www.cassidytravel.ie Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Holiday Snaps – Prague for under €100

10th January 202011th January 2020 funtime65

It’s my own fault for not keeping a lock on my drinks cabinet… my Becherovka gets drained by the Son and Heir and his Daft Pals.

Of course when I rumbled him he had the answer. Not the answer but an answer.

He would buy me another bottle.

The only problem being the spiced liqueur that was invented in a pharmacy as a medicine is only made in the Czech Republic.

https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/06/24/czech-it-out-2/

Miracle water too… and beer and Becherovka

Lucky then that I’ve got pals in Czechland and that Cassidy Travel www.cassidytravel.ie have this super-duper short deal.

For two nights from March 9, and they also have Amsterdam Pictures of Amsterdam and www.iamsterdam.com from March 10 for the same price.

And to give you a taster of the Czechs Hope springs eternal and check out (I know) www.visitczech.com.

I’d like to say that he learned his lesson.

But the bottle of Croatian wine given to me by my friends at Croatia Tours www.croatia.ie for Christmas is testament to the fact that I can’t.

So that’s another trip I have to make… it’s one that I was on and off the bus for.

Maybe he’s really doing me a favour.

Chairman de la board

Long before gamers there were board gamers, of which I am one.

But I confess that I’d never heard of the ones Francophiles will be playing at Soiree Jeux at the French Library Dublin on Thursday (free from 6.30pm).

Now this is all French to me but mes amis at Alliance Francaise Dublin www.webmaster@alliance-francaise.ie are tempting me with Carcassone, Star Realms, Les adventuriers du rail and many others.

Now I’ve had my own adventuriers du rail on my post-school trip down to the French Riviera.

We slept on the platform in Paris St Lazare station.

And were awoken by the gendarmes kicking our sleeping bags and brandishing their guns.

It would not be the last time that the gendarmes had cause to pull their guns on us.

After we (or let’s say I) stopped the traffic in Frejus.

While my adventuriers du rail were not finished there.

With me missing la traine because I was off trying to buy du biere.

The last I saw of my old pal Adam was 37 years ago.

When he was waving out the window of the train at me.

Although I just missed out on the class reunion last month. I’d have had words to say.

I expect there will be board games in the restored chateau that Brittany Ferries http://www.brttanyferries.co.uk is pitching.

As part of its 20% off 2020 holidays in France.

You’ll be staying in Le Domaine de la Baie, not far from the centre of Audierne.

Book now and you can stay for just €177pp.

There are sand beaches, a surf and sailing school and a picturesque fishing harbour and marina.

Which to me means seafood. And Brittany too is well known for its cidre. Tres bien.

And for more on France, visit http://www.atoutfrance.fr.

And I know that you’re dying to know that I never did grow up and got into similar high jinks.

When I returned to the French Riviera 35 years later…. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-boat-dazur/

One foot in Algarve

Two point two children is the average but our two point three didn’t mean we were above average.

And we didn’t redeem ourselves to our Portuguese host when we broke her skylight in the Seventies.

Two point one is what Click & Go ate pitching… with seven nights in the 4* Estrela do Vau Hotel, Praia do Vau.

From €669 per family for Travel in May. Visit www.clickandgo.com.

And why Portugal is the perfect destination for fun and families…

https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/06/12/sportugal/ Secret Portugal.

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Cruiseday Tuesday – Disney on water

26th November 201926th November 2019 funtime65

What’s the difference between Walt Disney and Bing Crosby? Bing sings but Walt Disney.

That’s just one of the jokes you’ll hopefully not hear on this Disney cruise.

Forgive me for trotting out a Dad Joke but it’s just that Daddy’s Little Girl gave me a box of them for my birthday… and some of them aren’t even mine.

Being the big kid I am I’m one of those who still believes that Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth…. http://www.disneyparks.disney.go.com, http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com, http://www.disneyland.disney.go.com.

Both when I visited Disneyworld and Disneyland https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/disney-why-i-love-the-donald/ and https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/07/03/stair-wars-3/.

So what better match-up than my favourite holiday hosts and my favourite form of travel… a Disney cruise?

