Charms teacher Filius Fitwick has magicked up a plant-based treat for our vegan friends to put the whey into Butterbeer at Universal.
And enjoy the Potter potion that gives us all, vegans, carnivores, wizards and muggles alike a sugar rush.
Because make no mistake Butterbeer is schweeet.
Get your Filius: Butterbeers all round
It’s the butterscotch that gives the beer, well, it’s buttery taste.
While the shortbread tones may be a nod to JK Rowling’s adopted Edinburgh.
It’s all topped off with a vegan-friendly version of the Butterbeer froth.
Soft landing
Prophet scheme: The Daily Prophet
While it’s buttery all right the good news for adults who don’t want their kids even more wired at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is that it’s not beery.
But, of course, it gives the illusion to kids that like adults they’re drinking ‘beer’ too.
The most famous illustration of branding ‘beer’ for kids, and non-drinkers, is ginger beer.
Which has just 2% alcohol in it but all the spice of the Caribbean.
While Top Deck, no not the boozy beer buses of my late teens, but the soft drinks firm of my adolescence lured us.
With Limeade and Lager and Lemonade Shandy.
Cavan a laugh
Best bar known: The Leaky Cauldron
While on my annual trips to the Motherland of Ireland us kids would feel all grown up with a Midlands Cavan special.
Sipping the now much-missed Cavan Cola, that looked a lot like Guinness, complete with its own head.
They were different days, of course, and we would all have our packet of sweet cigarettes and copy the adults.
Different but the same and as they say in Potterworld plus ca change, or at least the wizarding equivalent.
You’ll get your vegan, non-dairy Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks restaurant in Hogsmeade.
And the Leaky Cauldron restaurant in Diagon Alley as we did… somewhere to take shelter from the man-made flash storm.
Universal Studios Hollywood guests too can enjoy the beverage at the Hog’s Head pub and the Three Broomsticks restaurant.
Vegan fare
Old pals: Hogwarts Express
While our fantastic friends also offer fabulous fare which could well have been made in Azvegan (soz).
Not everything has to be saccharine sweet, and the fun can often be found in the dysfunctional which is why we wanna Grinch it at Universal Orlando this festive season.
And our old pals at Universal have only brought hilarious hijinks to this live retelling of the classic tale starring the Grinch with music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.
While there are also treats galore including an array of unique Grinch-themed sweets.
So try out the Grinch Hot Chocolate Bomb, a Grinch Ice Cream Sandwich, and Grinch cookies, among others.
And we’re advised to watch out for resident Whos wandering through Seuss Landing as we go.
And so the super seven are the Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Lost Continent, and, of course, Seuss Landing.
With our most familiar the Boy Wizard.
And I was inspired by Daddy’s Little Girl who insisted I get her her own wand and a group of Potterheads.
So she probably had an excuse being seven at the time.
And that’s an excuse my colleague Emma-Jane couldn’t use as she was breathless at being picked in Olivander’s.
Look out then for the Hogwarts castle lighting up for the holidays.
And festive decor brightening up the streets.f Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.
Here for the Butterbeer
Mellow yellow: The Butterbeer
So with it being holiday season you’re encouraged to toast the season with a hot Butterbeer.
And that sure is a delight for those with a sweet tooth.
While the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances.
And as we all aim to build back better (the official mantra) how about Lego building blocks for 2022?
With a prompt from my old pal Mr Orlando himself Kevin from Universal who has showcased his Lego Friends apartment.
Lego is the world’s favourite toy and there are ten LEGOLAND parks around the world.
Anyone for fussball? Joey and Chandler’s pad
But first our own sets, and as The Son and Heir drops in on on us (or rather drops his washing in on his Mum) a reminder of a time when he called them Talls.
And he spent hours building them.
Shop ’til you drop: Janice in Friends
While Daddy’s Little Girl spent her childhood watching Friends… now if only there had been an exam in that.
Kevin’s collection includes iconic moments from the series including when Joey put on his entire wardrobe, his and Chandler’s fussball table and screechy Janice.
And while the show was filmed in LA the Big Apple is where the Super Six are set.
And Friendies will want to check out The Grand Army Plaza in Midtown West in Manhattan which is believed to be the inspiration for the opening credits dance.
While Bloomingdale’s where Rachel worked as an assistant and The American Museum of Natural History (Ross’s workplace, the Museum of Prehistoric History) are actual well-visited and much-celebrated landmarks.
As is the Friends’ apartment block, well the outside anyways, where you must get a selfie outside 90 Bedford Street, Greenwich Village.
