Countries

Holidaymakers from hell

They’re the holidaymakers from hell like the English OAP this week who complained about too much Greek food on Corfu.

Personally from experience we have always found a big Greek dinner epic in proportion, flavour, freshness and friendliness,

Now not every vacation or destination has ticked the box in six decades of globetrotting.

Or matched up to our honeymoon island Corfu.

With one hotel in Bulgaria where we stayed even making it onto the TV show Holidays From Hell.

With cows drinking from the pool, none of which Susan Edwards (nor us to be fair) had to contend with.

Now we should all prepare for anything and everything abroad.

And I’ve been caught out and short everywhere from the Moroccan Sahara Desert to Los Angeles.

Epic: Greek food

But I’m either not the moany sort, too lazy to follow it up, or just appreciative of the staff who actually put themselves out for us.

Much of the problem is when holidaymakers assume that abroad will be just like home but with sun, a bit like Ms Edwards.

Best then do your homework because as ABTA point out your holiday providers are good but not miracle workers.

Manana Mia

Do like Donald: And the senors and senoritas

Because as much as you might expect foreigners to have the same working hours one tourist spoke for many here:

‘It’s lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallartato to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during ‘siesta’ time — this should be banned.”

And then there’s those who will always blame others for their lack of prep.

‘I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local convenience store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.’

Geography lesson

Jammin’: Jamaica

Of course there’s always someone who has it better than you.

And Susan is said to have turned down €100 in TUI vouchers because she suspected others had applied and got more.

Good luck though if you use this excuse to try to get some compo.

‘It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair.’

B&B bed and biscuits

Ole: Ginger nuts

And we reckon that these accidental tourists’ misadventures speak for themselves.

So double check what suite you’ve booked.

‘My fiancée and I requested twin-beds when we booked, but instead we were placed in a room with a king bed.

‘We now hold you responsible and want to be re-reimbursed for the fact that I became pregnant.’

And no less annoyed was this disgruntled traveller.

‘It should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.”

We’re not in Kansas any more

Glass act: And not €5 knock-offs

And because of my many travels I know who to avoid and market traders always get the best of the deal.

‘We bought Ray-Ban sunglasses for €5 from a street trader, only to find out they were fake.

While one cousin of mine who returned home from the Balearic Islands a week early because of the rain would chime with this.

‘The weather at home was nice while we were away so the whole holiday seemed a bit pointless.’

And finally

Eyes down: Beach frolics

While tour reps pledge to always be there for you they can’t be responsible for your partner’s peccadilloes.

‘Topless sunbathing on the beach should be banned.

‘The holiday was ruined because my husband spent all day looking at other women.’

TUI, our earliest and among the most trusted holidaymakers have our sympathies as do all travel companies.

After all who’d be a rep really with these holidaymakers from hell.

Africa, Countries

TUInisia ten years back

The biggest challenge a destination can face is rebuilding trust after a tragedy, which is why we celebrate here TUInisia ten years back.

Tunisia was a firm fixture on the tourist map in 2005 when terrorists tarnished its reputation.

When 38 people were killed outside the Marhaba Hotel on al-Soussa beach in June 2015.

Through no fault of their own the North African country’s tourist market on which they relied crashed.

And it took years, hard work and faith. before visitors started returning to Tunisia.

Missed opportunities

Palm bam, thankyou mam: Marhaba Club

It is a challenge which most countries, cities, destinations have faced.

Back in the day we were discouraged from travelling through the north of Ireland during the Troubles.

But, of course, it would have taken more than young men with berets, balaclavas and bullets to stop her annual pilgrimages to her Donegal homeland.

Many’s the destination we’ve pulled back from at the last moment.

Either through virus outbreaks in Albania from our Corfu, Sharm el sheik again through tourists or Firenze through family bereavement.

But I’m rarely put off and make a point of trying to correct missed opportunities as I did in visiting the Hollywood sign this year and hopefully tear it up in Chicago next year.

