https://www.visitjordan.com/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

It’s a perennial challenge for holidaymakers… how to get far from Nomading crowd of tourist traps.

Because the wonders of the world aren’t wonders for nothing and we all want to see them, and all of us at the same time.

But here’s what we forget, we have it in our own hands, or legs, to veer slightly off the hubs to avoid the tourist premiums.

Now because we prefer others to do the heavy lifting for us we’ve left it up to app Getnomad.

Who have compiled a list of reviewers’ biggest tourist traps.

Off the beaten track

Many we’ve visited for ourselves but few that have stung me.

Because what God, or the merchants who think they are, takes with one hand he gives with another.

In the form of a world nearby where you can feed and water yourself for regular Earth Money before moving on to your tourist site.

What the Romans did for us

Find yourself as a backpacker looping around Rome at the end of a 100km Via Francigena walk and you’ll learn the best deals.

So rather than dining in the shadow of the Trevi Fountain which ranks high on the Nomad list.

You can pick up a pezzo slice at a trattoria take-away and sit on the Spanish Steps or Wedding Cake, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

Barca loner

And when it comes to Barcelona, second with Getnomad, then it’s not for nothing that Christopher Columbus points away from Las Ramblas.

To the Catalonian city’s districts and beachfronts for your tapas and Rioja.

Capital growth

Doggone it: With rellies away from Royal Mile

With 30 years of life experience around Edinburgh and Dublin I know my way around the Scottish and Irish capitals.

And that dining at The Witchery next to Edinburgh Castle comes at a price you won’t pay halfway down at Deacon Brodie’s.

Where you can learn about how he inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Dr Jekyll & Master Hyde.

Equally those who follow the tourist trail to Temple Bar will discover a packaged Oirish Dublin for foreigners for the price of an organ.

While almost anywhere on either side of the Liffey will open up real Dublin and Dubliners and not empty your pockets.

Check it out

Bulking out the top 5 in the Nomading crowd of tourist traps are Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and Wall Drug, South Dakota in equal first.

With the Wharf marked down for being ‘dirty, run down and overcrowded,’ with its only redeeming feature its seals.

And the Wild West world of Wall Drug described as ‘very crammed and tacky.’

While the Cold War equivalent can be found at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, an experience you can savour elsewhere for nothing.

Getnomad helpfully flags up the most expensive tourist traps worldwide.

Now or never

And whisper it, their reviewers have only turned on Elvis Presley here with a graceless attack on Graceland.

For its $84 cover charge which zeroes in on perceived poor organisation and long queues.

And ignoring its cornucopia of prized Presley artefacts and his and his family’s grave all set against Elvis’s music.

And seeing that you’ll have made a conscious decision to go to Tennessee for its music.

We’d say don’t scrimp and save… it’s now or never.

You barter you bet

Similarly it’s probably more of a First World reaction to poopoo the $70 Petra charge.

And yes, there are stalls selling Indiana Jones bullwhips.

But spending a day at one of the Wonders of the World for the price of a lunch for two is a small price to pay.

Those of us with more Western sensibilities do, of course, need to adapt to the bartering culture of the Middle East and North Africa.

And in truth all our travel experience are relative.

So full disclosure here, Jordan’s souks and Turkey’s Grand Bazaar in Istanbul good.

But I still shiver at the memory of being fleeced in Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech in Morocco.

So, of course, my fellow Bandanini and Bandanettes this is just our take on what is happening far from Nomading crowd of tourist traps.

Share with us your views and…

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

America, Asia, Europe, Ireland, UK

Every day’s a poll day around the world

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Every day’s a poll day around the world and while the UK’s political poster boys and girls will go to the recycling centre tomorrow, others will pop up elsewhere.

If you’ve got election ennui, are sick of candidates smiling down on you.

And will be glad when it’s all over then spare a thought for our neighbours across the water in Ireland.

Tomorrow, July 4, will be my first British general election in nearly 20 years and one of the very few areas where the Brits score is in how clean their elections are.

No, the parties sling more dirt than an incontinent dog at a lamp post, it’s that they curtail the amount of posters they allow on them.

In my old stomping ground of Ireland very definitive rules surrounded the erection of posters at election times.

Only that was countered by the fact that with numerous candidates returned around constituencies.

As part of the proportional representation system the lamp posts creak with the number of posters.

