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Efharisto Rhodes you are Colossal

21st April 202621st April 2026 funtime65

Efharisto Rhodes you are colossal and as we say Yassas at the end of our loveholidays odyssey we reflect on the legends we have met.

Michael, the pick-up driver who took us on our first night to the Amphitryon Hotel.

May you make enough from your driving and your day building job to realise your ambition to settle down and slow down in your 40s.

Manolis, our bar manager who patiently and smilingly put up with this Bandanaman mangling his language.

To you and those who fed us so fully a Yamas (or cheers).

Over an ouzo with the best Greek traditional band Bouzouki playing in the background.

Yamas to new friends

To the new friends we met, the Three Yorkshiremen and Jay, Cherry and Jane.

And thanks for the offer of your room on the day of your check-out Jane.

Only I am still haunted by another invitation from my Athens odyssey.

And Toy Boy Brian, OK, he’s a fellow Sixtysomething like myself but travels the world selling vintage toys.

And meets celebs and gets the VIP treatment, hence him meeting the Bandanaman.

Then, of course, the army of cats who responded to our cheery kalimera.

Even when noon had passed and it should be a kalispera.

Especially Symi2, our forever friend who took residence of our laps.

And whose picture will now occupy a place on our crowded fridge.

Legends carved in rock

It is back now to chilly North Berwickety in Scotland where Rufus Rules now has a lot of living up to and explaining.

But not before a nod to the legends who come out at night.

Now Rhodes is clearly not shy of gods carved into rock.

But Nicklas and Despina are the god and goddess of rock at the Legends Rock Bar in Old Rhodes town.

Downing shots as they serve and producing a bottle of Bunnahabhain smoky Islay whisky and testing me on my Scottishness.

By asking me to pronounce it which incidentally is Bunahaveain.

And all the time Nikos the singer, of course, belts out the standards from across the rocky lane.

Reading the words perfectly from his screen which is no mean feat when it’s Cher’s warbling.

Kalinihta and dreams of gold

I leave with a kalinihta and breathe a sigh of relief that I have not said anything inappropriate.

As happened when I greeted the concierge in Rome with a buona notte e sogni d’oro.

But come to think of it, good night and dreams of gold does sound a fitting farewell to Helios, the Sun God’s island, Rhodes.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sport

Fun and Games in Rhodes

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And as stadiums go this one has real history, where the locals have been coming for 2,500 years for fun and Games in Rhodes.

And apologies here for breaking with tradition and keeping my kit on at the Rhodes Acropolis.

The original Halieia athletes going commando for the 600ft race in honour of Helios the Sun God.

There was, of course, a time as a Scottish Cross Country champion when I held high hopes of an Olympic future.

But while I puff and pant for picture purposes a local hero barely breaks a sweat circling the stadium.

Unfortunately for Dimitrios there are but one or two in the stone seats today where once 30,000 cheered on their heroes.

The future champions

Greece lightning: Running is in the blood

The Stadium and the Acropolis complex on the outskirts of Rhodes is packed today with future champions.

With the Acropolis the place where Rhodian families come to play on a Sunday.

With kids kicking a ball around while dads dribble a basketball, mums chat around prams and grandparents sit and smoke in the cafe.

We bus it to the Acropolis from Rhodes Town harbour only to do a double take when it circled around past our hotel, the Amphitryon.

You can too take a hop-on, hop-off coach which will cost you €20 of today’s coin which will also take you to the Old Town.

But better still you could show your athleticism by walking the couple of kilometres to the Acropolis.

The stuff of Legends

Passing the baton: She’s relay something

It feels right to spend our last full day cosplaying Ancient Rhodian heroes in the iconic tree-lined Stadium.

Although we are not quite finished with Rhodes yet as we will spend the evening back in Rhodes Old Town with the Legends of today.

But you will just have to wait for the next instalment of our Rhodes odyssey for that.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe

The Lindos Hop

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And because there’s whole civilisations out there we’re heading out of Rhodes Town on our loveholidays odyssey… on the Lindos Hop.

Now you’ll need good boots as it’s a fair old hike up to the 4th BC acropolis.

Although maybe it wasn’t these boots they were advising… the 1litre glass boots of lager you can buy for €9 in old Rhodes Town.

