Ireland Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

America, Asia, Australasia, Canada, Countries, Culture, Europe, Flying, Ireland

Flyday Friday – Etihad and Emirates

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Their colours are unmistakable – the superstars of the Etihad and Emirates.

Only I’m not talking about the footballers of Manchester City and Arsenal here but the staff.

And guess who only put the wrong picture on the wrong airline… I think I’d had too many shandies at a liquid lunch.

Of course plane spotters and frequent fliers know that it’s chocolate brown and purple for Etihad www.emirates.com.

And cream and red for Emirates www.etihad.com.

Emirates rates

But I’m not here to talk about airline uniforms, though there would be no harm in it, and I will get back to you on that.

More importantly these behemoths of the skies are only getting us flying again.

Emirates will begin flying to and from Dublin from June 15.

Among 16 other cities to Dubai, the others being Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, New York JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane.

Check Emirates’ website for conditions and prices and keep updated on Ireland’s travel rules.

All’s well that ends well

There are worse ways to spend an afternoon than aboard an Etihad airplane in Dublin Airport.

Getting the full VIP treatment and winning air miles. Only I haven’t cashed them in yet.

But I will when the Scary One lets me get travelling again… and, no it’s nothing to do with COVID.

There’s always a big welcome from our friends at Etihad and they have introduced Wellness Ambassadors to deal with your every flying need.

Aer Lingus, the model airline

I’ve spent many a happy afternoon in the company of Ireland’s national airline carrier Aer Lingus https://www.aerlingus.com/html/home.html.

They showcased their own livery rebrand and new uniforms in the last couple of years.

And they continue to keep us occupied and enamoured with foreign destinations.

Virtually for now such as through Seattle and the Olympic National Park.

And the brilliant blue water blue water at Lake Crescent and hiking routes through Hoh Rain Forest only make us more impatient to get on that flight out to Seattle.

See www.visitseattle.org and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/category/deals/.

Now back to my lockdown indulgence, my complete series of Frasier.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland

Five Irish beaches

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There’s always a premium on sea views and we had the crack of one over Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Here are my five fave Irish beaches.

Bear with me

Greystones, Co. Wicklow: And home for 13 years where the harbour expanded … and the promenade grew a Teddy Bear.

The Stones, as the young locals call it, will always be with me.

There’s a North and South Beach. If you climb up North you can take the scenic Bray Cliff Walk while walk south and you can get all the way to Wicklow.

Visit www.visitwicklow.com. And stay at Powerscourt Hotel https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dubak-powerscourt-hotel-autograph-collection/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2&y_source=1_MjU3ODIzOC03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24uZ29vZ2xlX3dlYnNpdGVfb3ZlcnJpZGU=. And Flowerscourt.

Ulster’s finest

Portnoo, Co. Donegal: Belfast Helen was my first girlfriend, if you don’t count Glasgow Helen who I think I proposed to in kindergarten.

But Tomboy Helen was just a pal who stayed in the guest house on the beach… we trawled the rock pools.

When the tide is out you can walk to an island where there is a graveyard. What’s not to love. See https://www.govisitdonegal.com.

The West is alive

Take a whirl: Salthill. www.guidetoconnemara.com

Salthill, Co. Galway: Summer holidays were spent in Ireland, and in my early teens in Salthill.

Which you might know from the Steve Earle song ‘Galway Girl’.

I never did ‘take a whirl round the Salthill Prom with a Galway Girl’ but I did enjoy the go-karts and the roller disco.

Visit www.galwaytourism.ie.

Tramore’s the merrier

Bump in the night. www.amusementrides.org.

Tramore, Co. Waterford: Fairgrounds were a bit of a backdrop to my childhood holidays.

And there was always a thrill in bumping an adult in a dodgem car.

My parents had more sense than to take me on but Mary, my Godmother’s neighbour indulged me. See https://tramore.ie

And Bono’s beach

Killiney, Co. Dublin: When we decided to dive in and live in Ireland we looked first at Killiney, Dublin’s Millionaire Row.

