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Holidos and don’ts – saunas and hammams

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Reini thought nothing of seeing his parents in the nude when he was a kid… after all he was starkers too.

Sorry, before you have to gouge out your eyes and rinse your brain, let me explain.

We were walking the hills and the mountains of Austria and Germany on our Topflight http://www.topflight.ie trip to Ehrwald, Tirol and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

When the conversation got round to the sauna at our hotel http://www.sonnenburghotel.com.

Photo by Breakingpic on Pexels.com

Where I had spent 20 minutes the previous evening in the company of Cork Sean and Cork Mick.

Who had kept their swimming shorts on, as did I.

We’re Scottish and Irish after all.

Put a Cork in it

Reini couldn’t understand though. After all don’t we all come into the world in the nude, he enquired, with his Austrian vertical smile.

Not, British or Irish people I argued.

Still, I am making progress and the following evening I went into the sauna again in the nude and if Cork Sean and Cork Mick had come in and seen me with my Mickey out then so be it.

I had overcome some of my reservations on a previous trip to Soll.

When I went to the sauna and saw everyone else was in the nude so I dispensed with said shorts.

I was blindsided a bit when a bulky Austrian Thirtysomething came in and sat down between me and his girlfriend.

Eyes forward and behave down there.

But at least it did give me the opportunity for a breakfast set-up the following morning.

When the Austrian couple sat down at the table next to us.

Did I have the nerve to say to her within earshot of the Scary One?: ‘Sorry, I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on?’

Go figure.

I love saunas and hammams, one of the best of the latter is in Istanbul http://www.cagalogluhami.com.tr where Florence Nightingale, Rudolf Nureyev, John Travolta, Kate Moss and East 17 go when they are in town.

This is what I thought of it all… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/wham-bam-thank-you-hamam/

And you’ll get a nice cup of sweet, sweet Turkish tea after or if you’re so inclined a glass of Marmaris wine.

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Moanday Morning – cars and petrolheads

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The Scary One hasn’t let me behind the wheel for more than a dozen years… and counting.

She’s as nervous as a kitten in the passenger’s seat and has been known to grasp the handle tightly.

Before we’ve even left the driveway.

And so too did the owner of the classic Fiat 500 on the French Riviera.

Drive on…. on the course in France

I had been excited to see that we were being given the opportunity to drive around the Cote D’Azur when our Cannes itinerary came in.

Alas, the gears were hands controlled and I stalled not une, deux, mais trois fois que temps.

So Pierre took the wheel. And drove us safely around the cliffs.

The conversation was clipped with your Bandanaman in le huff.

Not my car! On Wicklow Mountains

And yes, typical male, my pride was dented and I did not take in the scenery the way I should have.

Even when we got to the beach for our picnic.

Where I sulked and skimmed stones. I’d recommend it but it may very well already be your stress-reliever.

And I was back to myself when we got in a big boat later for the drive back to Cannes.

And no I didn’t get to drive that but none of us did so that was OK.

This is what happened when I joined the Fast Set in Cannes… The Boat D’Azur.

Not even in a golf buggy… in Portugal

And guess what? My erratic driving (see, The Scary One even has me believing it) isn’t confined to the roads.

My fellow golfers on The Old Course, Cannes, were left ducking at my driving.

And I failed to follow golf etiquette by shouting ‘Quatre’!

And in Quinto da Lago I almost drove the Ryder Cup buggy into the lake! http://www.quintodalago.com and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/secret-portugal-classy-centro/

If you’re abroad and want your independence, and aren’t fazed by driving on the wrong side of the road, then go for Hertz… http://www.hertz.ie.

And maybe bring your Scary One with you.

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Holiday Snaps – Snappy dressing in New York

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Now Macy’s is many people’s shopping dream and indeed for many women fashion is a key part of their New York trip…

Heck in this, the last rock in the Atlantic before Ireland which we like to call Ireland, weekend shopping breaks across to the Big Apple are a must-do.

For those who can afford it…

And for those who can’t.

I wouldn’t put my own Dear Old Mum in that category though very fashionable she is, even at 91.

Which reminds me of the last time we were in New York together, for my cousin’s wedding… here’s our extended clan above.