A history of Lego
Lego’s beginnings: Billund in miniature
Lets’ go back to the start then with Leg Godt, as they say in Danish but which isn’t an exhortation to the Almighty but actually means ‘play well’.
And it is of course where the name derived.
Great Dane (and isn’t everyone from that peninsula and its islands thus named?) Ole Kirk Christiansen built his company in 1934 into what has become the most enduring toy on Earth.
And how he isn’t remembered with his own statue (made out of building bricks we’d expect) as Hans Christian Andersen is is an injustice which should be put right.
But there was a set of Ole Kirk’s house from his birthplace in Billund given to Lego employees in 2012.
And the beauty of Lego is obviously that you can build whichever world you like to live in around you.
That applies, of course, too time and history as we were treated too when we emerged out of the first lockdown to visit the Ancient Wonders of the World at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune, East Lothian, near Edinburgh.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the two cities that inspired JK Rowling the most are the most represented.
London and Edinburgh, of course, feature most heavily in the author’s life.
With the Scottish capital where JK has set up her demesne.
The two major capitals in the UK are also, because of their history and their architecture, among the most used sets.
The journey starts, obvs at King’s Cross Station at Platform 9 and three-quarters.
Your Potter planner
The magic train: And Harry’s off
And this is how Family Money lay out your Potter planner for you, the cost, and how much time you will need.
King’s Cross Station
20 minutes to the next destination
3.6 miles to the next destination
Free
30 minutes
Leadenhall Market
10 minutes to the next destination
1.7 miles to the next destination
Free
5 minutes
Millennium Bridge
10 minutes to the next destination
1.8 miles to the next destination
Free
5 minutes
Tower Bridge
30 minutes to the next destination
2.8 miles to the next destination
Free
5 minutes
Platform for success
Party spirit: And even Voldemort gets into the festive fun
Your journey will take you more than 70 hours to enjoy if you are driving (not including sleep or food time) and could cost you up to £2714 if you are taking part in the full trip.
Explore the different bridges that were used as filming locations in The Big Smoke and enjoy walking the corridors at Gloucester Cathedral.
And relax with a drink in one of the many Harry Potter themed bars or stay in the J.K.Rowling suite for just £2370 a night!
As well as London and Edinburgh, you will also be traveling to Watford where you can look at the Great Hall and go behind the scenes of the filming.
Other essentially English sets include Oxford, Chippenham, Gloucester, Northwich, and Alnwick.
Buckle up
Magic Murty: Showing off his wizarding skills in Watford
And to reiterate your journey (and I always need telling once, twice, thrice).
You’ll start in King’s Cross Station, venture to Leadenhall Market, Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, The Harry Potter Photo Exhibition, The Potion Room Tea at Cutter & Squidge, House of Mina Lima and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
That Warner Brother Studio Tour in Watford, north of London, is a must for families.
So next one will be Warner Brother Studio Tour before going all academic in Oxford at The Dining Hall at Oxford’s Christ Church College, Duke Humfrey’s Library at Bodleian Library, New Colleges Cloisters & Courtyard and The Divinity School at Bodleian Library.
Now I confess the next bit of geography and Potterology gets sketchy for me but you’ll know where to go.
So it’s Bodley Tower Staircase and Cloisters, Lacock Abbey, Harry Potter’s Parents’ House and Horace Slughorn’s Hideaway.
I know that Gloucester Cathedral is in the West, then there’s Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience before you hit the north and Alnwick Castle.
Welcome to Edinburgh
Gothic: Edinburgh
And seeing that I’m in the second chapter of my Scottish capital life let me take you around.
The Balmoreal Hotel where the clock is always set three minutes late to allow rail passengers at Waverley some extra time to catch their train.
But that trip up to the Highlands can wait.
First we have to take in The Elephant House where JK wrote the early Potter.
Greyfriars Kirkyard where she took the names for characters such as McGonnigal.
The Victoria Street shops, J.K. Rowling Handprints, the Department of Magic Escape Rooms, the dramatic George Heriot School, The Dog House and The Cauldron (Harry Potter Cocktails).
Bridge of highs
And you can play quidditch too: In Orlando
Now some of these I confess have stumped me but I’m seduced by those cocktails, particularly as I wouldn’t be a fan of Butterbeer.
We’ll finish it off, of course, by driving past the bridge we all know, Glenfinnan Viaduct.
And if you have young people in the back make sure that the broadband is good and they can crank up the films on their laptops.
And they took just enough time off the rides to update us on the thrilliest, spilliest place on Earth.
Stars in my eyes
Now in a Galaxy’s Edge far, far, away in Disney’s twin centre in Anaheim… well, two years ago I got a glimpse into the future in the first party to try out Star Wars world.
