 with Ireland’s special pre-clearance obviously.