Uncategorized Archives - Page 10 of 54 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Cruises are cruelly tagged as for the ‘overfed, newly wed and nearly dead.’

Which is an outdated view of life on the high seas, if ever it was really true in the first place.

Cruises are popular, of course, with our senior surfers who will gladly return time after time.

While they are great as Three Generation trips to celebrate special birthdays or anniversaries.

A 100th birthday is always cause for a huge marker and Travel Corporation, the parent company for Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and U River Cruises have not forgotten us in their celebrations.

*The new Super Ship, the SS Bon Voyagein Bordeaux in 2020 with 30% savings*

For new bookings made between today and 3 January, guests will save up to 30% off select sailings across most itineraries and room categories.

Such as these Uniworld itineraries: the new Rhine, Moselle & Blissful Baden-Baden(starting at €2,799, savings of €1,200 per person).

Cruising down the river is part of German life… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/dresdens-renaissance-martin-luther/

Or Gems of Northern Italy (starting at €2,099, savings of over €900pp).

On one of Uniworld’s newest Super Ships for 2020, the S.S. La Venezia, for ten days overnight on the Venetian island Burano, a first for any cruise line.

*Water is a way of life in Northern Italy*

Cruising is the best way to see this part of the world…. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/15/padova-city-of-frescoes/

The offer also applies to U River Cruises’ four new and updated itineraries for 2020.

These seven-night itineraries visit hot European destinations like Amsterdam, Vienna, Brussels, Cologne and Belgrade.

Amsterdam & Brussels Bound which is a great excuse for using this picture… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/pictures-of-amsterdam/

While they’re also flagging up Vienna Vibe , Rolling on the Rhine and Eastern Europe Esca.

Visit http://www.uniworld.com and http://www.ubyuniworld.com. And http://www.ttc.com.

Water oasis in the desert

It’s blessed relief in the desert… water.

And listen up, cruiseheads here’s your favourite holiday with all kinds of attractions such as waterparks thrown in and a great deal.

Royal Caribbean International has a buy one cruise fare, get one 60% off and up to €150 off your stateroom which ends today. Visit http://www.royalcaribbean.ie.

And as you know I’m a big fan, let’s relive this… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/a-royal-party/

Breakfast of champions

And I’ll also be having my annual breakfast with the high heid yins from Celebrity Cruises http://www.celebritycruises.ie later this week.

And I will report back to you on all that’s happening…

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

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Holidos and don’ts – sat-nav and maps

4th November 20194th November 2019 funtime65

My father-in-law is a topographer, he loves maps so much he takes them to the bathroom… even though he knows the way.

It was his great misfortune then to be dumped with the most directionless son-in-law on God’s Green Earth.

I blame me, my compass of a wife, me, other people, and, er, me.

And sat-nav.

*Watch those corners. Photo by Анна Галашева on Pexels.com*

My Scary One also takes after her father and one family holiday saw her arguing with Siri as we navigated ourselves around Bristol.

And, of course, Sarah won over Siri.

I thought was a Godsend at first when I first discovered it but it has turned out to be a temptress.

And like all sirens it stops you thinking for yourself and leads you into the rocks.

*Now which side is the dark one? Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com*

Whatever did the ancients do without sat-nav, what with that outdated path they call the stars and the sky?

Despite living in Ireland for 13 years I still get lost in Dublin and end up resorting to Google Maps.

Only I then have no internet and am loath to turn on Data Roaming.

While there’s also the risk of getting run over crossing the road while listening to Siri’s directions.

*Modern gadgets. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com*

All of which can be fixed with a map.

Only I never know what’s north, what’s south, what’s left, what’s right… in fact being a rightie I always turn right.

And then the map also gets turned around in your hand by a gust of wind.

Anyone for Venice?

Or because of folding and refolding it gets torn and worn at the corners just at the point you want to go.

The best city map was our Venice guide http://www.venezia-tourism.com which came with a compass.

And if you’ve ever been to the lagoon city (and if you haven’t then why) you’ll know that its maze of lanes will soon see you lost.

Without help.

This is what happened when I took time out from my trip to Padova to show my friends the Great City… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/15/padova-city-of-frescoes/

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/11/give-us-this-day-padova/ and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/15/give-us-this-day-st-anthonys-teeth/

All of which is a reminder, and The Scary One’s aunt is constantly telling me… I should always bring the wife with me.

