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Countries, Deals, Music, UK

London Paddington Musical tour which is simply the zest

30th May 202630th May 2026 funtime65

And here’s something to get your teeth into… the London Paddington Musical Tour which is simply the zest.

Now nobody has done more to promote the orange-flavoured preserve than the Peruvian teddy bear.

Apart maybe for Elizabeth Windsor although I’d pitch Dundonian James Keiller.

As it was Jamesie who invented the first commercial marmalade as far back as 1797.

All of which you can chew on as you follow in the Great Bear’s paw steps around London.

With our pals at Irish holiday provider Keith Prowse Attractions.

Meet the Browns

You’ll join Paddington on a journey from ‘deepest, darkest Peru’ to London and revel in his misadventures.

KP is also offering packages including tickets to the interactive Paddington Bear Experience on London’s South Bank.

Where your mission is to save Marmalade Day.

The Paddington Bear Experience has recreated the whole world from the moment you arrive at Paddington Station.

And take the train to meet the Browns at 32 Windsor Gardens.

Deepest, darkest Peru

What makes this trip extra tangy is that you’ll be transported to Peru.

To retrieve oranges and turn them into marmalade on Montgomery Clyde’s marmalade making machine.

All to serve the Marmalade Day Festival Street Party at Windsor Gardens where you’ll be Paddington’s guest of honour.

A nice appetiser, of course, for the main fare, your Paddington the Musical spectacular at The Savoy.

Bearly believable deals

ESCAPE TO LONDON WITH PADDINGTON!:

July 17-19 from €319pps

Package includes:

Ticket to The Paddington Bear™ Experience
2 nights at the President Hotel
Breakfast included

SEE PADDINGTON LIVE ON STAGE!:

May 21-23 2027 from €497pps

Package includes:

Stalls ticket to Paddington the Musical
2 nights at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Breakfast included

THE ULTIMATE PADDINGTON WEEKEND:

November 6-8 from €592pps

Package includes:

Ticket to The Paddington Bear™ Experience
Stalls Ticket to Paddington The Musical
2 nights at the Royal National Hotel
Breakfast included

FAMILY PADDINGTON ADVENTURE IN LONDON:

December 16-19 from €2,564 per family (2 adults & 2 kids)

Package includes:

Tickets to The Paddington Bear Experience
Stalls Tickets to Paddington The Musical
2 nights at the Hilton London Metropole (Family Room)
Breakfast included

*Flights can be added at time of booking for best price options

Countries, Deals, Europe, UK

The best of times in London and Paris

24th May 202624th May 2026 funtime65

It was the best of times in London and Paris it was… well, time heals the scars from even the most stressful family getaway.

Which may very well be the best argument for going it alone.

So you don’t have to spend your mornings battling to get kids changed and out.

Arbitrating in arguments on les rues et boulevards and stopping every other hour so they can graze.

Thankfully then there’s a specialised tour provider, Solos, who will think only of you.

London calling

And seeing we’re all being adults about this, which means starting your London leg of your tour with a traditional pub welcome dinner.

And also putting on classic experiences including Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and a Thames River cruise.

All made easy with included public transport access.

Paris light

All before you travel by Eurostar to Paris.

Where naturellement you’ll visit to the Eiffel Tower.

And see how the other half lived before the Parisians embarked on their spring of hope…

Mais oui, a full-day visit to the Palace of Versailles.

This being the City of Light you can walk the streets of Montmartre with élan, or Alain or Elaine…

This is your Solos holiday after all.

You’ll admire Notre Dame, and dip into the Louvre, before rounding things off with a farewell dinner cruise on the Seine.

Just the ticket

A seven-night London and Paris Multi-City Break departs on 1 October.

From £3,525pp including Eurostar from London to Paris, flight from Paris to London, airport taxes and charges,

You’ll get the London Oyster card with £20 credit, Paris Vistre travel card zone 1-5.

Breakfast daily and two dinners, a welcome drink and informal welcome meeting.

Entrance to Westminister Abbey, standard experience on the London Eye and a Thames River Cruise.

The Eiffel Tower ticket to the top, entrance and Vox audio-whispers.

The Palace of Versailles Palace State Apartments & Gardens, standard visit including audio-whispers to Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris.

Dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and an experienced Solos Tour Leader.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Music

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Mamma Mia after midnight

24th April 2025 funtime65

And because I’ve already showcased Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Mamma Mia after Midnight I’m back for more at London’s 02.

Bjorn Ulvaeus himself has recreated Skopelos from the movie in a Greek taverna and ending with a glittering ABBA disco.

The Beardie One naturally set up his Greek island in his home city of Stockholm.

Before taking the show on the road to London.

That Greek enchanted evening

For the past five years Mamma Mia! The Party London has welcomed over 500,000 guests.

