Europe Archives - Page 9 of 104 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

All you need is Algarve

11th October 2025 funtime65

All you need is Algarve, it’s the story of Paul and Portugal, let it Penina Albufeira and the Beatles.

Of course. it was a different time, the explosion of package holidays, which even drew in one of the biggest pop stars of his day.

It is hard to imagine the Paul McCartney of today wandering into reception in a Portuguese hotel.

And asking to have five pounds exchanged into escudos (ask your parents).

But party animal and general good guy Paul was persuaded into joining house band Jota Herre on stage in the Sixties.

And improvising a song at the piano which became Penina, before entertaining the patrons until 4am.

Fado Goodbye

And there the story may have stayed other than Portuguese prattle.

Had it not been for Paul playing a version of the song with John Lennon and Ringo Starr during the Get Back sessions.

And Jota Herre recording and releasing the song in March of that year, 1969, followed by Portuguese singer Carlos Mendes.

All of which pop legend is still played out at the Penina.

And Albufeira nights at the Radisson Blu nights in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Macca’s pitch

Come on Aileen: With Senorita Albufeira Aileen

Of course when you have such a prized piece of estate as the Paul McCartney piano he played on that night, well you’d keep it.

It is not unfortunately recorded in the annals of history whether Macca played a round of golf.

At the Panina, the country’s first golf course, designed by major winner Henry Cotton.

But the Penina is still dining out on its Paul McCartney connections.

Deal us in

Just 45 minutes from Faro Airport and served by Ryanair and Jet2 Penina has of course many other features to appeal.

Such as the biggest pool in the Algarve, an Olympic-style swim.

And the first and oldest course in Portugal, dating from 1966.

And standing at their version of St Andrews’ iconic Swilcan Bridge.

We found a random week in November with our go-to providers loveholidays from £778 for two, down from £843.

Countries, Europe

Interlaken’s cutting edge

9th October 20259th October 2025 funtime65

And what else would you be sent away with from a function showcasing Interlaken’s cutting edge than a Swiss Army knife?

Because while you may think you’re the ultimate thrill seeker and fully adapted to Europe’s Adventure playground.

You’ll be thankful for your mini-tool kit if you get yourself in a pickle on the slopes, valleys or lakes.

After all, Angus MacGyver, The Fantastic Four, Dana Scully in the X-Files and Matt Damon in The Martian have all reached for one.

While it’s been part of a NASA astronaut’s survival kit since 1992.

A refresher course

That, of course, is for when we’re back out there in the Great Swiss Outdoors.

While for the evening that was in it we were nicely ensconced in Scott’s Kitchen in Victoria Terrace in Edinburgh.

So we’re tucking into haggis, beef and chocolate mousse modern style with a fork, knife and spoon.

While getting a refresher course in Interlaken from when we scooted about in trotty bikes there some nine years ago.

Now we’re told that you can do almost anything from skiing, of course, sledding, to paragliding, abseiling and ziplining.

Fun on the water

And fun on Lake Thun, all at a more relaxing pace.

Whether on a cruise or raclette rafting, and don’t worry you won’t have to negotiate choppy rapids while dripping cheese.

Be prepared

While for the ultimate in opulence then you can take a hot tub out on Lake Brienz.

And maybe drain a Brienzer Breeze, the bottle green Sea Breeze-themed cocktails we lapped up with notres amis.

All of which activities we dare say might need small knives, scissors and the like to extricate yourself from situations.

Or manicure yourself.

While, of course, you’ll be prepared as all good scouts must be for the greatest emergency.

When out exposed in the wilds.

For when you need a bottle opener or corkscrew for your Hell lager or Alpine wine.

Now as ever second time around we’re better fitted out for our return to Interlaken.

Now we have our Swiss Army Knife.

We found an EasyJet round trip flight to Zurich from our airport here in Edinburgh for a random five nights in November from £648pp.

And you’ll get a high-speed one-hour train to Interlaken, checking out your Swiss Travel Pass.

And went to loveholidays for a five-nighter at Hotel Alpenblick, a saving of £149pp.

Countries, Europe, Skiing, Sport

The Austrian Alps and a new big-skiing experience

7th October 20257th October 2025 funtime65

Frankly you’d never come down from the mountains these days and the Austrian Alps and a new big-skiing experience.

Because skiers who count raves in the slopes as highly as black, red and blue runs now have an extra leisure option.