Book me in

Just swimmingly: And the kids will be sorted

Everybody has their own story of missing out and for those who had Tunisia pencilled in but pulled out and haven’t returned after that terrible event then it’s time to think again.

Because TUI have a Christmas sale just for us and you know what they say about TUI and putting the ‘u’ and ‘i’ in.

Well ain’t they in the name… TUInisia. 

From today, thousands of holidays for next summer will be reduced as part of their sale.

Customers can also save up to an extra €250 off per booking and secure their holiday with a low booking deposit from just €50pp.

Marhabba marvel

Meet you in the lobby: Brighten up your visit

With Tunisia a new route, alongwith Cyprus, from Dublin then it’s worth delving deeper.

Particularly with all-inclusive holidays available from €499pp and flights, luggage, transfers and accommodation all provided.

The Hotel Marhaba Club is billed as primed for fly-and-flop holidays.

From cabaret shows and karaoke nights, to a private swathe of sand that’s scattered with sun loungers.

In the frame: Tunisia’s charms

And little ones looked after too with their own pool, a playground, a mini-disco and activities led by the hotel’s activity team.

At €321.99pp (€642.58) which represents an almost €600 discount.

All of which will be safe as houses and a testament to the good people of Tunisia.

Or if you will, TUInisia ten years back

 

 

 

Countries

Black Flyday

The sky’s the limit when it comes to the November Friday giveaway and we have Black Flyday on our radar.

The national airline carrier as usual are front and centre with 25% off Aer Lingus flights to Ireland.

Book by midnight on Tuesday to save on Dublin city breaks, Wild Atlantic Way adventures and Belfast. getaways.

Low-fare Aer travel

Fly high: At a discount price

And so from our nearest airport here, Edinburgh, you can reach the Irish capital from £36.99, Cork from £28.99 and Belfast from £41.99.

All each way as part of a return trip.

Of course, others of the Irish diaspora, namely the Son and Heir are in that emigree city in England… London.

And he and his pals jump on any opportunity to get back.

Particularly at £58.99 from Heathrow to Dublin, Shannon £42.99, the answer to your prayers in Knock £42.99 and Cork £63.99.

Ryanfare

Ya dancer: Ryanair

Of course, every day is a giveaway day with everybody’s favourite low-fare air carrier Ryanair.

And Michael O’Leary is only offering a buy one, get one half price deal for Black Friday.

Again, we’re looking out for ourselves and our local airport from North Berwick, and that’s Edinburgh.

And of those deals under £40 we’re taken by our old favourites Bergamo with a basic fare of £37.99 and Dusseldorf, Copenhagen and Brussels at £36.99.

Book by close of play today for travel between December 1 and 16.

The offer excludes travel during Christmas period, December 18 and January 8.

Canaries take flight

Going for a walk: In Tenerife

And make it easy on yourself with the extra days on the EasyJet offer which ends on Monday at 11pm.

With up to 20% off flights and up to £200 off holiday prices.

We’re picking out Edinburgh to Tenerife and staying at the Laguna Park 1 for two people from £957 for the sample dates of December 6-11.

Or for the same dates try a 1 bedroom apartment with street view and balcony or terrace with TUI for the same dates s/c at Villa Mandi for £489.72pp

Now as you’re bombarded with Black Friday offers just a nod to our flight providers and Black Flyday.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

 

 

 

 

Countries, Deals, Europe

Devilish fun in Majorca

You don’t have to be on a lads’ week away (although it helps) to have devilish fun in Majorca.

Just bring along daring kids (the ones not umbilically attached to their phones).

Instead those who see it as a rite of passage to take on the hardest ride in the splash park.

Which in Majorca’s case is the Cola del Diablo.

In the Western Water Park, Magaluf.

Making a splash

Only way is up: Climbing fun

Yes, you’ll see the salmon-coloured Brits bulging out of their boardies coming down the chute.

But if you just ensure you’re a couple of places back in the queue.