The rumour is that I’ve matured in the 36 years my Medusa has been ruling my life.

Although I echo more the sentiments on the t-shirt in that kerching store…

‘I’m not 60 but 18 with 42 years experience.’

Have boots, will travel

My first couple of experiences of the glass boot being part of a party game in Austria with Aussies and Kiwis at Oktoberfest.

Of course, just like 40 years ago I digress and we are on an hour-and-three-quarter ride on Vangelis’s coach.

Where we are to spend three hours climbing up to the 116m settlement dedicated to Athena Lindia.

Which can be negotiated by donkey, but and we don’t want to be an ass about it, it’s work for Eeyore.

Acropolis now

Better then climbing up through the pristine old Lindos town to the rocky outpost.

For the best views of this stretch of the south-east Med and the beach in the bay.

The remains of the acropolis which must have made an imposing fortifications to visitors is kept is beautifully preserved.

Now the generations of invaders have stopped chipping bits off.

The biggest danger these days is getting a shrill whistle from curator Maria who guards a selfie-loving tourist from falling off the cliff.

Captain’s calling

A Kalispera (afternoon), Yassou (hello/goodbye), Parakalo (please) and Efharisto (thanks) go along way with Rhodians.

Though a haway is more the currency with the Geordies we met in The Captain’s House Bar.

A charming Lindos house bar with a traditional showpiece island living room/bedroom at the back to visit.

Take a seat: Back of Captain’s House Bar

Lindos is more frosted glasses for Mythos beer or tumblers for ouzo, or Greek medicine as mine host calls it.

And with a Yamas, or cheers, we while away an hour before I get the hook.

Because my goddess feels an hour will be a stretch to get in the shopping she needs.

And as stunning as the acropolis is I definitely don’t want to become a stone for tourists to slip on.’

Deal me in

We booked a three-hour Lindos day out with getyourguide for £27 for two.

Your friendly neighbourhood Bandanaman is travelling with loveholidays and EasyJet from Edinburgh.

And staying at the Amphitryon City Hotel, 800m from the Old Town.

All for £1,028 for two, B&B and evening meals, for a week with airport transfers.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Avoid the airport rush by booking out of season

21st July 202521st July 2025 funtime65

Take your pick which date is the busiest and EasyJet, for example, rings July 28, but the best way to destress is to avoid the airport rush by booking out of season.

The budget airline is expecting to fly more than 300,000 customers on nearly 2000 flights across Europe.

With some of our favourites Palma, Faro, Malaga, Nice and Barcelona the most popular destinations this summer.

And the Greek islands and Turkey seeing a spike compared to last year.

Now Malaga, Nice and Barcelona we have all rightly waxed lyrical about in the past.

Faro’s fair

Marine biology: Faro’s answer to the Little Mermaid

But travellers are guilty of treating Palma and Faro as travel through destinations.

In much the same way as visitors to Milan might only see the airport part of Bergamo on account of the Milan-Bergamo airport.

So, and I’m guided by my old amiga Caroline here, bide awhile in Faro and you’ll be beguiled by her charms.

Fly from Glasgow and stay at the 3HB Faro from £2,722 for two.

In the sample middle six days of September, away from that end of July pinch point.

Now we’re reliably informed that you should take a stroll around the marina and harbour.

And take in the street art including Faro’s answer to the Little Mermaid.

While for those who like an old bones chapel and we’ve been sold.

Ever since stepping into the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, then add the Igreja do Carmo to your list.

Prize Palma

Balearics Brits fans, and aren’t we all, are to most men, women and child, in a rush to get out to their resort.

But as we found out in spare time off our first cruise 25 years ago give yourself time to look around the Old Town of Palma.

EasyJet will give you seven days in the first week of November.

Staying at the Playa De Malma, outside the town at the Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma from £1,239 for two.

And enjoy the rooftop restaurant which specialises in Asian-fusion cuisine.

A luxurious spa with saunas, a Turkish bath, a whirlpool and an ice fountain.

And is just 0.4kms from the nearest beach.

Of course you should get out and about in Palma Old Town which will surprise you.

With its upside down boat architecture and a windmill where you wouldn’t expect one.