Where a young imp gave us directions to the rental house we were viewing.

‘Just down the road, turn left along the beach, past Bono’s house, go along a bit, turn left and you’re there.

Desiiiiiire!

And I’ll dig you out my thoughts on Killiney Castle Hotel https://www.fitzpatrickcastle.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI95ffj97o6QIVg7HtCh3mxAJvEAAYASAAEgIkYPD_BwE too so watch this space.

MEET YOU ON THE BEACH

Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying, Ireland, UK

The beach to yourself in the Algarve

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Beaches, like the skies and seas, are benefitting rom the lockdown and the Algarve has had the chance to breathe.

That’s because they are without the type of beachgoer who treat our beaches like a dumping ground… or worse.

The first beach holiday I had with the-then lovesick Miss F was in the Algarve https://www.visitalgarve.pt/en/Default.aspx where we met two brothers who are now our lifelong friends.

We played football on the courts, pool volleyball and even took to the stage to do our best theme from Raw Hide… complete with whip sounds.

In the interests of public disclosure that was me and Ray, not me and Miss F, although that doesn’t sound any better.

What a pane!

We thought about staying away from the Cabanas beach though as we had been warned that the approach was strewn with glass.

That didn’t stop us, though it took much of the enjoyment away from the experience, and I’m sure Ray lacerated his foot.

Now none of this is levelled at Cabanas , more those reckless visitors back in 1990.

Today’s Cabanas I imagine will be like a Caribbean beach because of a lack of litterbugs!

The beaches in the Algarve will reopen on Saturday.

There will be colour coded signage indicating the level of occupancy of the beach (low/medium/full).

And it will be updated in real time on the app ‘Info Praia’ (available in English) and APA website.

Just swimmingly

Visitors will be expected to keep 1.5m apart unless they are in the same household and parasols will be 3m apart.

And swimming, water sports and surfing will be permitted.

Of course, Portugal, and the Algarve, for many of us, holds many wonderful childhood and adult memories.

And check out www.visitportugal.com… Secret Portugal and https://www.quintadolago.com/en/.

Now many of you reading this may be asking why we didn’t wear flip-flops when negotiating the Cabanas expert.

Well, the best I have us that that’s hard-earned booze money you’re talking about there.

Fly high

Now here’s what Ryanair www.ryanair.com is planning for us from June 21.

Ryanair – flights from Stansted, Dublin and Manchester.

EasyJet http://www.easyjet.com from June 16 from Belfast, four weekly frequencies from Luton from June 16.

British Airways http://www.ba.com – July.

MEET YOU ON THE BEACH

America, Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland, UK

Holiday Snaps – Vegas Maybe

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We all feel we know it and the naysayers don’t even want to entertain it but this week it’s Vegas baby!

Even if I can’t be there as planned for the annual American Travel Fair www.ipw.com I am celebrating with them virtually.

While I’m also wearing out the new album by the Greatest Band in the World.

Of course I’m fortunate enough to have done the whole Vegas thing www.lvcva.com and Strip… the light fantastic.

But, yes, of course you can’t just do Vegas once… so let’s get it done in ’21.

Vincent’s town

So what would the Potato Eaters have made of this COVID-19 crisis?

The Potato Eaters was Vincent Van Gogh’s favourite painting and it is only by getting up close and personal to see why.

Space to breathe: To take in the Van Goghs

The Van Gogh Museum www.vincentvangoghmuseum.com reopens in Amsterdam on Monday and some much needed colour will come back into people’s lives.

For Britons, of which I am one in its Scottish shade, Amsterdam is one of the most accessible and attractive destinations.

In the frame: At the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

And it can easily be reached, either by ferry or air, or now since the Tunnel by train.

The Scary One, back when she was a lovesick Miss F, and I took the boat and there is still something romantic about arriving by sea.