Cassidy Travel http://www.cassidytravel.ie is offering a seven-night cruise on Disney Fantasy from €7661 for a family of four of the Western Caribbean.

Visiting Mexico, Grand Cayman and Jamaica from Cape Canaveral.

There will be daily shows and activities, dress-up themed nights, fireworks display and kids’ clubs.

There is even a private island, Castaway Cay, with water sports and sandy beaches.

And, of course, you’ll be sharing the ship with these guys…

Corphew

That water looks so still you could walk on it… the Aegean Sea that is.

So I tried, in Corfu, and ended up swallowing half of it, adding water skiing to a list of water sport calamities.

Which can only grow next week out in Tobago.

But I won’t have the Scary One to burp me like a new-born baby or like Jerry does to Tom.

Corfu is best admired from aboard a cruise ship with a stop-off.

And luckily enough TUI http://www.tuiie has just the thing.

They have a seven-night Marella all-inclusive cruise from €1339pps on June 26.

You’ll be staying in an inside cabin on the Marella Explorer as part of an Idyllic Italy tour. Buon Vacanza. Visit http://www.tuiholidays.ie

And for more couples’ frolics on the high seas here’s when I stopped the Scary One from ‘falling overboard!!! http://The Call of the fjords.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

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Holiday Snaps – Snappy dressing in New York

6th October 20196th October 2019 funtime65

Now Macy’s is many people’s shopping dream and indeed for many women fashion is a key part of their New York trip…

Heck in this, the last rock in the Atlantic before Ireland which we like to call Ireland, weekend shopping breaks across to the Big Apple are a must-do.

For those who can afford it…

And for those who can’t.

I wouldn’t put my own Dear Old Mum in that category though very fashionable she is, even at 91.

Which reminds me of the last time we were in New York together, for my cousin’s wedding… here’s our extended clan above.

We had been assigned a very specific task by my brother to get chinos.

And having lived in North America he knew the exact American sizes.

When I asked my cousin where the nearest mall to him on Long Island was he said the black mall was nearer than the white mall.

I was aghast but he wasn’t being racist it’s just the way it is.

And another thing: the shoppers were super-super-sized.

Probably because they were tanking into the fast food.

It’s an economic thing where the poorer you are the more fast food you eat.

I’d had this reaffirmed to me in Mississippi, one of America’s poorest estate and home to the most popular drive-through burger joint. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-story-of-the-blues/

But back to the other end of the spectrum to Macy’s and the woman I call Mum because that’s her name.

Browsing through the Guess coats in Macy’s http://www.macys.com for my Scary One Mum scoffed at my choice of a green coat.

And that she wanted me to tell her she had no part in its selection…

And Guess what, she’s still wearing it ten years later!

All of which nonsense is s roundabout way of flagging up Cassidy Travel’s Shop till you drop offer from €579pps.

That’ll be a three-night break with flights from Dublin.

Stay at the 3* the Manhattan at Times Square Hotel.

Flight departs December 9. http://www.cassidytravel.ie.

Start spreading the news

And here’s a different twist on NY… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/21/old-new-york-hamilton/

And while you’re there, or before you go, check out https://www.nycvb.com and the excellent New York City Pass http://www.citypass.com.

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Holiday Snaps – Is it Pee for Prague?

31st August 201930th August 2019 funtime65

It is one of the world’s great statues and on a similar theme to the better known Manneken Pis in Brussels – the Prague statue ‘Piss’.

You’ll no doubt go to the Astronomical Clock when you’re there and it is worth it, although hellishly busy.

But you should have a ‘Piss’ stop at the statue outside the Kafka Museum near the river.

David Cerny erected (sorry, I should probably say built here) ‘Piss’ as a satirical statement against politicians in 2004.

The fountain’s basin is made of bronze and shaped like the Czech Republic.

The two mechanical men stand in the fountain, opposite one another, 6 ft 11 in tall with bronze penises, urinating.

Every country should have its own Piss statue and demand that politicians visit.

And why am I telling you this? Because Click&Go has three nights in Prague in November from €189pp http://www.clickandgo.com.