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Holiday Snaps – Poetry at the Rose Hotel, Tralee

3rd November 20193rd November 2019 funtime65

There was a young man from Glasgow…
Jim Murty, The Forth Stanza

Truth be told I’m really only doing this blog between Edinburgh Fringe poetry performances… the organisers have been onto me every year since 2002.

To return with my group The Forth Stanza.

Who back in the day were as big in the world of poesy as Take That were in pop music.

We were five former student pals who hooked up together over pints and poems and toured Scotland.

Honing our first show we decided to go away for a lads’ weekend in Dunblane, Perthshire where the juices positively flowed.

The Rose Hotel, Tralee has the same idea and has a series of literary evenings with special guests to while away the November nights.

Kicking it all off on Wednesday 6^th November is Ireland’s foremost spoken word artist, Stephen James Smith.

Best-selling author Róisín Meaney will doff her floppy haat on Wednesday 13^th November.

While the following Wednesday it’ll be the turn of award-winning writer Donal Ryan.

Writer, poet and broadcaster Michael Murphy will bring it all to a close on November 27 when he will be in conversation with former fellow broadcaster Ciana Campbell.

The writing nights will run from 8pm–9.30pm in the Kerry Suite of The Rose Hotel, with admission free with no reservation required.

You can also make a night of it and enjoy an overnight stay from €75pps including dinner and breakfast.

For more information, call +353 (0)66 7199100 or email info@therosehotel.com

A welcome by the fireside

Some of the biggest welcomes you’ll get are from Irish hoteliers.

Like in Monaghan where I arrived a week early and they turned things around for me and the town juggled everything for us… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/monaghans-country-roads/.

Dublin and Co. Wicklow is where I’ve spent the last 13 years and this is where I’d stay when I’m away from Chez Murty… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-intercontinental-what-a-ledge/ and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/flowerscourt/.

I always love to get up north, not least to see The Son and Heir. His floor is an inviting prospect but I prefer Hastings Hotels… http://www.hastingshotels.com.

And, of course, the best country in the world is Scotland. And here are the two cities I love best… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/04/15/sportstraveltraveltravel/.

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/brexit-aberdeen-a-light-in-the-north/.

MEET YOU BY THE FIRESIDE

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Give us this Day – The Wee Chapel

3rd November 20193rd November 2019 funtime65

Living in area known for its orchards we were drawn to our house by its apple trees.

One of the other attractions was its outhouse which is a popular feature of houses in Ireland.

I duly named it the Wee Apple and turned into a bar.

I promptly set up a grotto too which I christened The Wee Chapel.

All of which is my roundabout way of saying that prayer houses don’t have to be as grand as St Paul’s Basilica.

Any church you go into in Italy of course will beckon you in to pray.

This is what it’s all about… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/04/see-rome-on-e50/.

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/small-roads-lead-to-rome/.

And it’s not just us Catholics that have the best churches, as we’d like to think. Here’s the Frauenkirche in Dresden… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/dresdens-renaissance-martin-luther/,

And the Muslims have their Blue Mosque in Istanbul https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/wham-bam-thank-you-hamam/.

*Blue for you: The Blue Mosque in Istanbul*

We really do find God in the smallest of things and the quietest of places, in nature and in us.

Catholic priests, who tried to say Mass during the days of Henry VIII and then again under Cromwell, would often find a hidden room in an estate.

While in Ireland it was a Mass rock.

For Muslims a makeshift prayer place can be set up anywhere.

With a few stones placed in the right direction… towards Mecca.

As I found in Wabi Rum in Jordan this year https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/petra-jordan-jesus-and-the-sands-of-time/.

The Blue Cross

The reason why I’m talking about my Wee Chapel this week is because I have come back with more trinkets from my latest pilgrimage.

Of course I was falling over holy paraphernalia in Medjugorje https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/10/20/give-us-this-day-confessions-and-medjugorje/.

Now Our Lady and the Blue Cross will be taking up residence in my Wee Chapel.

Which means that when I’m out picking up the apples I will say a wee prayer as I pass.

Me picking up apples?

Now The Scary One really will consider that a miracle!

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Holiday Snaps… save on the slopes

2nd November 20192nd November 2019 funtime65

The oul’ bobble hat has come out this week which means one of two things.

One, that I need to get out to the sun. Check… I’m off to Tobago next month.

Two, that I need to get back out on the slopes… put that on the to do list.

Particularly as there are some great offers out there.

Such as savings of €100 per booking for the ski season with Crystal. €100* per booking on selected accommodations.

