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A stack of Christmas Chimney Cake crackers

16th December 202516th December 2025 funtime65

And if you’re on the lookout for something new this time of year here’s a stack of Christmas Chimney Cake crackers.

Now our chums at Cassidy Travel know Hungary isn’t just for Christmas and they’re the gift that keeps on giving.

With their last-minute Christmas Gift city break to the city by the Danube the answer for those scrambling for presents.

And a two-night package on February 16 and staying at the 4* Royal Park Boutique Hotel.

With the stay and flights from Dublin coming in at a festive fun price of from €135pps.

And you’ll be located in Budapest city centre with the St. Stephen’s Basilica.

And its parliament on the shores of the Danube only five metro rides away.

Let us eat cakes

But make sure that you validate your ticket so you don’t get stung for an on-spot fee.

Which will kill your vibe after your pampering at the outdoor baths.

And goulash and Chimney Cake at the Great Market Hall.

Now your Chimney Cake if you’ve never been to Hungary (and you should) is a moreish pastry that everyone eats in cafes and we daresay at home.

Kürtőskalács as its called in the Magyars’ famously difficult language is, we’re told, easy to make.

Working it off: Hungarian open-air baths

And a special touch is to use empty beer cans wrapped in kitchen foil to wrap the cake around.

And then roll it in cinnamon sugar for a caramelised coating.

We can trust you, of course, to empty the beer cans responsibly and that you’ll try to make them Saproni or Dreher.

Now we’ve shamelessly sifted the Best of Hungary site for the recipe.

Chimney cake is smokin’

Sift the flour into a bowl and mix with the salt. Heat the milk until lukewarm, add the sugar and yeast, then cover and let it rise for 8-12 minutes.

Add the yeast mixture, egg, and melted butter to the flour and knead it into a flexible dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 1 hour until the dough doubles in size.

Place the rested dough on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll it out to the thickness of your finger. Cut it lengthwise into 2 cm wide strips.

Sprinkle your fairy dust: On your Chimney Cake

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Wrap the empty beer can in kitchen foil and grease the foil using some oil. Take a strip of dough and roll it tightly onto the greased can. Brush the dough with oil then roll it in cinnamon sugar.

Place the chimney cake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

We’re sure Santy will thank you after he slides down the sooty chimney to find the Chimney cake laid out for him at the bottom.

America, Countries, Deals, Flying, Ireland

Eiretale of New York

14th December 202514th December 2025 funtime65

And it’s an Eiretale of New York which is enough to get the boys of the NYPD choir singing Galway Bay.

With the Tourism Ireland team getting an early Christmas gift in the form of a Best Destination in Europe award for the 12^th year in a row.

Beating off heavyweight France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia at the New York bash.

Prize guys: Tourism Ireland’s Alison Metcalfe and Paul McDonagh

Subscribers to Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice who held their 23rd Awards in New York may not be aware or little care.

But the NYPD do not actually boast a choir.

Although they do have a Pipes and Drums band who played on the video.

And who mimed the words to the Mickey Mouse March because they didn’t know the lyrics to Galway Bay.

An Epic revision

You can only imagine Shane MacGowan took some artistic licence because boys of the NYPD Pipes and Drums band didn’t scan as well.

Of course, it’s a birthright of the Irish to lay claim to any number of truisms we now take for granted.

With St Patrick, actually a Welshman, the daddy of them all.

And it is in that rich tradition that Shane and Epic the Irish Emigration Museum have followed.

With the award-winning tourist attraction marking the Great Man’s passing two years ago by assembling their very own NYPD choir.

To sing Galway Bay, just before the bells on Christmas Day.

All on video as part of the They Gave the Walls a Talking exhibition to showcase the diaspora.

Which Shane of course did more to champion than most.

Singing Galway Bay

It was one-such Irish emigrant Dr Arthur Colahan, native of Fermanagh but reared in County Galway who wrote the much-loved song about the City of Tribes while living in Leicester.

While it was another Irish-American, Bing Crosby, whose mother Catherine Harrigan’s family hailed from County Cork who popularised the song.

Making Galway Bay at one point the biggest selling record of all time.

And you can’t get better Christmas cred than Bing and Shane a double act we’d have loved to have seen.

And we’ve even come up with the perfect collab… Eiretale of New York.

While Aer Lingus will fly you to the Big Apple with pre-clearance out of the Oul Country and we found a sample return flight from €566.76 for next month.