We had been assigned a very specific task by my brother to get chinos.

And having lived in North America he knew the exact American sizes.

When I asked my cousin where the nearest mall to him on Long Island was he said the black mall was nearer than the white mall.

I was aghast but he wasn’t being racist it’s just the way it is.

And another thing: the shoppers were super-super-sized.

Probably because they were tanking into the fast food.

It’s an economic thing where the poorer you are the more fast food you eat.

I’d had this reaffirmed to me in Mississippi, one of America’s poorest estate and home to the most popular drive-through burger joint. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-story-of-the-blues/

But back to the other end of the spectrum to Macy’s and the woman I call Mum because that’s her name.

Browsing through the Guess coats in Macy’s http://www.macys.com for my Scary One Mum scoffed at my choice of a green coat.

And that she wanted me to tell her she had no part in its selection…

And Guess what, she’s still wearing it ten years later!

All of which nonsense is s roundabout way of flagging up Cassidy Travel’s Shop till you drop offer from €579pps.

That’ll be a three-night break with flights from Dublin.

Stay at the 3* the Manhattan at Times Square Hotel.

Flight departs December 9. http://www.cassidytravel.ie.

Start spreading the news

And here’s a different twist on NY… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/21/old-new-york-hamilton/

And while you’re there, or before you go, check out https://www.nycvb.com and the excellent New York City Pass http://www.citypass.com.

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Holiday Snaps – Yoga around the world

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I’ve just returned from Austria and Germany, as you know, after a Topflight http://www.topflight.ie hike around the Tirolian hills, with a 20-strong walking party which included some yogi.

No, not the smarter than the average bear type, but yoga teachers.

And take a bow Red Flash, below, Black Magic and Hot Yoga Hilary. Which, of course, is something that they can do better than the average Me who can’t even touch his toes.

Here were my thoughts on some Austrian food at the time… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/10/03/hungry-and-thursday-barbecues/

I’ll tell you more about this intrepid trio when I share with you my full grown-up review but for now let’s have a look at a yoga retreat in Croatia.

Courtesy of my friends at Travel Department http://www.traveldepartment.ie.

All you aspiring yogi will be spending your first night in Split on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast where I’ll be landing into God, and your accidental traveller willing, later this month. On my way to Medjugorje.

The remaining four nights of your TD holiday will be at Senses Resort on the relaxing, remote island of Hvar.

Aerial view at Hvar town in Southern Croatia, famous luxury travel destination in Europe, Mediterranean.

You will be based in a secluded resort in the charming village of Vrboska, close to pine forests, pebble beaches and the crystal blue Adriatic Sea.

There will be a total of seven yoga sessions, three every morning and three every evening, as well as a welcome Slow Flow and Guided Meditation.

It’s a stretch

I’m already feeling relaxed.

You will start each day by opening up the body/mind and getting energy flowing from tip to toe.

The morning classes will build to a relatively strong flow class, incorporating breath work and mindfulness throughout.

Evening sessions will focus on a particular section of the body, moving more deeply into it through specifically targeted postures.

And we are assured that all yoga sessions will be led by a yoga teacher from MOONSyoga.

And what’s more a yoga mat will be provided for all yoga sessions. 

Prices are from €829pp including return flights from Dublin, with five nights’ 4* B&B or half-board hotel accommodation.

You will get all your transfers, seven yoga sessions with an expert yoga instructor, daily breakfast and four evening meals. Departing May and October 2020.

For more information or to book, click here or call 01-6371633.

Yoga in Quinta

And I’ll maybe also tell you about the time I passed up World International Yoga Day in India to send a former yoga fan colleague of mine.

But in the meantime here’s a random pic of a couple of colleagues of mine in Quinta da Lago sports complex, The Campus, being stretched by a beautiful yoga teacher.

She got onto me too as you can see in the main pic. http://www.quintadolago.com. And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/06/12/sportugal/

It’s a hard life!

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Give us this Day – Oberammergau

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God, the all-powerfuly deity, is a vengeful God, a loving God, and what I’m learning with every passing year, a needy God.

He likes, or needs, constant reassurance, acknowledgement and, in olden days, sacrifice.

