Europe Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

You can be straight at Valencia’s Gay Games

3rd June 20263rd June 2026 funtime65

Las Fallas brings out the sniggering schoolboy in all of us which only proves you can be straight in Valencia’s Gay Games.

The 12th iteration of the GG, which dates back to 1982, will be held under the sun from June 27-July 4.

And here’s the interesting thing, straights are welcome to compete, which is as it should be.

Just like modern Modern Games are now inclusive, so are Gay Games.

All of which is in keeping with the original Olympians in Ancient Greece.

For whom brotherly love in combat was a blood bond.

Ya dancer

GG features many of the events we know and love from Olympic Games in its 39-sports roster.

But which self-respecting Gay Games could not include DanceSport, same-sex ballroom?

Or The Pink Flamingo, a playful team event combining aquatics, theatre, and comedy.

Or cheerleading… Ole Valencia.

Spectators too are included with everybody encouraged to join in the 3km International Rainbow Memorial Run.

There’s music, fashion, film and The Memorial Quilt Exhibition and countless other events.

Transvia the way to go

Our amigos at Transviasport are the go-to travel providers for the Games.

With Olympia Ronda I and II coming in at €66 and €68 a night.

Our amigos in Valencia have helpfully mapped out the best places to enjoy ourselves while we’re there.

With the gay-friendly Piccadilly Downtown Club in Ruzafa a magnet for indie, pop, rock, and disco fans.

Or Deseo 54 in the Sagunto District, for international house and pop and commercial music.

If it’s cocktails and cakes you’re after, and it always is, then Cafe de las Horas in El Carmen District.

And which combines old palatial stables with a baroque design in a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

A Fetish for fun

Hand in hand: Through Valencia’s streets

While how could the Fetish Morning’s Social Club not stop us in our tracks?

Popular after party for the LGBTI+ crowd.

Which despite its name is not a fetish club and is welcome to mixed ages.

And with that we’re away to train… for the cocktails and the dancing.

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, Europe, Food

Swiss big cheeses party until the cows come home

29th May 202629th May 2026 funtime65

We’re all different and, while the English roll their Wensleydales down their hill. the Swiss big cheeses party until the cows come home.

Who knows why the English do what they do, and 35 years living with one in The Scary One, I’m no nearer getting to the nub of that.

But perhaps if you’ve got mountains of cheese at your disposal.

You won’t have to throw yourself down the Copper’s Hill for a wheel.

In the Swiss canton of Vaud that would just cheese them off as they prefer to take life at a slower pace.

Nestled in the picturesque Vallée de Joux, the annual Vacherin Mont-d’Or Festival brings together thousands of visitors each September.

Quel fromage

Held in the Swiss village of Les Charbonnières for more than 25 years,.

The festival is a long-preserved tradition which marks the return of cows from their Alpine pastures.

And the official start of the Vacherin Mont-d’Or season.

Produced exclusively in the Vallée de Joux between September and April, Vacherin Mont-d’Or received AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) status in 2003.

Recognising its protected regional origin and traditional production methods.

Into the Vallee

Blow your own: Switzerland is music to the ears

The rich, soft cheese, known for its distinctive flavour and creamy texture, remains highly seasonal.

With cheese lovers returning year after year to enjoy the first batches of the season.

Today, more than 6,000 visitors attend the gourmet festival annually.

Enjoying local food markets, traditional entertainment and tastings of the season’s first Vacherin Mont-d’Or.

Set against the forests and rolling landscapes of the Vallée de Joux, the event, takes place on 26 September.

And offers travellers an authentic glimpse into the relaxed charm and culinary heritage of the Swiss Canton of Vaud.

So maybe join in as the Swiss big cheeses party until the cows come home.

With flights to Geneva and an hour and a half on those clockwork Swiss trains.

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.

Countries, Europe, Sport

Pitching in for the European disc golf festival in Estonia

20th May 202620th May 2026 funtime65

And after spending a lifetime getting worse at golf I’d be better off pitching in for the European disc golf festival in Estonia.

