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Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying

Glasgow’s planes like clockwork

23rd April 202623rd April 2026 funtime65

Glasgow’s planes like Swiss clockwork always arrive on time. And its trains.

Because when my birth city’s burghers go upgrading their transport network they sensibly choose Swiss.

Now few of you might put Scotland’s largest city as the third oldest subway in the world.

Built in 1896 they are only behind Budapest, earlier that year, and the Daddy of them all, London in 1863.

Which means they’ve been at it 130 years.

The toblerone underground

And in contrast to the Hungarian capital you won’t get spot-fined by a scary Magyar guard for not validating your ticket.

Today’s Glasgow Subway looks very different from the one my grandparents would have taken.

The witty Glaswegians christening the Subway they have today the Clockwork Orange on account of their orange livery.

And with some driverless trains on the way later this year.

Although our Swiss hosts, at the grand Glasgow City Chambers last night, would not say if our trains would now be toblerone-shaped.

Ca va, we’re having some fun with you here, Swiss trains run, well, like clockwork.

Edelweiss, bless my Swiss home

On the right track: With your Swiss TravelPass

We gathered to mark the opening of the new summer seasonal Edelweiss flight route from Glasgow to Zurich.

Which will launch on May 29, running twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) until September 14.

And because this is a return arrangement us Scots have put their mark on the Edelweiss planes.

With the Scottish Leather Group, the largest manufacturer of leather in Britain, kitting out the planes and seating passengers in style.

Deal us in

Best seat in house: And they’re Scottish leather

Switzerland, of course, has four seasons like the rest of us although we naturally associate it with winter and falling down mountains.

But having enjoyed its summer charms, walking and yodelling in the valleys.

There’s a whole new summer world waiting for those who travel through Glasgow.

Now you’ll be wanting to know how much you’ll have to shell out and the fares aren’t mountainous.

We found a sample return flight for the first week in June from £215.11.

Countries, Food & Wine, Skiing, Sport

The Swiss skis Brienzer Breeze

10th October 202510th October 2025 funtime65

And for Bandanini and Bandanettes out there asking… Jocktails takes a deeper dive into the Swiss skis Brienzer Breeze.

The amethyst-coloured cocktail served up this week by our Interlaken amis with a little help from Scotts Kitchen in Edinburgh.

Now the BB as we’re now christening it is a twist on the old favourite, the Hawaiian Seabreeze.

Which, of course, was on your Bandanaman’s list of go-to drinks for our Saturday evening Jocktails ritual back in Ireland.

A twist on an old favourite

Of course, we’re always curious to find new drinks.

And we were further prompted by interest from Cocktail Apprentice, the Son and Heir.

And so this is what you’ll be needing and we know you have it lying around the house.

The perfect mix

Ingredients:

1 and a half ounces of vodka

1 oz blue curacao

Half an ounce of coconut cream

Half an ounce of white rum

Two ounces of pineapple juice

Ice

Pineapple slice

And sparkling water to top it off.

Whole lot of shaking

Table set: Interlaken after trotty bike ride

So for the magic:

Prepare a highball or hurricane glass with ice to chill it.

Shake in a cocktail shaker and combine the vodka, white rum, blue curacao, cream of coconut and pineapple juice.

Before adding a handful of ice to it.

Shaking it vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to mix and chill everything.

Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass over fresh ice and garnish.

With a slide of pineapple, a cherry or lemon slice.

Get Interlaken

Find a mate, book a raft or a hot tub to go out on Lake Brienzer, Interlaken… and enjoy.

And, of course, for details of how to get there, where to stay and what to do.

Follow your Swissophile swally-drinking pal here.

Countries, Europe, Food

FellowSwiss of the Ring

24th August 202524th August 2025 funtime65

And seeing you need a hearty meal if you’re going on a long trek with little feet we bring you Merry and Pippin’s FellowSwiss of the Ring.

Frodo’s friends, or more accurately the actors who played them, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, are munching their way around le monde.

For their new Amazon Prime series Billy and Dom Eat the World and we join them in Verbier in Switzerland.

As they tear into the seven, count them, meals a hobbit eats.

Which is breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.

