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America, Caribbean, Countries

A Californian Christmas with the Adams family

18th December 202518th December 2025 funtime65

It’s altogether kooky, a Californian Christmas with the Adams family, where ‘even Santa will have a tan’.

For half the world where it glows rather than snows on Christmas Day.

Which is what it is for rock legend, the Groover from Vancouver, in his Californian home.

And don’t you know that Bryan Adams’ Christmas offering is the earworm on our radio stations this festive period.

Now does it do for you?

Bryan tells us that every day you know it’s going to shine in the Golden State and he’s never let us down in the past.

Chasing the sun

Of course, we’re all of us in the chilly northern bit of the northern hemisphere, dreaming of that.

And it has been our good fortune to find ourselves in warmer parts around this time of year.

Although, not as you would expect the Deep South of America.

Where I awoke in our coach journey through Mississippi to discover the fields in a blanket of white.

Which my Tennessean guide Heather told me was what the sharecroppers would call the snow.

Not that any of it diminished the warm welcome we received in an antibellum house.

Where we learned that the movie the Help had been filmed.

And a Caribbean Christmas too

Now we trust that our Californian chums will be indulging in their favourite pastime of hiking over the holidays.

And chilling out which is really all you can do in the warm.

And which our pals in the Caribbean have down to a fine art.

Not that we’d recommend the big red and white robes more suited to northern climes.

But which they faithfully don in a nod to our more Old World traditions.

Although, of course, as with all things in the Caribbean, and in this case Tobago it comes with a shot of rum.

An Irie and a peel of parang Soca music.

So whatever your poison or pastime the festive season is always better with a song in your heart.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

The Grape Gatsby in Grapevine in Texas

3rd June 20253rd June 2025 funtime65

Bet you’re wondering how I knew, how I knew before you, but they’re championing The Grape Gatsby in Grapevine in Texas.

Our good old Southern compadres in the Lone Star State have borrowed a Yankee icon for this, the 39th Annual Grapefest, in September.

But anything goes in the name of wine, we say.

And we know that Texans and visitors will rise to the challenge to don DJs, Spatz and flapper dresses and coif out of goblets.

Grapevine, which runs four unforgettable days on Historic Main Street, September 11, 12, 13 and 14, is a veritable fest of fun.

Stomp of approval

Stage is set: For Grapefest in Grapevine, Texas

And we can just picture Jay, Nick, Tom, Daisy and Myrtle trampling away in the popular GrapeStomp.

Where teams of two against each other in a race against the clock to stomp about 18 pounds of grapes in a thrilling two-minute frenzy.

The stakes are high, culminating in the Grand Champion Stompoff.

Where the ultimate victors are awarded the coveted Purple Foot Award!

While for those with a steady hand and a celebratory spirit, the Champagne Cork Shoot-Off offers a unique test of skill.

Participants take aim at targets, with smaller targets yielding higher points.

All building to the Grand Shoot-Off finals on Sunday.

The best possible taste

Now the Grapevine Annual Grapefest is a showcase for Texan wine and the week when the Lone Star State challenges California’s riches.

Boasting the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer-judged wine tasting competition in the states, exclusively featuring all Texas wines.

And you can meet Texas winemakers while sampling and judging more than a dozen varietal categories including sweet, dry and blush.

Elevate your wine knowledge with engaging pairing workshops.

Where experts will guide you in discovering the perfect harmonies between your favorite vinos and delectable cheese, chocolates and more!

All the fun of the fest

While the GrapeFest guys and gals helpfully tell us what else is on offer.

Live Music and Entertainment: Enjoy a vibrant soundtrack throughout the festival with performances across multiple stages.
Iconic Festival Food: Indulge in a diverse culinary scene with food options to complement the wine selections. And try a Texas corny dog or funnel cake!
Artisan Marketplace: Discover unique handcrafted goods and souvenirs made by Texas vendors.
Family-Friendly Fun: With activities for all ages, GrapeFest includes a KidZone, Carnival and Midway.
Historic Backdrop: Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are repurposed as boutiques, international cafés and bistros, art galleries and winery tasting rooms.

Will you be mine?

Now, you’ll be glad after your jet lag from Europe to know that the Texas tipplers’ town is just beside Dallas Fort Worth.

For you to roll in and roll back to the airport after all the fun.

And is home to a range of world-class hotels.

From luxe resorts, including Gaylord Texan to the boutique Hotel Vin.

And family-friendly Great Wolf Lodge, visitors will find accommodations that suit their needs and preferences.

