https://www.italia.it/en Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

And because we never give you a day off, today’s weekend homework is in the Xhosa of native tongues on International Language Day.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting South Africa and done their prep will know about the unique throat-clicking Xhosa lingo.

Which is spoken as a first language by 8 million people and as a second language in South Africa.

Particularly in Nelson Mandela’s Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng, and also in parts of Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

Which try as you may, or badger your guide Seseko, you will almost certainly never be able to master.

One of the many joys of visiting foreign shores is learning a few words in the local lingua.

Always a better idea than holding up two fingers and shouting slowly ‘Beero’ at a Spanish waiter like some we could mention.

Parla Italiano

What a carthorse: Daughterie carries me around

Of course sometimes you can overreach.

Just as this cretino did on a family holiday to La Citta Eterna.

When I tried out some of the Italian I had learned in my conversational language class.

And greeted the concierge as we would come back at night with a cheery…

‘Bueno Notte e sogni d’oro’.

Which I only learned on my return from Il Bel Paese when my bewildered teacher Donata asked me how I’d got on means…

‘Good night and dreams of gold’.

Bangladeshi bangers

Asmery old time: With Bangladeshi Asmery

Now every day should be an International Language Day but seeing that it’s today a history lesson… see, we do work you.

ILD has been around since 1999 but had its origins in the Bangladesh freedom fight of 1952 when they were known as East Bengal.

And the now Bangladeshis were pushing for recognition of their Bengali language as an official central state language instead of a provincial language.

So, if you’re reading and I know you will be Ms Bangladesh Asmery from Barbados days, this one’s for you.

And Seseko… and here’s how to speak Xhosa. Good luck.

Countries, Europe, Ships

A bridge over Sicilian waters

11th August 202511th August 2025 funtime65

And as no uomo is an island, our Italiani amici are following the modern fashion of linking land, with a bridge over Sicilian waters.

All of which €13.5bn public project money will connect Sicily to Italy 2 miles across the Messina Strait.

The ambition to join Italy and Sicily has been a long-held target.

With the government first proposing the scheme in 1971.

And revising it in 2022 following multiple cancellations on the grounds of hard lira/euro.

With the project to erect the world’s longest single-span bridge starting next May and slated for completion in 2032.

No Ponte

Ferry good: Reggio Calabria to Sicily takes 35 minutes.

Whatever has changed, and cynics might say it’s a politicians’ protection racket, it looks like this time it will go ahead.

And proponents will point to better access for Sicilians to Il Bel Paese, the Beautiful Country, and increased trade with them spitting out 120,000 jobs in the pipeline.

While the romantics will plead that the watery divide is what gives Sicily its very island identity and the bridge will remove that and alter the environment irrevocably.

Mamma mia: Mariolina. Picture: AlJazeera

Only the Sicilians aren’t as easily persuaded with 10,000 out protesting at the weekend waving their ‘No Ponte’ or ‘No Bridge’ placards.

With Mamma Mariolina De Francesco, a 75-year-old resident of Messina whose house lies near the site of one of the bridge’s 399m-tall land towers particularly animated.

Bridge too far: The protests. Picture: AlJazeera

Saying: ‘They could offer me three times the value of my house, but that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the landscape. They must not touch the Strait of Messina.’

The Sea and the Skye

Now all this is familiar territory for those of us who live on a rock.

With Scotland engineering out Jacobean romance bridging Skye and the mainland.

Because had Bonnie Prince Charlie been fleeing Hanoverian forces in 1746 it would have been a very different escape.

In the boot of a car crossing the bridge rather than dressed up as Flora MacDonald’s maidservant.

On a bonnie boat like a bird on a wing over the sea to Skye.

Jutting out

Now don’t quiz us on this but Copenhagen sticks out for many reasons but specifically because its biggest city and the country’s capital is on an island, Zealand, off the mainland, Jutland.

So that its citizens, such as Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid had to swim to get anywhere.

All before the 5-mile Oresund Bridge between Zealand and Sweden came along in the year 2000… and blame the Millennium for many of these projects.

Channel your frustrations

And for those of us of a certain age, and the rest who followed the news reel, one of the great engineering vanities, celebrated at the end of the century, was the Channel Tunnel.

All when the English and French, for a brief time, got on with each other in 1994.

And there was great hoopla made of an English workman and a French counterpart meeting at the point where the 31 mile tunnel joined.

Of course modernists will tell you that this has made travel to the continent and for Europeans wanting to get to this island all the easier.

Which may be tree but it is a soulless journey and not without its delays… and you will of course miss that glorious sight of the White Cliffs of Dover.

There’s a black hole over the tunnel entrance to France.. Vera Lynn would turn in her grave.

Naw, give us our ferries, or even better party cruises going around in circles in the Med, a bit like Brexit really.