We perused Palma’s churches, museums and galleries and explored its Moorish past.

And still wanted to come back for Moor and more.

Out of season, deal me in

So you’re welcome to this spotlight on two popular destinations where we often don’t get past our landing spots.

And at a time when we can avoid the airport rush by booking out of season.

Countries, Flying

We do have our baggage

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We do have our baggage but sometimes that’s what makes the trip so interesting, which is why we won’t get fined for excess luggage.

The perennial problem of fines at the gate has been ramped up.

With revelations over EasyJet putting ground staff on commission.

For fining customers in the line for breaking the weight limit on their carry-on luggage.

Portable essentials

First things first the best answer to the EasyJetstapo (now I’ve done it) is to not give them the chance to fine you.

The £48 fee charged for oversized bags from which the staff get £1.20 each piece.

Now drilling down, easyJet’s free allowance is a generous 45x36x20cm which you must be able to put under your seat.

And that poses this question… why should that not be enough for your portable essentials?

Because isn’t everything available to be bought at whichever destination you and your family are headed?

The rulebreakers

The last resort: Say a little prayer for me

And the stress and cost of paying a fine is not restricted to those who don’t follow the rules.

As we all know from being held up at the gate.

When a traveller argues the toss with the ground crew over paying.

Which incidentally they always do as the alternative of having your boarding pass blocked sharpens the mind.

The follow-up

That lost time and further delays when passengers clog up the airplane aisles trying to cram in bags to overload lockers which you never get back.

As I found out to my cost on my recent linked flight with Aer Lingus from Edinburgh through Dublin to Chicago.

With our already delayed flight disrupted further because of a couple’s intransigence.

Yes, we do all have our baggage.

And credit here to the flight crew, who remained firm and fair.

Reminding everyone that the sooner bags were put in lockers the quicker we’d get there.

Hotfooting it to the gate

Now as a half-full sort I looked back on my experience with relief.

That I made my transatlantic flight at a, albeit with ten minutes to spare.

And pre-clearance completed, a great advantage of flying out of Dublin Airport.

But my luggage did not.

Understandable because humans on legs can get to the gate and on the plane quicker than luggage on wheels.

Good to go

Of course, every action has a reaction.

And so when I got to Chicago O’Hare Airport I did so without my suitcase.

Which turned up at my Palmer House a Hilton Hotel a full three full days later a day before I was due to leave.

Of course, looking back the support desk at the carousel were very helpful.

In helping me fill out the form and keep my reference number.

While I also got to know the bell hops at the hotel very well.

From checking constantly if my yellow suitcase had arrived.

And allowing me to use their phone to check of the luggage’s status.

While there was also a very accommodating mobile phone assistant who helped me top up my credit when that ran out.

As well as Ivan, my man on the inside at Aer Lingus, who smoothed the process and reunited suitcase with Scotsman.

Aye, we do have our baggage.

And it would help if we all considered each other and brought the right-sized bags to the gate.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Tenerife sun after the festive snowfall

2nd January 20252nd January 2025 funtime65

It’s the go-to European island for the first half of the year and yes, you’ve timed it right for Tenerife sun after the festive snowfall.

Our friend Midge Ure was, of course, wrong when he questioned whether there would be ‘snow in Africa’.

And we know that Tenerife is technically in Europe although off the south coast of Europe.

Now no, we’re not getting into that woke bandwagon that the ubiquitous Ed Sheeran is so happy to jump on.

And accept it as Midge’s metaphor.

But we digress, Midge will know as many travellers from these North Atlantic islands we call Britain and Ireland, that Tenerife is an island of contrasts.

And not least weatherwise.

Winter to warmer

Our friends at Canarian Weekly reported over Christmastime that ‘a hailstorm was captured on video in the municipality of El Tanque at around 6pm.

‘The hail was linked to an anvil-shaped convective cumulus cloud that also brought wintry conditions.

‘To the peaks of Chasna and the western areas of Teide National Park.

‘The snowfall extended to other high-altitude areas, including La Palma.

‘Where the Villa de Garafía was seen blanketed in snow, delighting locals and visitors.’

Now those of us who venture further north and west and to centre of the island.

Away from the southern hotspots will recognise the topographical and meteorological differences in only a matter of miles.