Fondue memories

Our furry-footed fréres, well used to climbing the Misty Mountains, visit the snowy peaks of the 3,300m Mont Fort on their adventure.

But their alter egos coif champagne fondue at the Igloo, Europe’s highest fondue restaurant, rather than the hobbits’ favourite ale.

They also roll up their sleeves to bake bread at the Four Banal in Vollege.

While becoming part of the Brotherhood of Bread (see what the programme-makers are doing there).

The great adventure: For Merry and Pippin

With a time-honoured flour ceremony.

Something’s always brewing though when there are hobbits around.

And Merry and Pippin dig out and artisan brewery Amicale des Brasseurs de Vollèges.

All to wash down their flipping good crêpes at Verbier Milk Bar.

Cheese crackers

Now we all know the hobbits love their rustic food.

And there has been much debate among fans of Middle-Earth about their favourite cheese, with Red Leicester much favoured.

But we can just see the playful hobbits getting hours of fun out of Raclette AOP du Valais dripping down their chins.

Our dynamic duo spend time with big cheese Marc Dubosson crafting Bagnes cheese at Laterie de Verbier.

And they meet Roboclette, the first machine in the world capable of scraping melted cheese, part robot part raclette maestro.

The pair stay overnight at 100-year-old Cabane Mont Fort, perched high above Verbier at 2,457m.

All of which culinary exertions is a gear-change for our usually lazy hobbits.

Having a ball

And the programme makers get their value out of Merry and Pippin by asking them to try their hand at cooking Swiss Rosti and preparing croissants at 4am.

In a departure from the food theme, the pair also cosied up to skiers in gondolas and cable cars to reach the top of the mountain, climaxing with a snowball contest.

The 50-minute episode is one of an eight-part series featuring destinations such as Costa Rica, Japan, Manchester, California, and Texas.

A glowing Dominic waxed lyrical about his adventure: “Such a fantastic experience to be chilly outside and be able to eat melted cheese and drink hot chocolate.”

While buddy Billy added: “We wanted this show to be a way to get to see a country and its people through food. Switzerland did not disappoint, such a beautiful country, amazing food and wonderful people. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality”

The production was secured by our old pals Heaven Publicity, the promotional agency for Verbier Tourisme in the UK.

And produced by Dash Pictures, an Emmy award-nominated TV production agency with a global distribution network.

Countries, Europe, Ireland, Oceania

Iceland & Ireland the world’s most peaceful countries

29th June 2025 funtime65

The tired gag was ‘One letter and six months’ for Europe’s outliers, but who’s had the last laugh now with Iceland & Ireland the world’s most peaceful countries.

So who says so… well us, but also Condé Nast’s Global Peace Index.

Who mark countries on lack of corruption, a functioning government, a robust economy, fair distribution of resources.

A free flow of information and good neighbourly relations.

And that’s something to bang your saucepan about which is how the Icelanders expressed their dissatisfaction outside parliament.

Now full disclosure here there is more than a letter apart in my experience of Ireland and Iceland.

As we’ve yet to take the plunge into the Blue Lagoon or the bougie boutique hotels in the Land of Fire and Ice.

Or taken the Icelandair option of stop-off to America.

Irish solution

Aussie philanthropist Steve Killelea (and he must be Irish with a name like that) describes Iceland thus:

‘One of the most stunning countries in the world, like a moonscape covered in snow.

‘It also hasn’t had an internal conflict since 1008 AD when no more than 100 people died.’

As a lesson in conflict resolution Ireland is an example with nearly 30 years of sustained peace in the North.

And you can learn the secrets of that success in the reconciliation hub that is the haven that is Glencree in Co. Wicklow.

Condé Nast describes the Land of Saints and Scholars as boasting ‘striking vistas and storybook towns’.

Lands of bliss

We’ll leave Antipodean Steve to wax lyrical on New Zealand, third on the list.

‘Because of the way it’s honoured indigenous rights, the peace treaty with the Māoris when the British arrived is held to this day.’

And we can share Steve’s admiration for another country who have integration licked, the Swiss.

Fifth on the index Switzerland scores ‘with four official languages coexisting, it takes a remarkable political system to hold that together.

