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Dolly Parton Day… and she’s working it 9 to 5

17th January 202617th January 2026 funtime65

So power up the karaoke because Monday is Dolly Parton Day… and she’s working it 9 to 5.

The evergreen Dolly turns 80 in two days’ time, January 19And to mark the occasion her fellow Tennesseans have given their favourite daughter her very own day.

And Dolly being Dolly she has given back with a special rerelease of her classic Light of a Clear Blue Morning.

With Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire, with David Foster on piano, all pitching in in perfect pitch.

And the money going to pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home

Every day, of course, is a Dollyday at Dollywood.

Although you’d expect her Tennessee Mountain Home will be dialling it up to 11 on Monday.

With Dollywood boasting more than 40 rides, splash park, high-energy entertainment and exceptional dining.

And that good ole Southern hospitality.

Of course as with everything Dolly there’s that little bit extra up top.

With Dollywood laying out the pink carpet to y’all to stay at the HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

And crimp yourself at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.

Dolly good show

While, of course, the shows are spectacular, whether the Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.

Or the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, the Comedy Barn Theater, Frizzle Chicken Cafe and even the Titanic Museum Attraction (just because she can).

So to stay in a Dolly Bear Cabin with all the Dolly bells and whistles.

Then Dollywood is offering for May 23-September 20 the 2026 Dollywood Summer Fun Pass.

Smoky Mountain Hide-Away

Now Dolly’s cabins are all playfully named but we alighted on A Smoky Mountain Hide-Away.

Which you’ll be able to make your own for $3,252 for two bedrooms for six guests and two baths for a sample May’s week vacation…. well this is caring, sharing country.

And with British Airways flights now to Nashville from London Heathrow.

Since last we visited Tennessee and had to get an interconnecting flight through Newark you’re made up.

With it costing you £867.99.

And to mark her standing in Country music the Grand Ole Opry are dedicating tonight, January 71 to Dolly.

Because, Dolly you know we will always love you.

Africa, Food & Wine

All I do each night is braai

2nd November 20242nd November 2024 funtime65

With apologies to Take That, and in my defence it is to promote Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa, I have ‘all I do each night is braai’ running around my head.

The braai, or barbecue, as South Africans are quick to tell you is a religion in the Rainbow Nation, only matched by rugby.

And viewers of Gary’s Wine Tour which kicks off on November 11 on ITV will see the great man chomp through boerewors and sosaties (that’s spiced sausages and skewered meat to you and me).

All against the backdrops of stunning and varied South African scenery.

Bok for good

Along the way Gary will be joined by pals from the showbiz world.

Including music producer Eliot Kennedy, Michaela Strachan, Ben Shephard, Jane McDonald and Mica Paris.

The first episode sees Gary, who boasts his own brand, dive straight in to South African viticulture.

Gary and best buddy Eliot are Bok for good (soz) for a crash course at the Spier Wine Farm in Franschhoek.

Before tucking into their braai.

Never veldt better

After a restorative wine themed spa treatment, the boys head off to try their hand at wine blending.

Before a drive up into the mountains to learn the art of pairing great food with the right tipple.

And they finish with a spectacular drive along the coast to Camps Bay.

Where they try a glass of Gary’s favourite wine in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles.

Of course, the first piece of advice South Africans will give you, and you can have this for free, is put ice in your white wine.

The rand tour

But we imagine that Gary and his SA pals will tell you that… and much, much more.

While you’ll also get a peek through the keyhole at the Kruger National Park (staying at Kruger Shalati).

And Johannesburg (where he resides at Sanctuary Mandela)

And we’ll keep you updated here with Gary and his South Africanophile pals as he progresses through the republic.

Now SA is just two hours ahead of the UK and your pound will fetch 22 SA Rand.

Flight of fancy

Get the Braai on: Port Elizabeth township

If you’re thinking of your long-haul trip for next year.

While there is increased flight capacity into Cape Town in 2025.

With Norse Atlantic flying three times weekly from Gatwick.

Triple daily flights from Heathrow (January-March) with British Airways.

And an extension of Virgin Atlantic‘s season through to the end of April.

It’s been a few years since I was last in SA and watching the sneak preview of Gary Barlow’s series.

I can honestly say all I do each night is braai hoping that I’ll be a part of you again some day.

Countries

There is no such thing as a free lunch

28th September 202428th September 2024 funtime65

It’s dangerous, but timeous territory, and one directed at Travel professionals too… yes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

It is, of course, an occupational hazard of reviewing accommodations and attractions near and far to sample their fare.

