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Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Going on an adventure with MSC on our minds

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And we’re back, Jack, Kate and the Good Ship Murder gang going on an adventure with MSC on our minds.

The British Channel 5 cruisedunnit is the perfect vehicle to promote our ship pals’ destination.

With the Christmas special dropping in on Alicante and behind the cloisters of St Ignatius Chapel.

Where Sister Tomasina has had an ‘apparition’ which has turned the Spanish town into a pilgrimage.

All of which asks for us to suspend our beliefs.

Mind you, in superstitious, religious Spain fact and fiction can meld and Alicante does have its own myth.

La Peregrina, or Pilgrimage of Santa Faz, which attracts thousands every year, on the second Thursday after Maundy Thursday.

Oui, we Cannes

Peregrinos walk eight kilometres from from the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolas in the historic cente to the Monastery of Santa Faz.

Where the cloth bearing the image of Christ’s face is preserved.

And that’s a mystery that retired tec/cruise crooner Jack and his wingwoman Kate the captain-in-waiting could surely solve.

Of course their Alicante adventure is a window for us to check out MSC’s packages.

The Good Ship wends its way to the French Riviera and glitzy Cannes where inevitably the credits roll on a film star.

Hamam’s the word

And then up the Bosphorus into Istanbul where a wellness guru gets it and the finger of suspicion points to a disgruntled patient.

Now if only they had just gone onshore to the Cagaloglu Hamam.

Where everyone from Florence Nightingale to John Travolta have soothed their weary bones and souls.

Jack of all trades: The Good Ship Murder

We’re promised Crete, Cape Verde, Valletta, Ibiza, and Ancona in the coming weeks,

Giving us all a virtual top up on our tans from the comfort of our own homes.

And prompting us to dip our foot in the sea, although, of course, we already have and can recommend the fjords with MSC.

Med up our minds

Answer to our prayers: La Sagrada Familia

We know you better though and that you need your sunny cruise, so we’re passing on to you

Guests travelling from Dublin can fly to Barcelona and enjoy a seven-night cruise on board MSC Grandiosa from €1,199 on October 29.

With ports of call including Cannes, Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia and Palma De Mallorca.

With the offer valid on new bookings made up to April 7.

Countries

Far from Nomading crowd of tourist traps

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It’s a perennial challenge for holidaymakers… how to get far from Nomading crowd of tourist traps.

Because the wonders of the world aren’t wonders for nothing and we all want to see them, and all of us at the same time.

But here’s what we forget, we have it in our own hands, or legs, to veer slightly off the hubs to avoid the tourist premiums.

Now because we prefer others to do the heavy lifting for us we’ve left it up to app Getnomad.

Who have compiled a list of reviewers’ biggest tourist traps.

Off the beaten track

Many we’ve visited for ourselves but few that have stung me.

Because what God, or the merchants who think they are, takes with one hand he gives with another.

In the form of a world nearby where you can feed and water yourself for regular Earth Money before moving on to your tourist site.

What the Romans did for us

Find yourself as a backpacker looping around Rome at the end of a 100km Via Francigena walk and you’ll learn the best deals.

So rather than dining in the shadow of the Trevi Fountain which ranks high on the Nomad list.

You can pick up a pezzo slice at a trattoria take-away and sit on the Spanish Steps or Wedding Cake, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

Barca loner

And when it comes to Barcelona, second with Getnomad, then it’s not for nothing that Christopher Columbus points away from Las Ramblas.

To the Catalonian city’s districts and beachfronts for your tapas and Rioja.

Capital growth

Doggone it: With rellies away from Royal Mile

With 30 years of life experience around Edinburgh and Dublin I know my way around the Scottish and Irish capitals.

And that dining at The Witchery next to Edinburgh Castle comes at a price you won’t pay halfway down at Deacon Brodie’s.

Where you can learn about how he inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Dr Jekyll & Master Hyde.

Equally those who follow the tourist trail to Temple Bar will discover a packaged Oirish Dublin for foreigners for the price of an organ.

While almost anywhere on either side of the Liffey will open up real Dublin and Dubliners and not empty your pockets.

Check it out

Bulking out the top 5 in the Nomading crowd of tourist traps are Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and Wall Drug, South Dakota in equal first.

With the Wharf marked down for being ‘dirty, run down and overcrowded,’ with its only redeeming feature its seals.

