Uncategorized Archives - Page 19 of 54 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

The sun is shining here outside my front window and it’s a bright Autumn day, so it must be time to get the skis on.

Or your skates, or whatever indicates urgency that winter is just around the corner.

The first sign of winter approaching, of course, is not the nights pulling in, the cold, or a flake or two of snow,

It’s that the Topflight Today FM Ski Trip with Ian Dempsey is now open for bookings.

The 21st Topflight Today FM Ski Trip will be held in Bad Hofgastein, part of the Gastein area which boasts 220kms of skiing., from 25 January. And Ian will go live from the slopes each morning.

Right I could snow blind you with skiing science but I know you want to know more about the apes-ski.

Bands on the (ski) run

And there is plenty. From party nights, quiz nights, themed fancy dress to the gig of the week.

And the Top Flight Today FM Ski Trip doesn’t disappoint there.

The Saw Doctors and the Coronas have each got the skiers rocking, in 2011 and 2015 and the act lined up for next year who have yet to be unveiled will be right up there too,

Music sessions will be in abundance on the slopes including live sets from the trip’s resident band The Harleys,

The Top Flight Today FM trip is a staple in the winter calendar. Because of its great skiing, willing participants and mighty craic.

For example where else would you see the official GAA Puc Fada high in the Austrian Alps.

The Irish are Coming.

The trip can be booked on www.todayfmskitrip.ie or by calling 01 240 1700 / 028 9752 1168 Options available from Dublin, Cork & Belfast.

And here’s what happened with a couple of Soll Mates out in Austria on the slopes… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/soll-mates/

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Snoop Dogg and me acting the goat in California

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I don’t think Snoop Dogg was talking to me but the ladies were.

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, as his Mammy christened him, was entertaining us in the way only he could.

Standing on the pristine Huntington Beach in Southern California playing us a set of his tunes and standard party hits.

While smoking a funny cigarette.

Snoop was always going to be an ambitious choice for a corporate event, the American Travel Fair www.ipw.com, but the Big Fella is a likeable rogue and delivered.

And nobody baulked when Mr and Mrs America, the Mayor and his wife, and their two perfectly presented kids walked on stage.

To greet the Long Beach native through a plume of smoke.

California is the hippy state where anything goes and where an old man can get a high five for purpling up his beard.

Of course it doesn’t get much better than Natasha Bedingfield picking you out in the crowd the next day in Anaheim.

But she deserves her own slot so I’ll reshare that story with you another time.

Huntington Beach, Anaheim, West Hollywood, Hollywood et al is SoCal, Southern California which we all know about and keep coming back to… www.visitcalifornia.com.

SloCal is the area between Los Angeles and San Fransisco and prides itself on being even more laid-back.

So that’s almost horizontal then.

And all right by me and Snoop.

Now I’ve been flagging up the fun that’s been had in the surfing war between Surf City USA Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz.

www.surfcityusa.com and www.cityofsantacruz.com

Huntington won in the courts but whisper that around Santa Cruz, and its delegates when they make their annual pilgrimage to Ireland.

Although I must say that Huntington did tempt me with their hospitality when I visited and their surfing dogs competition every autumn.

But I learn now that Huntington is not the only beach for surfing animals in California.

They like to act the goat in Pismo Beach.

Acting the goat

Dana McGregor has built up quite a following on the back of goatie Pismo and his two pals who he has taught to surf https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article39452574.html and http://surfinggoats.com.

He offers surfboard lessons, stand-up paddle board lessons and SUP/Surf camps on Pismo Beach.

You want to see a Dancing Dad dance the waves again…

On board Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Oasis of the Seas’ FlowRider simulator in Barcelona www.royalcaribbean.ie.

Thought you might.

For more information on SloCal, keep posted here and also visit www.slocal.com.

And remember Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com flies direct to LAX from Dublin.

LA is from €204 each way as part of a return trip. Book by September 23. And you’ll get pre-clearance.

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Cruiseday Tuesday – Nile’s better

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Ancient conquerors and empire builders get a bad press – they were really just adventurers who wanted to see your land.

Now if only they had put away the slaughter they’d have been very welcome.

Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte were among the most successful and like most emperors they cut a dash.

Jools and Bony would have sailed into Egypt back in the day in a very different vessel than the one you’ll be going on.

*Sphinx I know this. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com*

But Luxury Gold want you to use your imagination as they flag up walking in the footsteps of the two military geniuses.

On a seven days visit January to March of next year which they are pitching at €2,345pps, down from €2595pps.

You’ll float down the Nile on board the River Tosca and visit the Temple of Luxor, the necropolis of ancient Thebes and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Oh, and the Sphinx and the Pyramids. No wonder Jools and Bony went sight-seeing. http://WWW.LUXURYGOLDVACATIONS.COM.

Alluring Sunway

There are few things more opulent than arriving into port on your grand cruise ship.

It’s just that my Royal Caribbean cruise experiences have never actually seen me decamp at port…

I guess they never trusted me to get back on board.

A jaunt around the English Channel and a trip from Florida to the Bahamas that were truly memorable but without the stop-offs.

Still relive them with me here… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/a-royal-party/. And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-to-here/.

*Barcelona is the answer to your prayers*

Well, something to look forward to, and you will be full of anticipation too for the Sunway Classic Med Fly Cruise on board Allure of the Seas http://www.sunway.ie.

Departing from Barcelona on September 6 next year you will call at Palma de Mallorca, Marseilles (for Provence), La Spezia (for Florence and Pisa) and Civitavecchia for Rome and Naples. From €1145pp.

Down by the riverside

Passau skyline during sunset, Bavaria, Germany.

Sailing down the river in Germany is one of the great pleasures afforded to our Teuton friends.

Which I had the pleasure to enjoy with them on my trip to the German Travel Mart in Dresden where I enjoyed a jaunt down the Elbe https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/dresdens-renaissance-martin-luther/.

So I’d say you’ll enjoy taking in the old town of Passau with its historic 17th century towers and St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Which is just one of the highlights that Travel Department is offering as part of its five-day Discover the Delights of the Danube taster cruise package.

Next you will sail to Vienna, where a guided walk will show you the sights of the city.

*Vienna for a whirl. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com*

Following this you will dock in Budapest where you will be escorted on a guided tour of the historic centre.

The next stop is the Slovakian Republic capital of Bratislava.

For your last full day on board you will visit the Austrian city of Milk. Before heading back home you till revisit Germany and join a morning tour of Munich.

Prices from €1099pp including return flights, transfers, five night full-board river cruise, and guided excursions, departing on September 25.

Book before September 20 and receive €25 off per person with the code VP-SEP25. For more information or to book, click HERE or call 01-6371600.

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It’s our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

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The world has changed a lot in the last 25 years but we’ve not… unless it is to get even more handsome and pretty.

Twenty-five years ago today Sarah and I (yes, that’s her name, the Scary came later) formed a modern-day Scotland and England union.

And as the fractures in the older United Kingdom have threatened to pull that union asunder, ours has survived and thrived.

And begotten two heirs… and lost a whole lot more hairs.

Which brings us to the holiday bit… we honeymooned in Corfu and it will be poignant that I will be returning to Greece this week.

Alas without my goddess… but I did try, honest!

The Greeks, or Hellenes as they liked to call themselves, are of course an ancient people.

So the economic (a Greek word) problems they’ve suffered are just a blip in their history (another Greek word).

I’ll visit the Acropolis and of course get a selfie with the obligatory caption ‘An Old Relic and the Acropolis’.

But I’ll also be taking in the greater Attica region and visiting the beaches.

Before rounding it all off with a visit to Aphrodite’s island, the one she was born on, Kephyra.

And I’ll bring back a souvenir of my trip, the thing I know my Sarah loves better than anything else.

ME.

In the meantime here are a couple of unforgettable trips we’ve been on which coincided with past anniversaries.

*Beach boy and girl: In Aveiro in Portugal*

Central Portugal above… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/secret-portugal-classy-centro/ Visit http://www.visitportugal.com

And the Norwegian fjords below… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-call-of-the-fjords/ See http://www.msccruises.ie and http://www.msccruises.co.uk.