But such is human nature that it is treated by those who are not invited to give their expertise, ie us…

To be ridiculed with lazy name-calling, such as in my case Junket or Jollies Jim.

Singing for your supper

Yes, it has involved being wined and dined along the way.

And entertained by the likes of Diana Ross, The Beach Boys and One Republic, at Red Rocks, among others.

While stepping up too to be front and centre at the Rising Star Karaoke Bar at CityWalk, Universal Orlando.

Kidding about: With Levi and my racing goat Bandanaman in Tobago

While also being asked to rollercoaster, horse-ride, goat-race and whitewater raft.

But then without blowing our own trumpets, and, yes, we’ll do that too, it is our expertise to write a story which earns us our ticket.

Just as it is for sports writers who are invited to cup finals or music reviewers who are asked along to gigs.

Breakfast of champions

All of this more often than not begins with a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner.

And speeches about destinations and a thumb-through dates.

Buy my own clothes? Sir Keir Starmer sees the funny side

Before leaving with a gift bag with memory stick, pen, pad, coffee mug, selfie stick and other accessories.

Hardly Oscar or politician perk territory then.

The business of travel

Lounging about: Turkish Airlines business class lounge

Yes, we have savoured the best of airport business lounges, as in the award-winning Turkish Airlines in Istanbul.

And TA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic business travel too.

And been pampered with wellness spas, massages and infinity and swim-up pools.

But always on the understanding that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

And that there is an article, or article, or throwback piece, at the end of it all.

And that a connection is built for future developments at the destination.

Writes and wrongs

The most persistent accusation that is levelled at travel writers is that their providers buy off their critiques.

But without going all AA Gill we have pointed out a destination’s discrepancies, as with a particular Moroccan mare.

And if that risks being asked to return then so be it because we have to be true to the readers and ourselves.

In truth you earn trust with travel providers by being honest and they are usually keen to get you back out to put things right.

Of course, there are those who abuse the system.

Like a previous boss’s daughter who took a break in Madeira.

Who didn’t write it up, took a year’s sabbatical, and when we did track her down the connection was discontinued.

Just one of many entitled staffers who needless to say were never asked again,

Pleasure to work with you

Playing it straight should come instinctively and those who don’t soon get found out.

If awards have arrived along the way such as the Irish Travel sector singling me out for a Pleasure to Work With award then I’ll take that too.

Because we know that there is no such thing as a free lunch,

And that means all of us being open and transparent with each other as to what is expected of us.

America, Countries

The Saga of Over 140 Tours

19th August 202319th August 2023 funtime65

I started a thread that’s started the whole world smiling, and with apologies to the Bee Gees mine’s is the Saga of Over 140 Tours.

My old employers from my student days in Aberdeen, where we made lunches for their day trips in Grampian, have been in touch.

And they have flagged up their brochure Worldwide with the tagline Over 140 Tours to explore worldwide.

Now I know we’re all living longer but Over 140s?

Saga, as well as being my summer employers which funded my Top Deck Oktoberfest booze bus antics was also my parents’ go-to travel providers.

Worldwide vision

China in their hands: The folks at the Great Wall

Saga has built its reputation on providing the best travel for the over-50s.

And yes that’ll creep up on you although these guys speed up rather than slow down.

It’s not nicknamed Sex And Games For The Aged for nothing.

Saga are teasing us in their new Worldwide brochure with somewhere very close to home which is home.

Dream experiences

Scotland is new on the menu alongside Valencia, the Azores and India.

Alongside old favourites across Europe, Asia, Australia, Borneo and more.

Of course Saga offers dream experiences across the travel spectrum…

You know… solo tours, stay and explore, small group tours and escorted tours.

Now as Saga like to start as they go on they’ll take the stress out of your door to airport experience by giving you a VIP driver.

Either to London or your local airport.

Mighty Mississippi

And because it’s what would make my missus happy then I’ll flag up the sample Journey on the Mighty Mississippi.

Journey on the Mighty Mississippi is a 15-nighter down the grand old river from £5,945.

That includes your travel insurance with 11 excursions and visits.

