www.hilton.com. Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Countries, Culture, Deals, Europe

Your night at the Dresden Semperoper

25th October 202525th October 2025 funtime65

Theirs is an epic story of resilience and rebirth to play out ahead of your night at the Dresden Semperoper.

Twice destroyed by fire and once by water the Semperoper looks every inch the Renaissance classic erected in 1841.

Only this is the second opera house, the original having been destroyed in a blaze in 1869.

And then by Allied bombers targeting Saxony at the end of the Second World War.

The voice of Dresden: With Ingrid in Dresden

All of which I know and more from my freunde and guide, see I was listening Ingrid.

Dresden’s reputation as the Florence of the Elbe alas did not preserve it from Allied Bombers.

Despite the convention that cities of culture should be immune.

Feather touches

Dresden’s renaissance, brick by brick, fresco by fresco, makes it the perfect pick.

For your Institute for Cultural Travel mini-break.

Billed as The Magic of Dresden: A Three-Night Cultural Escape, your delve into history and opera comes in at from €1495pps for April 27.

You’ll arrive from Dublin on your Ryanair flight in Berlin early on your first day in Berlin.

And your guide will drive you the two hours down the road to Baroque palace and moated castle, Moritzburg.

If it’s hunting trophies and ornate gilt leather tapestries that’s your thing then Moritzburg is the place for you.

Never mind the famed Feather Room, adorned with over a million coloured ticklers… followed by lunch in a local restaurant.

The stage is set

You’ll stay the next three nights being wined and dined and sleeping the night off at the Hilton Dresden.

But maybe pace yourself as you’ve 700 years of history to walk through and that Verdi opera at the Semperoper.

Admire the graceful Augustus Bridge and the magnificent Residenzschloss, one of the city’s oldest and most historic buildings.

Your guide will take you to the historic Sophienkeller restaurant for pre-opera dinner and drinks.

Before taking your category 1 seats for La Traviata.

Culture vultures will delight in the next morning’s trip to the Old Masters Picture Gallery.

In the 19th-century Semper Building at the Zwinger, restored after seven years of renovation.

Answer to our prayers

And Dresdenophiles will advise that you visit the Frauenkirche and Martin Luther will point you in the right direction.

Ich bin ein Dresdener: Und Martin Luther

Of course, whatever you miss you can come back and see the next day.

Before your guide takes you back to Berlin and onwards to Dublin.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Music

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Mamma Mia after midnight

24th April 2025 funtime65

And because I’ve already showcased Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Mamma Mia after Midnight I’m back for more at London’s 02.

Bjorn Ulvaeus himself has recreated Skopelos from the movie in a Greek taverna and ending with a glittering ABBA disco.

The Beardie One naturally set up his Greek island in his home city of Stockholm.

Before taking the show on the road to London.

That Greek enchanted evening

For the past five years Mamma Mia! The Party London has welcomed over 500,000 guests.

And delivered more than 1000 performances and has been visited by guests from 110 countries.

All replicating the temperature and lavender scent you would experience at dusk on a Greek evening.

Keith Prowse on the house

And the good news that our invitation is in the post.

From our old pals at Keith Prowse Attractions to join everyone on the dance floor.

Keith will give you return flights from Dublin.

And put you up for two nights (Saturday show) B&B at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich, all from €529pps.

Or an overnight special with a Thursday show from €327pps.

Diggin’ the Dancing Queens

Of course, there will be the Dancing Queens who will be wanting to hit the floor in a super troupe of party girls.

And KP offers a two-nights (Friday Show) Ultimate Girls Getaway. From €486pps.

And even a one-night Family Fun Day (Sunday show) at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich. From €306pps.

However you put together your party then it’s worth giving Keith Prowse Attractions a Ring, Ring, Ring.

And watch out for the Bandanaman giving it large on the dance floor.

Like he did with his favourite party set, an Irish one, in the Med… and a shout-out here to our Dancing Ian.

Although the real showstopper, is as always, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Mamma Mia after midnight.

America, Countries

Our American Cousins and Lincoln

14th April 202414th April 2024 funtime65

Few will even know what play was being performed when the US President was assassinated but it has a resonance for Our American Cousins and Lincoln.

The British half of me (in truth Scottish) will know that figuratively and diplomatically Britons and Americans are ‘Cousins’.

The Irish in me informs that Our American Cousins are real and close…

And have been the trigger for me schooling myself in American history and literature.

The play’s the thing

English playwright Tom Taylor’s Our American Cousin was the play performed before Abraham Lincoln this day 159 years ago.