And Hamburg… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/hamburgers-and-ships/ Visit http://www.visithamburg.com.

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Monday Saver – €1500pp Maldives

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Vanessa is one of those contagious spirits who convert you to their cause through their enthusiasm and dedication.

Of course, I ought to have been doing more then without anybody having to tell me.

But German Vanessa awoke me to the perils of plastic pollution in the ocean when I visited the Maldives.

I swear she talks to the turtles, hence me Christening her Mother Turtle. And I dare say they talk to her too.

Tropical Sky (tropicalsky.ie / 01 664 9999) is offering savings of up to €1,500 per person on seven-night stays at the five star LUX* South Ari Atoll for travel completed before January 5, if booked by Septermber 30.

The holiday now costs from €2,599 per person.

So what will you get:

Villa-only resort offers an off-grid island experience on the shores of Dhidhoofinolhu, bordered by turquoise lagoons.

The villas are spread along the palm-fringed beach and feature lofty thatched roofs with luxurious bathrooms and a private garden with an outdoor shower.

Guests can sail out on a traditional dhoni and swim up close to whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and manta rays, with tailored programmes led by experienced instructors.

Based on two sharing on half-board basis including flights from Dublin and transfers.

You want to learn more about the Maldives… here’s my review https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/12/atoll-tale-the-maldives/

And a touch of Barbados, obviously

I like to keep up with events in Barbados… I have an insider there, my old pal Jevan.

Tropical Sky are also on the case for me.

They (tropicalsky.ie / 01 664 9999) is offering savings of up to €690 per person on seven-night stays at the 4* The Sands Barbados for travel completed before 20 December, if booked by 30 September.

The holiday now costs from €1,429 per person.

So what do you get?

Brand-new all-inclusive beachfront resort situated across two and a half acres of white sand on the south coast.

Ideal for families and groups, with suites sleeping up to six and oceanfront penthouses, as well as tranquil rooms overlooking the landscaped gardens for couples.

Highlights include palm-fringed freshwater swimming pool, spa and free scuba lessons.

Based on two sharing on all-inclusive basis and including flights from Dublin and transfers.

Some local knowledge

Remember this is the first place to go to get a feel for Barbados https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/rihanna-in-barbados/.

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/my-kiss-with-rihanna/.

Now if you bump into Vanessa or Jevan then tell them I’ll be back over real soon.

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Holidos and don’ts – time flies in the US

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One of the great joys of going on holiday is never having to worry about what time it is.

Until you do.

After all they’re on a different clock.

Which means you have to factor that in to your new daily routine.

The first thing to do is change the time on your watch.

*Reset the watch. Photo by Malcolm Garret on Pexels.com*

Don’t try to do the math in your head – that’s too much of a rush when you’re trying to catch the plane.

Remember too to triple, quadruple, quintuple check your flight time.

And if you’ve booked independently from your trip make sure that your times match.

You don’t want to be that clod who books his flights back from Denver, Colorado… Go West. http://www.visitdenver.org

Only to check the times the night before and find that the connecting flight is too early.

Too late is too bad to.

Now you’ve probably got time converters on your phone but if not check out https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html.

You’ve probably got the transatlantic flight time sorted out but the connecting flight can catch you out.

The date on your flight schedule will be clearly written on your documents only among a plethora of other information.

And while in your head you’re on the same day as back home remember that there’s a chance that you have to jump a day.

*Yeah, I might have been messing around being a cowboy*

So the flight that you’re expecting to take eight hours is really taking 16 hours.

And the date on your schedule could be a date later than you think.

Eight hours in Denver Airport

Just saying, and you can thank me later.

The upside, and there are precious few, is that if you have to spend eight hours in Denver airport then there are worse airports.

There are great food fares and shopping outlets, a putting green and an art gallery.

They had a fantastic exhibition of a photojournalist’s pictures and a video of his work in the wilds.

*It’s not a dirty word. Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com*

And I should know. Because I circumnavigated the airport a dozen times.

And I eventually did make a score in the putting that I could tell people about.

Can you not make up time?

With every oversight your mistake is multiplied by the first error.

Remember America is a continent and is subject to weather fluctuations and flight delays.