Among the numerous new attractions in our old stomping ground of Wilder Kaiser and SkiWelt Söll.

All tailored for families.

With the Hexenwiese adventure play area at the bottom lift station now expanded.

To include an additional conveyor-belt lift and a tubing slide with the highlight a new sound installation.

All to allow Mum and Dad to relax in the newly designed, elevated sun terrace.

Flicks on the slopes

And because you can refuel at any one of the restaurant stations you really can spend the whole day on the slopes.

And even take in a movie now on the Keatabfahrt slope (ski piste number 43).

It’s Austria’s first ski-in cinema – open from Monday to Thursday.

And including popcorn and drinks.

So which ski-related movies would you switch on.

Double Oh heaven

For many of us we were first turned on to skiing seeing James Bond dropping from the skies and scooting around the peaks.

And even more impressive that he was able to make his cliff jump on Mount Asgard on Baffin Island in Canada.

And then have his high-speed ski chase in St Moritz in Switzerland.

For those who prefer a romcom (guilty!) then Chalet Girl is the quintessential boy meets girl love story in the mountains.

And I’m passing over my own slip-slidin’ missteps here with a then-girlfriend in Aviemore in Scotland here.

Chalet Girl showcases the ski resort of St Anton in Austria with some exterior shots in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Where Winter Olympic history is all around you and you can immerse yourself in it with your own selfie.

Have-a-go heroes

The greatest have-a-go hero story on the slopes is, of course, that of Eddie the Eagle.

Again highlighting the famous Garmisch ski jump.

There is definitely something about winter sports that brings out the dreamer in all of us.

And though it’s not skiing it is definitely the Jamaican bobsleigh team whose odyssey was celebrated in Cool Runnings is in our wheelhouse.

Which allows us to flag up the Caribbean (any excuse) and Calgary in Canada.

Licked it

If truth be told though we’ve probably got more in common on the slopes with Harry and Lloyd.

Although the hapless skiers in Dumb and Dumber were actually larking around in Main Street, Breckenridge in central Colorado.

Rather than Aspen.

But they did lick it.

Not that you have to resort to winter sport films, as we imagine that you’ll get your pick of the flicks on your Söll slopes… but just saying.

Countries, Europe

This skyscraper is ear-popping fun all right… but where?

6th October 2025 funtime65

It would probably not be your first answer for Europe’s highest building but this skyscraper is ear-popping fun all right… but where?

The Varso Tower in Warsaw soars above anywhere else on the continent at 1,017ft.

Because we’re not counting you Russia, which has five higher, until you start behaving.

And because we love an oul skyscraper, and our ears have only just popped from ascending the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) in Chicago, the original Skyscraper City, earlier this year.

We thought that we’d showcase Europe’s biggest, particularly as it’s just added something on top for our entertainment.

Things are looking up

And, of course, you owe it to yourself to have a party in the sky when you get right up to the top .

Of say, the Twin Towers in New York (tick), the CN Tower in Toronto (tick, tick), or the Sears Tower (tick, tick, tick)

Our Polish pals are rightly excited about its new viewing platform Highline Warsaw on the 53rd floor terrace.

As it rightly says, it elevates the capital to new heights.

We came, Warsaw, we conquered

Best bar none: And order your Polish vodka cocktail

The heart of the project lies on the 49th floor and the HighGarden, a rooftop bar and 4oosqm green terrace.

Where you can sip cocktails, with Polish vodka naturally, and take in the best views of the city.

Now visitors will also be able to enjoy an immersive experience with detailed historical reconstructions, complemented by a concept store with a photography zone.

And who are the brainboxes behind all of this we hear you ask.

Elevated status

Well, Magnicity is a global leader in elevated urban leisure (some of our favourite kinds).

It operates the Paris Montparnasse Observatory, the Berlin Fernseheturm (TV Tower) and the Euromast and Zalmhaven I in Rotterdam.

And the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, the former John Hancock Center,

And we found a £239 Ryanair round trip from our wee airport in Edinburgh to Warsaw.

Countries, Deals, Europe

This could be Rotterdam, Seville, Riga or Porto

1st October 20251st October 2025 funtime65

And with apologies to popsters the Beautiful South and with very different sentiments… this could be Rotterdam, Seville, Riga or Porto.

Because these too-long neglected destinations, which have been living in the shadows of neighbouring bigger cities are now having their moment.

