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Santa Turkey and the Land of Legends

21st December 202521st December 2025 funtime65

And as all eyes turn to the North Pole at this time of year and because we like to be obtuse we’re honing in on Santa Turkey and the Land of Legends.

Because as all traditionalists know St Nicholas, or Santa Claus, hails not from Rovaniemi, sorry my Finnish friends, but Turkiye.

And Demre (Myra) on Turkiye’s south coast.

Where the children’s friend, the former Bishop of Myra, is buried under the Saint Nicholas church.

St Nick pilgrims can visit a museum at his church and the the Lycian, Hellenistic and Roman ruins of Myra.

Now today’s offer is to Antalya and maybe not what you imagine as seasonal.

But then in Turkiye St Nicholas isn’t just for Christmas but for the whole year, and every year.

Just a Click away

Mapping it out: The Land of Legends theme park

Our friends at Click & Go have sent on their seasonal greetings all wrapped up in an Antalya package for next May.

Your 2+2 family will fly out of Dublin and stay at the 5* The Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel.

For seven nights on an all-inclusive basis from €1,369pp,

Fun, fun, fun: All stretching out before you

With free and unlimited access to the Land of Legends Theme and Water Park.

Which celebrates ten years entertaining kids and big kids alike next year.

And we imagine St Nicklaus would be front and centre of the fun if he lived today.

Sponge yourself down

The award-winning Land of Legends boasts the amusement park, water park, shopping mall and hotel and is the biggest theme park in Turkey,

So to boil it down, that’s Adventure Land, Masha and the Bear Land of Laughter and Nickelodeon Land.

Your kids’ eyes might very well alight on the SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, and Star Trek: Prodigy.

The indoor SpongeBob SquarePants section includes an installation of SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride from Sally Dark Rides.

Which our theme park pals tell us makes it the first SpongeBob dark ride to open outside of the United States.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Pipes of peace in Turkey

25th June 202525th June 2025 funtime65

Not in front of the children, but in my defence I was just smoking the pipes of peace in Turkey.

The Son and Heir was full of awe and anticipation, which gladly has never left him, when we enjoyed a lads day on a family holiday in Bodrum in Turkiye.

While Herself and the Daughterie hit the hammam we headed for the marketplace.

Where He had made his mark on the first day when we turned around to see him lifted aloft because the locals took him as one of their own.

On account of his abbreviated name Ally, for Alasdair.

By Hookah by crook

Now following the mantra of When In Rome I jumped in for a Hookah pipe in the cafe.

And crossed my legs and my fingers as my previous experience of smoking foreign objects abroad had ended badly.

When I took a ‘whitey’ and had to bolt for the toilet door in the Amsterdam brown cafe.

Which for reasons best known only to the proprietor only he could release, with a button under the counter.

There are no such fears with a Hookah pipe.

Although there are the same warnings that go with cigarette smoking.

Holy smoke

My cup of tea: Wash it down with a glass of Turkish tea

Being a non-smoker I would like to think the very rare dabble when I’m in Arabic countries won’t damage this temple I call a body permanently.

And you do feel like a local sucking on the pipe and maybe playing backgammon with the locals as I did too in Jordan.

All of which reminisces came to mind as my old go-to holiday providers loveholidays put out their €500 off selected holidays.

To hundreds of destinations, until July 6, stretching from Spain to Turkiye to Miami and Thailand.

And to sweeten the deal, those who take advantage of the sale will be entered into a draw to win back the value of their holiday.

And they’ll also receive a €50 voucher to redeem against their next great getaway.

Which can go to your next trip out to the land of the whirling dervish to smoke the pipes of peace in Turkey.

Asia, Countries, Europe

Banging the drum for Bodrum

17th November 202317th November 2023 funtime65

How do you follow a belly-dancer on the traditional Turkish night… with a kiltie Scot banging the drum for Bodrum.

And I even won a prize, a watch which duly stopped working after one dip in the pool.

Hey-ho, the real prize was Turkey and the Turkish people.

And I have been fortunate enough to return and absorb the many moves of the Ottoman including their whirling dervishes.

And thrown in a few of my own on a booze cruise on the Bosphorus.

My first time

But you never forget your first and Bodrum and its locals was the start of my Turkish love affair.

When they took instantly to the Son and Heir when we would pass by the daily market and we would call for Ally.