Which is what Oberammergau is made for… the acknowledgement bit although their meat dishes are also delicious.

The good burghers of the Bavarian town have been running a Passion Play since 1634 when they made God a bribe.

To hold a Passionsspiele https://www.ammergauer-alpen.de/oberammergau in his name if only God would just stop smiting them down with the Black Plague.

Good as his word then the Great long-bearded, white-robed, sitting-on-a-cloud One then spared them the Plague.

Oberammergau is on the eve of its latest iteration of Passionsspiele http://passionsspiele-oberammergau.de which is held every ten years.

And its shops are pedalling religious memorabilia, walking sticks and crosses that the world’s most famous carpenter, sorry Gepetto, would have been proud of.

Oberammergau is a constant reminder, whether you’re in Passionsspiele or not, of the Plague.

They are beautifully displayed on the intricate murals of its walls and its fountains.

Which is why it’s surprising that the church I pop into, the Lutheran one, is so minimalist.

Half a million people will attend Oberammergau which has become even more inclusive in modern times.

With input even from Muslim artistic creators.

You’ll need to get a shoogle on to get tickets.

Pilgrims book well in advance for the Play and accommodation is limited.

The Play’s the thing

If you can make it, and My Dear Old Mum and my Godmother did, then it will be memorable.

But if you can’t then Oberammergau is still a captivating visit any time.

I took it all in on my trip last week with Topflight http://www.topflight.ie to Garmisch-Partenkirchen https://www.gapa.de/en in Southern Bavaria and Austrian Tyrol www.tyrol.com.

And if it’s on the 150th anniversary of its fire service then you’ll know it will go with a bang.

If you love Germany as much as I do then here are a couple of love letters… Dresden’s renaissance and Hamburgers and ships.

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This Sporting Weekend – Club shops

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With apologies to Tottenham Hotspur fans everywhere this Saturday’s This Sporting Weekend comes to you by way of Bayern Munich bratwurst sausages.

Bayern, of course, are the pride and joy of Munich. And this being Bavaria they like to push their lederhosens.

Which is why their salt and pepper cellars are of a man and a woman in der lederhosen.

And why they have tins of white and brown sausages. Of course I dare say you can get steins too.

Which brings me in the kind of long-winded fashion of my fellow Scotsman Ronnie Corbett to tonight’s story.

I took a break from the drinking at the Oktoberfest to attend a Bayern Munich v Nuremburg match back in the mid-Eighties.,

It was a rather dull match which ended 1-0 to the home side.

But it was what happened afterwards that left a lasting mark.

Two Bayern women fans were giving each other pelters back at the Hofbrauhuis when gallantly I stepped in, only to cop a whack to the nose.

And my arse flying through the air and onto the ground outside courtesy of Helga the barmaid. For the second year running.

The next thing I knew I was getting my nose reset in the hospital before being sent out to get a taxi home. Only I didn’t know where.

Taxi fair

It was by sheer good luck that the cabbie figured that it must be where all the other saddos were camping and I was reacquainted with the Aussies and Kiwis who had become my bus mates.

Otherwise I might have had to stay in Munich.

I’ve been keeping you updated with my adventures through Munich airport but here’s a recap of the most recent… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/10/04/flyday-friday-das-airport-toilets-herren-und-damen/

I’ve found this wunderbar deal via http://www.lastminute.com for three nights for October 14 at the Novum Hotel Munchen Am Hauptbanhof including Ryanair flight http://www.ryanair.com from £218pp.

And look out for me at the airport… I’ll probably still be there, gasping my way up to the gate from the men’s loo three flights down.

Football crazy

Of course club shops, many of which are at airports, tap into the local culture.

And so in Scotland you will be able to buy Scotch whisky with the crests of their two biggest clubs Celtic and Rangers.

While across England you can choose from Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea paraphernalia.

While in Amsterdam you’ll get all kinds of sundries with clogs and cheese https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/pictures-of-amsterdam/.

Barcelona has Lionel Messi on everything https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/23/surfing-the-seas-in-barcelona/ and Roma https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/04/see-rome-on-e50/ has gladiators.

It’s all great fun.

