https://eurovision.tv/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Countries, Flying

Shorter queues for Brits a passport to success

18th May 202518th May 2025 funtime65

And after the shuddering shock of Eurovision some good news today with shorter queues for Brits a passport to success.

It would come as little surprise for ESC followers to see Britain languishing way behind winners Austria.

But to get nil points in the worldwide public vote has been a wake-up call on how Britain is seen globally.

Britphobia is most visible when we’re in airports which hopefully will be relaxed through current Britain-EU talks.

You’ll recognise Brits by our accents or by us drinking in bars first thing in the morning.

But also by us hived off since Brexit into our own queue like pariahs.

Ich bin ein Britainer

Brit’s all right: Sixth on passport index

And we’ll all have seen signs such as those we found in Berlin.

Advising Brits to leave an extra couple of hours to get through customs.

Of course, few would suggest us going back to a world without passports which existed before the First World War.

And the British book is still much sought after although not as in demand as the Irish document.

Sixth sense

The Brits in sixth on the Henley Passport Index and Guide Passport Index.

Behind Ireland in third equal alongside France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Finland.

With the Asians leading the way with Singapore ahead of Japan and South Korea.

We are guilty of taking respect which has been earned over generations for granted.

Bordering on the sensible

As I discovered when I crossed paths with international traveller Merry who told me of her difficulties as a Bangladeshi.

With her document ranked 95th in the Index causing all manner of visa challenges.

Would, of course, that we had the seamless crossing of borders that we found in moving from Austria and Germany.

Over the Tyrolian Alps and passing through an unmanned gate and landing obviously taking a selfie for prosperity.

That we could soon see e-gates to improve the flow of British travellers through European customs is a start.

And provide shorter queues for Brits a passport to success.

Countries, Music

Nobody is left behind

17th May 2025 funtime65

Our travel corps are a band of brothers and sisters and nobody is left behind.

Which is why our prayers go out today for my old colleague and former Irish Travel Writer of the Year Philip Nolan who is in hospital.

Peripatetic Philip took ill in the Vatican while covering the passage of the Popes.

And is now back in Co. Wexford recuperating and readying himself for his next working assignment.

Flyin’ Ryanland

My old pal has, of course, been all around the world chronicling major events and destinations.

In his own inimitable style.

And nowhere more so than in his best-seller Ryanland.

Where Philip flew to all of the low-fare airline’s routes around Europe.

Writing in rib-tickling fashion about the Ryanair passengers he met along the way.

Much of which is familiar to all of us who have flown with the airline which transformed travel.

And allowed us to visit countries whose names we might only know from World Cups, Olympic Games and Eurovision.

Douze points Philip

Our pal Philip is synonymous among the Irish public with The Biggest Music Show on Earth.

For his acerbic pen pics on the competitors and their countries.

All, as with everything in the Nolan notebook coming from a place of love and knowledge.

From his travels to the four corners of the continent.

Often getting beyond the tourist hotspots by driving around the country.

To road test the latest model for his always entertaining Motoring Page.

Say a little prayer

I’ll be raising a glass of red to Philip tonight as I watch Eurovision.

And like the passengers on the plane to Lourdes he so joyfully celebrates in Ryanland.

Say a rosary and cheer for the safe landing and return because nobody is left behind.

Countries, Europe, Ireland, Music

Dustin down my Eurovision past

16th May 202516th May 2025 funtime65

And with the glitterball up and the party in full flow I’ve been Dustin down my Eurovision past.

And showing everyone who is piling around the house my photo of The Turkey in my Big Book of Celebs.

The Eurovision circus has rolled into Basel in Switzerland this week and hoteliers and hospitality providers have been gleefully counting their francs.

There is a premium, of course, whenever a major event turfs up at any city as any conurbation that Taylor Swift graced with her presence last year will know.

And a cost too to the state broadcaster and the country to putting on the Greatest Music Show on Earth.

Which is why the common consensus in Ireland is that the contest’s most successful country (alongwith Sweden now) wouldn’t want to host it again.

Host with the most

And cynics say that is the reason why Ireland’s contenders haven’t maybe been up to the standards.

Of Dana, Johnny Logan, Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, and Eimear Quinn.

Dustin’s big moment before he met Yours Truly in a newspaper office in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 was in Belgrade.