Who knew, well, we do recall a colleague who played it with his student pals in the Meadows in Edinburgh.

But it has come a long way since and now even has its variant of golf’s greatest competition the Ryder Cup.

In disc golf’s Presidents Cup which this year marks its 20th year.

When Americans and Europeans fling Frisbees along a green space and then into a basket.

Gold disc

It’ll all flip-off with the European Open, the only PDGA Major in Europe, from June 18–21 in Tallinn.

Before the one-night showcase that is the Presidents Cup.

Now, we’re promised family activities, delicious street food and a lively vendor village filled with shops and entertainment at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

And because we’re always up for the party even if we don’t know the music.

We’re looking forward to rap duo Clicherik & Mäx keeping the energy high between the President’s Cup action in the Baltic nation.

And Traffic and Daniel Levi headlining the European Open musical accompaniment.

Hot shot

So, you want to know how to play and where to play.

Well, the sport’s rulers encourage us just to find a piece of green land.

And if there are trees in the way so much the better.

Because they are part of the challenge… throw your disc into the trees and it’s a penalty shot if it’s 2m up the branches. And good luck getting it down.

And like golf clubs there are different discs for varied shots.

Course of action

Spectacular: Estonia hosts Presidents Cup

There are 45 countries that currently have established Disc Golf Associations and a registered membership.

If you want to find the established courses, there is a list on the PDGA web site. What’s more it’ll probably be free.

Of course, both the Royal & Ancient game and Disc golf, the latter which has its roots in 1970s California, put a premium on fun.

And have a 19th hole in common.

And with flights from Britain to Tallinn from £39 one-way par for the course this is a shot you’ll need to take.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Music

Good night Vienna

16th May 2026 funtime65

It promises to be a good night Vienna with Eurovision but we’re going high-brow here with Andrea Bocelli and our old pals at Institute for Culture Travel.

With the Italian tenor the centrepiece of a four-nighter tour of the grand old Austrian capital.

Where you’ll take in grand palaces, historic streets, manicured public gardens and charming street cafes.

It’s fitting that Vienna is hosting Eurovision, in spite of all its chintz.

As there are few cities with quite the classical heritage as the Austrian gem.

With Schubert, Strauss, Schoenberg and Berg all born here.

And Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms and Mahler choosing Vienna as their home.

Time to say hi, hi

Rock me Amadeus: With Mozart in Salzburg

Bocelli’s turn on August 22 is part of his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.

Bocelli will be accompanied by a full orchestra and choir, delivering an evening of beloved classics.

Especially selections from Romanza, the album that launched his global career with hits like Con te partiro and Time to Say Goodbye.

All in a grand open-air setting filled with emotion and musical excellence.

Your Discover Imperial Vienna & Andrea Bocelli in Concert tour comes in at from €1369pps with a booking deposit of €650pp.

Tour de force

ICT will ensure you’ll have to do nothing but sing your little hearts out with a package including:

Return flights from Dublin
Three nights’ accommodation at the 4★ Austria Trend Parkhotel Schönbrunn, including daily breakfast
Welcome drink at your hotel
Evening dinner on day one
Guided panoramic coach tour of Vienna, showcasing the city’s grand architecture and historic highlights
Visit to the Johann Strauss House, celebrating the life and music of the legendary “Waltz King”
Traditional Viennese café experience, immersing you in the city’s celebrated coffeehouse culture
Visit the Hofburg Palace and Sisi Apartments
Three-course pre-concert dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant
Evening concert performance by Andrea Bocelli, an unforgettable night of music
Coach transportation and professional guide services for all transfers and excursions

Countries, Europe, Food & Wine

Hungary and thirsty for a Magyar wine bus tour

12th May 202612th May 2026 funtime65

And as its English name lends itself to fun for punsters we’ve been served with Hungary and thirsty for a Magyar wine bus tour.

The Magyars have launched their first hop-on hop-off wine bus, on the shores of Lake Balaton in the north of the country.

With 22 wineries, two curated routes, award-winning wines and breathtaking Balaton views.