Americans do things differently and love a good foam finger (steady!) but also baseball players with noddy heads.

Meet my Washington Nationals’ batter Jayson Werth who has obviously been taking lessons from yours truly… http://Easy DC.

Now, if only they could guarantee the team would win too.

MEET YOU ON THE PITCH

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Holiday Snaps… It’s Georgia, the love getaway

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I’m headin’ down the Atlanta Highway

Lookin’ for the love getaway

Headed for the love getaway, love getaway

I got me a car, it’s as big as a whale

And we’re headin’ on down to the Love Shack

The B-52s

Where you might just find your favourite Travel buddy.

I caught one of Georgia’s finest, The B-52s, last year at the American Travel Fair http://www.ipw.com.

Now they are more like The B-152s by now but they still had us rocking in the aisles.

Georgia, being in the Deep South, is infused with music and heritage.

Athens is home to angst kings REM, while James Brown, the Godfather of Soul is from Augusta.

Which just goes to prove that it’s there are some natty dressers there and it’s not all just v-necked golf jerseys.

Otis Redding also famously left his home in Georgia headings for the Frisco Bay only to sit on its deck.

Otis, methinks, was wasting’ time though. He’d have been better off staying put in Georgia though.

So why am I telling you all this? Because of the launch of the Macon Music Trail.

Now I like an oul’ Deep South Music Trail and the Blues Trail in Mississippi is one you shouldn’t miss http://msbluestrail.org.

And its accompanying review from a certain someone https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-story-of-the-blues/.

Photo by Diane Webb on Pexels.com

Macon lies in the centre of Georgia which is why I guess it is called ‘the heart of Georgia.’

It is 85kms from Atlanta which is a hub airport and hence well served from these islands. Visit http://www.google.com/flights.

To learn more about the Macon Music Trail and explore, visit www.maconmusictrail.com

For more information the latest news, developments and events in Georgia, visit www.exploregeorgia.org.

And for all things America visit http://www.visitusa..ie.

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Holiday Snaps – the WB Yachts

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In one of my more inspired moments I christened the new Irish Ferries ship WB Yachts, a twist on the Irish Nobel-winning poet WB Yeats.

They had invited us to give their new ship a name and were offering free travel for life to the winner.

And it had to be on an Irish theme, with their other ships already boasting literary names.

What’s in a name?

And so I lodged the name in my old newspaper column Holiday Snaps from where your even snappier Blog-ready Holiday Snaps derives.

Imagine then my incredulity when the less snappier WB Yeats won the competition.

Which was something I cheekily brought to their attention when they invited me on earlier this year.

WB Yachts, WB Yeats? It’s still an incredible boaty.

And you can get 10% off bookings next summer to France if booked before December 3.

Available on return bookings from March 28 until September 30. 

The WB which carries 1,800 passengers from Dublin to Cherbourg in Normandy has as you would expect a Yeats theme running through it.

There’s the high-end Lady Gregory Restaurant, above.

The less formal but tasteful Maud Gonne Bar & Lounge, below.

And The Abbey & The Peacock Cinema and Lounge.

And here’s a couple of things that will really float your boat… unlimited luggage and free wi-fi.

Now Yeats is the only poet who I can recite a whole poem from which I can only verify by videoing myself and sharing.

But you’ll be happy to know that I won’t be inflicting my rendition of An Irish Airman Foresees His Death here.

I am reminded now of my old University lecturer George Watson.

A proud native of the North, he kept us enthralled with his witty takes on the great Irish writers.

And he cheekily ended his précis on WB Yeats’ love life by saying: ‘He never did get over Maud Gonne.’

For more information and to book visit www.irishferries.com.

And for more cruise and ferry news remember Tuesday is Cruiseday..

See https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/10/01/cruiseday-tuesday-hiya-hawaii/

As a winner of our French Travel Awards it is a country I know well and am getting to know even better…

French treats

See https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-boat-dazur/,

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-lourdes-prayer-pyrenees/

As well as https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/06/the-other-lourdes-a-castle-eagle-and-fish/

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/07/28/lourdes-pyrenees-give-us-this-day/

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Flyday Friday – Das airport toilets Herren und Damen

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I feel I know Franz J Strauss better now than my own wife.