‘By its very nature, it shows us how different cultures can live harmoniously and respectfully within one system.’

Taking a breather: In the Austrian Tirol

In these Alpine parts, of course, No. 4 Austria is never far apart either geographically or in life experience.

Which we’d agree with too and the remarks ‘Austria’s majestic peaks, vast plains and postcard-perfect lakes are as peaceful as they look.’

Pointing too to Vienna’s top spot in the rankings in the 2024 Economist Intelligence Unit.

The ideal getaways

Now as our lives grow ever busier those who compile these listicles for us and do the heavy lifting for us are a Godsend.

Which leaves us to make our own links and ignore the simplistic jibes of those who don’t make these lists.

The ones that tell the real truth… Iceland & Ireland the world’s most peaceful countries.

Countries, Europe, Music

I won’t give in to Eurovision’s dark tourism

12th May 202412th May 2024 funtime65

My head’s busting today (and not because I joined the house girlie party) but I won’t give in to Eurovision‘s dark tourism around this year’s contest in Malmo in Sweden.

In what was meant to be a celebration of 50 years since its greatest champions Abba won the competition with Waterloo.

The music fest has become more of a war than a channel of peace and unity.

The protests around the Israel entry and the original lyrics to their song, the subliminal messages in Driuid Ogham on the body of the Irish singer and the Dutch singer’s disqualification have all betrayed the spirit of the competition.

Now not for one minute do I intend to descend into the politics of the Middle East.

Only to say it seems to me be only humane to take an even-handed empathy and sympathy for both sides.

But the bullying of the Israeli singer was wrong both on a personal level and because it ignores the country’s history in the competition.

Much of that harassing has come from an LGBTQ+ lobby who do not take into account that Dana International from Israel was Eurovision’s first trans winner in 1998.

Keep it neutral

Thankfully then next year’s competition, a return to the scene of the first in 1956, will be more neutral.

Or you’d hope so as it is being held in non-aligned Switzerland.

And kudos to winner Nemo for not getting embroiled in the politics in their acceptance speech.

All of which is a slightly strong-handed introduction to all things Eurovision tourism related.

For it is a thing all right.

With Liverpool getting a £40m boost from holding the extravaganza on behalf of Ukraine last year.

Obvious really when you think that Eurovision is the biggest cultural event in the world.

With its three live broadcasts drawing 162 million viewers.

Big noise in the hood

There’s still a point: But lose the politics

It’s all eyes on your town and a marketing guru’s dream to provide a showpiece of what’s best in your hood.

It helps, of course, to be one of the world’s richest countries… think all those Swiss banks.

Iceland ran a subpar candidate in 2020 Netflix comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga which was really rooted in reality.

Hosting the event could cause the country to go bankrupt.

A fear long held in Ireland, which holds the record for most competition wins along with Sweden on seven.

With its national broadcaster RTE said to have almost gone bankrupt hosting the event.

While in 2012 when Azerbaijan welcomed the contest in capital Baku, it was reported that the country spent upwards of €55 million hosting the event.

Not including the €92 million stadium they built for it.

Swede sounds of the tills

Some 100,000 visitors descended on Malmo this last week swelling its 350,000 population.

That including ticket buyers from 89 countries, fans without tickets, sponsors.

And the performers from 37 participating countries, each with around 20 crew members.

All of which had the hoteliers in the city rubbing their hands with glee.

With business hotel Clarion Malmö Live, sold out months before the event with rates from €167 up to €790 per night.

While boutique Malmo hotel MJ’s is just one to have gone all-out kitsch for Eurovision.

Its rooms sold out on the day Malmo was announced as host city last July.

While the few remaining “x-tra” small rooms (just over 100 sqft) came in at upwards of $300 a night.

Swiss timing

International appeal: Dana International

None of which should put us off what should be an annual celebration of the power of music.

To unite and the common values we share across Europe and Eurofriendly countries like Australia, and yes, Israel.

So let’s not be ambushed, and I won’t give in to Eurovision’s dark tourism.

And rather sing out loud for what a great continent we have and why we should promote all our great destinations.

