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Meghan an Insta impact on Buck House

25th March 202425th March 2024 funtime65

And as if we could ever get away from her… a poll to remind us of how a young American back in the day was already Meghan an Insta impact on Buck House.

With the revelation (small beer in today’s world of big royal reveals) that London is the most Instagrammable city in the world.

Because there was a world BC (Before Catherine) in which Meghan was queen which she know doubt would want to be.

And any hagiography about her had to include a picture of her as a young tourist outside Buckingham Palace dreaming and plotting of nabbing a royal.

All of which peregrinations is my way in today to celebrating London as the Insta destination of kings, queens, Z-list American actresses and us little people.

London calling

Experts at NZCasinoClub analysed numerous city break-related hashtags for European capitals, including #[city], #[city]travel, and #[city]tourism.

With the number combined to create an overall total per city to discover the most Instagrammable European destinations.

London scores 163,530,000 Instagram hashtags with over 2,000 years of history and famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben to get your selfie in front of, although we prefer the Tower.

Paris lights

Of course the NZCasinoClub survey is something of a tale of two cities with Paris coming in just behind.

The City of Lights has 141,283,300 Instagram hashtags.

Et naturellement the Eiffel Tower is a must-have selfie while if you want to dodge the traffic you can try for a piccie round L’Arc de Triomphe.

Now, we’ll let the researchers do the heavy lifting here with their table underneath.

Others in the frame

Only to flag up that our favourites Amsterdam, Rome and Prague all figure.

And, of course, we’ve jumped up at the opportunity to be photographed in the Rembrandt Night Watch, on the Spanish Steps and on the King Charles V Bridge.

But we must of course mention that Ankara features in third, Berlin in fourth and Madrid in 5th.

A victory here for the capital of Turkey over Istanbul and that in itself marks it out as somewhere special.

Ankara, we are told boasts a vast selection of parks, mosques, museums, and performing arts venues dotted around the city and the annual International Ankara Music Festival.

While of all its charms, the researchers flag up Berlin’s visual masterpieces that are a beautiful background for a photo opportunity.

With Kripo’s Yellow Fist outside Friedrichshain station high on that list.

While in Madrid we’re encouraged to get our photies taken outside the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral.

All of which our favourite ‘non-working royal’ (most of us who are non-working, are er, unemployed) would have on her list of self-promotion.

Which all started out when she was Meghan an Insta impact on Buck House.

City sights

Bridge of highs: On the King Charles Bridge in Prague

And that list for you…

Rank

City

Number of Instagram Hashtags

1

London

163,530,000

2

Paris

141,283,300

3

Ankara

56,000,600

4

Berlin

53,776,700

5

Madrid

49,639,000

6

Amsterdam

36,359,100

7

Baku

34,930,200

8

Rome

30,237,600

9

Prague

18,871,400

10

Vienna

16,456,700

America, Countries, Europe

Turk holidays in Turkiye

5th March 20245th March 2024 funtime65

Sorry senor but Brits now prefer to Turk holidays in Turkiye than Spain.

Bizarre right? Well, no, it’s a Costa living thing and our friends at the crossroads of Europe and Asia have got the jump on everyone else there.

Leading online travel agency Superescapes.co.uk have boiled down the figures and found Turkey is our fave so far this year.

Now, every tourist country has its attractions and for Brits sunseekers well it’s the big yellow ball in the sky that’s at the top of our lists.

And to be fair, all of them on the top ten from Superescapes boasts a hot experience.

While, and it may be just us, but we’ve found a friendly welcome in each of the countries picked out.

With particularly fond memories of Bodrum.

Where our son Ally would be feted over by market stallholders on account of his name sounding the same as Turkish favourite Ali.

Price is right

But it’s on price that Turkey scores highest.

With Jason Waldron spokesperson for Superescapes.co.uk commenting: ‘Turkey offers exceptional value and its prime position in Southern Europe creates an incredibly appealing climate for those wishing to escape the dreary UK weather.

‘We’re finding, this year, whilst consumers won’t give up their annual break, they are more price conscious than ever before.

‘With prices for Turkey and Istanbul starting from as little as £129pp for three nights it’s not surprising that bookings are booming’.

Hot list

Please Miss: Miss America meets Mr Scotland in Vegas

‘Spain remains popular at position two but that’s being driven by growth in the Balearic Islands, with both market share and booking volume on the rise.’

Corfu and Rhodes are also performing very well for Greece, according to Waldron.

Long-haul tourists continue to favour the United States and again ranks within the top 5 countries booked, surpassing traditional mainstream winter destinations.

With Las Vegas is the most popular US destination, accounting for over 30% of the total US bookings.

‘Las Vegas is hugely popular with Brits, with the tourism board stating Britain is one of its biggest feeder markets,’ he added.

“Sin City” is like an adult playground with a huge allure for those looking for fine dining, glitz, glam and a bit of fun.

The first XV

Among the areas that have shown remarkable growth in terms of booking volumes and market share are Morocco.

Particularly driven by Marrakech, Croatia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Our habits

Waldron goes on to discuss how Brits are booking their breaks post-Covid.

‘Prior to the pandemic, there were distinct booking peaks particularly in January and June,’ he said.