Having walked the mountains in Austria’s Tirol https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/10/01/austrian-toilet-humour/ and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/10/03/__trashed/ just last month I got a sense that the snows were falling gently heralding the ski season to come.

Crystal offers a seven-night stay in the 3* Haus Edelweiss, Zell Am See on a B&B basis from €735pp. Depart December 21.

While seven nights B&B at the 2* Haus Prichmoos in Soll is from €615pp. And it’s a resort that I know well having fallen down its slopes… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/soll-mates/

While in Austria our guide Reini took us over the mountains and across to Germany and also pointed out Italy which was maybe a couple of days away.

Maybe ski it? Crystal has seven nights at the 3* Residence Planibel Apartments, La Thuile, self-catering from €365pp (four share). Depart January 17.

Or seven nights B&B at the 3* Hotel Clotes, Sauze D’oulx from €635pp.

Andorra’s box of tricks

Andorra is clearly an old favourite and Crystal are right on board with the tiny country in the Pyrenees.

Seven nights at the 3* Hotel Katmandou, Pas De La Case on a half-board basis for seven nights from €519pp. Depart December 22.

Again I’ve been walking in the Pyrenees… don’t judge me, there’s no snow to ski in the summer or the autumn but I love them and it was on a Lourdes and Pyrenees trip… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-lourdes-prayer-pyrenees/.

And for more on this delightful region… https://www.lourdes-france.org/. And https://www.hautespyrenees.fr/.

All offers include flights from Dublin. Visit http://www.crystalski.ie.

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South Africa’s prize boy from the township

2nd November 201928th December 2019 funtime65

Iain Buchanan was uncharacteristically unSouth African when I asked him in February if the Springboks would win the Rugby World Cup.

No, man!

Well, Iain and the gang will be breaking out the Cape white wine.

With ice, like they do in South Africa, today in the Mount Camdeboo Game Reserve https://newmarkhotels.com/places/reserves/mount-camdeboo/.

Iain was more definite and enthused when asked about what Nelson Mandela had done for South Africa… What’s new pussycat?

‘A great man, a great man.’

You can’t separate the Rainbow Nation and the modern Springboks story. Nor should you.

And I somehow think that Mandela will be smiling broadly up there today for Siya Kolisi.

Braai high: In the Port Elizabeth township

The boy from the Port Elizabeth township.

Which I visited on that same trip to PE and the Eastern Cape… Day in the life of a township and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/home/whats-new-pussycat/.

And had a braai (a South African barbecue) in the type of shebeen Kolisi referenced in his victory speech.

*We’re all Springboks here. In the township*

Where I met a resistance fighter, Xhanti, who now spends his weekends on a golf course until recently a whites preserve.

A resistance fighter and a fine golfer, Xhanti

Growing up and watching from afar you couldn’t support South African sportsmen because of apartheid.

Now it’s hard not to.

And today as Kolisi testified they will be celebrating as much in the townships as on the farms.

MEET YOU AT THE BRAAI

And some important websites: www.southafrica.net/meetyoursouthafrica.

And www.southafrica.net.

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My Sporting Weekend – Washington Nationals

2nd November 20192nd November 2019 funtime65

No, I’m not trying to avoid mentioning the Rugby World Cup Final… or the British Commonwealth Cup as I prefer to call it.

There aren’t many sports, to be fair, that are truly universal and can really claim to have a ‘world’ cup.

Baseball falls into that sphere with the World Series being an all-American affair (with Toronto Blue Jays).

These past couple of weeks all American, ex-pats and Americanophile eyes were on the World Series.

Between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros.

But for the rest it was only when The Donald popped up at the stadium of his local team and was booed that they took any interest.

Shame because baseball is at the heart of American culture.

And is the nearest to a blue-collar game comparable to my favourite sport football that there is.

*Home run: The Nationals’ next big star*

I first got interested in baseball when I spent a summer after university working in Boston.

And spending my spare time watching Roger Clemens’ Red Sox.

I also took in the World Series-winning new franchise Toronto Blue Jays where my brother was living.

And I really got into them and their rituals such as ringing a bell when star player George Bell came out to bat.

Fast forward to a couple of years ago and I fulfilled a sporting ambition when I took my stance in a batting cage.

In the Washington Nationals’ ball park.

And knocked it out of the park.

We were being hosted by the American travel fair www.ipw.com and were treated to a fireworks display to bring down the curtain on the convention.

Mr Murty goes to Washington

Washington www.washington.org is a political town (obvs) and Washingtonians are a discerning crowd.