And if there’s a lesson in there somewhere, you’re welcome.

And a salutary piece of advice for the Italians and Sicilians (and if you’ve ever met any then you’ll know they are very different) about building a bridge over Sicilian waters.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Old Italy for Oldies

23rd April 202523rd April 2025 funtime65

And let’s get the jokes out of the way, no we weren’t around Firenze when the Boy David was a baby… this is Old Italy for Oldies.

Our friends at the Irish Travel Agents Association have pointed us to Trailfinders.

And they know us well enough to joke with us which is probably why they’ve zeroed in on Over-55s tours for me… on the eve of my 60th.

And an 11-night Italian Elegance Guided Tour for two with an all-encompassing Insight Vacations tour departing on May 30.

Davy is obviously on the schedule and the Accademia Museum, as are all the Italian icons.

All roads lead to Rome and around Italy

You’ll depart Dublin with Aer Lingus and arrive in Rome.

Where naturally you’ll get VIP entrance into the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo‘s most famous ceiling.

And wine and dine with a curator from the Ethnological Museum among the treasures of the Vatican.

Luxury will be the order of the day with a guided boat ride to view the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cinque Terre.

You’ll also visit San Gimignano and a local winery, the seaside town of Portofino and the vistas of the Dolomites.

Grab the Insta pic must at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Italy for lovers

Wherefore art thou: Your Romeo and her Juliet

And seeing you’ve got la bella donna with you then a visit to Italy’s most romantic balcony is a must.

In Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet.

While in Venice you’ll enjoy a private launch along the Grand Canal in Venice.

And a gondola ride with your amore… and that song will be ringing in your ear from the cafe singers in St Mark’s Square.

The price includes direct flights from Dublin to Rome.

And returning from Venice with Aer Lingus.

Deal us in

This being Il Bel Paese you’ll dine like a VIP.

With 11 breakfasts, a lunch and six dinners.

And all at €5,125pps which is a saving of over €650 per person. Book by April 30, subject to availability.

There’s a certain elegance in advancing years but old Italy for oldies can make you feel young again.

Countries, Europe

Holy smoke all eyes are on a Roman chimney

21st April 202521st April 2025 funtime65

Holy smoke all eyes are on a Roman chimney this week for the announcement of a new Pope and it is a spectacle like no other.

Easter pilgrims to La Citta Eterna are now at the heart of an old a sacred mystery which transfixes us even in our consumerist world.

And thanks to the Hollywood blockbuster Conclave more of us have a handle on what might happen.

Behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

That 120 cardinals have the chapel themselves is how it should be allowing the grand old room to breathe.

Free from the jostling of Instaholics ambivalent to the signs telling visitors not to take photographs of Michelangelo’s ceiling.

And blasé about God Almighty himself pointing down at all who come before him.

Lovely Jubilee

Pilgrims come in all shapes and sizes from the four corners of the world as they have done for 2,000 years.

And the draw of being a part of history will bring thousands more to St Peter’s Square.

Clogging the airports and alas bringing the unholy spectacle of hotels hiking their prices.

For holy tourists, and 2025 being a Jubilee Year has only heightened the demand, having your billet booked is a blessed relief.

All roads lead to Rome

But for those rushing to travel agents and their sites perhaps it is worth heading for other Italian destinations.

And driving, letting the train take the strain or even walking into Rome on the Via Francigena.

From Assisi, particularly poignant as it is named for St Francis himself.

Of course, you can join the Way at any point and this pilgrim began his journey 100kms north of Rome in Viterbo in Lazio.

The closest you can start your pilgrimage to earn a certificate in St Peter’s Square as a pilgrim.

To go alongside your Camino from north-west Spain.

Travestere travel

Of course, any pilgrim starting out now will feel like they’re in a race against time before the white smoke appears.

Although the election of a new pope can take months even if recent pontiffs have been named within days or a week.

When in Rome, of course, we’d do what Roman regular visitors do and head for the budget Travestere neighbourhood.

Within walking distance of the Vatican State and with its own more reasonable trattorias.

Should you be on your way to Rome Godspeed.

And know too that you will be walking in the shoes of the fisherman.

And be able to share the awe of it all and to exhale to your fellow pilgrims at the decisive moment or aa you wait.

Holy smoke all eyes are on a Roman chimney.

America, Countries, Europe, UK

Scottish steak pie or other New Year dishes

1st January 20251st January 2025 funtime65

We’ll whisper it, Happy 2025, and we suggest maybe lining your tummy with Scottish steak pie or other New Year dishes.

The hearty meaty steak pie has long been the go-to for Scots on New Year’s Day.

To soak up all the booze from the night before.

Its place in the Scots’ culinary calendar is believed to have derived from its ease in preparation.

Basically bought straight from the butcher.

