Only a fool would drive out on the road without first putting it through its paces in a road test.
And the same is the case with cruise ships.
It’s just that a ship is a bit bigger and there are more tests to do.
Hence Princess Cruises spending six days of tests out on the water.
Setting out from Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy the experts tested out a series of manoeuvres to challenge the propulsion, steering and navigational equipment.
The ship will sail a short season in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean.
You will get to enjoy the Princess MedallionClass experience. featuring the complimentary OceanMedallion wearable device, modelled below by this model.
Start Daaaaancing… the new season of Britain’s favourite television entertainment show is back.
And already there’s a big talking point.
Jamie Laing has had to pull out after injuring his foot in the group dance which left him unable to walk.
Leaving us all wondering two things: Who will the awesome Oti now dance with?
And who the flip is Jamie Laing?
I’m reliably informed that he is a ‘star’ from the reality TV show Made In Chelsea.
We have been introduced to all the other new stars…
And a new judge, Motsi Babuse, above, who has big stilettos to fill in Darcey Busell but comes across as delightful.
And of course in best Brucie fashion we have our ‘favourites’.
Twinkle toes
Alex Scott, the bookies’ hot tip at 4-1 comes across as a right good ‘un from her stints on TV sport. And she looks great in a dress.
There are a couple of other sporty types I recognise – the former England goalkeeper, and beanpole, David James who looks ready made for some Calamity James headlines.
And rower James Cracknell who is sticking his oar in already.
Anneka Rice obviously loves a challenge, although that will be lost on viewers of a certain age.
While I recognise Catherine Tyldesley from Corrie although I haven’t watched it for yonks, probably since Reg Holdsworth.
Just some of my moves… with the Fijians in Dublin this year
My eyes lit up when I thought there would be a Spice Girl dancing only to see that it was Emma Barton who apparently was Honey Mitchell in EastEnders.
A gap in my pop culture although I hope I’ve made up for that by knowing Michelle Visage.
The perfect Visage
From RuPaul’s Drag Race, a favourite telly show of my own Little Dancing Queen.
And how did all this sneak into a Travel blog, other than it’s my blog and my rules.
Anaheim boasts the team with the best name of all, the Ducks. Though don’t for one minute call him Donald.
He’s Wild Wing, and believe me he has a wild look in is eye. Needed for that sport.
Duck: Me and Wild Wing in Anaheim
So whatever sport you follow, it’s the taking part, not the winning, that matters.
And if you believe that then you need to get out and watch more sport.
Now I’m away to book my tickets for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. And I will check out the country beforehand http://www.visitqatar.qa and its airline carrier which I know and recommend http://www.qatarairways.com.
The European Championships… yes, I’ll watch them and follow my second favourite team. The one that is playing England!
Mariaclaudia kept us on a tight leash which is as it should be and is fiercely proud of her Padova.
Which is why her antennae pinged when I asked to be dropped off at the train station during free time.
Of course she drew out of me that I was going to spend the afternoon in Venice.
And that I would be taking two Venice tyros with me.
Against type I took a clean shirt and tie with me in my rucksack for the official function at the Padova Botanical Gardens, the world’s first, opened in 1545..
For emergencies… and yes, the train was late and so were we.
‘The Dragon’ wasn’t so preemptive and drew withering glances for wearing a t-shirt and boardies.
There are other ways to traverse the Veneto region that you’re more in control of such as on your bike.
Freedom Treks have the field covered and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of UNESCO they are flagging up Bolzano to Venice among others.
You’ll have luggage transportation, travel guide with maps and route notes and GPS tracks available on request.
Get on your bike in the Veneto region
There will be a welcome meeting, local contact number for assistance, four-hour ferry cruise on Lake Garda, entrance to Villa Valmarana ai Nani and ice cream in Vicenza.
Return flights, transfers, bike hire, cycle helmet and local taxes extra. Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk).
Typical street in Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain
The effervescent Eva (and you’ll be hearing a lot more about mine hostess) had put our CanariaWays.com http://www.canariaways.com group to bed in Tenerife.
And was already thinking of her next group in Tenerife.
I will come back to Tenerife, both in person and on this blog, but I don’t want to ignore the rest of Spain.
After all there are two million visits from Ireland every year.
Every year in Trinity College our travel circuit are treated to the company of the signors and ignores of Seville.
And some flamenco dancing which has me twirling and clicking and swirling all the way home. Filled with vino naturally.
The traffic lights stop on this street: In Andalusia
Travel Department’s trip to Costa de la Luz in Andalusia also includes Seville, the Moorish town of Niebla, a wine museum at Bodegas Andrade. And a walking tour in the vineyards.
Prices start from €659pp for seven nights including return flights, 4* half-board hotel accommodation, transfers, and excursions with an expert local guide, departing this month and next.
Plaza de Espana – Spanish Square in Seville, Andalusia, Spain
For more information or to book, CLICK HERE or call 01-6371600.
The four-hour flight
Moroccan culture. Photo by Nicolas Postiglioni on Pexels.com
A deal maker for many is flights under four hours and Sunway http://www.sunway.ie has them aplenty and is happy to share.
Morocco felt like the nearest furthest place I’d visited when I went there 15 years ago. And probably still is.