An island of contrasts

All of which means you can enjoy a land which can double for sci-fi and prehistoric films in Mount Teide.

Yield enduring malvasia wines popular as far afield as Shakespearean England.

Rainforests, black volcanic beaches and almost all weather patterns in between.

So what are we doing sitting here and not trawling to pick out our holiday to the Canaries.

For Tenerife sun after the festive snowfall.

Dip in a rock pool

Garachico is as idyllic a spot as you can find in the Canaries, or anywhere.

And you must take time out of your day to swim in the rock pools at El Caleton beach.

With the formations created by the hot lava meeting the sea.

Jump on board the EasyJet Big Orange sale.

With a seven-day stay at the Garahotel from £1,395 for two for May 1-8.

And you’re encouraged to save £100 on this holiday with code: JANSALE.

Countries

Black Flyday

29th November 202429th November 2024 funtime65

The sky’s the limit when it comes to the November Friday giveaway and we have Black Flyday on our radar.

The national airline carrier as usual are front and centre with 25% off Aer Lingus flights to Ireland.

Book by midnight on Tuesday to save on Dublin city breaks, Wild Atlantic Way adventures and Belfast. getaways.

Low-fare Aer travel

And so from our nearest airport here, Edinburgh, you can reach the Irish capital from £36.99, Cork from £28.99 and Belfast from £41.99.

All each way as part of a return trip.

Of course, others of the Irish diaspora, namely the Son and Heir are in that emigree city in England… London.

And he and his pals jump on any opportunity to get back.

Particularly at £58.99 from Heathrow to Dublin, Shannon £42.99, the answer to your prayers in Knock £42.99 and Cork £63.99.

Ryanfare

Of course, every day is a giveaway day with everybody’s favourite low-fare air carrier Ryanair.

And Michael O’Leary is only offering a buy one, get one half price deal for Black Friday.

Again, we’re looking out for ourselves and our local airport from North Berwick, and that’s Edinburgh.

And of those deals under £40 we’re taken by our old favourites Bergamo with a basic fare of £37.99 and Dusseldorf, Copenhagen and Brussels at £36.99.

Book by close of play today for travel between December 1 and 16.

The offer excludes travel during Christmas period, December 18 and January 8.

Canaries take flight

And make it easy on yourself with the extra days on the EasyJet offer which ends on Monday at 11pm.

With up to 20% off flights and up to £200 off holiday prices.

We’re picking out Edinburgh to Tenerife and staying at the Laguna Park 1 for two people from £957 for the sample dates of December 6-11.

Or for the same dates try a 1 bedroom apartment with street view and balcony or terrace with TUI for the same dates s/c at Villa Mandi for £489.72pp

Now as you’re bombarded with Black Friday offers just a nod to our flight providers and Black Flyday.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

Countries, Deals, Europe

The Mother of Dragons’ shame in Dubrovnik

18th October 202418th October 2024 funtime65

I can’t take her anywhere, or how our Game of Thrones tour (£42) turned into the Mother of Dragons’ shame in Dubrovnik.

King’s Landing as all Thronies know is where Cersei walked naked through the streets as the people shouted ‘Shame’ at her.

For sleeping with Jamie her brother.

I have introduced my own Mother of Dragons thus to our guide Edi, a thirty-something Croatian guide.

Guide to GoT

The GetYourGuide Game of Thrones tour (€40) boasts some 14 locations and Edi takes us around them all.

From the moment you enter through the Pile Gate which Edi helpfully translates as Gate Gate…

You are transported through time and CGI to Martin’s world.

Ready, Edi, Go

Edi helpfully reveals that the-then Dubrovnik mayor granted HBO free rites to his city.

And that the locals initially thought him mad to give it away.

Only it has paid back in spades through tourism.

The townspeople cashed in then too when the producers offered them €100 each to remove their boats from the harbour while they shot scenes.

The Lovrijenac Fort (€15) itself is steeped in history before you even get to GoT once boasting Europe’s largest cannon.

It was here too that Cersei and Littlefinger fell out.

Stairway to Hell

The Spanish, or Jesuit Stairs, are the best-known locale, even recognised by those who have never seen the show.

Edi tells us that, yes, it is based on Rome’s Spanish Steps.