And the Wild West world of Wall Drug described as ‘very crammed and tacky.’

While the Cold War equivalent can be found at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, an experience you can savour elsewhere for nothing.

Getnomad helpfully flags up the most expensive tourist traps worldwide.

Now or never

And whisper it, their reviewers have only turned on Elvis Presley here with a graceless attack on Graceland.

For its $84 cover charge which zeroes in on perceived poor organisation and long queues.

And ignoring its cornucopia of prized Presley artefacts and his and his family’s grave all set against Elvis’s music.

And seeing that you’ll have made a conscious decision to go to Tennessee for its music.

We’d say don’t scrimp and save… it’s now or never.

You barter you bet

Similarly it’s probably more of a First World reaction to poopoo the $70 Petra charge.

And yes, there are stalls selling Indiana Jones bullwhips.

But spending a day at one of the Wonders of the World for the price of a lunch for two is a small price to pay.

Those of us with more Western sensibilities do, of course, need to adapt to the bartering culture of the Middle East and North Africa.

And in truth all our travel experience are relative.

So full disclosure here, Jordan’s souks and Turkey’s Grand Bazaar in Istanbul good.

But I still shiver at the memory of being fleeced in Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech in Morocco.

So, of course, my fellow Bandanini and Bandanettes this is just our take on what is happening far from Nomading crowd of tourist traps.

Share with us your views and…

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Columbus, The Great Explora and the Greater Spain

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Olé, olé, olé we’re on our way with Columbus, The Great Explora and the Greater Spain.

And Cassidy Travel and Explora Journeys which whisper it, or on second thoughts, shout it, who are a better bet than Columbus.

History has been kinder than it ought to have been to Columbus.

Who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 though didn’t know where he was going, which was the wrong way to Asia.

And even mistook manatees for mermaids.

Columbus on a pedestal

All of which appeals to this accidental tourist who has turned the wrong corner more often than not, and found an oasis.

Columbus is still trusting to instinct rather than updated maps to this day from his plinth in Barcelona.

Where he points not to America, where let’s remember he never set foot in, but to Algeria.

The great Catalan city honours the Genovese on account of his reporting to the Spanish monarchs after returning from the Caribbean.

And erected his 60ft statue by Las Ramblas for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona in 1888 in honour of his Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas.

Which if you’re lucky enough to first witness Barcelona from opened curtains on a cruise ship is the first thing you’ll see.

Carry on cruising

Barcelona will be your first port of call and departure point.

On your Journey to Stars of Casablanca & The Coast of Granada.

The Explora II will leave Barcelona in October 16 for ten nights from €4195pp (€500pp deposit).

Cassidy and Explora will put you in an ocean terrace suite.

And treat you to all-inclusive wining and dining

You’ll sail from the Catalan capital, overnight in Casablanca ad visit Cadiz, Puerto Banus (Marbella) and Motril.

While you’ll also get return flights from Dublin.

Countries, Cruising

MSC, it’s deadly

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You don’t have to be cop-turned-cabaret singer Jack Grayling to work out that the Good Ship Murder is MSC, it’s deadly.

As soon as you see that deep purple lobby carpeting and Swarovski crystal staircases, all 80,000 bits of them, you know you’re home.

On the same MSC Virtuosa we sashayed down on a port visit in Dublin back in the day.

The Good Ship Murder is the new guilty pleasure Channel 5 whodunit in the sun (or whosunit if you will) for the winter.

Which glided into La Rochelle in its first outing last week.

Ooh La La Rochelle

It gave us the chance to see L’Ile de Ré, the port and the beaches where the wicked deed was done.

While the city in the south-west of France also boasts..

A medieval old town, Courbon Castle, gardens and Coulon, the Green Venice.

Of course, all the destinations on the show are on the MSC roster.

With the jewel of Portugal, Lisbon, trailed for this Friday, October 20.

We expect that the show’s writers will come up with more and more inventive plots and modus operandi.

But not having had an advance peek at the episodes we can only speculate.

That the choice of weapon this week is a poisoned Portuguese custard tart, the Pasteis de Nata.

Lisbon lie-ins

There are a choice of MSC cruises from Lisboa within Europe.

And like Magellan and Da Gama of old, across to the Americas.

When in port, of course, MSC put on a portfolio of itineraries.

So you will want to take in the noted Lisbon trams on a tour of the city.

