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Moment in Italian golf

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It was a seminal moment in Italian golf that’ll likely be replayed on a loop this Italian Ryder Cup… Costantino Rocca sank a 60ft putt on the 72nd hole of the Open but my Dear Old Dad missed it.

He’d left Rocca in the Valley of Sin, the gully in the 18th green at St Andrews, to drain the putt which gave him a play-off which he eventually lost to American John Daly… because he wanted to beat the traffic.

As ever my Mum went with it just as she had years earlier when we turned back as a family on the road to Troon in the west of Scotland for the same reason.

This year all roads lead to Rome, as they have always done since the days of the Caesars, although there is little evidence that Jules, Augie or Nero wore multicoloured v-necked sweaters and talked high business on the links.

Golf’s biggest event (sorry The Open and the Masters) returns to the continent of Europe for the first time since Paris 2018 which was on everyone’s minds when we played Europe’s Old Course, in Mandelieu-La-Napoule on our Riviera Odyssey.

And our old Irish friends Cassidy Travel are on it… as they are with all major sports events.

So let’s rip it and grip it as Long John Daly would say and as I showcase below in Quinta do Lago at former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley’s academy…

Si Si Ryder

Ryder Cup 2023!

Rome – Weekend Packages

Sunday Package: 30^th September – 3^rd October

3 Night Package

Cross roads: The Cross Hotel, Rome. www.giuliriotta.com

4* The Cross Hotel, Rome

Package includes Return Flights, Accommodation, Airport & Event Transfers and Access to Sunday Final Day Ticket.

Prices from €2249pp (based on 2 people sharing)

The traditional Cross Hotel is located in Rome’s tranquil historic and archaeological district.

Walk this way

Sightseeing: The Basilica in the background

Now every road in La Citta Eterna has a story to tell but you’ll be wanting to know how far you are from the iconic sites.

And the Cross Hotel helpfully tells us where they’re placed in relation to those landmarks.

The Colosseum 1,6 km
Roman Forum 2,2 km
Trevi Fountain 2,6 km
Piazza di Spagna 3 km

Castel Sant’Angelo 4 km
St. Peter’s Basilica 4,9 km
Vatican Museums 5,1 km

All of which you can reach by public transport but like all the great cities they’re best found a piedi, or on foot.

On the right course

The Marco Simone golf course is 17kms out of Rome city centre.

And, of course, you’ll want to know how to get there and that’s where the Ryder Cup website comes in handy.

As a sample of their information they say that there will be three park and ride locations, giving easy access from all directions.

Tickets for car parking are now available for purchase.

From the dedicated park and ride car parks there will be free shuttle buses to and from the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

Now, of course, there will be some who will want to beat the crowds and leave the event ready.

Otherwise you’ll miss your moment in Italian golf.

Africa, Countries

South Africa Get Me Into There

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The Celebrities were happy enough to scream South Africa Get Me Into There… so why not us?

Well, our friends at Cassidy Travel in Ireland have been thinking about us and, of course, they never stop.

So they’ve hoved in on SA and safaris as somewhere you’d be glad to set up camp.

Now where Gillian McKeith, Shaun Ryder, Carol Vorderman, Janice Dickinson et al have gone they have followed us.

And all the trials and tribulations and tricky treats are as nought compared to our travails in the Eastern Cape.

Safari travails

When we put ourselves in the hands of Alan of Alan Tours out of Gqberha, or Port Elizabeth, as we then knew it.

Into Baviaanskloof Reserve with its monkeys, baboons, antelopes and springboks.

And were diverted though through Alan’s local knowledge we got back at 1am.

But lived by our wits in the South Africa back woods eating South African/Scots biscuits and playing party games.

Cape crusaders

Cassidy’s, of course, have everything covered on their eight-night Cape Town & Safari Package for travel on October 2.

Including flights with Qatar Airways, private transfers and accommodation.

You’ll have five nights B&B in Cape Town at the Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and Spa.

Where you’ll naturally want to check out Table Mountain National Park.

And Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was robbed of 25 years of his life.

Safari so good

And then three nights safari on Aquila Game Reserve in a Premier Lodge Room on a full room basis.

Prices from €2149pp based on two people sharing.

Something to think on when you’re watching Z-list celebs and shouting South Africa Get Me Into There.

Countries

I’ll be my own Valentine

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Just returned from paying homage to the patron saint of lovers and his relics in Dublin. He’s on in his own, and you might be too so to all those fab singles say it loud and proud. I’ll be my own Valentine.