Welcome to the Jungle: Elvis’s Jungle Room

And…

Tours of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans
Entrance to Studio B, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Graceland
Complimentary shore excursions in every port on the cruise (‘Hop-On Hop-O’ coaches in Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, St Francisville, and visit to Nottoway Plantation)
3 days – free time
7 nights in hotels, 7 nights cruise on
American Queen and 1 in flight
International flights.
Prices are based on return flights with British Airways (direct) or United Airlines (indirect) from London Heathrow.
Supplements may apply from other airports
22 meals: 9 breakfasts 6 lunches
7 dinners

America, Countries, Flying

Air Miles and Hurry Styles

27th May 202327th May 2023 funtime65

And I’m back with more pins for my world map… but only after a 26-hour trans-Atlantic odyssey of air miles and Hurry Styles.

Now they say the last yards are the hardest for a runner to which my 16-year-old Scottish long-distance champion can testify.

And I had to put the sprint of all sprints on along Princes Street and into Waverley Station to catch the last North Berwick train.

After the peacocked Harry had left Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium and its environs in gridlock and our Citylink bus running at snail’s pace.

That said chapeau to the bus driver for negotiating the back roads of the city.

To get me to the snaking Waverley station with half a chance of my connection.

Deep in the heart of Texas

Get off your horse: John Wayne in Alamo City

It had been a long day’s journey into night.

Starting out at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, my base over four days of the annual American Travel Fair, IPW.

Where I had booked a taxi only to cancel sheepishly when he arrived when a colleague kindly offered me her Uber ride.

My glee at saving a few precious bucks was tempered though when my airline carrier American Airlines charged me $70 for my check-in bag.

But I’d arrived five hours early, the advice is three for international travellers, but better safe than sorry.

And I couldn’t book online, I’m old school and irrationally don’t trust the digital pass.

And then the British Airways app crashed.

Dallas mini-series

Now for all that Alamo City, San Antonio is America’s seventh-biggest city it is smaller in comparison to Dallas Fort Worth.

And with only a couple of hours to play with I’d lie if I said I wasn’t anxious.

Particularly with a shuttle to my terminal to negotiate.

What the duck: Heathrow, but the Coronation is still going on

If my last leg would be the longest my flight out of the US alas was seemless.

And here was me hoping it would be cancelled and I might be offered a free night in Dallas.

With the new pal I’d made in the line, the Dallas Stars basketball fan, celebrating a comeback play-off leg win that night.

American nights

Refuelling: With Philly cheesesteak and an Arnold Palmer

American Airlines has been a new experience for me but save for the baggage check-in surprise it went off smoothly.

Randomly I got front of aisle seating to help for the overnighter with those long legs I’d need later.

And timely films to take in such as the Civil Rights epic true story Till which brought back memories.

Of MLK50, walking in the footsteps of Martin Luther King through Tennessee and Mississippi.

Alas, and isn’t it always the way, the hardest leg was the home one?

My British Airways London to Edinburgh flight pushed out and then held up a couple of hours.

Making the whole experience longer than the nine hours it took to get from Dallas to London.

My heart is ticketying

Mind you, American Airlines were as good as their word and got my baggage home.

Albeit my address slipped out of its Universal Orlando Shrek and Donkey ‘Are we there yet’ luggage tag.

The question I fired off like a repeater all through our crawl through the Harry Styles traffic to the train station.

Now Waverley with its random platforms is a challenge at the best of times…

Thankfully the train was delayed a couple of minutes and got on, a sweaty mess, just in time.

I’d made it home after all those Air Miles and Hurry Styles.

And the Scary One was there on the platform waiting for me.

Now to break it to her that I’m off to another Travel fair in early June.

Leeds should be a breeze but my travels are rarely ticketyboo.

Still it wouldn’t be any fun following my misadventures otherwise.

Africa, Countries, Sustainable Tourism

The Riad to Marrakech

8th April 2023 funtime65

I’ve been saving all my money just to take you there, I smell the garden in your hair. It’s the Marrakech Express… or what I like to call The Riad to Marrakech.

With apologies to those Sixties hipsters Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young) who were, of course, far more lyrical about the Red City.

We dare say that they would have stayed at some hippy hang-out.

But I suspect that Stephen and Graham, and RIP to David, would now frequent the Royal Mansour Marrakech.

Situated at the foot of Marrakech’s ramparts, in the western part of the medina are the lush, landscaped gardens at Royal Mansour Marrakech.

Spanning four acres, it is the vision of award-winning Spanish landscape designer and Bonsai curator Luis Vallejo, drawing on Arab-Andalusian tradition into play.

And going off on a tangent, my green-fingered pal here is doing so well with her bonsai garden that she’s thinking of downsizing.

Festival of flowers

Back to Souk City and the The Jardin’art Festival over the spring unfolds in the city’s Jardin des Arts.

To offer a variety of botanical events, concerts, and gorgeous floral displays for all to enjoy.