Having spent a good bit of time with him on four visits to his airport in the last couple of weeks.

Franz J is not from the illustrious musical Strausses, the elder of whom gave his name to Vienna Airport.

He was in fact a former President of Bavaria.

And were he alive today I’d want to ask him why men have to walk down three flights of stairs beside Gate B15 to get to the loo.

Hopping on one leg

While the women’s lav is on the same level.

You see it’s just that I don’t want to be caught with my pants down running up the steps.

To try to catch my connecting flight…

Again.

I’ve flown Lufthansa http://www.lufthansa.com out from Dublin and then Lufthansa operating with Aegean.

Or I should have done had I not missed that connection and, luckily thanks to Dani, was given a later connection when I missed that.

Then Ryanair http://www.ryanair.com out now and Aer Lingus http://www.aerlingus.com back.

Choose from these or any other major airline. I’m trying to complete the set. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/01/hungry-and-thursday-the-munich-beerfest/

Dublin or Dubai?

Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels.com

Talking of our national airline carrier… they want to fly out for less.

Pitching their latest offer as ‘From Madrid to Munich, Malaga to Manchester, you can save up to 30% on winter flights’ got me thinking about being in two places at once.

Apart from the fact that I struggle to be in one place at once.

But while I was away in Austria I could have been in Dubai where I was invited to or Madrid which also cam my way.

Neither of which I have visited but hope to for different reasons.

In fact I very nearly did find myself in the queue for Dubai… those pesky abbreviations.

Qatar’s the star… and Sydney too

Opera in the buff. Photo by Mudassir Ali on Pexels.com

All the Middle Eastern airways will fly you out there to that metropolis and further afield such as Australasia.

Now you won’t see it in this picture but my mate Fugee lives next door to the Sydney Opera House.

Fugee, or Ian as he was my Sports Editor (no, it was actually pretty much always Fufee) was the best manager I’ve ever had.

On account of him pushing me to get on the slippery career ladder. Before the bloody thing was pulled away from me a couple of months ago.

Heck, every cloud and all that and that’s why you’re reading these tales now.

Anyhoos, Qatar Airways http://www.qatarairways.com will fly you to Sydney for £733pp.

Now Qatar has been on our radar because Scotland are going to be there for the World Cup in three years time!

Remember Saturdays are This Sporting Weekend in your all-action Travel blog so make sure you’re there when the whistle blows….

https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/28/sporting-weekend-helping-you-over-the-line/. And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/07/this-sporting-weekend-internationals/

Ryanair flyin’ there

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

Of course it’s not just Ryanair who do red eyes but you’ll find the best fares bang in the middle of the morning so if you can handle not having any sleep.

Ryanair has up to €30 off return flights on a half a million sets to a bunch of destinations.

Including Athens from €14.99.

I’d have fancied that a couple of weeks ago instead of being stuck in Munich airport!

The offer is for travel, October to May 2020. The offer ends Midnight on Sunday.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

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More Austrian toilet humour – flushing

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They came from far and wide to the cable car station above Ehrwald to see this feat of lavatorial science.

The Austrians are like that, they like a loo joke and this revolving toilet seat is right up there.

On inspection the other loos didn’t have the blue button that activates it so I’d recommend arriving early so as not to be disappointed.

I’m afraid to say that I had nothing to deposit… I had still to line my tummy with Tirolean sausages.

And anyway I’d only gone in for a No.1.

Who am I kidding? I’d been tipped off about the local lav by a member of our party on our Topflight trip to Ehrwald http://www.topflight.ie.

Not that you’d be left short had you just gone in for a pee.

The Tiroleans http://ehrwald.tirol.gv.at line the walls of the gents above the cubicles with wholesome and pigtailed young women.

In traditional and tight-fitting costumes.

One is holding a pretzel, another is holding four or five steins of lager.

I held my nerve.

And caught up with my party to climb some mountains.

What surprises could they have in store for me up there?

And here are some more musings about Ehrwald and neighbouring Bavaria.

Austrian toilet humour. And Water rip-off – a German pit stop. And Soll Mates.