When he trilled out Irelande Douze Pointe and alas didn’t manage to persuade the judges to agree.

Not that Eurovision gave him the bird altogether inviting him back for a special appearance at the Liverpool-hosted Ukraine event two years ago.

Feathers fly

Dustin, of course, has never let his feathers be clipped throughout his 36-year musical, and political, career.

And he has duetted with greats of the Irish scene in Chris de Burgh as Christy Burger for Patricia the Stripper.

And paired up with Ronnie Drew and the Saw Doctors for Spanish Lady and Bob Geldof for Rat Trap.

While his political ambitions have seen him compete as Dustin Hoffman in the 1997 Irish Presidential Elections.

And championing the Fianna Fowl and Poultry Party with policies such as ensuring every young person gets a date with a Spice Girl or Pussycat Doll.

All stories I’ll impress our guests when I’m Dustin down my Eurovision past between songs in the final.

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, Music, UK

Dustin down Eurovision Liverpool

10th May 202310th May 2023 funtime65

Of course the party will be missing its biggest reveller with the elimination of Ireland but we’re still Dustin down Eurovision Liverpool.

Now there have been many turkeys over the 67 years of Eurovision.

But only one Turkey, the cult puppet and personal pal, Dustin the Turkey.

And you probably saw him taking pride of place amid the VIPs at the semi-finals.

Eurovision is, of course, the hottest ticket in town this week.

Tourist magnet

Easy Ryder: Last year’s UK entrant Sam Ryder

And it is, obviously, a tourist magnet with 100,000 visitors expected to be in Merseyside this week.

With the attendant spike in hotel rates.

One semi-final under our belts and we can see that the contestants have all got the memo about name checking The Beatles.

With the singers and dancers making the pilgrimage to The Cavern.

Hard Day’s Night Hotel

And many staying at The Hard Day’s Night Hotel, new on my radar but one I imagine could have a hard day’s night and the next morning.

And despite Liverpool beating my own home town of Glasgow to the punch it seems the perfect fit for Merseyside to get Eurovision.

Now we’ve followed The Fab Four from Liverpool, our old stomping ground, to Hamburg… and back.

And it is refreshing to see that in the past 25 years the city has rebuilt itself in their image.

So that you can enjoy The Beatles Story at the Royal Albert Dock and they are getting on board for Eurovision.

As well as the iconic Cavern Club from which tours go out into the Beatles’ Liverpool.

Ours being the Magical Mystery Tour with Jay Johnson, who’ll be Holly’s.

Musical legacy

Of course British hopes will be with Mae Muller and I Wrote A Song.

And the Liverpudlians have forgiven her for being a ‘Landiner’ and adopted her as their own.

As they did myself, a Scottish-type person, in my time there.

There has been a history of Scousers singing in Eurovision, of course, even if they couldn’t get the Beatles to enter.

Cilla Black, a huge singing star in the Sixties, came close but decided to pass on succeeding Sandie Shaw.

She thought it unlikely that the UK would back up Sandie’s win so the UK went for Cliff Richard instead.

Alas his Congratulations was misplaced and he came second, although he blamed, of all people General Franco (some truth in it mind).

We’ll pass over Jemini’s efforts, the duo getting nul points, but there were sterling performances from Prima Donna and Sonia, who both lost out to Ireland.

While it was far from Wonderful Copenhagen for Molly who was 17th in 2014.

Puppet on a string

Still this year Liverpool has two entries really through dint of them hosting on behalf of Ukraine… and they’re bound to get a big political sympathy vote.

Back to my pal Dustin the Turkey and of course he is pure Eurovision following in the legacy of barefooted Sandie Shaw who sang about a puppet on a string.

So I’m right behind him and I’m Dustin down Eurovision Liverpool. Calm down, calm down.

Asia, Countries, Europe, Music

Israel it’s All Kinds of Everything

26th June 202126th June 2021 funtime65

It’s 1970 and it’s All Kinds of Nothing in Derry but for a schoolgirl with a voice and a special baby in Israel it’s All Kinds of Everything.

Our Derry girl is Dana Rosemary Scanlon who will win the Eurovision Song Contest with a ditty of that title.

The other is born Yaron Cohen in Tel Aviv just months earlier, named after an uncle who had died in a terrorist attack.