Grapevine is also home to the Urban Wine Trail, Historic Main Street, Historic Nash Farm, Grapevine Vintage Railroad.

And hosts many annual festivals and events including GrapeFest.

Super trample: And aim for that Purple Foot trophy

And Main Street Fest – A Timeless Texas Tradition.

While if you can’t get away until later in the year Grapevine is also the Christmas Capital of Texas.

With more than 1,400 Christmas events over 40 days.

And was voted Newsweek Reader’s Choice Best Christmas Town in the US in 2024.

And all year round too, and not just the four days of GrapeFest.

We can celebrate The Grape Gatsby in Grapevine in Texas.

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

Pure selfiesness of Insta Papal pics

25th April 202525th April 2025 funtime65

They look unthreatening but we wouldn’t advise challenging the Swiss Guards tackling the pure selfiesness of Insta Papal pics.

It would, of course, be too much to expect that people would respect Francis’s dignity.

By desisting from stealing a selfie with the Pope as he lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica.

And I can’t imagine my mum’s cousins, monks and nuns.

All in the same family, copying the sisters with mobiles at the Pope’s casket.

Processing the processions

Whatever the rights and wrongs of processions to visit a dignitary as they lie in state.

And we would argue that it elicits a gawkishness or overdeference among those who stand for hours to worship at a mortal’s feet.

Whether that be a queen, a president or a pope.

It must be wrong that the great modern icon of Insta-gratification has come to overrule normal rules and conventions.

And we won’t even get started at those who smile inanely at the gates of Auschwitz and other Holocaust or dark tourist sites.

World turns off its phones

Stick to this: The Beefeaters at the Tower of London

Back in the Vatican the Swiss Guards and Polizie have for now not brought the full force of the law down on the miscreants.

But the tide is turning around the world against the Insta-social behaviour which is ruining our visitors experiences.

At the moment the ban on selfies has been restricted to matters of safety and security.

And so visitors are forbidden from taking selfies, photos or videos in the Jewel House of the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept.

The big beasts

No bull: Selfies are banned at the Running of the Bulls

Elsewhere it’s animals’ safety that is the consideration.

Theirs and ours with pics with the big cats ruled out in the zoos and circuses of New York.

And photos with bears are a no-no in Lake Tahoe in California.

Although the authorities would probably be best just letting the grizzlies enforce the law for them.

With some humans instinctively averse to boundaries the rules have to be laid down for them.

And so, and think about, the authorities have had to legislate against selfies at the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona.

Respect for religion

Now while that adrenaline rush is an athletic pilgrimage our spiritual odysseys also need protecting.

And the Islamic world does it best with the ban on selfies on the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Pilgrims only have a short time left in the snaking queue before the casket is closed tonight on the Pope.

Before his funeral tomorrow and Francis gets some peace from the throngs.

And the pure selfiesness of Insta Papal pics.

Countries

The Return of Ronnie Reagan

3rd August 20243rd August 2024 funtime65

And as America’s first movie matinee idol President the Great Communicator was always going to live for ever on the big screen, which is why it’s surprising that we’ve had to wait this long for the Return of Ronnie Reagan and a movie of his life.

For Fifty Somethings Reagan was really the President we all grew up with and a larger-than-life, or Spitting Image latex puppet head, character.

But the lampoons of the 40th President of the United States aside they do the Great Man a great discredit.

It is timely to honour the Old Cowboy who bestrode the great divide of American society.

And was also the main driver in the end of the Cold War.

When I reconnected with America after a 20-year pause in the Noughties Reagan was on the rise again.

He had alas left us after a dignified battle with Dementia.

But the torch had been passed down through his great friends, the Bushes.

A Capitol idea

Chilling: Attempt on Ronnie Reagan’s life outside the Washington Hilton

And I found myself in the company in Washington DC of those who protected his legacy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

It was my first I hope of many meetings with the Great and Good of American travel at IPW which was being hosted by the nation’s capital.

And arriving at the Washington Hilton Hotel forecourt I felt a chill.

Like millions must have since the President was shot by John Hinckley Jnr.

Hat’s the fella: Dennis Quaid as Ronnie Reagan

Now to find Reagan’s stamp in Washington you’ll want to go to the Rotunda in the Capitol.

Where he stands resplendent on a plinth significantly on top of fragments of the Berlin Wall.

Donated by the state of California which he served with distinction as a governor.

Playing it by the book

On a pedestal: Ronnie Reagan in the Capitol

It is, of course, the Golden State which is most associated with Reagan.

And that is where his Presidential Library has curated the artefacts of his time in the White House.