MEET YOU AT EUROVISION IN SWITZERLAND

Countries, Europe

It’s my Geburtstag and I’ll lie in if I want to

23rd November 202323rd November 2023 funtime65

It’s my Geburtstag and I’ll lie in if I want to.

And read my messages from pals, near and far, including a virtual bunch of roses from meine Freunde in Wengen, Switzerland.

I left quite a mark on Hotel Bellevue… on their breakfast room ceiling when in my rush to get to the slopes I left the shower on.

And was met with a wry smile and an enquiry into my day on my return followed by the disclosure of that morning’s breakfast.

Now I’ve had plenty of practice at apologising, in fact it’s my opening gambit with The Scary One.

And I’m glad to say the charming crew at my Swiss hotel took my suppliant sorries in good part.

Birthday boy

And they have faithfully sent me gifts galore every birthday over the past eight years

Those roses, fish platters, chocolate cake, dessert and the most picturesque scenes.

Note to wife… and the anaemic half cup of tea sans bagels this morn.

Of course, the best present of all is to get out to share these places on earth that are heaven like the Hotel Bellevue.

Thankfully mine hosts and those dream makers who make it all happen, our travel providers, have stuck with me.

Including my Scary One here at home.

And Rosie and Heaven Publicity who charitably gave me a chance to redeem myself in Val D’Isere last winter.

Heavenly havens

Heaven, as we’ve come to expect, are all over Black Friday, and we will be too.

That celestial dreamscape is different for us all but it would be difficult to argue against these heavenly havens…

Scotland, Venice & Verona, the Maldives, the South Atlantic and Japan.

All of which are on Heaven’s radar, and I’ll share with you after I indulge in birthday bingeing.

And mine as I pick out which gifts to treat myself to.

In my scratcher because after all it’s my Geburtstag and I’ll lie in if I want to.

Countries, Europe, Food & Wine

Swiss cheese Raclette it be

7th October 20237th October 2023 funtime65

Swiss cheese Raclette it be… and there’s my cri de coeur for the inaugural World Raclette Championships later this month.

Or my let it crumble moment if you will.

Anyone who has visited Switzerland (and if not, why not?) will wax lyrical about their cheeses.

That melting magic when your cheese drips onto your potatoes like snow from your skis down the Alps.

Of which, of course, the Swiss when it comes to their cheese make it an occasion.

The big cheeses

For this first edition, our Swiss amis have invited several countries’ best big cheeses for a weekend in Portes du Soleil, north of Chamonix.

The five best cheeses in each of the three categories are judged by a Super Jury, of cheese experts.

Alpine Raw Milk Raclette
Cheeses made exclusively with raw milk from alpine pasures between June 15th and July 15th.
Raw Milk Raclette
Cheeses made with raw milk.
Other Raclettes
Semi-hard cheeses.

Yodel heroes

At the heart of the festivities will be a festive ‘Raclette Village’ with an array of alpine tasting cheeses and numerous workshops.

And what would a Swiss party be without a sing-song, a yodel, a glockenspiel.

And that’s what you get with the Raclette Village with an emphasis on kiddies’ entertainment.

Wonder if they’ll call it the YMCheeseA.

Melt your heart

So Swiss cheese Raclette it be.

It’ll melt your heart and probably clog it but hey, ho, we’ve got to go somehow.

And dripping cheese and amber lager is my idea of the best route and Air Swiss the providers to get you there.

The Swiss agree, why then would they call their lager Hell?

America, Caribbean, Countries, Europe

Party in 2023

31st December 202231st December 2022 funtime65

Thank you 2022, old friends and new so now let’s party in 2023.

As is tradition at this time of year it’s fun to look back on what we all did over the past 365 days.

Of course even the most travelled of us will spend most of our time at home.

And we’re blessed to live by the sea near one of the great cities, Edinburgh, which is why we have been fortunate to receive visitors from around the world.

Swish Swiss

Put them on a podium: With Fran and Myriam

Auld Reekie’s winds and bends have long captivated the most imaginative which is why it’s oft-used for film locations.

And that’s part of the fun of it all as even those who thought they knew Edinburgh’s streets found themself taking detours around building works.