The 46° Balaton zeroes in on the Balatonfüred–Csopak wine region, which lies close to the 46th parallel north.

Which is the same prestigious European wine belt as iconic wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley.

Balatonfüred and Tihany have become two of the Mayars‘ most popular summer destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Ferry traffic between Szántód and Tihany recently hit record numbers.

While Balatonfüred alone records more than 1.4 million guest nights annually.

Wine O’Clock

We have oenophile Virág Szabó to thank for the tour.

Virág has spent years of summers in Balatonfüred, yet repeatedly found herself visiting the same wineries.

Because many of the region’s hidden gems are difficult to access without a car.

While even short taxi rides from the vineyards can become surprisingly expensive.

“I saw a similar concept on the other side of the world, and immediately thought: why don’t we have this in Hungary?’ she shared.

The idea felt so simple, yet it solves such an obvious problem,” recalls Virág Szabó.

The Magyar Bus

Red, red wine: And drinking with ‘Red’ Aileen

The service operates four days a week — from Wednesday to Saturday — between mid-May and the end of September.

With a special route also planned for Pentecost Sunday.

Buses depart each morning from Vitorlás Square in central Balatonfüred and return there around sunset.

The “Old Friends” route runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Taking guests to some of the region’s best-known wineries across Balatonfüred, Aszófő, Pécsely, Balatonszőlős, Csopak, and Paloznak.

With buses circulating every 90 minutes.

Hidden Treasures

The ‘Hidden Treasures’ route operates on Fridays and Saturdays.

Offering a nearly 60-kilometre discovery journey through the rolling hills of the Balaton Highlands.

This route focuses on family-run wineries in villages such as Pécsely, Mencshely, Óbudavár, Szentantalfa, Tagyon, and Balatonakali.

With buses initially running every 120 minutes.

At the heart of the experience is the bus itself: a unique 1984 retro convertible DAF bus.

It features a covered front section and a fully open-air rear deck.

Just the ticket

For visitors staying in Tihany, a dedicated return shuttle service will also be available.

The transfer route includes five stops — including the Tihany ferry terminal.

Including transporting passengers from Tihany to Balatonfüred in the morning and back again in the evening.

Making the experience easily accessible both for southern shore visitors and guests staying in Tihany.

The 46° Balaton Wine Bus is designed as a full-day experience and is family-friendly, making it suitable for visitors with children as well.

Tickets became available from 8 May via the official website at 46balaton.hu.

Due to limited capacity, advance booking is recommended.

Countries, Europe, Flying

Get off to a flier with twin trips

10th May 202610th May 2026 funtime65

And as our own race across the world continues here’s how to get off to a flier with twin trips.

All of us know that burning curiosity of looking out over to the next field.

Before finding out for ourselves how green it is.

With visitors on our loveholidays odyssey to Rhodes availing of the hop, skip and jump to Marmaris in Turkey.

Symi, see you: And Turkey on the horizon

And sailing into Turkish broadband space in Greek Dodecanese Island Symi.

Just as we found on the Jordan side of the world’s waterway the Red Sea when we entered into Israeli broadband space.

While we looked out over the Jordan river itself at the site of John’s baptism of Jesus to Israel.

Broadening our borders

There are many ways to cross a border, some more hospitable than others.

And we’ve climbed every mountain to walk unopposed through a metal gate from Austria into Germany.

And will walk across the International Bridge from Valenca do Minho in Portugal to Tui in Galicia in north-west Spain on Camino.

With La Raya/A Raia (the border) Europe’s oldest, dating back to 1297.

So now we’ve outlined some of the walkable borders.

We move on to those we can traverse by train and plane.

Now our friends at our local Edinburgh Airport have pointed us in the direction of these top twin trips.

From Berlin to Biarritz

Now Poznan’s charms have naturally long been known to Poles.

But for the rest of us we only came to love the western Polish city at Euro 2012.

With their fans’ backs to the action goal celebration.

Join the Poznan wave yourself by taking a three-hour train journey from Berlin.