Marakech, the Pink City, is a hustle and bustle of souks and stall-holders, snakes and spices.
More of which another time but let’s flag up the charms of its little brother, Agadir.
Blarney Castle. Photo by Chris Carter on Pexels.com
There are three new countries to the Journeys product line. As well as us here in Ireland there’s Singapore and Greece.
It doesn’t surprise me that Ireland is included. I remember well a story-telling afternoon in an authentic Irish cottage in Killiney, Co. Dublin when I stayed at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel http://www.fitzpatrickcastlehotel.com.
For those who don’t live in Ireland, why not?
And here’s their package: Iconic Ireland– 9 Days from €2,449.
Uncover Celtic culture and admire medieval architecture across the stunning countryside, and delve into historic Dublin and the rebel city of Cork. Eat, dance, and sing with the locals.
Of course you’ll also kiss the Blarney Stone.
Croatian delights
The Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
Must split… the Scary One is calling.
But before I go (and I’ll sneak back for more updates) let me tempt you with Split and Croatia.
I’ll be stopping off on my way to Medjugorge where I’ll complete the set of Fatima, Lourdes and Medj next month and sharing.
Travel Department has an Undiscovered Croatia package highlighting the medieval town of Zagreb and a wildlife walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Plitvice Lakes National Park.
See, my ramblings all come around in the end.
You’ll also be charmed by Opatija, Rijeka and Pula.
Prices start from €859pp for 7 nights including return flights, B&B or half-board 4* hotel accommodation, transfers and guided excursions, departing this month and next.
For more info or to book, click here or call 01-6371600.
And if I’ve still got your attention I’m hearing that you want more Snaps. So I’ll snap to it.
I’ll be conflicted when Scotland face Ireland in the Rugby World Cup on September 22 in Yokohama as I’m of the Irish-Scots variety.
But I’m thinking that a draw would suit both just fine.
One thing is for sure that when it comes to the party then the Scots and the Irish will be clinking glasses.
Two thousand Green Army foot soldiers will be flying with Emirates http://www.emirates.ie to Japan. And but for a pesky raffle ticket number I’d be too.
My numbers were too low, but congratulations to the winner (no, really).
Talking rugby: Wayne and Tommy
I had spent lunch with Tommy Bowe who was doing a Q&A session with Wayne Barnes ahead of him refereeing the Ireland v Wales game at the Aviva this afternoon.
The pair shared some good bonhomie as they recalled past matches including the iconic 2009 Ireland Grand Slam match with Wales.
How Tommy Bowe had come on as a replacement only to have to go off again with a broken leg which elicited the reply from the ref: ‘Oh, Tommy.’
This will be Wayne’s last Rugby World Cup and I wish him well. I’ll share more nuggets like this in your weekly This Sporting Weekend column tomorrow.
But for now check out Emirates’ best deals to Japan which you’ll fall in love with when you see the rugby action on TV.
Winter warmers
I Amsterdam… and so is she
I thought my friends at Aer Lingus http://www.aerlingus.com knew me better because they posited that we needed to avoid the temptation to hibernate for the next six months.
As if.
Aer Lingus won’t be putting their feet up either.
They have 2 million seats on sale until September 23.
They have European fares from €29.99 one way for travel from October 1 to December 16.
And fares from North America from €159 each way when booked as part of a return trip and valid from November 1 to March 31.
Viking is also flagging up Machu Picchu and the ancient marvel of Angkor Wat.
Now that our cruise myself and the Scary One saw us meet a Viking or two on board and you’ll get a feel of Scandinavia on board here.
Malteser pleaser
Being on board for 245 days you’ll want to know that there is enough to do.
As if…
Relax on board
There are two swimming pools, a fitness centre, two cinemas, a theatre and LivNordic spa.
Where if you’re up for it, you can take the Nordic bathing ritual and snow grotto.
And there are EIGHT different options.
But like The Scary One back in the day you’ll have to work… with Viking Resident Historians and guest lecturers shedding light on each destination.
Of course there will be downtime! And there will be musical performances covering different genres, time periods and regions.
Shanghai surprise
The package includes return flights, complimentary shore excursion in each port, evening entertainment, all onboard meals and gratuities and free Wi-Fi.
Transfers to and from the ship, three complimentary visa services, free luggage shipping services for embarkation.
And Vikings Silver Spirits beverage package covering virtually all drinks on board.
Stairway to heaven
So how much?
The lead-in price starts at £66,990p with remaining cabins from £82,990pp.
Guests also have the choice to sail lone of two shorter segments of the cruise.
Between the 127-day Viking World Treasures departing from London to Los Angeles on 31 August Viking World Treasures. Between the 127-day Viking World Treasures departing from London to Los Angeles on 31 August .
With remaining cabins from £41,390pp on the 119-day Viking World Wonders Viking World Wonders itinerary diapering from LA to London on 4 January.
OK, but we’ve missed the tour and are dying to get on the next one!
Pooling your talents
Viking also has a new 161-day 2020-2021 Viking World Cruise 2020-2021 Viking World Cruise departing from Miami to London on December 2020. with a lead-in price of £45,995pp.