See www.iamsterdam.com and Pictures of Amsterdam and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/george-and-amal-hotel/.

Wild Rover

I’ve been a Wild Rover for many a year. And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer

This old Irish traditional song was the soundtrack of my student days in Aberdeen www.visitabdn.com and Aberdeen – a light in the north.

And many a night we rolled out of a bar singing this drinking shanty.

It’s a brilliant name if you ever wanted to set up a coach tour around Ireland.

Which I was thinking of doing… only it’s been done before.

By the innovative John Goldrick and www.wildrovertours.com.

John is adapting his coach tours with reduced capacity and prices, and smaller private tours.

Among the destinations is the Garden County of Co. Wicklow, Glendalough, the Sally Gap et al.

All of which gives me the chance too to flag up our favourite Wicklow hotel Powerscourt https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dubak-powerscourt-hotel-autograph-collection/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2&y_source=1_MjU3ODIzOC03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24uZ29vZ2xlX3dlYnNpdGVfb3ZlcnJpZGU=. And Flowerscourt. And www.visitwicklow.ie.

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland, UK

Flyday Friday – Aerport dos and don’ts

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They make them hardy in Ireland as anybody who has had to walk the miles and miles to the departure gate will know.

So we won’t be fazed then by some new regulations that Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com have brought in to get us all back up in the air again.

The national airline carrier wants us to scan our own boarding passes.

Fly the flag: And now to get back up in the air

And face coverings (eh, which one of my drawer of bandanas will I go for).

And, of course, a multitude of other measures, none of which will faze the Irish.

Because as they say in these parts… You’ll never beat the Irish.

Follow this video for more info… here.

We’re off again to sunny Spain

And you’ll never beat Ryanair for offers.

A shout-out here then to Michael O’Leary who has been flagging up budget prices as aviation ‘experts’ scare us with sky-high prices.

On account of their projection of a third full airplanes.

When modifications, airline health and hygiene advancements, new passenger habits and face masks hold the key to getting enough of us back on planes.

While protecting us and Travel as we used to know it.

Anyhoos, July 1 is the big date when Ryanair www.ryanair.com will be releasing 1,000 flights per day with flights to Spain from €39.99.

Say a little prayer: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

All the old favourites are there… Barcelona https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/, www.royalcaribbean.com and https://www.google.ie/amp/s/jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2020/03/24/messi-around-on-the-water/amp/.

And Mallorca https://www.google.ie/amp/s/jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2020/01/21/smooth-sailing-around-the-western-med/amp/.

While Tenerife with its multiple climates and terrains is a dozen holidays rolled into one…. https://www.visitingtenerife.com, www.canariaways.com and A walk through the ages… Tenerife.

But there are, of course, many many Spanish delights I have yet to savour.

Whisper it but I’ve still to visit Madrid https://www.esmadrid.com/en, https://www.visitasevilla.es/en/official-webguide-seville and https://www.visitvalencia.com/en.

Espana por favor. And also see https://www.spain.info/en/informacion-practica/oficinas-turismo-embajadas/turismo-exterior/oficina_de_turismo_en_dublin.html and https://www.spain.info.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

Adventure, Asia, Countries, Culture, Ireland, UK

Big up Japan

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Twice the population of the UK, five times the numbers of cities over 200,000 and more people by square metre… but Japan is free of COVID-19.

Britain’s rates meanwhile have hit 40,000 (and climbing), although they have rolled out a ‘game changer’ new track and trace system which has been beset by technological problems on its first day.

So where are we in Travel? Well our providers are only trying to batter down Home Secretary Priti Patel’s door to get her to fall in line with the rest of Europe and bin the 14-day quarantine rules for travellers.

But back to Japan.

And before all this COVID business broke out they were only planning for the Olympics which will now take place next year while eggchasers are waiting anxiously to see whether they have a game to go back to.

Rugby is scrumthing else in Japan

They have to work out how to scrum, maul and ruck at a social distance.