And thanks to our friends in Marrakech, and believe me you need all the pals you can get in this bustling city with false guides round some of the souk corners, we have these gardening tips to share.

Straight from Luis’s mouth.

Incorporate a water feature (or several –as is the case at Royal Mansour Marrakech, home to 150 water fountains)

‘Like constant background music, a small stream of water in movement’.

Plant fruit trees and aromatic plants, to elevate the senses. At Royal Mansour Marrakech, the garden features several species of palm tree, citrus fruits (spanning lemon, sweet and bitter orange).

As well as various fruit trees (inclusive of olive, pomegranate, fig, persimmon, carob, quince, guava, medlar and more).

Various aromatic herbs are also grown for use in the spa, from marjoram to rosemary.

Choose plants of varied colour, texture, and volume – select seasonal plants that inspire your imagination and offer a link to Morocco.

Vallejo chose multiple species of trees, from conifers and coral trees to tamarisk and mahogany trees, offering a textural variety.

Choose from decorative foliage, ground cover plants and climbers to create dimensional levels.

In addition, he intentionally selected native and naturalised flora allowing for year-round flowering – meaning vibrant colour all year round!

Add a coloured rug or cushions into a cosy corner, and sip a Moorish tea, for an authentic Moroccan experience.

Mansour manor

Royal Mansour is a palatial oasis exquisitely crafted by over 1,500 local artisans.

As an ode to traditional Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship.

It’s a perfectly peaceful, private retreat just steps from the Medina.

Showcasing an open-air courtyard and nearly four acres of lush gardens.

These have recently been extended to incorporate a beautiful kitchen garden Atelier d’Artiste and an elevated, private dining space.

Stay in private multi-story riads dotted along pink pathways. No carts; no rooms; no crowds.

One–bedroom riads start from £1,200 (includes breakfast, Immigration Fast Track service + airport transfers in Marrakech).

And we found sample flights for a three-night return for next month from £356.21.

Get on that riad to Marrakech then.

America, Countries

Houston we have a rodeo

23rd January 202323rd January 2023 funtime65

The countdown is on for the best bucking show in the world… Houston we have a rodeo.

RodeoHouston draws 30,000 livestock and horse show entries every year to Texas.

And I’m only surprised my own entry for next month hasn’t arrived yet.

As news of my derring-do from my heroics in Colorado five years ago must have reached the Houstonians.

Smile High

When my bull-taming exploits were shot up on the big-screen at Denver Broncos’ Mile High Stadium.

The famous gridiron was opened up for us, the delegates of the IPW American travel fair in Denver.

Where a bucking bronco machine was for use in the foyer.

Along with line dancing lessons and a giant Kerplunk… all for our entertainment.

While on the field Native Americans put on a song and dance performance for us.

Only my party was more interested in the buck eejit being thrown around the mechanical bull in the stadium.

Bigger and better

RODEOHOUSTON being Texas then everything is naturally bigger.

And two million fans will be Y’alling their way to the biggest rodeo show on Earth from February 28-March 19.

Where they’ll also be entertained royally by a host of stellar singers.

The Rodeo & Houston Livestock Show takes place beginning throughout the day followed by a live concert every night.

This year, 20 artists will take the stage during the rodeo representing an array of genres.

And not just country but R&B and pop too.

Hello Houston

Kids are all right: New Kids on the Block

And so, of course, you’ll be well acquainted with New Kids on the Block, Machine Gun Kelly, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley.

But Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman gives us the skinny on the local talent.

He waxed lyrical… ‘We are thrilled to welcome back so many talented artists including some fan favorites such as Houston rap legend, Bun B.’

‘The level of talent we have in this line-up will get the fans excited.

‘Including Texas’ own Parker McCollum, who is helping us kick off this 2023, star lineup on Opening Day.’

Individual RODEOHOUSTON tickets are being sold in two waves, 10am and 2pm at rodeohouston.com.

Ticket prices start at $25, plus a $4 convenience fee.

Houston, no problem

I’ll be hopefully twirling my left hand and riding that bull for all its worth (behave) again.

When my Travel fair party reassemble in San Antonio in May.

Of course come what May… there’s a bucking good show next month.

When Houston we have a rodeo.

British Airways flies London to Houston from £549 return in its sale.

America, Countries, Food, Food & Wine

Winging it to Buffalo

28th December 2022 funtime65

Our thoughts obviously go out to our friends in the hardest-hit city in the Big Freeze of 2022 and vow to help them out by winging it to Buffalo.