We know her today as Dana International who later feminised the name of a childhood friend Daniel who died in a car crash.

Of course with the stage name Dana (she changed her legal name to Sharon) she was destined to win Eurovision.

International superstar: Dana International

She duly achieved that in 1998 with her anthem Diva a true watermark for Eurovision, popular culture and Israel.

Fast forward to today and Tel Aviv is again the focus of our attentions for Pride month.

As one of the first mass parades worldwide hit the streets.

All reward for their high vaccination rates and lifting of restrictions.

The Tel Aviv Pride Parade has been running each June since 1998, Dana International’s Annus Mirabilis.

The fun started on Bograshov Beach at midday before the party trucks and DJs floated down the prom.

And finished at Charles Clore Park with a huge party by the Med.

Where acts banged out the music on the two main stages.

All encouraging in its own rights.

But also for those of us who are hanging on every piece of encouragement from the land where The Good News was first shared.

Somewhere over the rainbow: Well, Tel Aviv

Over to Sharon then, Sharon Bershadsky, Director of the Israel Tourist Office UK for an update.

‘As the country starts to reopen and with Israel now on the Green Watchlist in the UK we can’t wait to hopefully welcome back tourists as soon as possible.

‘To explore all the wonderful offerings we have for the LGBTQ community and beyond.’

And ‘beyond’ obviously means taking in the modern and historical which make up The Land of Milk and Honey.

And specifically to get on board Israel’s campaign Two Cities, One Break, the two cities being Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Shalom Sharon and… Israel it’s All Kinds of Everything.

MEET YOU ON PARADE

‘

Countries, Culture, Europe, Music

Song for Europe

22nd May 202122nd May 2021 funtime65

Eurovision, the World Cup and the Olympics were the gateway to the world for all us Fiftysomethings.

So tonight’s renewed Eurovision Song Contest from Rotterdam is fertile ground for travel writers.

Where we can reference every country on the continent… and even further afield now to Israel and Australia.

Malta teaser

Making headway on my Segway in Gozo, Malta’s wee sister

Colours to the mast here… The Scary One and I (or me, I never know which is right) are right behind Malta.

It’s always been our island – we got engaged there.

It’s an island infused by the many peoples who have passed through… of course the wise ones stayed.

And their entry this year, Destiny’s Je ma casse is a funky upbeat dance tune with a statement of female empowerment.

The liberating sentiment in Je ma casse ‘I’m Outta Here’ should be popular with the judges.

Destiny is calling

Destiny’s ditty, both in terms of its lyrics and sound, feels like a nod to Aussie house duo Madison Avenue and their hit Don’t Call Me Baby.

For Destiny’s ‘So if I show some skin Doesn’t mean I’m giving in, Not your baby (je me casse) take Madison Avenue’s original…

‘You know I don’t belong to you, it’s time you knew I’m not your baby. I belong to me so don’t call me baby.’

Anyhoos, it’s not the only thing about Destiny that feels familiar.

For real Euroheads you might know her as a former Junior Eurovision winner while fans of Britain’s Got Talent may recognise her as a beaten semi-finalist.

While Ibiza is lauded as the party island of the Med and is certainly bopping Malta has my vote.

And that of all the ravers who go there annually for its sets and festivals.

Roman rock gods

Its big neighbour to the north and which you can enjoy a day trip to, Italy, is joint-favourite to be the Song for Europe this year.

Rock and pyrotechnics… don’t worry this isn’t pastiche Lordi but flash Maneskin (no, us either).

If it’s goth rock energy you’re after this Roman four-piece and their anthem Zitti E Buono (Shut Up and Behave) should get your vote.

Voila, c’est La France

Bravo: On World Cup final day at the French Embassy in Dublin

The third co-favourites, France are of course European heavyweights. Voila!

No, that’s the name of Parisienne Barbara Pravi’s offering.

Naturellement as a chanteuse Barbara channels her inner Edith Piaf and .

And while it’s perfectly charming La Belle Babs lacks that va va voom we’re looking for as our Song for Europe.

As for the Oo K? Well, James Newman from Settle in Yorkshire, a village we know well and a county too with Casey Jones, the father-in-law, emanating from thar.

A poppy sound Embers with a strong hook, we’re not pinning our money on it though.

Have a good Eurovision…Je ma casse, I’m outta here!