The great modern inventors, the Japanese, will probably work it out and you can rely on them too to have all the infrastructure and planning sorted out for the Rugby World Cup on their soil in 2023.

Reflections on pagodas. Photo by DSD on Pexels.com

All of which plodding around the subject like a sumo wrestler brings me onto our holiday providers’ plans for 2021.

Which brings me to my friends at Wendy Wu who are flagging up their 13-day fully-inclusive Classic Group Tour from £5390pp.

It’s all part of their Worldwide Sale 2021 with a saving of £500pp on tour.

Wok this way. Photo by Vital1na on Pexels.com

Which includes an ascent up Mount Fuji as the high point (sorry) of a cultural trawl across the Land of the Rising Sun.

Tokyo highs

You’ll also get to see Matsumoto Castle and Kyoto’s Shrines… and Tokyo, one of the world’s great cities, of course.

And you’ll get the chance to learn some authentic Japanese skills. They don’t say anything about sumo wrestling but what about Washi paper making, Miso seasoning and best of all Gold Leaf making.

Spelling it out, the natural beauty of Tokyo. Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels.com

The dates fall between late September 2021 and the end of that year so things will be back to ‘the new normal’ by then which has to be better than ‘the new normal’ that we have just now.

Visit https://www.wendywutours.co.uk/japan/tours/discover-japan.htm and https://www.japan.travel/en/uk/.

And we love Japan for many things, not least its eccentricities. So check this out. Cocktail Hour around the world, Countdown to Japan: Monkeys, Teddy Bears’ window to the world and How the seasons pass.

Canada, Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland, UK

Canadian high

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Has Stay Alert or Stay at Home inspired you.

Or would you have been more enthused by say, the Canadians’ Caremongering call to arms?

Our Canadian friends have successfully positioned themselves as a chilled, right-on destination.

And that is no surprise to those of us whose links with the Land of the Maple Leaf run deep.

It helps if you can pass the first Canadian test… spotting that they’re not Americans.

You see Canadians say ‘Eh’ at the end of EVERY sentence.

And they don’t take themselves too seriously even branding it on their merchandise.

I’ll surely pick up a souvenir T-shirt then with ‘Toronto Eh’ on it.

When I pay a return to the city for the first time in more than 30 years.

Air Canada will be operating a four day a week service from Dublin to Toronto from July 2.

While passengers who had originally booked for Dublin-Montreal and Dublin-Vancouver will be offered interconnecting flights.

An Eh-1 service I think you’ll agree. Visit https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html.

And here are some other thoughts on Canada

The freedom of Iceland

I’t’s the quintessential experience of travelling through an airport, grabbing that sample shot of whisky.

Only in these COVID times you’d make do with a free test.

Which is just what the Icelanders are doing at Keflavik Airport.

The Icelanders, who were all over this virus before the rest, are planning to reopen their borders by June 10.

If it’s positive they will be asked to quarantine for 14 days.

If travellers can prove that they have already taken a coronavirus test, and are negative, they will be exempt.

Everyone, however, will be asked to download Iceland’s contact tracing app, which tracks users movements

So you’ll soon be off to Iceland… you lucky geysers.

And when you do, fly with Icelandair www.icelandair.com.

America, Australasia, Countries, Culture, Ireland, UK

Mind the Gap Year in Australia

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It’s the right of passage for English students which is denied their neighbouring Scots – the Gap Year.

Immortalised in The Inbetweeners 2, the Gap Year is when English school-leavers take a year out before starting University.

And it is expected that it will be even more popular next term instead of sitting at home and studying digitally.

Home and away

I spent a year of my own studies with the bold Australians, only these Aussies were refugees from Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Who turned up unannounced on my doorstep in Aberdeen www.abdn.com Aberdeen – a light in the north asking to stay for the weekend and leaving a year later.

They did, of course, give me an open invitation to go out and see them.

