The bells ring out for Philly
— Read on jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/07/24/the-bells-ring-out-for-philly/
Ding dong! Why Philly is the most appealing American city. By your Travel Editor of the Year.
Tag: www.aerlingus.com
The bells ring out for Philly
Philadelphia is a cracking city… full of history and sport. And that’s what I’m qualified in!
And where better to talk about it or discover what this great city has to offer than in one of many of Philly’s great bars with its famous local craft beer and signature comfort food, a Philly cheesesteak?
Philadelphia was the nascent United States of America’s first capital and home to its earliest and still most iconic national symbols.
The Liberty Bell which was commissioned in 1752 by the Assembly in the city is cast with the lettering ‘Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof,’ in a nod to the Book of Leviticus.
It rung to mark the reading of the United States Declaration of Independence and was also used as a symbol of abolitionism, and Freedom during the Cold War.
It’s also where Betsy Ross is said to have sewn the first American flag.
Bells played a part too in the life of one Rocky Balboa whose statue stands the 72 steps up to the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You can also do a Rocky tour of sites in the movies.
Philly really is a knockout and Aer Lingus will get you there for €154 each way from Dublin with pre-clearance as part of a return trip. Visit http://www.aerlingus.com.
Because we can sometimes be lazy (all right I can be lazy) then Aer Lingus is also offering a 4* Philadelphia getaway from €632pp which includes return flights from Dublin and three nights’ accommodation at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. So that’s €612.57pp, a total price of €1225.14. Visit http://www.holidayswithaerlingus.com.
You want to know more about Philly visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.discoverphl.com and check out my review. It really is a crackin’ read… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/philadelphia-freedom/(opens in a new tab)
Flyday Friday
Flyday Friday
In defence of cabin crew as Twitter is abuzz with the baby breastfeeding story. On the Travel blog that remembers we’re all flying on the same plane. By YOUR Travel Editor of the Year
Flyday Friday
Mariaclaudia is not una donna to mess with.
She protects the town of Padova like one of her bambini and she is right to… she is beautiful and precious.
Which is why she smelt un ratto when the bould one on her press trip asked for himself and his colleagues, let’s call them Constance and Kieran (for that’s their names) off at the train station when we were given the afternoon off from our itinerary.
Sheepishly I had to admit that I was leading a recce to Venice but swore that I’d have them back in four hours for that evening’s grand reception in the Botanical Gardens.
I’d figured of course without the particular idiosyncrasies of the local rail network.
And so six hours later our motley crew arrived back with one of our number, Kieran, still in his T-shirt and Hawaiian boardies. At least Myself and Constance had taken a change of clothes.
At the risk of offending Mariaclaudia again, and I wrote a glowing letter to her bosses on my return, Aer Lingus has up to 20% off Venice and other hot destinations which makes it €81.99 one-way.
Travel between 21 July and October 16. Book by 22 July. Visit http://www.aerlingus.com.
And I’ll dig out that article on Padova… Padova, Mariaclaudia, do you hear?
Border country
Hard border, soft border… is any other island split like us and faced with this interminable headache.
We don’t have to look too far for the answer in Europe.
Cyprus which even has a buffer zone.
If you’re fascinated by borders check it out. The taxi driver father of a soldier who was stationed out there told me that if either flag was higher and bigger than the other it would cause a diplomatic incident.
Ryanair has 20% off its seat sale for Autumn to Paphos and other destinations. In all it is offering these discount prices on 50,000 seats.
A tip on babies on board
It’s an old wife’s tale but it works. Damp teabags over a baby’s ears to ease the pressure on flights.
And just one of the tips that are passed on down the line by more experienced air stewards to their younger companions.
So as the KLM stewardess gets earache for asking a customer to cover up when breastfeeding, (and I’m not going to slaughter an airline who I’ve flown with and enjoyed,) it’s worth remembering how often families and other passengers are helped out by cabin crew when a baby makes its needs known.
Check with your airline before you travel on all aspects of childcare.
And while I’m on the subject I should flag up Etihad’s Flying Nanny Service. Visit http://www.etihad.com.
Surf City U(Who)SA?