While they will take you further afield to our old pilgrimage pit stop of Fatima.

And it never hurts to get the prayers in.

Sacred heart: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

We can look forward in the coming weeks to visiting Valencia, Barcelona, Le Havre, Valletta and more in the coming weeks.

MSC Virtuosa accommodates over 6,000 guests.

With 10 dining venues, 21 bars, five swimming pools, top ents.

And Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea.

Hold on tight: With the Scary One on MSC

Now we notice that the fjords of Norway, where we visited with MSC, don’t seem to be on that list.

Where perhaps the genesis of the idea for The Good Ship Murder was formed!

When on a rainy morning on deck while leaning over the rail I felt a hand on my shoulder.

From my Scary One.

Still smarting from a perceived injustice, probably around maxing out the credit card in the on-board boutiques.

MSC, it’s deadly so enjoy The Good Ship Murder for what it is.

Because the only thing you’re likely to murder is the buffet.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Revive a Espana

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There’s nothing to raise the blood pressure more than golf so our suggestion is go wellness and Revive A Espana.

And if you’re with Mark Twain in thinking it’s a good walk wasted then lose the golf bit and indulge in the wellness part of the resort.

Camiral Golf & Wellness between Girona and Barcelona all about the pamper with its next wellness retreat,.

The five-day ‘Strengthen & Revive’ programme, which will take place between Monday 20^th and Friday 24^th November.

Well of talent

Alongside general medical consultant and integrative health expert Dr Saskia Kloppenburg.

Ably backed up by Mireia Cervera, an advisor to Barcelona restaurants Flax & Kale.

Our Catalan chums tell us that Mireia has worked closely alongside Camiral’s executive chef David Vives to devise the Wellness Centre’s nutritional programmes.

While even the University of Girona’s Professor of Wellbeing and Happiness Edgar Tarres chipping in alongside executive coach Nieves Rodriguez.

And if Pilates is your thing then instructor, Rocio Gil will put you through your paces.

Tackling goals holistically

Jenna will present a workshop around the link between nutrition and inflammation.

While Saskia Kloppenburg will address internal inflammatory processes with one-to-one consultations and supervised intravenous infusions.

Edgar Tarrés will lead mindfulness and meditation sessions that focus on rest and breathwork.

Workshop by Nieves Rodríguez will advise on managing stress and Rocio Gill’s Pilates sessions will retune body and mind.

The immunity-boosting menu, making the most of the resort’s home-grown produce, across the five days has been drawn up by Mireia Cervera.

She will support and adapt menus for participants during the retreat.

Get some cryotherapy

Núria Camins’ therapists and trainers will offer treatments and classes.

So sign up for everything from cryotherapy, photo biomodulation and oxygen chamber therapy to massages and yoga.

While you get to stretch your legs through the expansive, forest-fringed landscape to the Cap de Creus peninsula.

will take things to another level. Balancing group activity with personal downtime will be factored into the programme as rest and switching off are to be embraced too.

Camiral our cup of tea

You’ll stay at the five-star, 138-bedroom Hotel Camiral, designed by Lazaro Rosa-Violán.

If added privacy and seclusion are sought then look to the seven Camiral Suites that were unveiled in September 2022.

Designed by the Bryan O’Sullivan Studio (whose work also includes suites at Claridge’s and The Connaught) these suites are directly connected to it.

These suites allow for exercise within and come equipped with accessories such as yoga mats and gym balls.

All’s wellness that ends wellness

The all-inclusive ‘Strengthen & Revive’ Immunity Retreat is priced from €3,019 staying in a Superior Deluxe Room to €3,644 in a Junior Suite.

Also included in what we call Revive A Espana are the designated retreat activities and treatments.

All meals and access to Wellness Centre Spa facilities.

Room upgrades and extra treatments and consultations are available at a supplementary cost.

Flight transfers from Barcelona and Girona airports are not included but can be arranged upon requested.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, Oceania, Sport

Here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries

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Ireland will come to a standstill today for Dublin v Kerry so here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries.

The two great Gaelic Football or Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) rivals have been facing off against each other since 1892.

So if you’re lucky, or you’ve planned ahead, then you’ll find yourself in Dublin on All-Ireland weekend.

When the Dubs and Kerry meet for the 14th time to decide who takes Sam home.