Of course, long before Paul Heaton had raised Rotterdam’s profile with his hit song, your Bandanaman was carting Herself off to enjoy its charms.

Although she might not have been expecting a football match, the Netherlands v Greece at the De Kuyp stadium.

But hey, as I always say, if you want to get under the skin of a people, go to where they play and pray.

Rotterdam good city

And the train to the match was jumping with orange boiler-suited members of the Oranje Army with half basketballs perched on top of their heads.

While we went native ourselves at the game with pea soup and French Fries with mayonnaise, very Dutch.

Our pals at Best Online Holidays have opened up the great port city’s many other charms to us.

Such as the over 40 museums, buzzing cultural scene and bold modern architecture.

Best Online Holidays are offering three nights stay at 3* The James Rotterdam including flights, sure it’s got my name on it.

Stay in the heart of the city, close to Markthal, Coolsingel, and Lijnbaan.

Departs from London Stansted & London Southend on October 11, 12, 13, 26 and 31st from £199pp.

Let’s all be Seville

Seville too was a whistlestop tour to take in the Expo although we almost took in Madrid too.

As The Scary One tried to negotiate the multi-lanes and whizzed back into the right one just in time.

The pride of Andalucia is a delight any time of the year but especially so at festival times, for Semana Santa and Feria de Sevilla.

The same travel providers have two nights stay at 4* Hotel América, room only, including flights.

From London on October 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 from £129pp.

You’ll stay in the heart of Seville’s old town, close to the Cathedral, Giralda, and Santa Cruz district.

Don’t pass the Porto

And so coming to Oporto to give it its proper name we, of course, all associate it with its famous fortified after-dinner wine.

And while the etiquette we’re told is to pass the Port we’d never advise you passing the Porto.

Or you’ll miss the UNESCO-listed centre, lively neighbourhoods, world-famous Port wine cellars, and nearby Douro Valley vineyards.

A three-nights stay with Holiday Buzz at the 4* Eurostars Porto Douro including flights, departing London Gatwick on October 18, 20, 22 and 26 for £289pp.

The last Latv

And, of course, resilient travellers that we are we won’t be put off by noisy neighbours.

Which is why Latvia and its vibrant capital is attracting more and more curious visitors.

Its UNESCO-listed Old Town offers a blend of medieval charm and Art
Nouveau elegance.

With bustling markets, stylish cafes, and riverside promenade making it a captivating city break.

Superscapes offers three nights at the 4* Monika Centrum Hotels.

Just 500m from Riga Old Town, departures from London are on October 5, 6, 7 and 17 October from £139pp.

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

God is a biker

23rd September 2025 funtime65

How do you know God is a biker, well, The Lord was with Joshua and his Triumph was heard throughout the land.

An old fave which has no doubt been doing the rounds, at the Blessings of the Helmets at the Marian pilgrimage in Fatima.

Now in its tenth year, some 180,000 bikers descended on the Northern Portuguese city.

To have their helmets blessed.

And to raise money and awareness for the 9,900 bikers in accidents in the country and victims of the country’s forest fires.

Pilgrims make their way to Fatima by planes, trains and automobiles, and we’d recommend Jose Madomis’s guided tour.

Which we would have seen for ourselves if only we had visited a couple of weeks later.

Our calling

It was less God’s calling, we think, rather than just space in the work calendar, which meant we visited one early September.

And met the niece of one of the Three Little Shepherds.

On her own porch and joined in the Lord’s Prayer.

This little light of mine

Now if the Lord moves in mysterious ways then pilgrims to Fatima do as well.

All with the same aim to make their own way to the main altar.

Which is what one senior citizen, and we dare say not the only one.

On her hands and her knees in supplication to Our Lady and Our Lord.

And to get the best slot for the Night-time Candle Procession.

Only the blessings are shared equally around.

Whether a Little Shepherd, a Little Biker or a Little Old Woman.

Pilgrims arrive in Fatima, as we say, by all modes of transport but we flew in with Ryanair to Lisbon.

And why not check out Portugal Centro too which Jose, our Special One, has been specially endowed with God’s favours and blessings.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Waltzing Matilda around Gallipoli

22nd September 2025 funtime65

And the band play Waltzing Matilda around Gallipoli, a Turkish outpost where the Flower of Australia shed their blood 110 years ago.

And British, Irish, French, Turk, New Zealander, Canadian, Germans, Canadian and Senegalese.

Which, of course, because of the universality of the World Wars all nations around the world sacrificed their young men and women.