Of course, filling meat pies may sate those for whom the Sun is just a rumour.

But how does the rest of the world refuel on the first day of the year?

Tamales wrapped up

Well in countries where they actually grow bananas they put their leaves to good use to hold in their New Year treats.

For Mexicans it’s tamales, corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese and other delicacies and wrapped in the leaf or a corn husk.

Groups of women gather to make hundreds of the little packets, and doesn’t it always fall on them?

At this time of year in Mexico they are served with menudo.

A tripe and hominy (corn to you and me) soup, supposed to cure hangovers.

Good ole’ Southern soul food

And we’ve been that soldier, eating grits and Southern soul food in the winter (in truth, they eat it all year round).

For New Year though it’s especially Hoppin’ John, a dish of black-eyed peas (a coins symbol).

And rice with collards, like our cabbage, to represent green folding stuff and cornbread (the colour of gold).

The dish is said to bring good luck, and wealth, in the new year and dates back to Charleston, South Carolina of the 1840s.

Sylvester’s Day

Now our more traditional continental friends let us have our Hogmanay.

Although their Saint Sylvester’s Eve and Day in honour of the Pope who converted Constantine boasts its own hog theme.

Austria and Germany celebrated New Year’s Eve Sylvesterabend with suckling pig for dinner.

And a decoration of little pigs made of marzipan, called marzipanschwein.

Good luck pigs, or glücksschwein, which are made of all sorts of things, are also common gifts throughout both Austria and Germany.

Now money makes the world go round as the Cabaret MC and Sally Bowles are quick to remind us.

And that’s true anywhere with Italians adorning their New Year dish with money-looking vegetables too.

Italians celebrate New Year’s Eve alongside La Festa di San Silvestro with cotechino con lenticchi.

It’s a sausage and lentil dish that is said to bring good luck with the lentils representing money and good fortune.

Now whichever food you refuel on today.

Whether Scottish steak pie or other New Year dishes we wish you a prosperous next 12 months.

And we promise to…

THRIVE IN 2025

Countries, Europe, Ireland, Music, UK

Party on Italian dudes

4th September 20244th September 2024 funtime65

Keanu Reeves’ ears were ringing at the love bombing he got at his exclusive concert for us in LA… party on Italian dudes.

Classy Keanu, unlike his alter ego Wyld Stallyns‘ William S Preston Esq., prefers to blend in at the back of his band DOGSTAR, as the bass guitarist.

But the giddy senorinas at the front at the lunchtime entertainment between meetings at our American Travel Fair, IPW, wanted a shout-out.

And hollered Keanu to come to Italy with them which he acknowledged with a soft ‘grazie’.

La Musica

Now we all know from growing up with Italian-Scots their passion for music, food, football, life.

But we’ll keep our eyes peeled now for Italians at gigs.

And we’ve been fortunate enough to take them all over Britain and Ireland, and in America, the Caribbean and the High Seas.

Particularly as we’re told that they’re continental Europe’s biggest concert travellers.

Of course, gigs are on all our minds with the circus around Oasis’s reunion.

With the chat among our circle on first and last gigs with mine The Wombles and The Stranglers certainly not as cool as others.

Have tickets, will travel

EDreams and online travel agent, Opodo have done the heavy lifting for us in tracking concertgoers’ travel trends.

Between July and August this year and the same months next year.

And there has been a significant uptick in tourism to tour destinations.

So that on the day of the Oasis announcement, August 27, global searches to Oasistown, or Manchester as it’s also known, rose by 700%.

While for Dublin they increased 635%, with Edinburgh 557% and London 212%.

Searches to Cardiff increased by 12,186% from a low search base in 2024.

The Italian Batallion

Thanks for that: And easy with prices doubling

Now while British fans are spoiled with the range of bands on our doorstep our European friends often have to travel here.

With Italians leading the pack in searches for all tour destinations in 2025.

Cardiff: Italy – 24%, France – 17%, Germany – 16%.

Manchester: Italy – 25%, Spain – 13%, Germany – 13%.

London: Italy – 23%, Spain – 11%, Germany – 10%.

Edinburgh: Italy – 29%, Germany – 14%, Spain – 13%.

Dublin: Italy – 24%, UK – 14%, Germany – 12%.

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

First Nativity Scene in Greccio

25th December 202325th December 2023 funtime65

There are, alas, rooms aplenty in Bethlehem this Christmastime, so we’re off to Italy, where 800 years ago St Francis gave us the First Nativity Scene in Greccio.

The choice of an Umbrian cave was because the saint felt it resembled closest a Bethlehem cave.

And so Frankie asked that a donkey and an ox, some hay and a manger be brought to the cave on Christmas Eve.

And he invited other friars and people from the village, creating a living Nativity scene.

With locals playing Jesus, Mary & Joseph and their little donkey and ox playing themselves.