Before alighting on the charming Ondine on George IV Bridge, in between St Giles’ Cathedral and the Camera Obscura.

Royal watchers, of course, would become acquainted with the historic Royal Mile and St Giles Cathedral.

With Queen Elizabeth taking up residence there in September (but more of that later).

Brigitte too far: With the inestimable Brigitte

We were around this locale earlier in the year to meet our amis from Switzerland.

To recall scary Swiss hoteliers, taking the highest train journey in Europe, the Jungfrau, up the Eiger.

And yodelling in the valleys with Brigitte, a supersonic septuagenarian.

And hearing about what Switzerland has in store for us for the coming year.

Which, of course, Switzerland’s most famous and knowledgeable man (my new amie Myriam I discovered is its most clued-up woman) Roger Federer will be happy to share with you.

We rounded off the afternoon warming ourselves with Scottish drink in the institution that is the Greyfriars Bobby pub which like Bobby we always come back to.

As we will Switzerland, and had, earlier in the year when we tarried as long as we could in Zurich airport and the Montreaux Jazz Cafe Geneva which does exactly what it says on the tin.

Ski and easy in Val D’Isere

There was dancing in ski boots on the slopes of Val D’Isere too as skiing got back on the slopes after Covid.

It’s safe to say that I’m more comfortable at the apres than the ski as I raved at La Folie Douce.

And fell on the magic carpet up to the slopes.

With the help of my new amis I managed to stay upright on the mountains.

Although flat on my back in the ice pool.

Back in Barbados

Ri Ri and me me: At Rihanna’ childhood house

Now I think we’d all agree that five years is too long to stay away from the ultimate party island.

But I’m glad to say that they allowed me back, Crop Over high jinks aside, and this time they even put on a Scottish party for me.

The Barbados Celtic Festival is a celebration of all things Celtic but with a heavily tartan tinge.

All of which means dancing Gay Gordons, Eightsome Reels and Dashing White Sergeants on the baking-hot Boardwalk.

A big difference from cold church halls in the Heelans of Scotland.

Whisky was taken with well-versed Bajan pals and rum, of course.

We reversed that later in the summer with my buddy Shane, Barbados’s man on the ground in Scotland, and new travel trade pals here.

Wending our way down an Edinburgh canal on a rum-tasting tour before well-deserved nightcaps in the city’s Princes Street.

My cup of tea

Of course, it wasn’t all boozy days and nights (OK, it was) but there was more civilised libations taken… tea, and lots of it.

On my long-anticipated return to Boston, scene of my summer of love after university in 1987.

The one missing experience from those months in Beantown was the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum because it wasn’t there then.

But it was now and beckoning me on from my Envoy Hotel window.

As was a return to my old haunt, the Irish Black Rose pub and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

And a trek on the tracks to other wonders of New England in arty Providence in Rhode Island and kooky Connecticut with its academia and culinary pizza and hamburger heritage.

More America

I wasn’t finished with the Oo Es of Eh, and it hadn’t had it with me either, and while we weren’t dancing in the streets of Detroit we were singing its praises.

Albeit in Glasgow with old friends from the Motor City and the Great Lake State.

Detroit has long been the one that got away when I commissioned a colleague to enjoy its charms only for her to return with nary a tale.

Either of Stevie Wonder‘s sweetie machine and the dimes laid out for him to eat his favourite peanut candy.

Or the historical wonder of Ford’s museum and the JFK cavalcade from his assassination in Dallas, Texas.

The Lone Star State will hopefully be the next destination in 2023 when I hope to reconnect with the American travel fair, IPW. And also Michigan.

I might even get time to see Favourite Cousin in Washington DC in 2023.

And while I’m rhymin’ a happy new year to you all and let’s party in 2023.

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

Countries

A No1 Finnday Funday

19th March 2022 funtime65

And for the fourth year running it’s the happiest place in the world, it’s a No1 Finnday Funday.

So what do we put Finland’s joy down to… all those icy dips and saunas?

Well, yes, according to the Finns themselves who credit their love of nature.

He’s started so he’ll Finnish

Heli Jimenez, of Business Finland, explained: ‘We appreciate the small things in our daily lives.