If you’re the type to just accept what life or your mistakes strews in your path, good luck.

If you’re like ‘my friend’ though you will probably spend your flight looking at your expected time of arrival.

Willing it to arrive earlier. And miss the movies.

*It’s a minefield. Photo by Oscar Chan on Pexels.com*

You’ll be damn sure that you’ve got the time right for the new connecting flight you had to book in the States.

Just be sure that you’ve not got your headphones on listening to your playlist when your name gets called at the departure gate.

Not on the same trip I promise you, but not good either.

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Moanday Morning – Ubers

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We’ve embraced many a German word into the English language… doppelgänger, kaput, kindergarten, wunderkind UND rucksack.

And my own favourite schadenfreude which was used perfectly in a meme after Germany had beaten hosts Brazil 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup…

‘If only the Germans had a word for schadenfreude’.

On the road to nowhere

And, of course uber which is a Millennials’ way of saying super.

Of course the Germans can’t be blamed for those cheap frustrating car rides that go by the name Uber. But just saying.

I suppose my main gripe about Ubers is that I’ve been tested to insanity by them in America.

My first brush with them was in Washington DC at the American Travel fare IPW www.ipw.com.

My colleague having booked the Uber on his phone we all piled into the back of his car.

To go to our party.

An hour and a half later we arrived at our destination which should have been a 20-minute ride.

But not before driving into one of the less salubrious neighbourhoods of America’s capital city.

Where a couple of cop cars had pulled up at a block to deal with a domestic incident.

This was, as our driver who had arrived in the country just that month told us, our destination according to his GPS.

Now I know the hospitality that our friends in the American Travel Industry put into their fare.

And unless they’d had a The Wire parody party planned then our driver was hopelessly lost.

Not that he was ever going to admit it. The cops were already there, we’d have to pay our fare.

And this being America we had to tip him for his troubles.

Still, all of my journeys to their fare opened up the States to me while www.visitusa.ie will do so even more.

And here are some thoughts on these venue cities Easy DC and Go West.

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Holiday Snaps – Florida for family fun

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There’s nothing quite like a kid squealing ‘again, again’ as you turn a whiter shader of pale after coming off a rollercoaster.

And how is that they can hover up the Big Florida Breakfasts too and still not have it rumbly in their tumblies on the rides?

I was that soldier on the Orlando rides on more than one occasion but those excitable urchins pulled me through.

Florida is the ideal family fun destination and great for the winter, but our friends in the rollercoaster state are already planning for 2020.

Orlando has a real icebreaker for you with a ride called just that Ice Breaker in the spring.

Ice Breaker will feature four launches, backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida — a 93ft tall spike with 100-degree angle.

Located near the Wild Arctic Attraction, the ride’s theme is a nod to Ice Breaker’s conservation partner, Alaska SeaLife Center.

It matches closely to SeaWorld Orlando’s mission.

Ice Breaker will add to a ride portfolio which includes the thrills of Mako, Manta and Kraken. And the water rapids of Infinity Falls and the flume fun of Journey to Atlantis.

While over at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay they’re getting ready for North America’s tallest, fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world.

Iron Gwazi will be 206ft tall with a 91-degree drop with top speeds of 76mph.

It includes three inversions and 12 airtime hills along more than 4,075ft of purple steel track.

With a 48” height requirement, Iron Gwazi will be an exciting thrill attraction that families can take on together.

Gwazi, you ask? Well, the crocodile is the largest living reptile and the animal inspiration for Iron Gwazi.

The ups and downs

Find out more information on www.seaworldparks.co.uk. All major airlines fly to Orlando. Check out http://www.aerlingus.com

And you want to hear about how a grown man conquered his rollercoaster demons… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/02/tenerife-and-scotland-wave-the-same-flag/

And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/disney-why-i-love-the-donald/

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Give us this day… it’s St Anthony’s teeth

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There are more than a few old relics in my church (and yours)!

Steady! I mean holy relics.

Our own church has a new old altar which has come to us via the local monastery.

Please don’t tell my parish priest that I lost concentration when he was telling us the history but it’s very old, and holy.

Holy relics are the currency of the Catholic Church.