Sam being the iconic Sam Maguire after whom GAA’s most coveted trophy is named.

And paraded around the winning county’s clubs, filled to the brim with booze.

Croker is the real thing

Now seeing we live our lives by the mantra… go to where the locals pray and play we’d recommend the temple of GAA, Croke Park.

The 82,000 capacity North Dublin stadium affectionately known to locals as Croker which also houses the All-Ireland hurling final.

And Limerick’s hurlers are still in full party mode after beating their great rivals Kilkenny for their fourth title in a row.

Aussie rules

Famous travellers that they are the Irish took their Gaelic football with them when they were transported to Australia.

Where the sport developed into the Aussie Rules that it is today.

And the two countries play an international compromise series.

The biggest match of them all is the Grand final with Melbourne giants Carlton v Collingwood the fiercest match-up.

And every sports fan, and even those who don’t, need to visit the iconic MCG, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It’s a thing that they play Aussie Rules on a cricket oval which I know from watching the action at London’s Foster’s Oval.

Boston’s team party

And when it comes to sporting rivalries then in America old historical rivalries run deep.

And when you add the snatching of a heroic player, Babe Ruth who you build your club around.

And curse their opponents then it’s plain to see…

Why the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees built up a grudge match.

Boston, of course, is one of America’s great sporting cities.

And its basketball team, the Celtics, have built up quite the history with the LA Lakers.

And its ice hockey team, the Bruins, with the Montreal Canadiens.

While Tom Brady and the New England Patriots built up a resentment from New York, yes, but right across the States.

El Classico

Now there are other soccer rivalries including Scotland’s Celtic and their Old Firm derby with Rangers.

But there’s only one El Classico… Barcelona v Real Madrid.

Although there are variations on that theme around the world this football classic allows you to sample the Iberian Peninsula.

And yes, you have to take sides, so full disclosure here it’s been Barcelona ever since I first helicoptered over the Camp Nou.

And got wrapped up in Messimania many years later.

Get in the hole

Now some old rivalries have enjoyed refurbs to become bigger and better than ever.

With the Ryder Cup, held for most of its history between GB & Ireland, now extended to include Europe.

All of which has meant that as well as the British and Irish heartlands.

We’ve now had Ryder Cups in Spain, France and this September in Rome.

Where we’re hoping that instead of the oft-exclaimed exhort of Fore! we’ll be hearing Forza! instead.

Back to the All-Ireland and if you’re not, or can’t be, at Croker today.

Then the big match is on RTÉ obvs but also now BBC Sport at 3pm.

It’s a good place to start as here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries.

Countries, Europe

In surf hands at Sea Retreat

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I’m a danger to myself in water but I’ve been promised that I’ll be in surf hands at Sea Retreat.

Marina Nieves and Callum Jelley (yeah, he’ll have heard all the gags) live in the sea and will show you how you can too.

The watersport experts are launching their own school, the Sea Retreat, in El Palmar, a coastal village near Cadiz.

From the looks of it Marina and Callum are those chilled type of surfers who have a limitless patience.

And they’d need every ounce to turn this landlubber into a sea creature.

McDaid in Ireland

As Irish surfer Gearoid McDaid will tell you having propped me up on the FlowRider surf simulator.

On Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas in Barcelona.

I love the idea of surfing more than the falling off the board and swallowing salty sea water.

A lifetime of drinking the seas from the Pacific to the Caribbean to the Med to the Red to the Indian Ocean has taught me.

That while the rest of you might have come out of the sea I climbed down the trees.

Surfer dude vibe

I do though love the sound of the surfer dude lifestyle.

And Gearoid will hang at home waiting until the tide is high and take off wherever that is around the world.

Marina and Callum offer that laid-back Spanish vibe around the surf school.

After mornings on the swell you can turn in for a siesta.

Or get on your horsey along the beach.

Or hike the natural landscapes of the Atlantic coast and take in hilltop town, the Vejer de la Frontera.

If the mid-20s temps tire you out you can always sign up to a yoga session in a Mongolian yurt.

Deal me in

The Sea Retreat will run weekly (Sunday to Saturday) from 18 September to 24 June and will cost from £699pp.

They need a minimum four people for the surf camp to take place.

Price includes accommodation, five surf lessons (plus theory), one sunset/sunrise surf, two video analysis sessions (take a breath).