It remains my fave American city Easy DC although I have far too many still to visit.

I also visited Denver’s team, the Colorado Rockies when in town www.denver.org last year… Go West.

And took in an Angels game in Anaheim www.visitanaheim.org earlier this year.

When despite the best efforts of star player Michael Trout it was clear that they wouldn’t be troubling the World Series.

A new baseball ritual

Now that we’ve established that baseball is more than a game and that we love their rituals what about adding this to the seventh-inning stretch…

That every attending US President should be booed (yet to decide on which inning)!

Aer Lingus have what they are billing Wickedly Good Deals to North America, with pre-clearance, including the American capital.

From €159 each way as part of a return trip. Travel dates through to 31 March.

Book by November 4… www.aerlingus.com.

MEET YOU IN THE BLEACHERS

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Flyday Friday – Abu Dhabi do

1st November 20191st November 2019 funtime65

Beep, beep! Fiftysomethings, like your impossibly youthful looking Travel blogger, spent half their childhoods watching Wile E. Coyote chase the Road Runner.

And Bugs Bunny (a bit smart ass for me). I loved Sylvester, Tweety Pie, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn and Daffy Duck though.

I haven’t a Scooby why I haven’t got to Warner Bros World in Abu Dhabi before.

Although I do know why I missed out on Warner Bros. Studios Tour in Hollywood… I say, I say, I say I do know.

I reckon it was the calamari in Venice Beach which turned me green. Almost put me off it, almost!

Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi should be on your to do list if you stop off there on your long-haul.

I’m collecting mosques (Istanbul) Wham bam, thank you Hamam (and Sarajevo) Sarajevo – the Scot that was heard around the world.

*Is it really winter there? Photo by Iva Prime on Pexels.com*

And the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque looks like one I need to get down on my knees on their magic carpet to give thanks for.

Book a two-night stopover in Abu Dhabi and get your second night free. Visit www.etihad.com.

Now I’ve also found something else interesting in my inbox. Ten nights in Phuket’s 4* Baumanburi Resort & Spa with Escape2 http://www.escape2.ie two free nights in the 5* Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort.

Prices from €1149pp. Offers based on travel in February. Other dates available.

Sheikh it up TUI

*The other side of Egypt. Photo by chepté cormani on Pexels.com*

It’s often the trips that you pass up, or are passed up for you, that stick in the mind.

Such as the invitation to go out to Sharm El Sheikh which came around a few years ago.

And which I kindly gave to a colleague.

Such were the instabilities then that a couple of weeks later Sharm El Sheik was hit by a terrorist atrocity.

With all such things the people on the ground in the industry are also victims and it is good to see that TUI http://www.tui.co.uk and Red Sea Holidays http://www.redseaholidays.co.uk have reopened its market there from the UK.

Fire and ice in Iceland

*Photo by Gabriel Kuettel on Pexels.com*

It doesn’t look like it is good breeding ground for modern beat combo music but there are good vibes coming out of Iceland.

AWAL and Icelandair will include an ‘A World Artists Love’ showcase at Iono on November 7 at 8pm.

I’m told Millie Turner (UK), Joesef (UK), Yaeger (Sweden), Warmland (Iceland), Joipe x Kroli (Iceland).

The festival’s big headliners are Of Monsters And Men who the Son And Heir only interviewed recently when they came to Dublin.

And the Irish are flying the flag too with Dundalk’s Just Mustard. Dublin’s Pillow Queens and AE Mak who are also from Dundalk.

Icelandair packages to Airwaves start from €293 including flights from Dublin to Reykjavik and a festival pass. https://www.icelandair.com/en-ie/vacations/city-breaks/iceland-airwaves/.

And also visit http://icelandairwaves.is for the full line-up and other news.

The fountain of youth

Pet hate… commentators who try to make a name for themselves by throwing out controversial opinions.

Such as The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not all that and that Big Ben is just a bell (it’s actually the Great Bell but I’ll let them off that) and that they were underwhelmed by the Trevi Fountain.

On my first trip to Rome, a surprise 40th birthday gift from La Scary Una, she was most excited to show me Trevi Fountain.

And so as we turned into piazza after piazza I gasped at the fountain before me which she was only too pleased to tell me was not the Trevi Fountain.

Aer Lingus who have launched a ‘November deals to gorgeous cities’ offer, among which is a five-star city break in Rome.