Surf City U(Who)SA?
— Read on jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/07/16/surf-city-uwhosa/
The Travel blog that makes waves. Which American city is Surf City USA? From your Travel Editor of the Year.
Holiday Snaps La Sagrada Familia
Some things were never meant to be finished… take The Scary One (please). She is always finding things that still need to be done to the house.
Word reaches me that Antoni Gaudi’s magnus opus, the Sagrada Família, first begun in 1882 but only a quarter completed by the time of his death in 1926, has hit another snag.
And just when they looked like getting over the line after Barcelona’s city authority granted La Sagrada Familia’s first building permit. I’m not even asking under what terms they built what’s already up.
Seventy per cent is done (so they had chipped away at it at some point since the Great Man died).
Eight of its proposed 18 spires have been completed and the plan is to have it all finished by 2026, the centenary of Gaudi’s death.
But I guess nobody counted on the 3,000 residents living in the nearby apartments and their objections.
Watching the cranes above the psychedelic spires while draining a jug of sangria recently I couldn’t help wondering whether Antoni had been on something.
And whether they shouldn’t just tear it down and start all over again.
Make up your own mind. Barcelona is a great city for a ramble… or rambla. Visit http://www.barcelonatourisme.com. Aer Lingus http://www.aerlingus.com and Ryanair http://www.ryanair.com both fly to Barcelona.
La Fete National
I hope you’re having a good one. I won’t wish you Joyeux Quatorze Juillet, or Bonne Bastille, as the French don’t really do that in the way the Americans wish you Happy Fourth of July.
If you want to find out more French nuances then pop by the French Corner in Dublin where Alliance Francaise Dublin and the French Library with the French Embassy will be putting on free workshops and games and face painting for l’enfants.
From 11-5pm today. City Spectacular, Merrion Square, Dublin.
If that gets you in the mood for a bon vacance… remember that Aer Lingus has a range of offers to French cities from €45.99. Visit http://www.aerlingus.com. http://www.atout.france.fr.
Wu Wu… savings
My old friend Wendy Wu is tempting us with discounts on her 2019 and 2020 Asian tours.
She’s giving us an Early Bird saving of €200pp if booked before August 5.
So you love the Cherry Blossoms and the Autumn Leaves. As a sample of the many Asian offers, how about Discover Japan, 13 days from €7,090pp. Twin share.
Visit http://www.wendywutours.ie.
Every day is the 11th July
As I revealed in one of my random Did You Knows yesterday, the Battle of the Boyne was on July 1 and when converted to the Gregorian Calendar became the 12th of July when it should have been the 11th of July.
Of course we were more interested in commemorating another royal victory this week on the 11th.
The final piece of the Game of Thrones tapestry has been woven in at the Ulster Museum in Belfast to mark the end of the saga.
Before it gets taken to Bayeux where it will be exhibited from September to December.
The Ulster Museum is one of the best cultural and historical museums on this island. And it’s free. Visit it. http://www.nmni.com.
I’m heading up to Royal Portrush on Sunday for the final day of The Open Golf Championship.
I’m thinking they should start a tapestry to Northern Irish golf royalty… McDowell, Clarke, McIlroy. Visit http://www.nimadeforgolf.com, http://www.theopen.com.
Windsor Lego Castle
Back in the day when I first started this scribbling lark, I found myself in the Royal County of Berkshire… where I found myself a wife.
Then where Legoland now is was Windsor Safari Park. Nothing to read into that, just saying.
Berkshire, to the west of London is a great location in its own right for its royal history and quaint villages and is also ideally situated for the Big Smoke.
And that makes it great for families. Cassidy Travel knows it and has put together a great Legoland and football package to keep everyone happy.
If Mum doesn’t fancy the footie, and these days it’s more likely it would be Dad, the shopping in London is unparalleled.
Stay in the 3* Travelodge Windsor Central and choose between Arsenal v Burnley or Chelsea v Leicester City. Package from €379pps based on four sharing. Includes a day pass to Windsor Legoland Resort.
Flight departs Friday, 16 August. Call Cassidy Travel (01) 8395000. Visit http://www.cassidytravel.ie.