Daily breakfast, five lunches and five dinners, beer, wine, and soft drinks on arrival, and time to enjoy other activities.

Bicycles and surfing gear are also available to borrow.

The Sea Retreat also welcomes families.

And they will adapt the schedule depending on how much surfing everyone and the ages of the children; price is on request.

Fly me to the dune

Fly from London Stansted/London Gatwick to Jerez de la Frontera Airport from £65pp return.

The transfer from Jerez Airport to El Palmar takes less than an hour.

Alternatively, fly direct from London Stansted/London Gatwick/Edinburgh/Dublin to Sevilla Airport from as little as £55pp return.

The transfer from Sevilla Airport to El Palmar takes two hours.

Call Marina (+34 625 02 55 64) or Callum (+34 667 792 400).

And they’ll put you at ease… you’ll be in surf hands at Sea Retreat in Spain.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, Sport, UK

Touchdown LA

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The eyes of the world will be on the Super Bowl tomorrow so let’s play a little game of stadium spotting… and Touchdown LA.

The magnificent SoFi Stadium is led-lighted up like a Christmas Tree so the world can see it from the air.

And while we, of course, always look out of our windows for iconic landmarks, us sporty types also target sports stadiums.

LA is my Playday

Los Angeles: Now the first thing that we look out for when we fly into the City of Angels is the Hollywood sign.

Alas it is not so easily spotted up there in the hills meaning SoFi monopolises your view.

You can, of course, rectify that with a 8.8km walking trip up to the Griffith Observatory.

As long as you didn’t sit yourself down next to a passenger who was sick into her bag, gave it to you and passed on a 24-hour bug.

London calling

London: With 22 football grounds in the English capital you’d think you’d have a choice of viewing from the air.

You can see a good bunch of them, Wembley, the Emirates, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Stamford Bridge and the Thameside Craven Cottage.

More surprising is the ground outside of the capital in Watford.

And its red and yellow seats… very Harry Potter which is pertinent seeing you can visit Harry’s world there.

As the Hertfordshire town houses the Warner Bros. Studio London.

The other is in LA… and yes, I missed that too because of that passenger’s virus although I will be back, and obvs with Attraction Tickets Direct.

In Dublin’s air city

Dublin: And, of course, Irish sports fans will be converged in Paris today for le rugby et Les Bleus v Les Vertes.

For those of us who visit the Irish capital, or were lucky enough to live there for 13 years you’ll see their marvellous Aviva Stadium.

Which I will again tomorrow… and my heart is leaping.

The Cruyff turn Amsterdam

Bird’s eye view: How Cruyff changed football

Amsterdam: And this is really what they should call the pilot’s move as he flies into Schiphol Airport in Clog City.

The Ajax stadium is named after the Netherlands greatest-ever player after which this move was named.

The late Cruyff was iconic in his white and single red stripe Ajax top and Oranje national shirts.

And if you can board a bouncing train with the Oranje Army down to Rotterdam where Cruyff played latterly then all the better.

The Camp Flew

Barcelona: Cruyff is as big a hero in Barcelona as Amsterdam.

After reviving them as a player with his total football.

And as the architect of Barca’s Tiki-Taka football, taken to new heights in the Catalans Messi-inspired teams of the Noughties and Tweens.

I first saw Barcelona from the cabin of a cruise ship (as you do).

So I saw the city from the air in a helicopter.

I expressed my wonderment to the pilot about the stadium below.

Only for him to tell me that that was the Reserve Team’s ground and that the Camp Nou was coming up.

So if you’re flying into the City of Angels for the Super Bowl.

Or plan to visit in the future look out for the SoFi stadium… because it’s Touchdown LA.

Asia, Countries, Deals, Europe, Ireland

Cassidy’s Sundance Kids

19th August 202119th August 2021 funtime65

My Dear Old Mum would visit the same Travel Agent every year to book our family holiday and I’m sure it’s the same for Cassidy’s Sundance Kids.

Cassidy, as all in Ireland know, is the country’s biggest independent Travel Agent.

And it has made generations of holidaymakers dreams come true.

Which is why families continue to go back to them again and again to book their holidays.

Now there have been many heroes over this Covid year and a half and our health workers, teachers…

And heck, all of us should take a bow.

But I’d like to give a shout-out to our Travel Providers who have often worked without pay and in their own time.

And all to make sure customers get away or are refunded or have their holidays rescheduled.