Globe trotting these last years I’ve had the pleasure of Mrs M’s company and group parties but I’ve also been an independent traveller.

Although that has almost always invariably involved the help of Good Samaritans to get me out of any number of scrapes.

We all know, of course, that the best people to help you through your travel planning is your local agent,

And in Ireland, Cassidy Travel have a rich tradition of seeing you’re never alone wherever you go in the world.

All of which is why this Valentine’s Day they’re bringing us these teasers… so go on treat yourself.

Lisbon fun and fado

Fado, I do, I do, I do… Lisbon is the home of fado, the Portuguese song of panging among poor but there’s passion there too.

Cassidy are offering a two-night package for next month, staying in an a 4* hotel with return flights included from €289.

Jump on the trams and stop off at their bars and cafes for the fado and delicacies like bacalhau (dried and salted cod, to you and me) and pasteis de nata (those moreish custard tarts).

Dip your toe in

Single life is all about pleasing just yourself and that’s exactly what you can do in Fuerteventura.

Cassidy are offering a seven-night package at the 4* Kn Hotel Matas Blancas with return flights from €689 for next month.

The adults-only resort has sparkling swimming pools and comfortable

lounge areas so you can kick back and relax.

Me, oh Malta

Now the jewel of the Med will always be a special island for myself and my loved one after she jumped at my proposal to join me in life’s journey.

The restaurant is still there and in our haste we left our comp bottle of Champagne… although I dare say they might think I was at it i’d gone back in.

I did though put up a couple of yearning solo pictures (just for her benefit) of Malta and Gozo.

Cassidy are offering a seven-night package for next month at the 4* Paradise Bay Resort, Mellieha with return flight from $510.

With the Paradise Bay Resort boasting four seawater pools, glorious sea views and a private stretch of Blue Flag Beach.

I’ll sail this ship alone

Now while, of course, you can lose your partner on a ship the perception of cruising is that it is a couple’s activity.

True, and we were king and queen of the waves on board MSC in the Norwegian fjords, but equally a cruise is a great adventure for those singles who were on board.

And a few slip-ups I’m sure I was on probation and risking leaving the ship a single!

Cassidy offers seven nights in a studio interior Fantastica cabin for travel on the MSC Grandiosa around the West Med… and I dipped my toe in.

Full Board including all-inclusive drinks package and gratuities for the trip on October 23 with price from €1039 (based on 1 adult). Deposit Only €250

You’ll take off from Barcelona amd visiting Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, Genoa and Marseille

And you’ll get return flights from Dublin… so maybe time to check back in on Valentine there too.

And maybe tell him I’ll be my own Valentine.

Drop into Cassidy Travel today or contact them on 01 8779890.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Split for Croatia

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It’s certainly worth checking out when a German couple you meet by the Rialto Bridge in Venice tells you that Dalmatia is even better… and you should split for Croatia.

We’ll never downplay the City on the Lagoon of course only I expect Wolfgang and Ingrid were hankering back to another stunning coastline without the hordes.

The good news though is that you don’t have to choose one over the other.

Adriatic see

Game for anything: Croatian Game of Thrones

As our old Irish Travel friends Cassidy Travel know only too well.

They are only offering a luxury Italy & Croatia fly/cruise all-inclusive offer for a week.

For August of this year.

Suite spot

Venice: & let’s catch a gondola to Padova

You’ll sail out from Fusina, across the lagoon on the mainland.

And as well as Venice on your doorstep you’ll visit Trieste with its James Joyce links, Zadar and Hvar.

While ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’ Dubrovnik, Split and Opatija (Kvarner Bay) are also on your itinerary.

The price includes return flights from Dublin with luggage allowance, private door to door pick-up and private transfers.

Your seven nights cruise will be in a Vista Suite and include all excursions,

You’ll get $300 on board spend and your very own butler!!

And what’s more there is a January sale attached with the price from €4,600pp (Exclusive offer – Save €500!)

Trust Cassidy

Now, of course, the cruise is the ultimate in you-do-it-yourself holiday where every one of your needs is taken care of.

And that’s always best when I try the old independent travel lark.

Having had to depend on my old Travel pal Constance Harris to get me and my pal ‘Dragon’ back on the train to Padova for a function.

While left to my own devices I had to get off my bus from Medjugorje to Dubrovnik because I had my old passport on me.