But I imagine looking for a Peter Smith or Steve Brown in Perth, Western Australia, might be difficult.

See you Down Under

Bridge not too far: The iconic Sydney Bridge

Recent changes to the Working Holiday Maker Visa means British and Irish travellers can stay for up to three years.

While you can get yourself lost deliberately in this huge country in your campervan.

You never stop learning so it might be time for that Gap Year I never got.

Smutley and Brownie… you have been warned. Visit www.australia.com.

Turn on, tune in, drop out

Of course those of us left disenfranchised by the lockdown can do what dreamers have been doing for decades, lose themselves in America’s Wild West.

And here’s me getting on ma hoss and riding away into the Plains www.colorado.com and The New Frontiersmen.

Colorado’s is Big Country and free and the best way to see it is at your own pace…

Spa partners

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is gratis as are some of the natural spas.

Such as Conundrum Hot Springs. Which reminds me of a fall-out I had with an Aussie in our group.

You know the type who claim that people are trying to take their photo of the Rockies.

Seems you can’t escape them anywhere.

Adventure, Culture, Deals, Ireland, UK

Covid-day Snaps – Good news from Ireland

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And as no new deaths are reported overnight in Ireland further good news with our Travel industry starting up again.

It will come as little surprise to Hibernophiles (people who love Ireland) that Connacht is to the fore.

Well, as the old traditional song goes The West’s Awake!

The West has a special place in my affections as it was here that I spent my first holidays cut from my Mum’s apron strings.

As I holidayed with my Dublin cousins in Salthill, Co. Galway.

I don’t think it was entirely altruistic as my parents did get a chance to globetrot.

Still as an early teenager I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.

The Wild Atlantic

I dipped my toe in Spidal (quite literally) with my Uncle and cousins avid swimmers.

And I did the same on the dating scene where again I was left hopelessly out of my depth.

We went over the county border too to Co. Mayo and the Marian site of Knock which surely left a mark.

As I have ticked off Lourdes The Lourdes prayer, Fatima Secret Portugaland Medjugorje What’s the story, Medjugorje? Wouldn’t you like to know since.

All of which meanderings brings me back to Hotel Westport’s plans for the revived summer season.

Estate of the nation

Westport Estate stretches to 400 acres – plenty of room for social distancing there. And it is also at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way https://www.wildatlanticway.com/home.

And it is overlooked by St Patrick’s mountain Croagh Patrick.Which that very same Mum never tired of telling us she walked up barefooted and without a good breakfast when she was pregnant.

I let her off because it was my brother she had on board.

Westport is an ideal set-up to showcase what I believe will be a new direction in how we take our holidays… slow travel.

Carry on camping

Take their Family Bush Camp which will give families the chance to reconnect with nature through bush crafting and survival activities.

Packages start at €79 pps for Bed & Breakfast and bookings can be secured at www.hotelwestport.ie.

The upside of our clamour for more space in our post-lockdown holiday is that we will reacquaint ourselves with all those great country houses.

Where families can run around the corridors to their hearts’ content.

Westport House is an 18th-century manor house also on Westport Estate and just a stone’s throw away from the hotel.

Visitors can stroll through the grounds and enjoy the gardens and take in the 3.5k looped Lakeland and woodland walk.

House about that?

The house itself is open to day-visitors and they will be able to immerse themselves in 300 years of Irish heritage.

Camping and caravan breaks will be in vogue when we all get out on the road again. And you can take advantage too in the onsite 3* park on the Westport House Estate? Visit www.westporthouse.ie.

For those for whom gastronomy is central to their holiday experience. And the Irish food experience is rightly celebrated around the world then here’s some more good news.

The owner and head chef of Cian’s on Bridge Street, Cian Hayes, will be opening a pop-up restaurant experience in Hotel Westport this summer.

If you have been keen to stretch your legs, and you will be fitter than you think with all those laps around your neighbourhood.Then you will be eager to get out on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Ride on!