‘Such as sitting quietly on a bench and staring at the empty lake after a relaxing sauna session or taking a morning dip in the sea before starting the working day.’

If you now live in the frozen north of Britain, or Scotland as it’s sometimes called, then it’s a victory for chilly places.

Cry freedom

Happiest place on earth: Paula in Orlando

The UN World Happiness Report looks at perceived freedom, honesty, welfare, good health and generosity.

And a trust in their leaders which has been reciprocated over Covid with that ‘helping to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic.’

Now we’re all of us ambassadors for our countries when we live abroad.

And among my most treasured possessions is the Pleasure To Work With Award that hangs proudly on my wall.

From the Travel trade from my 13 years in Ireland.

And indulge me here but I’d lavish my own praises on unofficial Finnish ambassador to Scotland, and part-time Disney character Paula Murray here.

Among the friends from around the world who I got to meet through Ireland were those who also scored highly for happiness.

Happy talking

Ireland themselves obvs and it will come as no surprise to our Paddy Party People that they come four places higher than the UK.

The Nordic and Scandi countries and be sure to know the diff.

Denmark, Sweden and Norway are in both alongside Finland, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The Danes and the Icelanders occupy second and third spots and Sweden and Norway seventh and eighth.

And what they lack in low drink prices which sees cruisers stay dry on on-shore excursions, they make up for in spirit.

And a smile on their faces

Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam

Making up the rest of the top ten are the swish Swiss (4th) and the liberal Dutch (5th),

Tiny Luxembourg (6th) you can get around in a day while Israel (9th) isn’t called the Land of Milk and Honey for nothing.

While the New Zealanders (10th) will be doing the Haka in celebration at being two places above Australia.

It is though refreshing, much like the Nordic air, to see that it’s still a No1 Funday Finnday

America, Countries, Europe, Skiing, Sport

A broom to sweep the Alpine bar

10th February 202210th February 2022 funtime65

You trudge the peaks to the top of Europe only to be handed a broom to sweep the Alpine bar.

This broom though is a curling accessory, you have a stone in hand and a circle on the ice rink to target.

It’s not what you’d expect when you are escorted through the curtain of the Ice Bar.

At the top of the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland.

But you’ve got a Swiss dram (yes, really) at the bar.

To warm and energise you for your initiation in the ancient Scottish game.

Ice bowls

Aye, ice bowls, as it is sometimes dismissively referred, was invented (as everything is) in Scotland.

When an ice skating religious minister glided across Duddingston Loch…

Well, that can’t be proved definitively.

But do check out the Henry Raeburn painting at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.

Curling has us in our grip every four years when Scots Olympians take over Britain and our curlers swap their Saltires for Union Jacks.

Alas, just like golf which we also gave to the world, the world learned to do it better.

As evidenced in Beijing just now.

A Scottish gift to America

And we’ve struggled recently to replicate the success of Golden Girl Rhona Martin from the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.

Unsurprisingly as the Scottish footprint is all over the States the Americans are among the world’s leading curling nations.

And news comes to us from winter sports centre Lake Tahoe of how much more they put into the game and all winter sports.

With 17 of the US team calling the base in the Nevada/California border calling Lake Tahoe its home.

Learn to curl

Dark Destroyer: Curltime Jimmy in Switzerland

Helpfully the good folk of Lake Tahoe are offering help to curl and saying you’ll be able to show off on the next Zoom meet.

The rest (to get out there) you’ll have to ask your friendly neighbouring travel agents about.

Drams are made of this: Whisky in the Alps

Now, if you’re lucky enough to live in Scotland then you will be able to take your first baby steps in winter sports.

I’ve done it myself and yes with my old friends in Ireland Topflight for Schools, it has led me to the Winter Olympics.

Bavarian Games

Get your skis on: Channeling the 1936 Games

Albeit Hitler’s 1936 Games at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria.

Where pictures of the winners adorn the walls of the showpiece restaurant in the town.

A page in history: German Olympic winner

And the centrepiece is the ski jump.

Maybe better sticking on firm ground (or ice).

Hand me a broom to sweep the Alpine bar.