Who the traders took for Ali and swing around… hard to do now at 6ft 3ins.

Our choice of accommodation has improved since that Bodrum trip when The Scary One insisted we switch to a clean room.

No such problem at the much-anticipated Leading Hotel of the World member Maxx Royal Bodrum.

It’ll be Maxx’s third property, alongside Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort and Maxx Royal Kemer Resort in Antalya.

Living to the Maxx

Set to enhance the Aegean Sea resort’s vibrant beach scene, the property will also be home to the first Turkish outpost of the bohemian Scorpios Beach Club.

The resort boasts seven restaurants, all with a farm-to-table.

Culinary highlights include an outpost of Caviar Kaspia.

As well as an Italian concept restaurant overseen by the internationally-acclaimed chef Alfredo Russo.

Culture vultures

Other highlights include a flagship 4,500sqm Maxx WellBeing Spa, a Maxxi Land Children’s Club.

And a variety of cultural experiences.

Now if Maxx want a kiltie Highland dancer then they already know what I’m at and where to find me.

And I’ll continue to be banging the drum for Bodrum. Room rates TBC.

Countries, Food & Wine

Won more cup of coffee

1st October 20231st October 2023 funtime65

Many can’t get started without their hit and on this international day of cocoa beans we’ve won more cup of coffee for the road.

With our fellow cocoaholics around the world.

The home of coffee

Ethiopia: Where it might all have begun with a 9th century goatherd who saw the beans’ effects on his animals… no kidding.

There’s nothing instant about your Ethiopian coffee with a whole ceremony which you’re welcomed to participate in.

Before naturally breaking bread… and no wonder you feel seven years younger with its magic properties and these magic people.

Turk that

Turkey: Now if you prefer your coffee tar black then head for Turkiye.

The Turks will tell you ‘coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.’

Ask if they’ve got a cezve on the next time you’re in your Turkish barbers… or better still get out to Turkiye.

Sweet Jordan

Jordan: Now the best way to enjoy your coffee is with the locals in their backyard…. in Jordan.

With a shisha pipe, a game of chess or backgammon.

Before taking in a wonder of the world or float on a salty sea.

Espresso delivery

A wee one: Espresso in Bergamo

Italy: Now we all know when in Rome brew like the Romans… same anywhere in Italy.

And don’t order your steam-driven mini-coffee before 11am.

Or weaken it with hot water or you’ll be credited with a derisive coffee off-shoot, the Americano.

Be part of coffee history

The origin of this international day varies between 1983 in Japan through a New Orleans celebration to 2015.

When it was recognised by the International Coffee Organisation.

Of course, we don’t need a designated day to celebrate our favourite hot drink.

We’ve already won more cup of coffee for the road.

Asia, Countries, Europe, Flying

Plane tips for flying toddlers

28th May 202328th May 2023 funtime65

We were so grateful for the air steward’s unorthodox way of calming our screaming baby we thought it might make these plane TUI tips for flying toddlers.

You know, putting lukewarm teabags over your kiddie’s lugs to curb air pressure.

Babe in arms: With the Son and Heir in Liverpool

All of which meant we and the Son and Heir hit the ground running on that TUI trip.

Treat them to a new toy

And also make sure you pack some of their existing toys (ours was Lego).

It’s even worth investing in a couple of new toys if you have a longer flight.

This tip alone can help to keep your little one entertained throughout the entire flight.

Let them watch out the window

We can all remember feeling like we’re floating on a cloud.

On those first giddy flights as children.

Which is why we should treat our kids to a window seat.

And let them follow too the world map on the sensor to help your child identify where you are.

That’s entertainment

Dig your old colouring books out of the attic or garage.

While sticker books are always reliable and try theming it with your holiday.

Read them a book

Taking a flight with your child gives you a great opportunity to bond.

For the Son and Heir a memorable trip to Turkey saw him holding his place in his Harry Potter book as he walked through market.

In-flight entertainment

Not that we’re against modern technology.

Where there aren’t screens for films, you can download movies to a device they can watch.

Keep them refuelled

How bazaar: But we love a Turkish marketplace

So let’s start at the very beginning with babies.

It’s definitely worth taking a bottle of milk for the flight or breastfeeding on take-off and landing.

The sucking motion can help to stop their ears from popping.