And also because I can reprise my Prague article… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/06/24/czech-it-out-2/

Corfu love island

*Refelections of Corfu. Photo by Alexander Mils on Pexels.com*

I was spoken for, but that didn’t stop the keyboard singer at the bar who was glancing our way on our honeymoon in Corfu.

The besotted newly titled Mrs M drew my attention to the singer’s attentions.

With the ouzo filling my bladder I then had cause to pass the crooner by on the way to the rest room .

Where I noticed they were still smiling at me on my way back.

At which point I needed to inform my new wife: ‘Sorry, he’s not looking at you, it’s me he likes!’

Again, I’m only telling you this as a lead-in to an offer. TUI http://www.tui.com has seven nights S/C at the 2* Ekati 2, Kavos from €399pps, departing Dublin on September 13.

Which corresponds with our 25th wedding anniversary.

I love Malta

*Bay of plenty: Valletta. Photo by ines bahr on Pexels.com*

You’d think that there was an imaginary hand of fate at play… or that the Scary One has been phoning around my Travel buddies.

Malta was where on a hot, hot day, I bent down in exhaustion and she screamed YES.

We were particularly taken by Malta’s smaller sister island of Gozo.

Now I’m going to fly a kite here and suggest that the Scary One would like to return. And fly a kite…

The second edition of the Gozo International Kite and Wind Festival will take place there form October 18-20.

Concorde Travel http://www.concordetravel.ie has seven nights B&B at the 4* Seashells Resort, Qawra for €599, depart Dublin on October 14.

Or you can depart Cork on October 17 and stay at the 4* all-inclusive Seabank Resort & Spa, Mellieha for €769.

And they’re off

*The Prancing Horse. Photo by Zachary DeBottis on Pexels.com*

It was from my Dear Old Dad that I inherited the love of sport. That said neither of us got motor racing.

Apart from commonly repeated allusion I never heard him show any interest in the sport, and I use that term loosely.

The one reference point he had was in his common jibe at my Mum’s driving: ‘Stirling Moss,’ he would shriek and laugh uproariously.

He always enjoyed his own jokes, though my sainted Mum never did see the funny side.

As Formula 1 returns after its midseason break and Lewis Hamilton has a procession to his 72nd title it’s as well to flag up a motor racing holiday thrill.

Cassidy Travel http://www.cassidytravel.ie/ (01) 6265100 has a three-night break to PortAventura World Salou. And of course Ferrari Land.

From €245pps based on a family of four you will be staying on site in the 4* PortAentura World Salou on a B&B basis.

With entry to the theme park for the duration plus one day in Ferrari Land.

Flights from Dublin to Barcelona, part October 20.

I’ll drink Canarian dry

God being good, I’ll be off to trek the Canaries tomorrow. But I’ll leave you in safe hands with Mrs M.

The CaminoWays.com team is launching the latest arrival to its family of active holidays and I’m road testing it and Tenerife’s bars.

CanariaWays.com is focusing on the spectacular walking tours in the Canary Islands.

And to kick it al off they’ve got 10% off all bookings until the end of September using the CODE: CANARIAWAYS19.

And all bookings will go into a draw and two travellers will have a chance to get their holiday for free.

So let me tell you about their ten-day Walking Trip: Grand Walking Tour of Tenerife.

You’ll see the whole island, from Mount Teide National Park to Garachico and Anaga Rural Park.

The price is €1017pps, including nine nights’ accommodation with breakfast, luggage transfers and transfers to trail heads when needed.

As well as holiday pack with practical information. More details: Tenerife Grand Tour.

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Holiday Snaps La Sagrada Familia

13th July 201920th August 2019 funtime65

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 www.barcelonatourisme.com. Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com and Ryanair www.ryanair.com both fly to Barcelona.

La Fete National

You dancer: Paris. Photo by Carolline De Souza

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 www.aerlingus.com. www.atout.france.fr.

Wu Wu… savings

Cherry amour: The Cherry Blossom in Japan. Photo by Bagus Pangestu

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 www.wendywutours.ie.

Every day is the 11th July

Wall, what is it good for? A gable end with King Billy

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. 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 www.nimadeforgolf.com, www.theopen.com.

Windsor Lego Castle

Queen lives here: Windsor Castle. Photo by Kris Schulze

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 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 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