Best then to let Cassidy look after everything and help you split for Croatia…

And for those who like to hear the friendly sound of your Travel dream-maker at the other end, then call 01 8779890.

America, Countries, Cruising, Europe

2023 will be a cruise

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It’s felt pretty bumpy over 2022 so let’s make a promise here… 2023 will be a cruise.

Our old friends Irish travel specialists Cassidy Travel are already on it with a trio of top offers to tease us for next year.

With cruise experts we know and love.

Now while the waters around us are familiar to us we recommend dipping your toe back in for a return visit.

While it’s always worth broadening your horizons.

And we confess that stepping off Huntington Beach into the Pacific we stared out yonder.

And dreamt of the next land ahoy…

So without further ado here is what Cassidy has planned for us.

Med in heaven

And you always remember your first time and journey only we didn’t get the extra Italian helping so that’s reason enough.

Western Mediterranean Fly/Cruise

Royal Caribbean – Symphony of the Seas

Travel 8^th October 2023.

7 Nights – Full Board & Gratuities

From €1539pp (based on 2 people sharing)

Itinerary: Sailing from Barcelona, visiting Palma,

Provence, Florence/Pisa, Rome & Naples

Includes: Flights, baggage, transfers, 7 nights cruise,

full board basis in an interior stateroom & gratuities!

Deposit only €99pp!

Drop into any Cassidy Travel shop or contact our cruise team cruise@cassidytravel.ie or call

01-8779890.

Fjord fiesta

And we’ve a picture by my award-winning snapper above the telly to remind us of an early morning off Geiranger to remind us.

Norwegian Fjords Fly/Cruise

Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Apex

Travel 18^th June 2023.

7 Nights

From €1619pp (based on 2 people sharing)

Itinerary: Sailing from Amsterdam, visiting Kristiansand,

Haugesund, Geiranger & Alesund

Includes: Flights, baggage, transfers, 7 nights cruise,

drinks, wifi, gratuities & $200 on board credit!

Hula lot of fun

Now this would suit my own little Princess who globetrotted as a kid but missed out on Hawaii, the jewel of the Pacific.

Particularly with the Princess of the Seas.

Hawaiian Island Fly/Cruise

Princess Cruises – Emerald Princess

Travel 6^th July 2023.

16 Nights – Full Board

Inside Cabin – Upgrades Available

From €2099pp (based on 2 people sharing)

Itinerary: Sailing from Los Angeles, visiting Hilo, Honolulu,

Kauai, Kahului, Ensenada – Mexico, Los Angeles

Includes: Flights, baggage, 16 nights cruise, meals, snacks & entertainment

Drop into any Cassidy Travel shop or contact the cruise team cruise@cassidytravel.ie or call

01-8779890.

And make sure 2023 will be a cruise.

Abba Days are here again in London

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Abba Days are here again in London and memories come flooding back of school days and having a Sun newspaper with an article on my then favourite band confiscated.

They were the days of bare-breasted Page 3 girls.

And any girl was considered a temptress by the Jesuit priests employed to keep Catholic boys’ minds on God, education and sport.

Try telling that though to an adolescent boy.

Transfixed by the blonde curls and blue, blue eyes of Dancing Queen Agnetha Faltskogg.

Of course concerts were sniffed at too by priests and parents in the Seventies.

And so the chance to see Agnetha and the others of the Fun Four up close passed me by and will forever be out of my reach.

Avatar Abba

But Avatar Abba is possible which you might have got a teaser for at their museum in Stockholm.

ABBA Voyage is the long-awaited concert from one of the biggest pop acts of all time featuring a setlist of the bands biggest, most popular hits.

Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid have created the kind of concert they always wanted.

Performing for their fans at their best, as digital versions of themselves backed by today’s finest musicians.

Blurring the lines between the physical and digital, we’re advised not to miss!

Now, of course, it’s not just the digital world which can be deceptive as I found out to my cost when I was lured in by another Agnetha.

Another Agnetha

Sitting in my Greystones home poring over the names in my party.

For a coming trip to the Czech Republic I fell upon Agnetha.

And let The Scary One know which of course she duly ignored.

Of course, Agnetha was nothing like Agnetha Falstskogg.

Not her fault though as she was a woman of a vintage.

And boy she was good craic as I was to find out when she threw her shapes on the dance floor in the Spa Triangle.