Caribbean, Countries, Deals

Howzat for seeing Barbados… with a Windies icon

10th December 2025 funtime65

Howzat for seeing Barbados with a Windies icon because unlike Premier League footballers cricket legends mingle.

It is, of course, a two-way street as I found out after being introduced to Brian on Foreday Morning in Barbados’s Soca Carnival.

Only to learn after I’d left him with my slurred words ‘Do you play cricket?’ ringing in his ears.

Tthat this was the great Brian Lara.

Lesson learned, and libations parked, I was on better behaviour when I came across quickie Joel Garner and all-rounder Collis King.

Caught: With Collis King and Joel Garner

On the Barbados stand at the WTM travel fair in London.

And gave them both hearty handshakes although mine disappeared into Big Bird’s shovel hands.

Thang is that Windies cricketers are a different breed from those stuffy sportsmen we get on this island which gave the game the world.

But still hasn’t evolved from its elitist perspective.

Golfing with GG then the gee-gees

Gordon Greenidge, another proud son of Barbados, has seen both sides in his life.

Born in Bim but raised in the Royal County of Berkshire,where I too did my time.

All of which we’re sure he’ll be glad to chat to you about on the pristine golf courses of Barbados and in his private box at the races.

Yes, you read that right, and you have Tropical Sky to thank for this 20th Anniversary Holiday Collection offer.

You’ll spend ten nights on the island and play an intimate round of golf.

And break bread and rum with West Indies opening batsman cricket legend Gordon.

While Peter Odle, chairman of Mango Bay Group, is offering access to his private box along with gourmet hospitality to follow up GG with the geegees.

Sandy Lane is there inside my heart

You’ll also get to ride a luxury catamaran cruise.

But word to the wise slather up with lotion if you don’t want to repeat this leathered traveller’s mistake.

While you’ll also be booked in for afternoon tea at Sandy Lane.

And Sunday lunch at celebrities’ hang-out The Cliff.

And a farewell seafood feast at the waterfront restaurant Tides.

Sands of time

Guests stay at the stylish, all-inclusive The Sands Barbados on the south coast.

Where soft sands, swaying palms, non-motorised water sports and laid-back island living set the tone.

Complemented by smooth VIP service from fast-track arrival to the final farewell.

A 10-night Golfing Glory with Sir Gordon Greenidge and a Day at the Races trip is priced from £8,850pps.

Including international business-class flights, 1ten nights at The Sands Barbados.

All meals as per the itinerary, afternoon tea at Sandy Lane, 18 holes of golf and lunch with Sir Gordon Greenidge.

A luxury catamaran day with lunch, a day at the races with exclusive access to that private box.

Sunday lunch at The Cliff and dinner at The Tides Restaurant.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying, Skiing, Sport

Norway where the Aer is cleaner

3rd December 20253rd December 2025 funtime65

Let the snowbirds fly south for winter, Ireland’s national airline is heading for Norway where the Aer is cleaner.

Aer Lingus launched its inaugural Dublin-Tromsø service today, December 3.

Giving customers a new way to experience the magic of the Northern Lights.

Flights to Tromsø will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays, until March.

With one-way fares starting from €101 including taxes, charges, and carrier-imposed fees.

Arctic awe

Won’t you ride my sleigh: Get in the festive spirit

Now the most popular spot to spot the Aurora Borealis, or Heavenly Dancers, is from atop Mount Storsteinen.

Which you can access on the Fjellheisen cable car to the summit of Mount Storsteinen.

Where you can see the city clearly lit up including Arctic Cathedral.

All white

Skiers too dot the Norwegian landscape at Tromsø Alpinpark, just 12 km from the airport.

Now our Tromsø venner (or friends) have put on a wide and varied range of ways to see the Northern Lights.

Of course, standing still and waiting is an option, with a warm gløgg mulled wine.

Get there how you can

But it looks more fun letting the Norwegians take you to the best vantage points on any numbers of Arctic transport.

Some of which even include whale as well as star watching.

Including night reindeer sledding with dinner, and don’t worry Rudolph is not on the menu. Or husky.

Seafarers will hone in on sailboats, catamarans, cruises, vintage vessels or if it’s your thang, kayaking.

For those who like to get somewhere on foot then you can even ski or snowshoe to your destination.

Or minibus, or whisper it Tesla it.

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

28th November 202528th November 2025 funtime65

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

7th November 20257th November 2025 funtime65

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.