And we get regular updates on all they are doing out there.

To promote his life and his legacy in today’s America.

Including for this descendant of Ireland a recreation of the Irish pub where he drank on his state visit in 1984.

Whether that will pop up in the titular movie, well, we’re still waiting.

On our invite over to Simi Valley for the premiere.

Reagan is based on a on the 2006 book by Paul Kengor The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism.

And it follows Ronnie (Dennis Quaid) and his life from his childhood.

To his years as POTUS, told by former KGB agent Viktor Ivanov (Jon Voigt).

Out in the States on August 30, it’s one more for the Gipper which all you Reaganites will instantly recognise.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

Sideways look at California Wine Month

2nd August 20242nd August 2024 funtime65

To this day we can never buy this bottle without commenting f*****g Merlot… but let us explain on our Sideways look at California Wine Month.

Sideways is the cult movie where a groom-to-be and his best man take an oenophiles’ road trip through California.

Connecticut’s own Paul Giammati’s repressed character Miles delivers an immortal line about SoCal students favourite Merlot.

When pal Jack (Thomas Haden Church) asks him to make up a double date.

And wine snob Miles reluctantly agrees but says ‘I am not drinking any f*****g Merlot.’

Stomp of approval

Californians, of course, drink from the vine all year around but they deem September to be Wine Month.

And our friends we have met and wined and dined with in the Golden state have laid out the table for us.

Only they want us to work for our supper.

Hitting the right key: Entertainment with your wine

Visitors are invited to trample the grapes underfoot while marvelling at the sight of colourful hot air balloons floating over the vineyards.

And there is, of course, no shortage of vineyards in Temecula Valley, an hour and a half south of LA.

With wineries including Callaway Vineyard & Winery, South Coast Winery, Europa Village, Temecula Carriage Company, Ponte Estate Winery, Somerset Winery, and more.

The full Ponte

The stomping is pretty much what it says on the barrel.

So you step into a vat and start stomping.

And all with a background of live music, dining, dancing and even a Lucy lookalike competition.

Now our Californian chums have kindly laid out the swathe of fancy accommodation options for our road trip.

And keeping in the spirit of Sideways we thought we’d perm the romantic getaways for you.

Air Miles

As a sample booking the non-members 22nd Annual Grape Stomp at Ponte Winery brings 20% off the standard room rate for non-members which you can access via their site.

And because we can’t just zip down the coast like Miles and Jack, we do the next best thing.

And fly Aer Lingus Smart with pre-clearance from Dublin from €819.81.

Something to think about then as you sip your f*****g Merlot wherever you are.

It’s how they do it in the Golden State, it’s a Sideways look at California Wine Month.

America, Countries

Head is spinnin’ in Universal Hollywood

8th May 20248th May 2024 funtime65

So my head is spinnin’ in Universal Studios Hollywood.

No, not because of the rides… I learned my lesson from when The Hulk got angry with me years ago down in Orlando.

Although I held my breath and onto my breakfast then thanks to guide Natalie’s motion sickness tablets.

And fitted in a spin around Hogwarts in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This year in Universal Hollywood I’m pacing myself.

Not least because my head is spinnin’ after a night that any of the Hollywood hell raisers would shrink away from.

I blame, er thank, the Minneapolis-St Paul, Travel South USA, Travel Texas and Washington DC Pride delegations for getting me this way.

Now while it is a schoolboy error to turn up like this on match night, haven’t we all been here?

The trick to making the most of your Universal Orlando evening is to follow the Murty Manual.

Water ride

Rehydrate: Don’t be a hero. Yes, the wine, cocktails and beer are flowing like the water rides but water is key.

You don’t have to be a monk, of course, and it would be rude not to order a Duff’s at Moe’s.

But soak it all up with a dirty Krusty Burger and fries.

It’ll bring some colour back to your face and make you more appealing when you meet up with Marilyn.

What a character

Meet the gang: The whole Universal gang is here, of course.

Doc from Back to the Future, Beetlejuice and our cast of animated heroes.

Shrek and Puss in Boots will pose for photos while Donkey will riff with you for your vid.

While I haven’t a scooby what the Mystery Machine mob made of this Bandanaman.

Tour de force

Get off your trolley: No, not like that, and I refer you to the Rehydrate section.

No, the studio tour is a joyous journey through 60 years of the behind-the-scenes world of Universal.

Now, they’ve ramped things up here since the last time I was here, as Universal Hollywood always do.

And Jimmy Fallon no less spins us through six decades of stories and sets in 45 minutes.

