Countries, Ireland

Mum’s the world

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Like us all my mum’s the world to me not just today on Mothering Sunday but every day.

Being of the Irish variety travel is in the genes for 94-year-young Teasy.

And she has set foot on every continent on Earth apart from the icy one at the bottom.

China in your hands: The Great Wall

Teasy’s travels really began in earnest when she empty-nested.

And a Saga played out across Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

With the over-50s holiday specialists who had shown their wisdom by employing a willing young man back in the day in Aberdeen.

Camel ye

One hump or two: Mum on her camel

Teasy, of course, sharing the love of the craic, would always be front and centre of any group.

Nor would she flinch from any adventure, whether a camel ride or a helicopter trip above Mount Everest.

My more cautious Dear Old Dad would often sit out the more daring excursions.

Fancy dress: On honeymoon in Germany

But Teasy’s enthusiasm rubbed off on him as it did us all.

She had been bringing him out of himself from when they first met in their 20s.

Whether it be climbing hill or glen in the old Irish homestead.

Or playing dress-up on their honeymoon holiday trip to France and Germany.

Then there was three then two

Beach time: With Mum and Dad

Of course there were the family holidays too and being the baby of the family that meant the three of us after my brothers grew up.

And after my Dear Old Dad had taken his final trip meet-ups on our beloved Ireland.

Where are the flowers? An early card

And an unforgettable adventure in the New World in New York for a family world.

Where of course she was in her element with her brothers’ family.

Yes to all mothers from all the children all the love because mum’s the world.

 

Africa, Countries, Culture, Deals, Food

Holiday Snaps – Capes of good hope

And, yes, you read that right. I’m talking of the Eastern and Western Capes of South Africa and the Good Hope of returning ine day.

TV chef Gregg Wallace has been conjuring up memories of the Eastern Cape foe me in his ITV travelogue series, sponsored by Saga Holidays.

Where last week he went on safari at the Amakahla Game Reserve, just north-west of Port Elizabeth, and this week goes west to Table Mountain et al.

Chin chin: Gregg Wallace in South Africa

Of course Gregg got stuck into biltong, the dried cured meat they all eat out there.

The promo video shows Gregg toasting us with a South African white you can almost taste.

But a piece of advice, Gregg, if you really want to go native then you need to put ice in the wine.

Bergamo stands alone

Bergamo Molamia: Stay strong

Mola Mia… and I’m glad to see that Ryanair is giving Bergamo back its name in its latest tranche of offers and not just aa an appendage of Milan.

They flag up the medieval jewel of Lombardy at up to €30 off which takes you to their €23.99 one-way deal for Milan Bergamo.

Bur hey, Bergamo wasn’t built in a day… and I’ll share all its history and how it has rallied from being the doorway for Covid in Europe.

Una ciocolatta di calda densa: In Bergamo

Book foe Bergamo and a raft of destinations by January 13. Travel between April 1 and October 31.

Ryanair helpfully shares where you can get a Covid test near you.

Sandals in the sand

Blessed: Saint Lucia

Or more accurately on the runway. Actually the plane on the runway but then my hour in Saint Lucia just whetted my appetite.

My Saint Lucian pal Jerry, the Big Rapper, from my G Adventures tour of Jordan had given me the skinny on his island.

And how he had plans for writing a guide book.

Look out for that when you’re out in Saint Lucia at Sandals who have a January sale on.

They have seven nights at the Sandals Regency La Toc with travel dates in September and October.

Fly with British Airways and stay in a honeymoon luxury.

Now I’ve experience of a couples hotel in Barbados and a Sandals on the south of the island too,

While, if you want to island hop, Saint Lucia is the stop-off for another prize destination Tobago.