To ensure you don’t get the splash back and an eyeful of their builder’s bum.

Then you’ll get that Dad/lad Balearic holiday experience and the bragging rights at that night’s dinner.

A word on eating out too in your Majorca (or anywhere in these parts) holiday.

Try to avoid those restaurants where there are pictures of what you’re about to eat on boards outside.

They rarely are what they’re billed as.

And if you’ve got an ambitious lad who wants to try the Spanish specialty maybe disavow him of the notion.

All of this, of course, when you put yourselves in the hands of those with local knowledge.

A holiday for TUI

Toe in the water: Holiday Village Majorca

And for us our go-to people are TUI.

Holiday Village Majorca, especially, is a hit with the whole family.

Facilities include a spa trip and a trio of à la cartes, as well as a splash park, a football pitch and an Aerial Adventure course.

And best of all you’ll get spending money out of €1,000.

So that’s €849pps, €2,499 (2+1) or €3,479 (2+2) for seven nights on an all-inclusive basis.

With flights departing 16 May.

 

Asia, Countries, Europe

The Nifty Fifties, Davina McCall and me

Welcome to the Nifty Fifties, Davina McCall and me and TUI too.

You’ll know by now that TUI’s newspaper arm gave me my first break which came with a deal on their holidays.

And that included such first-time joys as Bulgaria and Turkey.

And as wonderful as our guide and party were then, they didn’t include Davina McCall!

The Divine Davina

At a stretch: Davina shows us how it’s done

Back then, Davina, of course, had her music fest gig on, as we all did.

And while I’m sure she can still rip it up with the best of them, as we all can, she only has that figure because she looks after herself.

And so she happily limbered up, stretched those limbs and headed out to the Grand Azur in Marmaris in Turkey.

Where she flicked through TUI’s Wellness Menu and shared…

All on the back of findings from TUI Blue, its hotel brand, which tells us that two out of three of us have actually felt worse after trying a wellness trend.

Davina is clearly the one as she testified after road-testing the Menu in Turkey.

On the Menu

Candle in the swim: Ultimate relaxation

The Wellness Menu offers authentic cooking classes to yoga, exploring local culture to aqua-fun.

Spoilt for choice? Don’t know what to do?

BLUE Guides will be on hand to help curate ideal itineraries.

And they will give expert insights and tips from the most indulgent foods to the best sunbathing spots.

Before taking to the Med for paddle boarding, the fitness enthusiast took part in TUI BLUE’s power yoga, beat-driven fitness class, FlowTheBeat.

And don’t you just feel for her classmates, matching the Divine Davina?

Make a Mezze

Turk that: Davina cooks up a storm

Getting to grips with local flavours, Davina satisfied her inner foodie with a TUI Blue cooking class and prepared Turkish mezze.

Over to Davina now: What works best for me might not work for everyone else, and it’s also something extremely personal that will change as you get older.

‘Finding what works for your own wellbeing shouldn’t be dictated by the latest trends on social media or stereotypical wellness tropes.’

Stroll on: And a walk on the beach

All of which should me music to the ears of women, and young girls, who are bombarded with messages about what’s wrong with their bodies.

And how to fix it at a cost… when you look just fine, and it should be fun.

TUI Blue’s message is pitched in its ‘Find Your Happy’ microsite.

We’re glad to see here too that Davina loves a hammam… who doesn’t?

Hamam Ma’am

And you can relax too: Easy living

And just a tip if you’re reading Davina, and we know you do, you should join the cast of the Great and Good and Great Unwashed.

Such as Florence Nightingale, John Travolta, Rudolf Nureyev, Kate Moss and East 17.

At the Cagaloglu Hamam in Istanbul.

Hamam bam: Our hamam

Now I’d struggle to touch my knees, never mind my toes, and God knows I’ve tried.

But the hamam we all can enjoy and that’s my secret.

Hope you can enjoy us… welcome to the Nifty Fifties, Davina McCall and me and TUI too.