Greccio, you say… well, it’s a village on the edge of a wood, 80km north of Rome.

Where 100,000 devotees swell the ranks of Greccio and its surrounds every year.

And where Pope Francis came early this year to mark eight centuries since his namesake started the tradition.

Jesus, Mary & Joseph

I’m Francis too: Pope in Greccio (Vatican Media)

Now not all of us have spare donkeys, oxen and sheep to hand unless we live on a farm.

So we set up our own ones, anything from wee plastic Jesus, Mary & Josephs and the animals.

To more ornate cribs, the best, most elaborate being in Greccio.

Where at this time of year nativity scenes spring up.

From miniature works in the brickworks of walls to larger displays in front of hotels and guesthouses.

Born is the one

But it’s the Sanctuary where you’ll be headed.

Where you’ll enter the Cappella del Presepio, the Chapel of Nativity Scene.

And witness a partially restored ancient mural of a nativity scene that marks where St Francis held the Mass.

They can also see images of our saint painted on walls around the village.

And visit the International Nativity Museum in the Church of Santa Maria.

With its exhibits of nativity scenes made by different orders from around the world.

So while we do of course pray for all children born today and particularly those in a little town of Bethlehem.

We can give homage to the First Nativity Scene in Greccio.

Countries, Culture, Europe

Julius Caesar tour of Rome

2nd December 20232nd December 2023 funtime65

They’re big sandals to fill but that won’t stop us. On a Julius Caesar tour of Rome.

And, yes, Brutus you can come too.

To mark the new BBC retro of the oul’ Roman emperor, Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator, we’re walking you through his life.

Was With help from those who know his story best, his friends, Romans, countrymen.

So lend me your ears, or better still your eyes, and I’ll tell you the best places to soak up Jules’ La Citta Eterna.

Do it yourself

Now there’s always an operator quick to part you with your denarii.

But we’re about letting you keep more of your hard-earned coin.

You know the ones with Caesar’s head on it, although the taxman always takes it as quickly as you make it.

So we advise you do it yourself in the Italian capital.

And take in Caesar’s Forum, the Roman Forum and the Temple of Julius Caesar.

The march of time

Now because Julius Caesar’s fascination endures there is a new old landmark.

The Roman authorities have opened up for us this year,

The Largo di Torre Argentina, where Brutus and his co-conspirators cut Caesar down to size.

It has hitherto been below street level.

And includes the remains of Pompey’s Theatre and four temples, which date back as far as the 3rd century BC.

Behind two of the temples lies the ruins of Pompey’s Curia, a hall that hosted the Senate

You’ll pay just €5 to move through a walkway at ground level and view the structures up close.

Meeow Mia

Cats, of course, pay nothing as it should be.

For the past 30 years, the fourth temple has housed a cat sanctuary.

And offers sterilisation and adoption programs for an estimated 350 cats.

So with Italy on the radar for next year we might even channel our inner Brutus on tbs Ides of March.

For our Julius Caesar tour of Rome.

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.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Sport

Formula for excess

23rd July 202323rd July 2023 funtime65

Of course the motor racing is just a diversion… the appeal of the grand prix is that it is a formula for excess.

And a chance to celebrity watch.

And as he’s our man then catch up with our fellow party reveller from Barbados’s Crop Over, Lewis Hamilton.

Petrolheads will, of course, dispute who is the GOAT and who the best fans are.

Take it as red

But it’s undeniable that the Ferrari’s red livery and prancing horse livery are the most recognisable symbols of the sport.

And that they transcend the sport as anybody who has been through airports around the world and tarried in their shops.

Particularly in Italy but the pick-up is global.

FI’s reach continues to grow and its fan base too, sparked by Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

And served on Irish shores by sports travel providers supreme Cassidy Travel.

Monza bonzer

They are offering a range of F1 packages including the chance to become un tifoso ar Monza on August 31.

And eat, drink and be motory as the fast cars whizz by you on the sport’s fastest lap at 350km.

It’s a four-night package which includes a hotel and F1 ticket.

Which means a three-day grandstand ticket.

All for €839pp, based on two people sharing.

Take a pit stop

Flights are not included but can be added when purchasing with the package.

With the nearest airport Milan Linate, only 13kms away.

Though having enjoyed the charms of nearby Bergamo.

I’d advise Italianophiles to take a detour there before the racing with Ryanair flying into Milan Bergamo, 35kms away.

The Italians take their motor racing very seriously and their image.

They call it la bella fugura and you can be sure that no matter Max Verstappen’s procession to the flag all eyes will be on the Party Set.

And you can be one of them too… it’s a formula for excess.

Across the circuits

Cassidy, of course, are across all the circuits so look out too for their packages.

For Abu Dhabi, Montreal, Canada this season and Austria for next year.