Joined by pals Stephen Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Jack Black and a host of Hollywood A-listers.

While you’ll also meet Jaws up close and personal who jumps out at you from the Hollywood lake.

While on your mid-tour break when you get out you can meet King Kong.

And something even scarier, Norman Bates fixing his eyes on you as he brings a wrapped-up body out of the motel bedroom.

Throw in a trip into a subway where you roll when an earthquake takes hold and everything breaks around you.

And it’s clear that Universal Hollywood’s story is a ripping yarn with you at the centre of it.

Oh brother

Pizza the action: We end the evening in Universal Hollywood’s in the resort’s newest attraction, Nintendo World.

Where we enter into a world of fun through the Green Tunnel and join Mario, Luigi and Princess Peaches.

And even get to go on a Mario Kart for a ride and a 3-D shoot-up for gold coins.

I’m back in credit (I scored 61 against a high score of 71).

I still got it. My head is spinnin’ in Universal Hollywood.

But I’m rich… in memories.

America, Countries, Music

Get Ziggy with it

7th May 20248th May 2024 funtime65

Diana Ross kicked it all off here in LA on Saturday and set off a chain reaction… and we’re not finished yet as we get Ziggy with it.

It makes sense that the City of Angels draws those who are blessed with the voices of angels.

And in Ziggy Marley, our entertainment for our last day at our American Travel Fair, IPW, his dad Bob is here with us in spirit.

Ziggy, you’ll remember from the One Love biopic is the cute kid Bob wrote Three Little Birds for.

Who went on to carve out a Grammy-winning career himself.

And truly we don’t worry about a thing here this week as our LA hosts have taken care of it all.

Wyld about Keanu

Diana, of course, is no warm-up act for anyone but the entertainment which has followed could easily pack an auditorium.

With Keanu Reeves’ band (no, not Wyld Stallyns) but Southern Californian schtick combo Dogstar bringing the house down.

And left the Italian delegation in particular weak-kneed as they shouted out their love for him from the floor.

While the legends that we so loved and lost couldn’t obviously be with us we were treated to the next best thing.

Regards to Broadway

With a Michael Jackson tribute act heading up the MJ musical which he gave us a taster of.

All part of a Broadway Musicals hour.

Where the casts of Chicago, Six, Back to the Future and new sensation Water for Elephants all featured.

Kicks on Route 66

We’ve been treated too to the best hip hop and jazz in Louis York to promote Travel South USA Y’all.

And house and blues to project Chicago for next year’s convention.

There is a synergy to all of this with Route 66 which connects LA to Chicago celebrating its centenary.

This week has as it always is at IPW been about one love… for travel.

And we have of course been getting Ziggy with it.

America, Countries, Sustainable Tourism, UK

America’s Wild at Hampton Court Flower Show

29th June 202329th June 2023 funtime65

If you can’t get out to the Great Outdoors then get into America’s Wild at Hampton Court Flower Show.

And that’s how my own little green-fingered one will be getting her fix of America’s heartland.

On her annual trip down to London to see The Son and Heir.

Which incidentally would be less stressful than going Stateside.

Particularly if she’d been planning to train it down Britain which can correspond to the cost of a flight to New York.

Rant over and military-style planning to negotiate a trip from Scotland to London over it’s time to zen out among the plants.

And transport ourselves in our minds and with our senses to America with expert gardeners and travel providers.

In our old friends Visit USA, and American specialists Trailfinders from July 4-9.

Land of the flora

The show-garden will take you from the dusty Californian desert…

To the fiery Aspens of the Colorado forest and the wildflower prairies of North Carolina’s sweeping plains.

While Oregon and Charleston will also be exhibiting show gardens alongside America’s Wild.

My little flower will also get the Texas vibe I’ve been telling her about since returning from San Antonio.

With Austin musicians Natalie Price and Jo James performing for gardening fans on the RHS Festival Stage.

Special relationship

Our old friend from the American Travel Fair, IPW, Chris Thompson, CEO, Brand USA said: ‘America’s Wild is a snapshot of the spectacular landscapes that shape the United States.

‘We hope that as visitors wander our garden, it will spark curiosity and inspire adventurers to discover more of the U.S. beyond the gateways and into our great outdoors.’

My own heavenly horticulturalist will be interested to discover that the America Wild Garden is designed by fab flora females like her.

Inspired Earth’s Jude Yeo, Emily Grayshaw and Imogen Perreau Callf, who won RHS Gold last year.

America on the move

A little corner: American Museum & Gardens

When they pack up the tools at Hampton Court Flower Show, fear not.