Symbolically and literally.

The various body parts of Our Lord and the Saints were sold on pilgrimages in the Middle Ages to pay for fancy churches.

It’s all about the pilgrimage, to Canterbury say or to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain to atone for sins.

*On the road to St James: On the Camino*

Santiago is of course where the bones of St James the Greater (I always felt sorry for the Lesser as the son of a James) are kept.

And you could buy these relics of the saints or Our Lord along the way thus feeding the greater Church.

That also fired outrage among protestants who found common cause and went onto found their own church.

All of which brings me to St Anthony’s gnashers.

The legend goes that St Anthony’s gift of oratory was such that when he was exhumed his tongue was still moist.

And so in his native city of Padova (or Padua in English) pilgrims can venerate his tongue and a couple of teeth.

Which are kept in a reliquary.

Skin and teeth

You’ll find pieces of the Lord and the Saints all over the world so much so that you’d almost suspect some artistic licence.

That maybe they were multi-multi-limbed and had a set of teeth akin to a shark.

But maybe I’m splitting hairs – and they were for sale too.

So you want to read more… there is a review of Padova and how Giotto inspired Michelangelo on this site https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/15/padova-city-of-frescoes/.

*And in Rome where all my sins were forgiven*

Some more holy relics in Brugges https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/firstworldwar-in-flanders-fields/.

And why the Camino is one of the most inspiring things you’ll ever do https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/camino-a-pilgrims-prayer/.

For the Via Francigena into Rome check out https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/small-roads-lead-to-rome/.

Here’s an important website for Padova… http://www.turismopadova.it/en/ context/423.

While for Caminos visit http://www.caminoways.com

MEET YOU IN THE PEWS

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Holiday Snaps – Winter sun

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I know I’m wishing the seasons away but it’s time to plan for winter sun.

Yes, we know that the sun comes out 360 days a year (sorry 350 days a year).

So that’s a virtual guarantee of good weather. Although it would be just my luck to be there when it does rain.

*That’s what we’re after: Photo by Ignacio Palés on Pexels.com*

Let’s tempt you then with the Costa del Sol, 7 nights, 25th October, €1788 (€447pp)

You’ll be well set with the Timor Sol Apartments which are on the beachfront next to the Paseo Marítimo promenade.

And there’s a waterpark nearby too.

Visit Travalue.ie: https://itaa.ie/2019/09/10/costa-del-sol-offer/!

Let’s take time here too to share some of sunny thoughts from Spain… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/03/vegging-out-in-tenerife/

OK, here are some more. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/05/jocktails-tenerife-coffee-liqueurs/

And also visit our friends at http://www.spain.info

Portugal is an answer to your prayers

I love a Portuguese village.

And the best thing is the welcome from the locals..

A favourite destination for Irish visitors this is Albufeira, 7 nights, 7th November, €389pps.

From https://itaa.ie/2019/09/10/portugal-winter-sun-all-inclusive/ the price includes Flight from Dublin to Faro with Aer Lingus, http://www.aerlingus.com.

*Yum, yum. Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com*

See Travel Escapes and Cruisescapes: https://itaa.ie/2019/09/10/portugal-winter-sun-all-inclusive/

Portugal? We love it.

And as our wedding anniversary comes into let’s take a look back at this romantic break… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/secret-portugal-classy-centro/

And a shout-out to the ever-helpful Portuguese Tourist board http://www.visitportugal.com

Category: Uncategorized

Winter’s tale… Topflight and Dempsey in Austria

Bands on the (ski) run

Snoop Dogg and me acting the goat in California

Acting the goat

Cruiseday Tuesday – Nile’s better

Alluring Sunway

Down by the riverside

It’s our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

Monday Saver – €1500pp Maldives

And a touch of Barbados, obviously

Some local knowledge

Holidos and don’ts – time flies in the US

Eight hours in Denver Airport

Can you not make up time?

Moanday Morning – Ubers

Holiday Snaps – Florida for family fun

The ups and downs

Give us this day… it’s St Anthony’s teeth

Skin and teeth

Holiday Snaps – Winter sun

Portugal is an answer to your prayers