While Austria and Hungary are linked by proximity and politics.

And Vienna and Budapest are just two and a half hours apart.

Of course, some countries’ borders are always disputed.

And people on one side share more in common with those across the border than the rest of the country they inhabit.

As is the way of it with the Basque Country, separated by the French and Spanish border.

But, of course, you can enjoy both by train from Biarritz to San Sebastián in just over an hour.

Countries, Europe, Flying

Nothing Toulouse making rowdy fliers pay

9th May 20269th May 2026 funtime65

As you don’t have to wreck the party to have a good time we agree with Ryanair you’ve nothing Toulouse making rowdy fliers pay.

The budget airline changed the face of air travel by making it affordable for everyone.

All of which meant, of course, that everyone had more money to spend on airport drinks.

And even more opportunity when we were required to turn up more than two hours before our flights because of extra security.

Which all led to the staple of a modern holiday… airport drinks.

Merci bien to the French

Of course overgrown big kids will abuse it for the rest of the class.

And flights crews increasingly face the threat of rowdy drunken passengers imperilling everyone’s safety way up in the clouds.

And pilots forced to reroute to protect everyone on board.

With the costs that involves which inevitably get passed on in increased fares.

And what of the miscreants, well this is where our French amis have stepped forward.

Ryanair takes the lead

With Toulouse Criminal Court fining two unruly passengers a combined €10,000 (expensive round) and 10-month suspended sentences.

After they disrupted a flight from London Stansted to Ibiza last year.

Forcing 184 passengers and six crew to divert to Toulouse.

Now all of this feeds into Ryanair’s bold moves to alter our relationship with drinking and flying.

With the airline arguing that bars and restaurants should restrict passengers to two drinks each.

Which may seem draconic but should be enough to get the party started.

While leaving the serving of alcohol at the discretion of flight crew also feels eminently sensible to all.

Happy drinkers

Sobering times: Don’t make a fool of yourself

Of course, we’re no saints, and have to reveal that we circumvented the cabin staff’s rules on a transatlantic flight from London to JFK.

And took shuttles back and forth to raid the crew’s stash behind the curtain next to the loo.

But here’s the rub, we were daft kids and did not disrupt our fellow passengers other than the hundred times we got out of our seats.

So the takeaway is that by civilising airport drinks and airplane drinking we can all enjoy ourselves.

And enjoy our flights and allow cabin staff to do their jobs, which is after all to look after us.

And get us safely to our destination and not hundreds of miles away in a different country.

Countries, Europe, Music

Calvin and Capaldi are acceptable in the Maltese

7th May 20267th May 2026 funtime65

And because pop tourists keep coming back it’s why Calvin and Capaldi are acceptable in the Maltese.

The Scots singing superstars are hitting the Med party island this August.

And yes it is down with the kids, and the old kids.

Oh my Daze

Our Irish holidaymakers friends Cassidy Travel have put together packages for us around the gigs.

SummerDaze is one of Europe’s premier music festivals.

And brings visitors live open-air performances from global stars.

So we guess this is what you came for and who knows Dumfries DJ Cal may even bring Rihanna with her.

While if Lew is someone you loved then you will be happy he’s back since his Glastonbury meltdown.

And ready to give you a bleeding good time in front of the Maltese masses.

Someone Lew loved

Now you can give yourself a single helping of Lew.

And are broken by desire to be heavenly sent, whatever that means.

Then Cassidy will give you four nights of SummerDaze Malta with flights and concert ticket included from August 9.

And you’ll stay at the 4* Bora Bora Ibiza Malta Resort at €499pps.

While because we know Cassidy Travel is always thinking of you and it is summer.

Calvin callin’

You can book yourself a four-nighter around Calvin Harris from August 14 with flights and concert ticket included.

Staying at the 3* Lady Todd Hotel at €599pps.

While if you can’t choose between the two then Cassidy puts on a seven-nighter covering both superstars.

From August 10 with flights and concert tickets included.

Staying at the 3* Lady Todd Hotel at €849pps.