You can carry more than 100ml through security and the cabin crew can heat it up for you on the plane.

If your child is older, try giving them a drink or something to eat instead.

So seeing that TUI has us covered on their planes let’s jump on this sample Turkey offer with a free child place.

Deal us in

And because Turkey is the ideal destination for kids and big kids here’s what’s on the radar.

Seven nights self-catering at the Club Candan on August 21 from €1,849 (2+1), €2,439 (2+2).

Countries, Deals, Europe

Balloons in Turkey

19th December 202219th December 2022 funtime65

It’s up there among your holiday must-dos, watching the balloons in Turkey… or whirling dervishes if you like.

Or did you think that we were talking about the balloons above those rock-hewn villages in Cappadocia?

No, I’ve yet to savour that pleasure despite my oul’ pal Onur at Turkish Airlines flagging it up every time we meet.

And I will.

The only balloons on show when we visited Istanbul though were the dervish dancers in the early evening of a very busy day taking in the Great City’s sites and sounds.

Twirl power

Bazaar, yes that too, but back to the dervishes and while they are enmeshed in Turkish culture and spirituality they are an acquired taste.

Entering the stage they freeze like statues before building up to a crescendo where they rotate their robes circulating as they go…

Hence the whirling dervishes. A kinda twirl power if you like.

To give it all context you can learn what it all means on the boards leading into the show.

And see for yourself up close the costumes and the history.

All of which came back into focus with the launch of our old friends’ Wendy Wu Tours Turkey special.

Treasures of Turkey

Treasures of Turkey is a 16-day special from £2,690pp with varius 2023 & 2024 departures.

So you’ll get return flights, 4* accommodation, all meals, all transportation in destination.

There will be expert guiding, all sightseeing and entrance fees and authentic cultural experiences.

And Wu’s better at giving us a bullet-point rundown of what we’ll get.

Wu hu, Turkey’s for you

Explore Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, like the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia
Experience Istanbul’s UNESCO-listed Fener & Balat districts
Enjoy a private cruise along the Bosporus Strait
Visit the moving war memorials of the Gallipoli campaign
Explore the ancient ruins of Troy and Pergamon
Discover the well-preserved roads, facades and theatre of Ephesus
Sample local wines and olive oil in the pretty village of Sirince
Visit Magnesia and enjoy an exclusive guided tour of archeaological sites which are not usually open to the public
Marvel at the spectacular calcium pools of the ancient spa city, Hierapolis
Explore the ancient Greek city of Perge and the Roman ruins of Aspendos
Spend 3 nights in Cappadocia soaking up the fantastical topography and exploring villages carved into the unusual rock formations and enjoying those balloons in Turkey.

Yes, the gloriously coloured canvas globes above your head amid those rock-hewn homes.

But also the whirling dervishes… each to their own and it’s a culture we love.

Asia, Countries, Europe

The Nifty Fifties, Davina McCall and me

25th June 202225th June 2022 funtime65

Welcome to the Nifty Fifties, Davina McCall and me and TUI too.

You’ll know by now that TUI’s newspaper arm gave me my first break which came with a deal on their holidays.

And that included such first-time joys as Bulgaria and Turkey.

And as wonderful as our guide and party were then, they didn’t include Davina McCall!

The Divine Davina

At a stretch: Davina shows us how it’s done

Back then, Davina, of course, had her music fest gig on, as we all did.

And while I’m sure she can still rip it up with the best of them, as we all can, she only has that figure because she looks after herself.

And so she happily limbered up, stretched those limbs and headed out to the Grand Azur in Marmaris in Turkey.

Where she flicked through TUI’s Wellness Menu and shared…

All on the back of findings from TUI Blue, its hotel brand, which tells us that two out of three of us have actually felt worse after trying a wellness trend.

Davina is clearly the one as she testified after road-testing the Menu in Turkey.

On the Menu

The Wellness Menu offers authentic cooking classes to yoga, exploring local culture to aqua-fun.

Spoilt for choice? Don’t know what to do?

BLUE Guides will be on hand to help curate ideal itineraries.

And they will give expert insights and tips from the most indulgent foods to the best sunbathing spots.

Before taking to the Med for paddle boarding, the fitness enthusiast took part in TUI BLUE’s power yoga, beat-driven fitness class, FlowTheBeat.