So they set a fine of €150 for those who took off their top or bras.

And so as Edi took the stragglers off to a makeshift Iron Throne.

The authentic ones are in the North of Ireland and Lokrum, in eye’s view of Dubrovnik.

And it is to Lokrum that we head next on our pearl anniversary odyssey of Croatia and Montenegro.

With loveholidays and EasyJet, staying at the Grand Park Hotel in the peninsula.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Croatia, one island down, 1,243 to go

18th October 202418th October 2024 funtime65

Croatia, one island down, 1243 to go. And I’m feeling like the peacock of the walk.

We have come the 600m from the harbour of the Old Town of Dubrovnik to Lokrum, 30% off with our Dubrovnik Pass (€30).

And the contrast is stark… and Targaryen, Lannister, Baratheon, Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn, Martell, and Tyrell.

The Queen of all she surveys

Visitors today come to luscious Lokrum to continue their Game of Thrones odyssey.

To sit on the Iron Throne which, of course, is where you will find my Mother of all Dragons.

While I stride the uneven stones up the Path of Paradise.

To the Fort Royal (French)/Fort Maximillian (Austrian) for her, after she has given me the slip.

When I should have known ‘to find her in her father’s temple’.

Floating on water

Her orders decreed from her throne she goes out to survey her domain.

The botanical gardens and the batcave… no, actual bats, not another fantasy franchise.

And the Dead Sea, no, not the actual Dead Sea but a saltwater cave and lake all the same.

I’ve the answer: Every day is a schoolday

Where again we have to step gingerly on the jaggedy stones to climb into the fresh reviving water.

We have come without towels, again she has one job to do!

But we soon dry off in the early 20s temperatures.

The Emerald Isle

Lokrum, the Emerald Isle, is uninhabited and it is liberating to be free of the crowds who throng the Old Town.

The only residents of the half a mile island are those bats, who only come out at night.

And the peacocks who strut their stuff which is why my own bird of paradise feels so at home here.

But we must take flight… we are intent to make our last day on our loveholidays and EasyJet holiday, staying in the Grand Park Hotel, in Croatia, special.

Croatia, one island down, 1243 to go. And we have our sights set on three more, the Eliphet Islands which we will share here with you.

MEET YOU ON THE WATER

Countries, Deals, Europe

Another Dubrovnik where war is real

16th October 202417th October 2024 funtime65

They come today to tred the Walk of Shame, but look around you and you will catch another Dubrovnik where war is real.

That the world pronounces that they will try and protect such jewels is admirable.

Although philistines and warmongers pay little heed.

Cities of culture

As anyone knows who followed the Dresden story and witnessed how they rebuilt that Renaissance city, the Florence of the Elbe.

History moves on and for Dresden 1945 read Dubrovnik 1991.

When the expansionist Serbs laid siege to the Pearl of the Adriatic over the autumn and winter of that year of change.

The tragedy of the Siege of Dubrovnik is that it had become a refuge for Croatians from neighbouring towns and villages.

Those who believed its cultural heritage would prick the Serbs’ conscience.

Defenders of Dubrovnik

The full story of the Fight for the Homeland is detailed at the War Museum above the Old Town.

Which today’s visitors can reach by cable car (€32 for two) which do give stunning vistas.

Although if you’re feeling fit you can walk up the winding 2km path.

It was after all how the defenders of Dubrovnik scaled the heights.

With their donkeys and their artillery and provisions.

The War Museum is a testament to the courage of the Defenders of Dubrovnik.

Road to freedom

Military aficionados will focus on the cache of weapons and uniforms and insignia on display.

While for this journalist and his photojournalist wife the audio film and pictorial and editorial displays of the Siege capture our attention.

We spend a couple of hours learning and assimilating the Siege of Dubrovnik before walking down the slopes to the Old Town.

We place stones by the crosses that mark the winding path and say a prayer at the Stations of the Cross.

It is a leisurely stroll and one not afforded those who fought and died here in 1991.

Let the Games begin

A Game of Thrones tour awaits us down by the fountain at the front gates of the Old Town.

It is, of course, all fantasy which we will share with you as we continue our loveholidays and EasyJet holiday.

And for that we are all thankful.