America, Countries, Europe, Music

Our five fab films for Mother’s Day

And you can put money on Jessie Buckley gushing about being a mum in her Oscars acceptance speech, and while Hamnet is a tour de force, here are our five fab films for Mother’s Day.

With a nod, of course, to the mumdoms where they ruled the roost.

Let’s start at the very beginning

The parent Von Trapp: In Austria

The Sound of Music: And if a mother’s love is unconditional then all the more credit for women who take on another man’s children.

And seven of them at that.

But when you’re an Austrian singing Julie Andrews nun turned governess then you have all the tools for motherhood.

Maria and Captain Georg took the train from Salzburg down to Italy.

Not over the mountains because they’d have ended up in Hitler’s Lair, and then onto America.

Where Georg and Maria added to their Von Trapp brood with three more Kinder.

The mothers of all mothers

Bella: Nonnas

Nonnas: And let’s hear it today for the grandmothers because every Nana is a mamma.

Or in Italian culture a Nonna.

Cue this charming real-life movie, starring Vince Vaughn, about a grieving son who honours his mum by opening an Italian restaurant.

With nonnas on Staten Island, using the recipes of Mamma which has become something of a tourist stop-off in the New York borough.

Some mothers do ‘ave ’em

It’ll choke you up: Throw Momma

Throw Momma from a Train: And because sometimes our mums can be overbearing, this Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal classic has to make the list.

A homage to Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, DeVito has his usual dark fun with the original.

With Griffiths Park, Los Angeles and Hawaii adding to the enjoyment and the plot.

Magic Mum

Magic wand: Mollie Weasley

Harry Potter: And when you are a poor orphan child with the weight of being a boy wizard you need an adopted mum.

And where Aunt Petunia was ghastly Molly Weasley was magical.

Taking in Harry as one of her own along with her ragbag children, while also facing down Bellatrix Lestrange.

And for the best place to discover how she did it all and what magic tricks she invoked.

Then you’ll need to immerse yourself in the Wonderful World of Harry Potter at Universal Resort Orlando.

A mother in life and death

A mother’s love: A real heartbreaker

Who will love my children? And have the box of tissues at hand for this ultimate of Mother’s Day tearjerkers, again based on a true story.

Lucille Fray faced the worst fate any mother could endure, knowing she would die and would have to leave her ten children.

Because her husband would not be able to cope… and no snide remarks here because there’s a man in the room.

Add to that the homespun, earthy setting of Iowa and that the real-life children appeared on the TV show That’s Incredible.

On the night of the film transmission back in 1983.

 

 

 

 

America, Countries, Deals, Music

Don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis

And for the day that’s in it and for something to look forward to… don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

Today, of course, we remember The King leaving us too early 45 years ago.

And there have been commemorations in Graceland and around the world.

Now every day is Elvis Day for fans and there is a party and an Elvis for every occasion.

Elvis Pres-sea

Poster boys: The Princess & The King

Land or sea with Elvis Cruise who will be sailing fans from Los Angeles to Hawaii… aloha!h

With 16 days of Elvis overload from October 16-31 on board The Grand Princess.

Billed PRINCESS AND THE KING Custom Vacations and Cruise Planners and will treat you to:

Entertainment and Activities Welcome cocktail party.

An Elvis dress-up costume party (with prizes).

Elvis-themed entertainment shows, artist meet and greets and Q&A.

Tropical: Hawaii

A DJ dance party, speaker events and sock hop 50s/60s live band dance party lounge event.

A ‘So You Think You Can Sing Like Elvis’ karaoke party.

And a farewell mix and mingle party.

Accommodations stretch from affordable interior staterooms to luxurious suites.

And come with ‘Dine My Way’ multi-course rotational dining in a variety of restaurants and eateries.

With activities and daily entertainment.

The King and LA

Like the real thing: With Elvis in Vegas

Now Elvis Cruise clearly have no desire for you to Return to Sender.

And so recommend the best hotels to stay before you hop on board.

And that’ll be a Marriott obviously…

With the Los Angeles Airport Marriott just a mile and a half from LAX and your Aer Lingus with pre-clearance flight.

From $169 per night and additional nights from $69.

Jive in 2025

Picture perfect; And Elvis in Memphis

Now as The Son and Heir never tires of saying that ship has sailed for this year, on July 1.

But keep your eyes peeled for next year’s Elvis extravaganza.

You’ll need a $400pp initial deposit is due at the time of submitting your reservation registration.

And a monthly payment plan is available if you prefer to spread your payments out.

Their balcony staterooms are from $3,299.

So, do your prep and forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

 

America, Countries, Cruising

Waving the Union Jack flag on Hawaii cruises

George Washington would, no doubt, turn in his grave that they’re waving the Union Jack flag on Hawaii cruises.

That he commanded 13 colonies who fought valiantly to replace the Union flag with the Stars and Stripes for this.

Of course, Washington would have no concept of an America stretching over to seven islands in the mid-Pacific Ocean.

Nor for George, more used to standing on a shallow draft Durham cargo boat crossing the Delaware, a floating hotel of a ship.

The types you’ll see meandering around the 50th state of the Union.

When Britain ruled the waves

Sail away: To Hawaii

The Hawaii flag dates back to post the little-heralded Second War of Independence of 1812.

When King Kamehameha I adopted the Union Flag in support of the British Royal Navy who then ruled the waves.

With the seven interchanging white, red and blue stripes a nod to the number of islands.

Blue Hawaiis

Cocktail hour: And going native

All of which you may reflect on as you’re sipping your Blue Hawaiian meandering around the islands.

On your 13-night ROL Cruise, departing April 21st, June 9 and September 15.

UK OK in the US: In Hawaii

You’ll fly from London to Honolulu and upon arrival you’ll transfer to a 4* hotel for your five-night stay.

And remember you’ll enjoy a complimentary Pearl Harbour & Honolulu city tour.

And visit to the Punchbowl National Cemetery, to the only royal palace ever constructed on US soil.

When you book a Balcony Stateroom.

The Pride of America

Paddle time: And the Pride of America

You’ll transfer to the port on Day 6 and embark on the Pride of America for your seven- night voyage.

You’ll overnight in Kahului, Maui, USA and take in its great shopping, galleries and attractions like the Maui Arts & Culture Center.

If you’ve been going easy on the buffets and Blue Hawaiis you can always scale the 10,000ft high summit of Mt. Haleakal.

And look down at 33 miles of black and white sand beaches.

Hula-hula lot of fun

Sea that: Your balcony room

Other jewels of Hawaii with hula-hula names such as Hilo, Kona.

Day 10 will see you enjoy the charms of Kailua-Kona, a town on the west coast of Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

Hulihee Palace is a former royal vacation home dating from 1838.

While Mokuaikaua Church, from the 1800s, is Hawaii’s oldest Christian church.

And for fans of colourful coral Kamakahonu Beach is the place to go.

Day 11 into Day 12 will see you overnight in The Garden Island.

Minnow-me: Hula-hula

Where you’ll take in the dramatic mountains of Kokee to the cool rainforests of Haena.

And intriguingly the tradition of the luau.

Before on Day 13 disembarking and transfering to the airport for your overnight flight to London.

Book by May 29 and receive an additional discount of up to £700 off the advertised fares per booking.

Check out rates on ROL’s site and be sure to have a spare £8,500 for you and your loved one.

And get waving the Union Jack flag on Hawaii cruises.