Poster your sell-by date

Poster boys: Irish election in Greystones

So everybody breathes a sigh of relief when it is all over and they come down and you get your vistas in your cities, towns and villages back.

Posters and ties used to erect them need to come down within 7 days of the polling date.

Local councils will remove posters left up, and they can seek the costs of doing so back from the party or individual who put them up.

And after that, individuals or parties can be fined €150 for each poster that remains on display under the littering law.

Now you don’t have to be a political geek (guilty) to feel that you’re getting something a little bit extra.

If you visit a country when an election is going on.

And this year more people are voting in elections than at any time in history.

Votes through the years

He’s not going away: Donald Trump in 2020

Of course the ones closest to our hearts here are in the UK and the US.

I remember well becoming engaged in the process IN 1982 when our sleepy suburb of Glasgow Hillhead was invaded.

By the British media when SDP political heavyweight Roy Jenkins carpetbagged his way into town.

In your face: Elections Northern Ireland style

And saw off the challenge of a young Labour hopeful George Galloway (wonder what happened to him?)

I’ve picked up the vibe of numerous US Presidential elections from being in Boston.

When their darling Mike Dukakis was running against George HW Bush.

Through Barack Obama‘s procession to the White House.

And then being in Washington DC to see the nodding Hillary Clinton dolls in the shops.

And in North Virginia where Trump/Pence hoardings stood in every garden.

Trump, of course, is the great survivor of modern politics but it took me by surprise to see postering for Saddam Hussain in Jordan.

While I stood in the Voting Line in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape in South Africa at the time of their election.

Pick-up at the polls

Saddam fool: Hussain is still being trumpeted in Middle East

Yes, every day’s a poll day around the world.

And so I’ll trot off to the polls tomorrow and if you’re a visitor to our country take it all in.

Because that poster that you see on the floor might not be the end for that candidate.

With the gentleman you see at the top here only going on to become Ireland’s leader, the Taoiseach.

Our old Greystones TD Simon Harris.

Africa, America, Asia, Countries, Europe

Northern Lights mania

11th May 2024 funtime65

So in nearly nine years in Aberdeen, ‘the home of the Aurora Borealis’ I never saw them once but now in my little rock at the top of Europe and across the continent there is Northern Lights mania.

OK, so I was messing in science in school so don’t really follow any of the reasons for this phenomenon.

But here goes… the arrival of a Coronal Mass Ejections from the sun can cause the annulus to expand, bringing the aurora to lower latitudes.

That Aberdeen has dined out on the boast of being ‘the home of the Aurora Borealis’ is mainly due to the salesmanship of concert pianist Mary Hall.

A Brummie no less, who never set foot in the Granite City, but who wrote the song with her husband Mel for a homesick Aberdonian, Winnie Forgie, who they befriended.

Heavenly dancers

The ‘Heavenly Dancers’ as they are known in these parts were once again celebrated when Local Hero, a Burt Lancaster movie mostly set in Aberdeenshire, just up the coast became a cult hit in the 80s.

The story being that an oil baron switched his plans to pump the North Sea for fuel in favour of building an observatory after falling in love with the area.

Those who have seen the Northern Lights say that it’ll do that to you.

Of course, while people up and down the country and across Europe are claiming to have seen the Northern Lights from their back gardens the best place to view them is in remote areas.

And in spots unaffected by street lighting.

Now while we bask on this British island and wherever you live Dark Skies resorts cater for us at other times of the year.

Tenerife star trekking

Now you’ll have seen the Tenerfenos protesting the overtourism on their island but that’s mainly in the southern hotspots.

The real jewels on the Canarian island are in the interior, the west coast and the volcanic peak in the north that is Mount Teide.

Europe’s most visited national park there is still plenty of space for us all to trek.

And as for stars, you’ll get an unspoiled view too of the milky way and Saturn’s rings from the top of Tenerife.

Night out with stars in the States

Now when you think of a night out with the stars in the States you immediately think of Hollywood.

And yes, that was one takeaway from a week in LA LA Land.

But while there at the American Travel Fair, IPW, I was introduced to a wider galaxy of stars.

Utah really is more about the Milky Way than the Mormons with the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified areas.

The Salt Lake State boasts 26 International Dark Sky Places within the state.

That accounts for 13% of the 200 locations around the globe formally recognized by DarkSky International.

Utah is also home to the first international Dark Sky Park, Natural Bridges National Monument.