For a few levs more
They were low-maintenance for two teenage girls.
All they wore for the whole fortnight we were in Bulgaria was their football tops and trackie bottoms.
I think they had a few changes of the same outfits. It was the wrong team they supported but they were sweet girls and their grandparents were nice too.
Bulgaria is still remarkably good value as evidenced by a Sunway survey in conjunction with the UK Post Office.
They compared the cost of holiday essentials including a bottle of beer, a coffee and a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine in 20 European beach holiday resorts.
Sunny Beach on Bulgaria’s Black Sea comes in at €44.44 for nine items. The most expensive is Sorrento at €159.40.
Sunway offers seven nights B&B at the 3* Hotel Kudadasi for €399. Visit http://www.sunway.ie. for this and other great holiday offfers.
And Holiday Snaps is just about to get snappier with an extra day of the snappiest snaps in Snaptown, Snapetonia.
Watch this space… and…
MEET YOU ON THE ROAD
Flyday Friday… Norwegian would!
It’s a challenging market but it’s good to see that Norwegian is pushing forward and has posted strong Q2 results.
Despite the reduced production growth and grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the underlying operating result before ownership costs more than doubled from the same quarter in 2018.
Our friends at Norwegian have been inventive in the way it has pushed its Transatlantic route, partially because it has got to know us so well.
Take its 24-hour Christmas shopping trip in and out of Stewart, NY State. Stewart is about a 90-minute bus away from Port Authority in the city and costs $20 (€16).
I had a very grateful work colleague and more importantly his toddlers after I sent him on that trip.
Visit http://www.norwegian.com. From €334.09.
Je Suis Un Rock Star
Is it just me or do you see fewer selfie sticks now? People have become so adept at taking their photos around the world’s most iconic sites like this.
And just like this gent I do find gorgeous women photobombing me.
Get yourself some brownie points and take your loved one over to Paris.
Our national airline carrier has a number of magnifique French deals from €45.99. And naturellement France is more than just Paris. So check out Nice, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Perpignan, Marseille Rennes, Nantes, Montpellier.
And you know the rules. Let me know how you got on. Visit http://www.aerlingus.com. Fares are one way including taxes and charges. Valid for travel from 1 August until 30 September. Book by 15 July.
Ryan with a view
Ryanair is all about getting you there at a low fare. But it will also set you up with well-priced accommodation too.
What about this room from €29 at the 3* Be Smart Florida in Tenerife.
Ryanair is right across Spain and has many other great offers here.
Visit http://www.yanair.com.
Broomstick Airlines
The mother-in-law flew in… late.
I think there was a splinter on the stick or some moisture on the wood.
MEET YOU IN THE SKIES
Your next UK Ambassador to Washington
Your next UK Ambassador to Washington
— Read on jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/07/10/your-next-uk-ambassador-to-washington/
Breaking news… look who’s got the big job in Washington. By your Travel Editor of the Year.
Your next UK Ambassador to Washington
You read it here first.
And you thought it was a coincidence that Britain’s Ambassador to the US resigned just at a time when I became available to the job market.
And, no, I didn’t need to leak Kim’s thoughts.
As you can see I know The Donald personally.
Look me up when you’re on holiday in Washington. Visit http://www.washington.org. And Aer Lingus flies to Washington with pre-clearance. Visit http://www.aerlingus.com.
And here’s one I baked earlier… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/obama-washington-dc/(opens in a new tab)
Why I’m chocolate
Mardy Martina’s face broke out into a smile when I ordered Hot Chocolate on the hottest day of the year in Barcelona recently.
Not such a loco idea though as beer is dehydrating, water makes you go, and besides Hot Chocolate, when it’s done well, is a treat and one I usually reserve for when I’m away apart from Campo de Fiori Rosto Market which I sorely miss from my neighbouring town of Bray.
My follow up of ‘It’s too hot’ was met with a que? and a curled lip from Maria. And me. It was a bit calido.
The best ciocolatta di calda densa is on the Via Francigena pilgrims’ trail http://www.FrancigenaWays.com. Let me explain… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/small-roads-lead-to-rome/