And don’t you just feel for her classmates, matching the Divine Davina?

Make a Mezze

Getting to grips with local flavours, Davina satisfied her inner foodie with a TUI Blue cooking class and prepared Turkish mezze.

Over to Davina now: ‘What works best for me might not work for everyone else, and it’s also something extremely personal that will change as you get older.

‘Finding what works for your own wellbeing shouldn’t be dictated by the latest trends on social media or stereotypical wellness tropes.’

All of which should me music to the ears of women, and young girls, who are bombarded with messages about what’s wrong with their bodies.

And how to fix it at a cost… when you look just fine, and it should be fun.

TUI Blue’s message is pitched in its ‘Find Your Happy’ microsite.

We’re glad to see here too that Davina loves a hammam… who doesn’t?

Hamam Ma’am

And just a tip if you’re reading Davina, and we know you do, you should join the cast of the Great and Good and Great Unwashed.

Such as Florence Nightingale, John Travolta, Rudolf Nureyev, Kate Moss and East 17.

At the Cagaloglu Hamam in Istanbul.

Now I’d struggle to touch my knees, never mind my toes, and God knows I’ve tried.

But the hamam we all can enjoy and that’s my secret.

Hope you can enjoy us… welcome to the Nifty Fifties, Davina McCall and me and TUI too.

Asia, Countries, Culture, Deals

Why Qatar makes frankincense

11th February 202211th February 2022 funtime65

Football World Cups are stressful enough, particularly if you’re of the Scottish variety, which is why Qatar makes frankincense.

You see what I’ve done there, I’ve only linked the Gulf state with its greatest export, way before they found oil.

Frankincense was one of the spices the Three Wise Men saw fit to take to Bethlehem to give to the baby Jesus.

And we think that if that kind of aromatherapy was deemed good enough for the Messiah then it’s good enough for us.

A Qatar tradition

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som feels the same.

And that is why they’ll pamper you with a wellbeing package fit for a king (or queen).

The resort is the world’s first centre for Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine (TAIM).

And that’s a system of healing drawn from Islamic medicinal historians and herbalists.

Remember too that Islamic culture puts cleanliness next to godliness (and I’m going to resist the temptation to say that you find both next to each other in an Irish dictionary).

Retreat programmes are available from three to 14 nights in duration.

With the emphasis on improving diet and nutrition, promoting daily physical activity and stress resistance.

And enhancing sleep quality (kip on your side to stop snoring, methinks), and engaging in joyful activities.

Ooh Hamamma

Now nobody loves a hamam more than me apart from Florence Nightingale, King Edward VIII, Omar Sharif and Jenson Button.,

As I found out in Istanbul at the 300-year-old Cagaloglu Hamam in Istanbul.

This stuff is ancient wisdom and Qatar too is steeped in it.

The Zula Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som’s treatments are derived from the Canon of Medicine written by physician-philosopher Avicenna in 1025.

You might know him too as Ibn Sina, and his teachings are among the cornerstones of the history of medicine in Europe and the Middle East.

And you’ll also get to try out the traditional Qatari hamiz.

It’s a deeply relaxing massage using circular strokes with tadleek oil infused with medicinal herbs and hot stones to reenergise the body.

And there’s also the Hijama therapy (cupping therapy).

That’s a slimming body mask of camel milk which delivers heat to enhance metabolic rate while detoxifying the skin.

Camel ye to Qatar

I don’t know what my camel would have thought of that in Jordan with G Adventures, mind.

There’s also a range of Arabic spa rituals at the resort’s extensive hamam facilities.

Located on the picturesque northern tip of Qatar, Zulal Wellness Resort offers two distinct yet interconnecting experiences.

Zulal Serenity is dedicated to adults seeking an immersive health and lifestyle reset.

While Zulal Discovery invites families to connect and embark on a wellness journey together.

Deal us in

So deal us in.

With retreat programmes at Zulal Serenity ranging from three to 14 nights and designed for those seeking a path of reset and reflection.

Packages start from £2,599.00pp when booked with Healing Holidays (020 7843 3597).

The price includes the three-night Taste of Zulal programme, Qatar Airways flights, transfers and full board accommodation.

Why Qatar makes frankincense… well, I’m sure they know.

We do know that Qatar makes sense for a break, particularly around the World Cup when Scotland will be there (Allah be good).