And the future is here now in the present and ready for y’all to see it both in California and here in Orlando.
Of course Mickey, Donald and their pals have been celebrating since last month their 50th birthday (well, not theirs, they’re much older but Disney World’s).
On a theme
Rat-a-tat-tat: Food for thought
And the four theme parks and beyond have been in fine song.
Among the most anticipated attractions, and the ones we’ve zeroed in on are:
Disney Enchantment, a new all-new nighttime extravaganza at Magic Kingdom Park, featuring captivating Disney music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.
And we’ve danced along to Mickey’s In Da House party on that very street and can advise that you lose all inhibitions (or was that just me, Mickey and Donald?)
Then there’s Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot, where guests shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure.
You like your French gastronomeee, oui?
Then La Crêperie de Paris is a new restaurant located in the France pavilion at Epcot which offers both table and quick-service options and features a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
The Showbiz Lion and I
Scots wahey: With Bev in Orlando
Now as a veteran of the Orlando theme parks I know how nothing sits still (well, it wouldn’t with you twirled this way and that).
Personally, I prefer a wet one, as my old sparring partner, Lady Lyons, Bev, of Showbiz Lion fame, would say.
And so we both loved Aquatica Orlando. AO can now boast Florida’s first-ever duelling waterslide, Riptide Race, which opened in the spring.
You’ll start atop a 68-foot tower and race side-by-side at top speeds, navigating tight loops and accelerations through indoor and outdoor sections.
While Florida also loves its natural as well as animated animals. And it has those in abundance, particularly flamingos.
In the Pink
Pickin’ ma pocket: Flamingo time
The Flamingo Mingle at Discovery Cove is a new, exclusive animal experience where guests can feed and learn about our pink friends in an outdoor setting.
Another old pal I met back then in Anaheim is The Jurassic Park VelociCoaster which opened in June at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
The ride sends you catapulting up to 70mph and over 150ft in the air with the swiftest of prehistoric predators.
If you like your fun irreverent and green and ogre-like then you’ll love Shrek (guilty).
Guests can interact, dance and be photographed with multiple beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation’s hit film franchises, including Trolls, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda – all in one location.
And seeing it’s all about you in ’22 then here’s what’s still to come.
Wet, wet, wet
Twirl power: SeaWorld Orlando
Ice Breaker, SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster, will open in February and riders will shiver through family-friendly adventures featuring four launches, both backwards and forwards.
It all culminates in a reverse launch with a 93ft tall spike with 100-degree angle, the steepest vertical drop in Florida.
Aquatica Orlando’s newest water slide, Reef Plunge, will launch in spring with guests sliding through translucent cutouts and rings.
You’ll get to twist and turn though 330ft of fiberglass; and zoom past a vibrant array of marine life.
Commerson’s dolphins, leopard sharks, sardines, and a variety of other cold-water fish will be part of the new dynamic habitat.
Remember, remember the 8th of November when there will be fireworks in America when the US allows us all back in again.
As soon as I’d taken the decision to park Vegas, which hosted a very successful American Travel Fair ) without me (imagine!) thoughts turned to Orlando.
Then again they always do in the winter, with Orlando the most visited destination in the US.
And with theme park holiday events and outdoor shopping with flights/hotel packages starting at just £729.
Now the theme park capital of the world has been spinning throughout the year for American visitors.
And now that we can return, it promises to be even better than it’s ever been.
So let’s have a scoot around Disney, Epcot and Universal Orlando.
And the last word is from Donald, a bit of a scoop from your favourite Travel blog.
While the rest of the world has been trying to talk to the Big Mouth we got him… well, we are old pals.
And Donald has a message for the world: ‘I love you all and I want you all to come and see me again soon in America.’
The Happiest Place on Earth is now also the Safest on Earth with reservations, social distancing, alternate rollercoast carts and new hospitality measures.
While Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the Gang aren’t about to let the virus turn their smile into a smell.
And are dancing, waving and welcoming us all in their own inimitable way.
Watch this space for new Disney features coming along soon.
I had all planned to take a whizz around the Florida Keys before the other Donald closed America off in March but hope to put that right when I get the chance.
And it’s those areas with natural distancing like the Keys and island nations (and yes a lesson here to the UK and Ireland too) who have an advantage.
Sail away in Croatia
Water wonderland
And when you’ve got 1200 islands then there’s ‘one for everyone in the audience.’
As they like to say in the world’s longest-running TV chat show, Ireland’s The Late Late Show, or whatever the Croatian equivalent is.