And again at the American Travel fairs I attended in Washington, Denver and Anaheim.

Cassidy classy days

Who’s to say that I won’t bump into her again in the Big Smoke.

When it truly would be a case of Abba Days are here again in London.

Irish travel agents Cassidy Travel offer a one-night package in London on March 18.

A hotel & concert ticket, it is priced at from €240pps.

Countries, Europe

Snowbirds flocking to the Canaries

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We’ve been watching the geese fly south for winter and so are we, the snowbirds flocking to the Canaries.

Word comes to us from our friends in the seven islands that there has been a rush to renest there from our own cuckoo islands.

There are 2,713,621 scheduled airline seats from the UK to the Canaries this winter, a 30% rise from pre-Covid 2019/20.

And in Ireland there are 289,063 scheduled airline seats to Las Islas Canarias this winter.

And that’s a 38% spike in capacity from winter three years ago.

Christmas Canaries

Now one of the most common questions we’re asked here at this time of the year is where’s good to holiday in the winter.

And thankfully our friends, the travel providers, have the answers with these deals.

TUI dangles a Christmas week from December 19 in Gran Canaria at the 3* Rocamar in Puerto Rico at €599pps.

And a fortnight half-board from December 28 at the 3*+ Hotel Catalonia, Las Vegas in Puerto De la Cruz from €1,189pps, €3,349 (2+1).

Tenerife treat

While if you prefer to start the new year on a beach in our favourite, Tenerife…

Then six nights from January 4 at the all-inclusive 3* Catalonia Punts Del Rey in Las Caletillas from €499pps, €1,449pps (2+1).

Or seven nights from January 16, self-catering, in the 3* Monte Feliz in Bahia Feliz in Gran Canaria from €469pps.

Pitch Cassidy

Irish travel specialists Cassidy are also in on the action.

With a seven-night all-inclusive at the 4* Catalonia Punta Del Rey from €929pps including return flights & accommodation.

Here and across the Canarian deals you’ll want to avail of their pools, saunas and wellness.

And the Iberian pastime of paddel, the caged tennis-squash hybrid which I was converted to in Quinto da Lago.

So whichever of these Canarian crackers you choose then just follow those geese.

And be part of the snowbirds flocking to the Canaries this winter.

America, Canada, Countries, Cruising, Deals

New York Princess

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They start out a wide-eyed wanderer but end up a New York Princess. And may it always be so.

And for every Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn) there’s a Josephine from Monaghan, Kathleen from Donegal and Celia from Galway.

My Irish aunties could only have dreamt of beginning their new lives in America off a cruise.

And spend 11 nights in luxury accommodation with entertainment and the best food and drink.

All of which you’ll get aboard Princess Cruises on September 24.

Cassidy Travel will fly you out from Dublin and stay in an inside cabin in this majestic fleet with full board basis from €1,099pp.

And, of course, this isn’t just a one-stop to Ellis Island.

The itinerary

You’ll sail from Southampton and visit Corner Brook and Sydney in Canada (no, me neither).

And Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and then New York.

Southampton, we know, it being the cruise capital of England, and it is that tbf, a through town.

September is the best time we’re told to see Corner Brook in Newfoundland with the trees just starting to change colour.

Captain Cook it

But did you know that Captain Cook (yes, him) was here?

He made his name, of course, discovering Australia, although to be fair the Aborigines knew about it for thousands of years already!

Sydney we all know is Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney, the-then UK Home Secretary at the time of Sydney’s foundation.

One can only baulk at the thought of some poor immigrants shack town in Rwanda being built with the signpost Pateltown (or Palace).

Another Sydney

Another string to its bow: Sydney, Canada

Sydney found himself in the post at a special time of change with the American War of Independence raging at the time.

And the Canadians, or more specifically the Nova Scotians, found themselves on the wrong side and ended up with the Brits… and the Home Sec.

In keeping with its Scotianess you won’t be surprised to see the Cape Breton Highlanders Museum.

And I guess that’s what The Big Fiddle is all about, the largest in the world.

Mad George’s wife’s town

Charlottetown, named for Mad King George’s wife, has echoes of an olde world, with what looks suspiciously like jarvie racing (they call it harness racing) at the Red Shores Horsetrack.

Don’t hang around though, get a gallop on, because you know the ship won’t wait for you.

And the Big Apple

Whether you’re a prince or a New York Princess.

The Big Apple is waiting and there’s no time to waste.