Buffalonians, or Bills if you’re a fan of their American Football team, are a hardy bunch who live life to the full.

Full of cheer, beer and the culinary delight that they are best known for and shared with the world, Buffalo Wings.

All of which our group of Travel professionals were treated to first-hand in Dublin a couple of years ago.

And which, of course, we had to be spoonfed on how best to eat the chicken chunks.

And given the backstory to our favourite wings.

But no, they have nothing to do with buffaloes or Buffalo Bill.

Although it’s fun to imagine the Great Cowboy munching on chicken as he lassoed a buffalo out on the plains.

Buffalo wings on the bill

No, Buffalo in upstate New York.

Close to the border with Canada, is far removed from the Wild West.

Although food is food everywhere and its origins often similar, hungry, or thirsty, folk, late at night.

And the need to rustle up something to fill the belly.

Which is where they were at just down the road in Connecticut.

With their Neapolitan apizza and their hamburgers from Hamburg.

As usual though we digress when where we want to be in the Anchor Bar in 1964.

Where Teresa Bellissimo welcomed her son Dominic back from college with open arms.

But with bambino and his amici needing fed.

Hot, hot, hot

Teresa needed a fast and easy snack and fell upon the idea of deep frying chicken wings (normally thrown away or reserved for stock).

And tossing them in cayenne hot sauce.

Where this gets even more interesting and is particularly culinary is that a battle then broke out.

When local bar Duff’s began selling its Buffalo wings.

We’ll let them fight it between themselves.

And content ourselves with the fact that there’s all the more to go around.

Who and why they came to be served with blue cheese and celery takes some more digging.

Wagon ale

Maybe with a Circle the Wagons local IPA and Pilsner or any of the range of excellent upstate New York ales.

Just a couple of reasons then for winging it to Buffalo when it all thaws out.

So good luck Buffalo and we can’t wait to get around the table with you again and fly out with British Airways.

America, Countries, Flying

Aer Lingus in a golden state

23rd August 202223rd August 2022 funtime65

Not that it’ll silence the flygskammers but airlines are addressing clean skies, and Ireland’s national carrier are leading the way with Aer Lingus in a golden state.

Renewables Aemetis, Inc and International Airlines Group are supplying sustainable aviation fuel.

To power Aer Lingus and British Airways flights from San Francisco Airport from 2025.

Over to Aer Lingus Chief Exec Lynne Embleton.

“As we work towards our commitment of powering 10% of flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030…

“This agreement with Aemetis will see aircraft on our San Francisco route using low carbon biofuels from sustainable wastes.”

Now, I’ll leave the science to the engineers (best).

And Aer Lingus report that this summer they have signed two SAF deals.

And a lease agreement for two new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Now for the science bit

And Lynne says: “These are all key steps in achieving our lower-carbon future and net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

IAG, parent company of Aer Lingus and British Airways will purchase a total of 78,400 tonnes of SAF over seven years.

And that is enough to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 248,000 tonnes (the equivalent of taking over 16,000 cars off the road) across the same time period.

While in July, Aer Lingus signed another SAF agreement with Gevo, Inc., a US-based renewable fuels producer.

The agreement will see the purchase of 19,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel per year for five years, powering flights from Los Angeles.

Aer Lingus is also investing in new generation and more fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and A32l neo LR.

In June, Aer Lingus signed a lease agreement for two new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

And that will see this new generation aircraft joining Aer Lingus’ fleet for the first time.

The Airbus A320neo delivers up to 20% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions.

Shamrocks in my hair

And close to 50% reduction in noise footprint.

When compared to the previous generation aircraft, A320ceo.

Of course we don’t have to wait until 2025 to get to Frisco.

And it is an itch waiting to be scratched with Covid putting paid to my plans to get to Dublin in the Tri-Valley region.

When I was, of course, going to channel my inner hippy by going to San Francisco wearing shamrocks in my hair.

Fare play

Greetin’ Greta: Thumberg, queen of the flight shamers

Now with my Irish history, Aer Lingus was naturally my go-to airline.

When I returned Stateside this year for my rail trip around New England.

And when, not if, I go to San Francisco I’ll be hopping on their deals from Scotland.

So that’ll be either Glasgow through Dublin to San Fran from £249.25, each way fare as part of a return trip including taxes and charges.

Or £252.52 from Edinburgh.

So, yes, despite what Grouchy Greta and her flygskammers will have you believe the airlines are fighting back.

With Aer Lingus in a golden state.