America’s Wild will relocate to the US Embassy in London and the American Museum & Gardens in Bath.

The trees of the ‘forest’ will be transplanted to create a new Aspen grove on the hillside at the American Museum & Gardens.

And the desert and prairie planting will be housed in both existing collections.

America, Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Europe, UK

Where to wave your palms

2nd April 20232nd April 2023 funtime65

Thank God that Jesus isn’t making his triumphant entry today, it would be all big foam fingers… but I digress, here’s where to wave your palms.

First things first though and a little background on Judean palms.

The kind which the Judeans waved at Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on his donkey.

His little donkey: Jesus greeted by palms

Which usually we would be brandishing only this year our new Nigerian priest could not lay his hands on.

Understandable as palm trees are in short supply in the frozen north of Scotland.

Gigha a palm tree

Although you can find some in parts of the west of Scotland.

And the tiny isle of Gigha, warmed as it is by the North Atlantic Drift.

And which boasts a Palm Beach and without the crowds in the three in America, the seven in Australia.

One in Jamaica, Aruba, Algeria and Malawi.

And we’ve been lucky enough to recline by palm trees from the Caribbean.

To the Canaries through Portugal, Turkey and Jordan to the Maldives.

Our Easter Judean palms, and remember Palm Sunday is always the Sunday before Easter, are actually date palms.

Unbeknownst to us but educated now, thanks to the enlightening site Vividmaps, there are ten widespread species.

The most common of which is the coconut and which proliferate in Barbados.

Although despite the abundance of roadside stalls selling coconuts and coconut water it is surpassed.

JBy Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago in that region.

The most populous palm tree country is somewhat surprisingly Colombia with South America dominating the list.

And Brazil, Ecuador and Peru occupying second, third and fourth spots.

Papua New Guinea (or should that be Palmua?) is in fifth.

While America is only seventh although in states like Florida and California they’re on every beach.

Now we’ve all got things to do so I’ll leave you with Vivid Maps to fill in the other countries.

Suffice to say that the palm tree will always retain a special place in every tourist’s heart for exotic climes.

So whether getting your holy leaf out today inspires you.

Or it just warms you to see them gently fluttering in a summer breeze on a clip.

Then we’re happy to share where to wave your palms.

Countries, Europe

Black Drac and Blackjack

16th July 2022 funtime65

Think Romania and chances are it’ll be Count Dracula rather than counting cards but Transylvania is home to Black Drac and Blackjack.

And you thought Monte Carlo was where all the high rollers hang out.

Well, central Europe has a rich casino tradition with the suavest of the suave playing the tables in Czechia.

At the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary in the opening shots of Casino Royale.

Dog Holliday

My own gambling credentials are more Dog Holliday than Doc Holliday.

Despite what the pictures from the Knott’s Berry Farm old-style casino in California might show.

As anyone who had seen my dice hop the craps table in Las Vegas, where I earned the nickname Hannibal, will testify.

Cards on the table I prefer to keep my money in my pocket and divert it to the bar but there is a gambling tourist out there.

Casinogrounds

Kerching: And would the Simpsons like it?

And we, and Casinogrounds, aim to please and know you players want to keep your shekels to spend on chips.

The online gambling site analysed the number of casinos and the average cost of hotels in 35 European countries.

And they arrived at these best gambling holiday destinations in Europe.

And putting the rummy into Romania, the land of Black Drac and Blackjack comes out top ahead of Czechia.

Rummy in Romania

The land of Black Drac and Blackjack boasts 439 casinos, and the second cheapest cost of hotels after Albania.

And hang onto your hat, that’s an average £19.57 for your room.

Now if you want to channel your inner James Bond then you’ll have a choice of 421 casinos in Czechia.

And while if you can afford it then the Pupp is the biz.

You don’t have to break the bank at any of the Bohemians’ other hotels with the average price of a room only £38.17.

Do you take a Czech?

The Pupp and the Pupparazzi: At the Grandhotel Pupp

Czechia’s neighbour Slovakia is also a big draw for gamblers with 223 casinos.

And you’ll get change out of £40 at ab average £39.88 per room.

The rest of the top ten is made up of Balkans and Baltics with our favourite Croatians and Bosnia and Herzovinans featuring.

While Poland and the three interlinked states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are also flagged up.

Cheap as chips

Of course the burning question is just how cheap are those rooms in Albania.

Well, hold your breath, the average room is £14.19 and there are 54 casinos throughout the country.

So you can throw your money around, and your dice.