Jordan jewels and Moroccan marvels

Of course, the desert is always a go-to for reaching for the skies.

And Wadi Rum in Jordan is designated an international Dark Sky Reserve.

Which means that you can spot stars that are over 100 times dimmer in Jordan than in your home town.

While if you find yourself inconvenienced in the Moroccan part of the Sahara Desert then what else is there to do?

Than watch the cycle of the night and day and shooting stars in Fezland while you’re shitting stars.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

America, Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Europe, UK

Where to wave your palms

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Thank God that Jesus isn’t making his triumphant entry today, it would be all big foam fingers… but I digress, here’s where to wave your palms.

First things first though and a little background on Judean palms.

The kind which the Judeans waved at Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on his donkey.

His little donkey: Jesus greeted by palms

Which usually we would be brandishing only this year our new Nigerian priest could not lay his hands on.

Understandable as palm trees are in short supply in the frozen north of Scotland.

Gigha a palm tree

Although you can find some in parts of the west of Scotland.

And the tiny isle of Gigha, warmed as it is by the North Atlantic Drift.

And which boasts a Palm Beach and without the crowds in the three in America, the seven in Australia.

One in Jamaica, Aruba, Algeria and Malawi.

And we’ve been lucky enough to recline by palm trees from the Caribbean.

To the Canaries through Portugal, Turkey and Jordan to the Maldives.

Our Easter Judean palms, and remember Palm Sunday is always the Sunday before Easter, are actually date palms.

Unbeknownst to us but educated now, thanks to the enlightening site Vividmaps, there are ten widespread species.

The most common of which is the coconut and which proliferate in Barbados.

Although despite the abundance of roadside stalls selling coconuts and coconut water it is surpassed.

JBy Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago in that region.

The most populous palm tree country is somewhat surprisingly Colombia with South America dominating the list.

And Brazil, Ecuador and Peru occupying second, third and fourth spots.

Papua New Guinea (or should that be Palmua?) is in fifth.

While America is only seventh although in states like Florida and California they’re on every beach.

Now we’ve all got things to do so I’ll leave you with Vivid Maps to fill in the other countries.

Suffice to say that the palm tree will always retain a special place in every tourist’s heart for exotic climes.

So whether getting your holy leaf out today inspires you.

Or it just warms you to see them gently fluttering in a summer breeze on a clip.

Then we’re happy to share where to wave your palms.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Some may tag us revolting but we think healthy protest is a good thing which is why seeing the natives take to the streets of Jerusalem this week belies the critics and confirms to us that it Israeli a happy place.

But don’t just take our word for it (well, actually do) but Israel is the fourth happiest place in the world to live.

All of which shouldn’t come as a big surprise to us as Abraham came from the land of Ur (modern-day Iraq) and Moses travelled for 40 years to get to the Land of Milk and Honey.

Israel being fourth on the list is really because as ever the first few places are reserved, as they always are, for the Nordic countries… Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

And far from us to question the World Happiness Report but is there a Viking long handle at play here?

With that in mind and because we reckon the Nordics sweep up the good will (and ours too) at this time of the year.

El Al’s well

Let’s shake on it: Let’s hope peace breaks out

And because the Israelis could probably do with some love with all that is going on there at the moment.

We’re flagging up Dublin Airport’s recently announced new direct flight with El Al to Tel Aviv which started last week on March 23 from €399.

El Al, being as good as their word and their promise to return flights to the Promised Land.

It’s a promise many of us have made about Israel, particularly when it has been one of those destinations which was in our diary and then out just as quickly.

Israel being dangled in front of my nose as part of a joint G Adventures tour back in the day.

Only for me to park the Israel leg and just explore Jordan (a lot to take in in truth) on this occasion.

Because I felt guilty about leaving my work in the lurch for three weeks… only for me to then leave said employ a month later.

Hey, ho. El Al’s well that ends well and with the Israeli national airline carrier back on board you too can get out to enjoy Israel’s charms.

And G offering 15 days Jordan and Israel from €2799 valid on November 17.

The Nordic lands

Hans across the ocean: With American Tom in Copenhagen

Oh, heck. It would be churlish, and we really are Nordic fans, so we, and our friends at Cassidy Travel, will steer you in the direction of those magical lands.

Naturally, the Happiest Man on the Planet is always going to be found in the Happiest country.