Homage to The Fallen

At Great Uncle Willie’s grave: Flanders, Belgium

And which we discovered ourselves on a GTI Travel centenary commemoration of the Battle of the Somme.

And a homage to our relatives who travelled from remote Co. Donegal in the north-west of Ireland for Flanders.

And never returned.

Although we did our little bit to stand at Willie McNulty’s graveside and say the Lord’s Prayer.

They are the battlefields where battalions, often from a specific country in a specific campaign.

Where soldiers fell and their story seeps into a nation’s narrative.

But while you will, of course, find Aussies and New Zealanders come from Down Under to give homage to the 7,500 who died.

A walk through history

Battlefield specialists Frosch Ireland will also address the 4,000 Irish who fell over the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 and 1916.

All in you will fly Turkish Airlines from Dublin to Istanbul where you will spend three nights.

And embark on a guided walking tour of Sultanahmet.

And visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar.

The joys of Troy

The joys of Troy await with three nights in Canakkale.

While on your third day, you will take a ferry to Anzac Cove and visit the Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Johnston’s Jolly.

We’re told too that there will be visits to Suvla Bay and light relief on the Bosphorus Strait.

Your Frosch Ireland package comes to you today through the Irish Travel Agents Association.

And comes in at from €1,599pp based on two adults sharing, from October 1-8.

America, Countries, Europe, Food & Wine, Sport

Long Island Iced Teas and Ryder Cup cocktails

19th September 202519th September 2025 funtime65

And back when I turned out my Jocktails I almost blinded the Scary One… and my Long Island Iced Teas and Ryder Cup cocktails will do the same for you.

Now the beauty of cocktails is their surprise element and the Iced Tea kicks like a mule.

Because it is devilishly misnamed as an innocent soft drink when it’s an excuse to knock your socks off.

A hole lot of fun

The famously raucous New York golf fans, of course, need no extra stimulant for next week’s biennial clash with Europe.

Golf tournaments have never been, nor would we want it to be, a booze-free haven.

With visitors to our own Open Golf Championship as likely to be seen in a Guinness tent or hospitality suites (guilty?)

All good when it doesn’t spill over to antisocial behaviour from the balconies, banks and grandstands.

We will, like many of you, be shouting at the television, glass in hand.

And not putting off any player.

Over to your bartender

Part of the team: On my travels in France

If you want to channel your own Long Islander then this is how to make Robert ‘Rosebud’ Butt’s Oak Beach Inn from 1972.l

Courtesy of our own go-to BBC site.

You will need 25ml of vodka, of tequila, of gin, of triple sec, of white rum, of lime juice and of lemon juice.

Fill with ice cubes and garnish with two lemon wedges and two mint sprigs.

Now with the Ryder Cup being played out and supported by dozens of nations, we can have even more fun with it.

And adapt a cocktail for all the different nationalities of players on show or the states from which they originate.

This year’s Ryder Cup cocktails

There is even an official Ryder Cup cocktail for this year’s Bethpage shoot-out.

Following on from the Elijah Craig Roma Old Fashioned from two years ago.

Check out the Elijah Craig bourbon and fix The Mulligan.

By pouring 2 oz. Green Tea Infused Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon.

With 4 oz lemonade, a splash of soda water and garnish with a mint and lemon wheel.

Just a little something to get your party started.

My Long Island Iced Teas and Ryder Cup cocktails.

And should the Ryder Cup whet your appetite for a visit to Long Island and it should.

The. we found a random Aer Lingus return flight to JFK from €603.81 from Dublin with pre-clearance.

Just don’t let me fly!

MEET YOU ON THE COURSE

Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe, Music

Chopin online

16th September 2025 funtime65

No, not that one, one of my Scary One’s most regular pastimes, but rather Chopin online, and the best composers trip.

In Poland the great pianist is held in such esteem that Warsaw Airport is named for him, Lotnisko Chopina Warszawa.

A common theme we have discovered on our travels and shared we find with at least one other, Panethos, in our WordPress community.

Who has also done some research..

Ticking off Louis Armstrong in New Orleans, John Lennon in Liverpool, Franz Liszt in Budapest, Guiseppi Verdi in Parma and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Salzburg.

It’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it.

Culture vultures

Now unless you speak Polish you’ll only be able to pick out Chopin from Lotnisko Chopina Warszawa when you land in Warsaw.