And for cyclists then Clew Bay Bike Hire have a fleet of two-wheelers with your name on them.

Guests at Hotel Westport can truly experience the wild Atlantic west by hiring bikes on site.And then cycling an exclusive and accessible 10km loop through the estate, the harbour, and the town.

And if you’re feeling ambitious, why not take on the breathtaking Great Western Greenway?

And meanwhile in the Disunited Kingdom

I’ll let the pictures from Bank Holiday Weekend in the United Kingdom.Where England has different rules to lockdown than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland speak for themselves.

Southend, England

And I love all parts of this Disunited Kingdom so when the time is right, and be patient.

See www.visitengland.com, www.visitscotland.com, www.visitwales.com, www.discovernorthernireland.com and http://www.visitbritain.com.

America, Culture, Deals, Ireland

Chicago-go-go-go

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Gameshow legend Jim Bowen would famously draw back the curtain and tell contestants… ‘let’s look at what you could have won.’

It’s how I feel about Chicago.

Two years ago I was invited to the Windy City but had to respectfully turn it down…

Because my Dear Old Mum decided to turn 90 then!

A dose of the Blues

The pictures of one colleague up on the stage singing the Blues, the group drinking Chicago craft beer and pizza and watching baseball at Wrigley Field didn’t help.

So what do you do when Plan A is taken off the table.

Move onto Plan B.

Which was to go this year, particularly as it’s the 100th anniversary of the Volstead Act, the start of Prohibition.

Until COVID-19 intervened.

Back with a bang

So, onto Plan C and thanks to our friends American Holidays I can see a door squeezing open again.

AH, who think of everything know too that having missed our St Patrick’s Day celebrations, may want an even bigger hooley next year.

And there are few better places than Chicago where they literally turn the river green.

It’s all part of a pitch by AH to remind us that America WILL reopen and when it does he will be first in the queue.

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the family in Chicago with American Holidays from €659pp.

Visit www.choosechicago.com.

California calling

Of course it doesn’t help when you get constant reminders of Chicago wherever you go.

Such as last year in Santa Monica https://www.santamonica.com/visit-santa-monica/ when I visited the landmark signpost marking the end of Route 66.

All great https://www.google.ie/amp/s/jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2020/03/19/my-weekend-with-marilyn-2/amp/ but of course Route 66 starts off from Chicago so I’m still waiting to get my kicks there.

I got plenty though in Santa Monica and Venice Beach https://www.visitveniceca.com.

The West Coast

And the Golden Gate obviously

And I’m getting the small fiddle out here… I was set too for San Francisco www.sftravel.com and www.visitcalifornia.com this month.

You may too have been looking forward to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Fisherman’s Wharf or ride the cable car up the hilly city.

Where’s Frasier?

Space age… in Seattle

I’ve been bingeing on Seattle’s favourite son Frasier in lockdown. Heck, I do even in normal times.

And Seattle will be on your American Holidays bespoke trip.

Again, one that got away here, the inaugural Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com mission to Seattle www.visitseattle.org.

Which I was invited on only for me to be in the air going to Denver at the time www.denver.org and Go West and The New Frontiersmen.

Seattle is unfinished business, particularly getting up that Space Needle which I see on the skyline at the start of every show.

The west coast adventure next Spring is from €1699pp.

And back in Boston

Where we first met the great psychiatrist.

And where I spent a much-storied summer working in Faneuil Hall.

While me flatmate Neily sold Cheers merchandise from a cart on the Common.

I worked 30 days flat without taking a break as others went on day breaks to Cape Cod, another destination that got away.

Boston http://www.boston.gov/visiting-boston has been dangled tantalisingly in front of my years this year too.

With a walk along Fenway Park’s Green Wall, a highlight of the itinerary which had been planned for me.

But I will be back and when I do I’ll be full of beans.

Boston and Cape Cod with American Holidays from €1450pp. See http://www.americanholidays.com