And you’ll be glowing at the prices of a trip out to see him in Lapland. With one-night packages from €1,232pp and two-night packages from €1,643pp. With travel in December.

It’s poignant too that 70 years after Danny Kaye first told us how Wonderful Copenhagen is (we’ve since found out for ourselves) that we’re celebrating Denmark.

Which comes in at second in the list.

You can find a two-night package in May at the 3* Hotel Osterport and return flights with price from €239pp.

All this Nordic nature will of course make you happy and for many happiness is heavenly dancers in the sky, the Aurora Borealis.

See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik in Iceland, the third happiest country on the list.

With a three-night package in May, staying at the 3* Fosshotel Raudara and return flights, price from €659pp.

Asia, Sustainable Tourism

World calling the Middle East

21st November 2022 funtime65

Qatar’s hosting of the Jules Rimet Trophy is a great pride for that Gulf state but also the greater region.. a chance to have the world calling the Middle East.

And here on your favourite site we have the contacts to relay to you what the Middle East are saying back.

From Jordan to Jeddah.

Camel and one: To Jordan with G Adventures

Following on from a certain meeting of minds in Sharm el-Sheikh in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt…

The world of travel is ready to do its bit too.

They have outlines five sustainable trends to look out for in the Middle East’s travel sector.

And what that looks like is a concentration on sustainable trends.

Of green airlines, eco hospitality, sustainable attractions, locally sourced produce and forward-thinking government initiatives.

All to be pushed through and without all the double talk associated with COP27, at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, at Dubai World Trade Centre from 1-4 May.

ATM’s theme for its 30th edition is ‘Working Towards Net Zero.

And tourism, as we all know, plays a major part in addressing climate change.

According to Sustainable Travel International, tourism-related activities account for
approximately 8% of worldwide carbon emissions.

Greener airlines

Etihad Airways have been leading the way, having recently received the Environmental Sustainability Innovation of the Year award from the Centre of Aviation (CAPA).

For its progress towards net-zero targets and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline expect to cut single-use plastic waste by 80% by the end of this year and is also on course to achieve a 20% reduction in passenger fleet emissions intensity by 2025.

And while Qatar’s national football team may be licking their wounds after their opening-day victory, its national airline is flying high (sorry)!

Qatar Airways is making significant progress towards lowering its carbon emissions through similar initiatives, such as waste reduction and water conservation.

Eco hotels and resorts

Our hospitable hospitality sector are also focused on saving the earth… and giving us a good holiday to boot.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has partnered with Hotelbeds to help increase inbound travel while promoting green hospitality.

On a broader level, the Middle East is already home to a diverse selection of eco-conscious hotels and resorts.

Many of which have eliminated single-use plastics (a pet subject of ours from our trip to the Maldives).

Sustainable attractions and activities

Step up Dubai which boasts eco-adventures ranging from sustainable camping to
wildlife safaris in conservation areas.

Elsewhere in the UAE, Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, first developed for Expo
2020 Dubai and now located in Expo City Dubai, continues to wow guests.

With an immersive journey through forest roots and ocean depths.

Locally sourced produce

The Middle East’s hospitality sector is making significant sustainability inroads through
the roll-out of sustainable food and beverage.

Dubai-based restaurant Lowe has focused on delivering delicious meals that have no detrimental impact on the planet since opening its doors in 2019.

Beirut’s Baron uses organic produce to create all its recipes.

While Abu Dhabi’s Sanderson’s uses corn starch in the manufacture of its eco-friendly food tubs and cutlery.

Top-down strategies

And credit where where credit is due, our tourism leaders are showing their government what to do.

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) and Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) launched a new course earlier this month to enhance sustainable tourism offerings.

Available on Dubai’s innovative learning platform, Dubai Way empowers participants to drive water and energy savings.

Through effective green governance and procurement practices.

Elsewhere in the region, the Oman 2040 Tourism Strategy aims to improve
sustainability within the sultanate’s luxury travel sector within the coming two decades.

Arabian delights

Saudi Arabia is also working to establish itself as a sustainable tourism destination.

Through projects that combine world-class guest experiences and environmental
conservation.

Of course they are hoping that yields fresh interest in their country.

And they are pushing ahead with their goal to increase inbound tourism.

By 10 million visitors annually as part of Vision 2030.

And so it’s clear that while we see the world calling the Middle East, the Middle East is answering big time.