And delivered more than 1000 performances and has been visited by guests from 110 countries.

All replicating the temperature and lavender scent you would experience at dusk on a Greek evening.

Keith Prowse on the house

And the good news that our invitation is in the post.

From our old pals at Keith Prowse Attractions to join everyone on the dance floor.

Keith will give you return flights from Dublin.

And put you up for two nights (Saturday show) B&B at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich, all from €529pps.

Or an overnight special with a Thursday show from €327pps.

Diggin’ the Dancing Queens

Of course, there will be the Dancing Queens who will be wanting to hit the floor in a super troupe of party girls.

And KP offers a two-nights (Friday Show) Ultimate Girls Getaway. From €486pps.

And even a one-night Family Fun Day (Sunday show) at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich. From €306pps.

However you put together your party then it’s worth giving Keith Prowse Attractions a Ring, Ring, Ring.

And watch out for the Bandanaman giving it large on the dance floor.

Like he did with his favourite party set, an Irish one, in the Med… and a shout-out here to our Dancing Ian.

Although the real showstopper, is as always, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Mamma Mia after midnight.

Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Vintage England

14th April 202514th April 2025 funtime65

And with news that the vineyards will have moved north in Europe by the end of the century a look today at Vintage England.

And because we know while some of us drink alone that’s it’s better with a group then Solos Holidays cover your bases.

Solos have a new two-night escorted break to discover the vineyards of the Surrey Hills, an hour from London.

The wine-lovers’ trip begins with a dinner at the four-star Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel, nestled in the North Downs.

Sommelier time is here

You will be joined by an award-winning wine tutor and sommelier.

To guide you through immersive visits to Albury Vineyard.

Albury has made a name for itself for its still rosé and sparkling wines.

And Denbies Wine Estate, England’s largest single-estate vineyard.

You’ll sample exclusive tastings, the chance to meet the growers and expert insights into English winemaking.

Hurray to Surrey

A two-night Taste of Surrey Hills Vineyard tour departing on 24 September, costs £645pp.

It includes a double room for sole use with private facilities.

A charcuterie lunch on day two, breakfast & dinner with wine and beer daily.

And a welcome drink and information evening.

Denbies Sparkling Vineyard Train Tour and exclusive wine tasting tour, Albury Vineyard tour and exclusive tasting.

The 50-minute Denbies will takes you at a leisurely pace to some of the most beautiful viewing points in the vineyard.

While the Albury version is a 1 and a half to two hours tour with a guided walk and a gazebo tasting session as your final reward.

Support your local grape

Little wine drinker me: And a toast to you too

For those British patriots out there it’s a chance to support Vintage England and its wine market.

It is only growing in popularity and quality with the beautiful Surrey landscape an added allure.

And even more so in the heart of England by the turn of the century.

When it could well be the centre of the wine industry as France fries under the warming Earth.

Countries, UK

The v.v. good guide to Bridget Jones locations

15th February 202515th February 2025 funtime65

As singletons everywhere converge on cinemas this Valentine’s weekend for a certain movie franchise climax we bring you the v.v. guide to Bridget Jones locations.

Which, of course, showcases London at its chaotic and consumerist best.

Although the story for Bridget and Mark D’Arcy actually begins in the west of England.

With the locale for Bridget’s parents’ home, where Bridge and Mark first meet in garish Christmas jumpers.

In Snowshill 12 miles north-east of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Boozy punch-ups

Bridget though is a capital metropole right down to her big pants.

Updating her diary in her £1m bachelorette flat above The Globe Tavern on Bedale Street in Borough just off Tower Bridge.

And asterisking the entry in her book above the clutter where her suitors Mark and Daniel fight over her outside her posse’s Greek restaurant.

Which whisper it is wine bar Bedales Wine Bar.

The scuffle, of course, reaches its climax with the pugilists bitch slapping in a fountain.

The Italian fountains in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.

Ladies who brunch

If it’s the very wine bar where Bridget and her pals hang out to talk about her love life and get sloshed then The Light Bar Shoreditch will take your order.

Which will entitle you to 90 minutes of unlimited drinks: Rosé, Prosecco, or Aperol Spritz

A two-course brunch with a side with menu highlights of Spicy Crisp Chicken, Avo-on-Toast, Chorizo Mac ‘n Cheese.

And Shoreditch vibes with weekend DJ sessions for £25pp.

Dear Diary

While if you’re looking to replicate that moneyshot romantic moment then you need to get yourself down.

To outside the Mont Blanc diary shop on Threadneedle Street.

Where Mark kisses Bridge and bought our heroine a new diary.

And you can get yours and map out your remarkable life.

And maybe chronicle how you’ve ticked off each of the v.v. good guide to Bridget Jones locations.

All with the help of Britmovietours, featured on ITV’s This Morning, which will give you a 12-stop tour for £17.