But here is a country which, as a Balkans state, dealt better than the rest of Europe with the virus.
And which is perfectly placed to host the tourist’s new requirements during and post-Covid.
One area is in small boat holidays and yachting around the islands, another adventure in the Great Outdoors.
Kayak attack: In Croatia
My go-to people in Ireland for Croatia are Croatia Tours, and I went on pilgrimage with them to neighbouring Bosnia & Herzegovina where I started out on the road to Dubrovnik.
They have a seven-days Rivers by the Sea package, making the most of where the area where the Krka River enters the Adriatic, on June 26 £1255pp.
Where you’ll get to sea kayak, cycle, canoe, rock climb, hike and raft.
The Tuscan Islands
And Firenze too
We’ll also be spreading our wings more next year even when we do visit our favourite cities.
And that’ll help hotspots like Firenze breathe as we explore greater Tuscany, its adventure trails, cycling opportunities and thermal waters.
And its seven islands, chief among them Elba, the first island of exile for Napoleon, and Montecristo, it of Alexandre Dumas’ Count.
Able was I ere I saw Elba.
As every schoolchild, well, at least those of certain age and lexical bent, will tell you.
And Tuscany was, and is, ere able to thrive in ‘il novo normal’.
And, of course, the Caribbean
Daddy’s Little Girl, as all our little girls do these days, is wont to show me amusing things she finds on the internetty thing.
And one we both find funny is a Jamaican tour guide who extols the benefits of inhaling the island’s plants.
I grab every chance to hook up with my Caribbean friends, Barbados,Tobago, Anguilla (heck, all of them) albeit these days over Zoom, if only to hope that I can draw some sun out from the screen.
And as usual their warmth came flowing us out as they reminded us that in their island their neighbourliness has helped them through this crisis and referred in passing to London where ‘people don’t know their neighbours but had been getting to know each other this year.’
Los Filipinos
For those of us too who in the second half of the century of years some of us are blessed to live, our cultural touchpoint for the Phillipines is the Thrilla in Manila, the nation’s capital which hosted Ali-Frazier III.
And of course the Philippines are knockout and our old friends at G Adventures are all over it.
Manila is on the island of Luzon, one of 7,641 in the archipelago.
And you’ll not be surprised to learn then that out of 7,641 islands that it should have boasted the world’s most beautiful island, courtesy of Conde Nast Traveler in 2016.
The exotically-named Atty. Maria Anthonette C.Velasco-Allones, the Tourism Promotions Board’s COO has an equally lyrical way about her.
As she described her islands and what they have to offer.
‘When the dark night is over and the sun rises, wake up in the Philippines.
Who’d have thought it? The Fourth of July today is as big a cause for celebration (if not more) here in the UK than it is in America.
I did, of course, tell you months ago that today would be the exact day that we would be coming out of lockdown in the UK (except for Scotland, doh!).
And not just in the last couple of weeks but as long ago as April 21 Wuhoo Wuhan.
Still, when all is said and done I would still prefer to be in the Oo Es of Eh today than anywhere else.
As big an Americanophile as I am I have never managed to time it so that I am there on the Fourth of July, nor for Thanksgiving either but I aim to put that right as soon as I can.
My Travel professional friends are projecting 2021 as the year when travel to America will have begun… and see what I’m doing there giving them the slogan…. We’ve Begun in ’21.
So have a nice day and my gift to you is these American dreams courtesy of our pals, the Travel providers:
American Holidays http://www.americanholidays.com has instilled some much needed confidence with their ‘Book with Confidence’ and ‘Travel with Confidence’ initiatives.
And they have backed that up with an expanded portfolio of itineraries to the West Coast, Deep South, Canada, Road Trips and Mexico.
And you can make a great Road Trip out of either and any number of zig-zags across the continent.
Canada has been in full flow all week as they celebrated July 1 with a virtual Canada Day and Irish landmarks went red in unison. And don’t think they’ve stopped because it’s now the American national holiday.
Miami and Mexico, February 2021: Spend three nights in hip Miami, taking in Little Havana, South Beach and Miami Beach before kicking back and enjoying seven nights all-inclusive in Mexico. From €1849pp.
For glitz-seekers America is all about New York www.nycvb.com and Las Vegas www.lvcva.com and Tour America know it. As well as all the other great offers they have they can give you.
Hit The Strip in Vegas, from Sunday, January 31-February 4 is from €435pp, based on two adults for four nights sharing one room at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
While they’re confident that they can get you over to New York before the year is out.
The Carvi Hotel is from €546pp, based on four adults for four nights, Tuesday, December 1-4.