Africa, America, Countries, Europe, Sustainable Tourism

Heaven is a place on Earth Day

22nd April 202222nd April 2022 funtime65

And this is when thoughts turn to where you get away from it all and where Heaven is a place on Earth Day.

And where they actually do put the Earth first.

Deliver Jordan

Our friends at G Adventures with whom I traversed the Dead and Red Seas and Wadi Rum are all about sustainability and community support.

And while others do the old cultural appropriation thing (Boris Johnson in India anyone) G actually put something back.

G shares its good fortune with local communities in partnership with Planeterra Foundation, its non-profit partner.

And they build organic farms and restaurants in Jordan et al.

And provide tourist opportunities for trekking and cycling enthusiasts.

Colossal Colorado

Rocky mountain high: Colorado Rockies baseball team

Now as you’ll see from my cover page Brad left an impression on me when he told us in the Rapids…

This is our office so look after it.

Colorado truly is America’s Playground and you’ll find Brad and his man-bunned freestyling the Rockies.

And even one or two dry-skiing along the side of the road, all protecting their greatest asset.

Protect our skies

And so we’ve done the Earth, now the Wind (or we’ll call it the skies) before we alight on the Fire.

And there are few clearer skies than the night ones in Tenerife.

Where at the top of Mount Teide National Park you can be among the stars.

Yes our CanariaWays all-action walking party but also the Bull, Bear, Saturn and Uranus (no yours).

And all because they keep their island clean.

Clear the air

Now we can all do our little bit to arrest global warming.

And Raggy Charters Whale Watchers and Dolphin Watchers in Gwberha (Port Elizabeth when I visited) do more than most.

As they plant a speekbom plant every time they take the boat out to the island to rebalance emissions.

And for those of you who pay attention (and I’m also talking to you up the back) it might just save air travel.

Land of ice and fire

And, yes this is the Fire bit of the Earth, Wind and Fire elements.

And we have our old chums at Hayes & Jarvis to show us around Iceland.

They urge us to embark on a South Island road trip from Reykjavik around the Golden Circle.

And you’ll take in the Strokkur Geyser, Gullfoss Waterfall and Thingvellir National Park.

While all visitors to Iceland naturally take a dip in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.

While if you’re very lucky you’ll get to see the Northern Lights on a clear night.

And so you’ll have your own go-to places but try these out.

And you will find Heaven is a place on Earth Day.

Africa, Asia, Countries, Deals

Mother-in-law’s Death on the Nile

16th February 202215th February 2022 funtime65

And the Further Adventures of Bandanaman took another unexpected turn with the Mother-in-law’s Death on the Nile.

After the Scary One sabotaged the car, and my trip to Dublin to hook up with my Travel pals from around the world at their fair…

I had to occupy myself in North Berwick instead.

Nile high

And that meant being frogmarched out to the cinema to see Kenneth Branagh’s remake of Death On The Nile.

So there I was being sandwiched between two Mummies in antiquarian Egypt.

It is after all where the Scary One had detailed me to take her all those years ago.

The thing was though that the invitation which came in for us was from my Travel pals to the gated resort of Sharm El Sheikh.

Would she go for that… well, what do you Sphinx?

G force

Egyptophiles come in two shapes, those who want to swim, dance and drink with people from their own country, in the sun.

Or those who channel their inner Tutankhamon in the Valley of the Kings.

Like all things Middle Eastern and cultural I always fall back on my go-to travel providers G Adventures.

Pyramids along the Nile

G Adventures offer a single-country eight-day Best of Egypt tour from €799pp from Cairo.

Sample trad fare with a Nubian family in a local village.

Barter in bazaars in Aswan and Luxor.

Mega Middle East

And a 22-day Best of Egypt, Jordan and Israel package

And of course sail the Nile in a traditional felucca but watch out for a tight Belgian detective with waxy moustache.

Now if Egypt whets your appetite then you may want to attach on Jordan and Israel and G Adventures allow you to do that.

This tour will mean you can see the Great Pyramids of Giza too.

And overnight in Jordan in a Bedouin tent, learn how the Nabataeans told the time in Petra, and float in the Dead Sea (tick, tick, tick).

Of course Jordan being the middle of the Middle East you can see out over the historic towns of Jerusalem and Nazareth in Israel.

Before closing it out in swish Tel Aviv before jetting off home.

And leave behind you Mother-in-law’s Death on the Nile.