But by the time you finish your Institute for Culture Travel curated tour next month you will be an expert.

The four-day Warsaw Cultural Tour runs from October 8 from €1,183pps with a single supplement of €299.

Wander the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town and marvel at the grandeur of Wilanow Palace and Chopin.

You’ll stay at the 4* Polonia Palace Hotel with breakfast with three meals in your hotel.

And enjoy an excursion to Łazienki Park and Wilanow Palace.

And a visit to Chopin’s birthplace, Żelazowa Wola.

Return flight from Dublin, including taxes and transfers

All for a deposit of €350 per person with a special offer of €50 off if booked in August.

Chopinholics

We came, Warsaw, we conquered: Polish pals

And for special Chopin aficionados a chance to be in Warsaw.

To coincide with the prestigious Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition

There’s a four-nighter Chopin in Warsaw on October 8 from €1,369pps with a €299 single supplement.

You’ll stay at the 4* Polonia Palace Hotel B&B with welcome dinner and two pre-performance dinners.

Return flight from Dublin, including taxes and transfers

A guided walking tour of Warsaw Old Town, an excursion to Łazienki Park and Wilanow Palace.

A visit to Chopin’s birthplace.

The two evening performances as part of the 19th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition at the National Philharmonic Hall

You’ll pay a €350 per person deposit with the special offer of €50 off if booked in August.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Baby, South Tyrol is a winter wonderland

13th September 202513th September 2025 funtime65

Now nobody likes to see their parents with their kit off but baby, South Tyrol is a winter wonderland.

It’s safe to say that our Tyrolean pals don’t have the same reservations as the British or Irish about baring it all.

Which I found out myself when I bumped into the same couple I’d sat next to in the sauna, the next morning in the breakfast room.

Where I was sorely tempted to say to the young man ‘oh, I didn’t recognise your wife with her clothes on.’

My Soll tale I told to our Tyrolian guide and our Topflight trekkers in Ehrwald.

Bettered, of course, by mine host.

Who told us that he would sauna buck naked in the public baths with his parents as a child.

Fun for all la famiglia

Mind you, we wouldn’t recommend you all getting in the buff in Italy’s South Tyrol.

But they do put la famiglia first at the AKI Family Resort PLOSE.

Where in the winter, PLOSE Mountain region becomes a veritable playground for families.

AKI Family Resort PLOSE provides all the kit required for a great winter escape for children of all ages.

Slip and slide down 10 kilometres of sledge runs on toboggans.

Or head down the family-friendly rail-guided Plocebo bobsleigh track.

While you can enjoy quiet family explorations along the many mountain and forest trails.

Or indulge in more high-energy ski and snowboard adventures on the popular pistes.

Ski kids

From AKI Family Resort PLOSE, take a 10-minute ride on the shuttle bus to the ski resort, which welcomes families of all ages.

And scoot off on whatever stretch of the 40 kilometres of pistes suits your purposes.

Including two designed specifically for children and beginners.

All connected through seven state-of-the-art lifts.

Even toddlers can take to the slopes and learn to ski.

With the magic carpet ski area, where equipment and instruction for kids are available free of charge.

Get some therapy

Border force: At the Austrian/German border

After a day on the slopes, soothe tired muscles at AKI Family Resort PLOSE’s family sauna and fun snowflake shower.

And select from the family-friendly spa menu with tailor-made therapies and combined parent-child treatments.

And who doesn’t love a heated pool and relax before a seasonal family dinner?

In the mountain-view restaurant.

Parents’ time

Of course, as much as we love our bambini, parents do need their space.

And will relish the tranquil adults-only forest spa and saunas.

While the children are happily entertained at the AKI Kids Club.

Now we all know that a family that dines together reclines together (OK, we made that up but still).

And AKI PLOSE offers gourmet cuisine and child-friendly buffets with live cooking stations.

Serving fresh and nutritious ingredients filled with flavour.

Before settling in for a cosy night together in your home-from-home family suite.

Deal me in

Prices from: €750per suite/day (occupied with max. 2 adults and 2 children).

With AKI Fullboard, buffet breakfast, lunch buffet, and four-course á la carte dinner.

To get to South Tyrol from Britain or Ireland.

We’re advised that Bolzano has limited international flights.

So probably better considering Innsbruck in Austria or Verona, Venice or Bergamo.

And maybe stay a night in any of these much-vaunted destinations, particularly the often overlooked Bergamo.