You’ll get return tickets Dublin to Rome with three nights at the 5-star Radisson Blue Es Hotel.

You’ll be paying a discount price of €2286.80pp. Visit http://www.holidayswithaerlingus.com. And here’s some Rome love for you… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/04/see-rome-on-e50/.

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/small-roads-lead-to-rome/.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

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Hungry and Thursday – Sri Lankan curry

31st October 201931st October 2019 funtime65

No, you’re not seeing things… that really is your Travel blogger (I get everybody, anybody else to cook for me) in an apron.

This week’s hosts on the oul’ Travel circuit, G Adventures, set us all a challenge… make our own lentil curry at home.

So they sent us of with this bag of lentils and spices and a recipe….

The enjoyment of which lasts longer than a selfie stick or battery pack which will give in on you by the time you get home.

This bag of goodies and the recipe enclosed is for a Sri Lankan Dhal Curry.

Community tourism

And it’s based on a spice mix developed by Sthree Cafe, a Planaterra project located in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

This collaboration with the communities they send us on holiday too is what G Adventures is all about.

Helping to give them a foot up… and I found this when I went to Jordan with them https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/petra-jordan-jesus-and-the-sands-of-time/.

Now I know a thing or two about Sri Lankans too… unfortunately I haven’t been yet but I joined the staff on the Maldives to play cricket and football.

And became a bit of a hit, even if I did run out their opener. And they politely asked my group as they served them through the day if Mr Jim would be back.

This is a brief reminder of that Maldives adventure…. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/12/atoll-tale-the-maldives/

Now G Adventures are flagging up 12 destinations for 2020, among them Ireland.

They are particularly taken by our Leap Year tradition of reversing the traditional engagement proposal to women asking for a hand in marriage?

And are right on board with Galway as a European Capital of Culture for 2020.

G Adventures has a new National Geographic Journeys Iconic Ireland trip for those wanting to join the craic. Priced from €2,449pp for a nine-day trip from Dublin return.

Now I’m looking through their list and I’m noticing that there’s only two destinations I’ve been to… Ireland, obvs, and South Africa… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/home/whats-new-pussycat/

Let’s hear it for Sri Lanka

The last word though I’ll give to Sri Lanka…

Particularly after the troubles they had with terrorism and how this welcoming people have got back on their feet since.

To help support this return, the government is offering a free visa for travellers from 48 countries, including the UK and Ireland.

A 14-day Sri Lanka Encompassed trip is priced from €1,639pp travelling from Colombo to Mirissa.

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Flyoween with Ryanair

31st October 201931st October 2019 funtime65

Our friends at our ubiquitous low-fares airline Ryanair love nothing better than an eye-catching pun.

Well, maybe getting us to offload our spare change on their offers…

And then getting our wallets out for the surcharges!

Of course at seasonal holidays they go into overdrive.

This year though they’ve just sent us a picture of a model in a black dress in a blue wig and a pointy hat.

Holding balloons with a backdrop of a bad moon rising and cobwebs.

Still, the best part is the deals that they’re offering…

25% off 20,000 seats for travel from January to March with a deadline of midnight tonight.

They www.ryanair.com flag up Eindhoven, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Southend, London Stanstead, one-way €9.99.

And randomly Luxembourg which I’ve still to visit which I’m told you can zip around in a day.

My own wee country, Scotland, can also be wrapped up in a few days though obvs you’re better staying a lifetime…

You know me, I like to find you all sorts of ways to enjoy Jockoland.

Cruiseday Tuesday – Scotland is Arctic gives you the chance to see the Highlands and Edinburgh on the way to the Arctic.

You might also hear about my favourite city Here’s Aberdeen. A light in the north.

Category: Uncategorized

Cruiseday Tuesday – Birthday celebrations

Water oasis in the desert

Breakfast of champions

Holidos and don’ts – sat-nav and maps

Anyone for Venice?

Holiday Snaps – Poetry at the Rose Hotel, Tralee

A welcome by the fireside

Give us this Day – The Wee Chapel

The Blue Cross

Holiday Snaps… save on the slopes

Andorra’s box of tricks

South Africa’s prize boy from the township

My Sporting Weekend – Washington Nationals

Mr Murty goes to Washington

A new baseball ritual

Flyday Friday – Abu Dhabi do

Sheikh it up TUI

Fire and ice in Iceland

The fountain of youth

Hungry and Thursday – Sri Lankan curry

Community tourism

Let’s hear it for Sri Lanka

Flyoween with Ryanair