‘Since the outbreak of Covid, these significant trading periods have ceased to exist.’

And holidaymaker booking patterns have become less predictable.

‘For instance, we have observed strong bookings for holidays departing between March and June this year.

‘But our summer holiday bookings are down.

‘This could be attributed to fewer individuals taking summer breaks.’Or people holding off on booking their summer holiday until nearer the time.’

Book early

Historically, Brits would book their holidays 7 to 9 months in advance.

But Superescapes.co.uk has found that 38% of the sales so far this year have been late bookings.

Departing within two months of the booking being made.

Waldron advises travellers ‘Whilst Brits may be booking late in a bid to secure the best prices it’s generally better to book well in advance.’

As airline costs tend to be lower and there’s generally better choices available.’

All good advice… and here’s even better. Turk holidays in Turkiye.

Countries, Europe, Flying

Turk the new Istanbul-Melbourne route

22nd January 202422nd January 2024 funtime65

Now we’re often asked the best route from Britain or Ireland to Australia.

And my own globetrotter will invariably say by ship, but here’s something new Turk the new Istanbul-Melbourne route.

You’ll know, of course, having been told it as often as I am that my peripatetic partner travelled back from Australia, where she lived as a child, to England on a ship.

And she took in New Zealand, Tahiti, the Panama Canal, Curacao and Portugal.

All of which puts my efforts since into the shade.

Cave of riches

That said she hasn’t enjoyed the Cave of Riches that is the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge in Istanbul.

Turkey’s metropolis on the Bosphorus at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is, of course, one of the world’s great cities.

And the planet’s busiest thoroughfare, making it the perfect stop-off if you’re trying to break up your trip to Aussieland.

Where, of course, you can refuel yourself, but also take in a film, have a golf drive-in, kip down…

You name it, the multi award-winning Turkish Airlines Business Lounge who pampered us en route to the Maldives.

Do the Continental

TA’s new Istanbul-Singapore-Melbourne (and back route) will be its 346th destination.

And 130th country and sixth continent, all from March 15.

There will be three flights per week and as well as all the comfort you’d expect there is a flying on-board chef.

So you can recline and make the most of those Turkish specialities… and do ask for kofte meatballs.

Of course turning left is always a treat but it is an absolute Godsend on long-haul travel.

And Britain and Ireland to Australia is about as long as you can get so you’ll be grateful for the comfy kip.

All worth considering when you’re heading Down Under.

And Turk the new Istanbul-Melbourne route.

Asia, Countries, Europe

Wow, here’s a lorra lira help to plan your holiday

14th January 202414th January 2024 funtime65

Because we don’t know it all then we’re always happy to pick your brain, and wow, here’s a lorra lira help to plan your holiday.

And as there’s always room in the market for what we here call Holidos and Don’ts we’re happy to introduce you to wowtickets’ tips.

Wowtickets are a booking website and app which covers 109 countries worldwide, some even that we’ve yet to visit!

So they’ve learned a thing or two along the way and helpfully give us the lowdown as we use January to book our hols.

An oft-forgotten consideration when we pick a destination is oul’-fashioned currency exchange.

Those who’re in the Eurozone, of course and I was that traveller in 13 years from Ireland, think less of exchanges while hotfooting it around the continent.

But, of course, there are the outliers who don’t use the Euro… and we’re not just talking Britain here.

Turk some money off

Our old friends Turkey deal in Turkish lira.

And the good news is that in the last year the British pound has made 76 per cent gains on the Turkish lira.

All of which gives us more money to spend in the bazaar.

Which clearly we’re all doing with Turkey’s Antalya topping the list of most popular winter resorts for Brits.

Menorca corker

Now as we’re creatures of habit by nature we will go back to favourite haunts.

And that applies as much today as it did 50 years ago when Ibiza was my parents’ go-back-to destination for our family.

But then they were ahead of their time too by branching out to quieter Menorca.

And that is what wowtickets is advising our generations too, not least to save us a few Euro.

As was clearly in my Dear Old Dad’s mind then… and he even brought a few pesetas home for his international money box.

Wowtickets point out that a three-course meal in Ibiza could cost €200 versus €20 in Menorca.

Two for one in Bulgaria

They also flag up the good value of Bulgaria.

And we’re reminded of our first foreign holiday with The Son and Heir.

When we met a family who saved enough money from their spring trip to Sunny Beach to be able to return in the autumn.

Cash in too on the fact that you’re a loyal customer by checking out returning discount, hotel points, air miles or promo codes.

It all makes sense

Now of wowtickets’ other tips for January planners we’d file them under the heading ‘common sense’.

And we’d add to their pointer that putting aside £200 a month will give you a decent war chest instead of maxing out your credit card.

By saying that that could be the equivalent of parking those dinners out for Netflix and Chilling at home.

Now accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes but don’t be dazzled by AI or Board if you’re not a competition eater or drinker.

You might just be giving back to the community too by finding that intimate cafe where you have your breakfast.

We know that there’s a mountain of information out there and it can seem daunting.

But know this, we here like to keep our lives as simple as possible.

And wow, here’s a lorra lira help to plan your holiday.

America, Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Europe, UK

Where to wave your palms

2nd April 20232nd April 2023 funtime65

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.