Now there are those who say that getting away is not a matter of life and death.

But if self-isolation (and the Son and Heir is facing that just now) has taught us anything it is that humans do not belong caged up.

And so we are delighted to report that Cassidy Travel’s doors are open and filling our inboxes with their offers.

And so without further ado…

On trend

Last year’s blond: ‘The Donald’ in New York

Here’s where they want to take us and I’m indebted to the awesome Aileen who has taken over babysitting us Travel professionals.

Here are the trends (as the kids say):

The late Autumn deals, New York and Las Vegas shopping breaks, Christmas markets, Lapland, Christmas and New Year Sun.

Take a breath…

New Year and January Ski, Cruising, Florida 2022 and Villa Holidays.

And, yes please to them all.

But we’ll pare some of them down to these Three Cheers.

Ola Barcelona

To the Lord: At Gaudi’s centrepiece La Sagrada

We all know Barcelona in the summer where it’s hot, hot, hot.

And I’m sure I’m still the subject of the proud, brusque Catalan waitress who I managed to draw a smile from when I asked for a hot chocolate on the hottest day of the hottest heatwave.

Thankfully we got to take to the water for a cruise stop.

flights and 3 nights accommodation at the 3*Hotel Leo for the incredible price of €149pp (based on two people sharing)!

Flight departs Dublin 13^th and returning 16^th October 2021.

Call Cassidy Travel on 01 8901000 or book in one of their 10 stores across Dublin.

You’re a Celebrity too

And Celebrity Edge is the ultimate in cruising with its floating tender… and yes, love me tender.

Cassidy will get you on board for a scoot around Italy and Greece aboard next summer 2022.

Get on this deal for seven nights in an interior cabin including full board.

Plus Always Included Promotion Classic Drinks package, internet package and tips for only €1929pp.

Setting sail from Rome and visiting Naples and the stunning Greek islands of Santorini, Rhodes & Mykonos,

And phinally Phuket

Phuket, we’ll finish with a land, Thailand, and resort, Phuket, where I sent many a young adventurer and page designer and scuba diver Podge in my time as a commissioning editor.

Cassidy has 50% savings included for a ten-night stay in the 4* Old Phuket Karon Beach Resort from only €998pp for next May.

Stay in a Deluxe Sino Wing room, beautiful period accommodation influenced by Sino-Portuguese architecture.

And enjoy the magnificent pool, mountain views and beach side bars.

Prices are based on two sharing and include flights, taxes, private transfers and hotel accommodation.

Book by September 30 to avail of this amazing deal!

And aren’t these all good reasons to pitch Cassidy’s Sundance Kids.

America, Asia, Countries, Europe, Music, South America, UK

Olympic anthems

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It’s not always the official song, so as we all zone in on Tokyo, here’s Rainy Days and Songdays Olympic anthems.

You go, Subo

Wings to Fly (Tokyo): Were you surprised too to see Scottish nightingale Susan Boyle trilling out Wings to Fly to accompany the release of those doves in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo?

Not bad for a wee lass from Bathgate, Scotland, where the birds disturb the peace by dropping their stuff on you.

Houston, we have an anthem

One Moment in Time (Atlanta): Now there was no female singer in the world in the 1990s than Whitney Houston.

And the warbler was the obvious choice for the signature tune for the 1996 Olympics in Georgia. Alas, this had all the saccharine of the city’s most famous soft drink.

What Katy Did Next

Rise (Rio): Katy Perry too was stellar, and still is, at the last Olympics in 2016 but she didn’t rise to the occasion with this overproduced piece of schtick.

Too earnest, we’d have far preferred Fireworks. And there are plenty of them in Rio by the sea-o.

Dream Small

Proud (London): Big hair, big smile voice, Heather Small was Big in the late 80s with dance band M People.

And big again when Heather re-released her solo song Proud as the anthem of the London Olympics in 2012.

We see Heather more now on reality TV, Strictly, the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage but would rather hear That voice.

Barcelonaaaaaaa

Barcelona, Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé: And one we definitely see, overblown opera with Fandango Freddie and Spanish Soprano Montserrat.

All against the backdrop of brilliant Barcelona.

Your Olympic anthems

But what would be Freddie’s discipline? A lover of ballet, we’re thinking rhythmic gymnastics.

But what are your Rainy Days and Songdays Olympic anthems?