At Ford’s theatre in Washington DC which despite devouring all the history I could on my last visit remains on the to do list.

It’s always wise to leave yourself something left to see so that you will return… and I have a long list.

Which also includes George Washington’s house in Mount Vernon, and The Exorcist steps in Georgetown.

For the ages

Titans: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln on stage

It is easy for history buffs to oversee, or run out of time, in DC when you’re mopping up Smithsonians.

But if you’re about DC today or would like to prepare yourself for next year’s 160th anniversary then Ford’s Theatre’s doors are open.

As they have been since 1968, putting on live performances, having been shut for 100 years.

With a full season each year from September to May.

Of course, as you’d expect, Lincoln is front and centre of many of those performances.

Although there are timeless classics too such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol which runs from November 21-December 31.

Which covers my own birthday (hint!)

Your inner 1865 theatregoer

Now, this being America, they do visitors centres bigger and better.

And your visit will include the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

Where you can immerse yourself in exhibits on Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones and the John Wilkes Booth plot.

While, of course, you will be able to channel your inner 1965 theatregoer in the playhouse.

Now the Ford’s Theatre experience is for the ages.

And you can pay tribute to The Great Deliverer where he died at Peterson House, the boarding rooms where he died.

All this too at just $3.50, taking in the museum, a Theatre: Ranger Talk and Peterson House with booking ahead advised.

It’s helpful, of course, when you have family out there and you have a landmark 60th birthday coming up, 100 years after Abe’s next year.

All of which makes us glad for our American Cousins and Lincoln.

How to get there

Honest Jim: And Honest Abe in Washington

Now it’s always the Aers and Stripes for us particularly as Aer Lingus has pre-clearance.

And Ireland’s national airline carrier have a sample fare for September 14 for five days for €532.36.

And while we have our own digs sorted at our American Cousins we’d recommend you go to the Washington Hilton where Ronald Reagan was shot at $1,912.47 for five nights.

America, Canada, Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland, Music, UK

Lennon’s revolution… 80 years a working class hero

10th October 202010th October 2020 funtime65

Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans – John Lennon

We could pick any number to define our times as we mark John Lennon’s 8Oth birthday this week. Suffice to say his was a life lived.., and how.

We’ll never know for sure how he would have spent the last 40 years since his murder outside the Dakota Building in NY.

But it would be safe to assume he would have been at the forefront of all the great struggles of our day.

The Fall of the Wall, Apartheid, Black Lives Matter, Freedom from Covid.

Lennon bestrode his world, leaving his imprint, and still does.

And as his adopted New York celebrated his legacy by turning the Empire State Building blue, here are four Lennon cities.

Liverpool Lou Lennon

Oh Liverpool Lou, lovely Liverpool Lou, why don’t you behave like other girls do?

And we have Yoko Ono to thank for knowing this, that John would sing this song, his Mum’s fave, around the house.

John’s statue stands alongside his pals on the Liverpool waterfront near the Beatles Story museum.

Lennon is everywhere in his home city and the under-threat Cavern Club is a good first stop while let someone else do the work for you on their Magical Mystery tour.

Growing up in Hamburg

I didn’t grow up in Liverpool, I grew up in Hamburg.

Not that John was dissing his home city, it was just that he was giving an honest reply to a reporter.

Lennon and the boys (five of them then, with Stuart Sutcliffe on board and with Pete Best instead of Ringo Starr) lived in Hamburg between 1960-62.

And Stefanie Hempel’s Beatles Tour Das Original will take you all over their favourite haunts.

John was his favourite and she had his poster above her bed.

She will take you to the St Pauli door where he posed for a shot later used for the Rock ‘n’ Roll covers album and much, much more.

John’s New York

If I’d lived in Roman times, I’d have lived in Rome. Where else? Today America is the Roman Empire and New York is Rome itself

While we all know that John died in NY let’s dwell on his life in the Big Apple.

John loved its vibe, its people, its energy and put it down in song on New York City off the album Some Time in New York City.

Dakota Building and the Strawberry Fields memorial where the music never stops are obviously on the itinerary.

For the rest, check out this video.

The Lennon wall in Prague

The Lennon Wall, Prague

What to make of it when you’re told that the Lennon Wall in Prague now has ‘Fuck Trump’ messages on it?

It put off my Czech guide who remembers the wall well from the days when it was an organic centrepoint of protest against the Communist.

‘Appen though John would approve.

And let’s not let Amsterdam and Montreal lie

Of course, this is where John and Yoko had their Bed-ins for Peace.

At the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam and the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.

And I hope that John would approve as I find myself compiling my thoughts here bolt upright in my bed.

While waiting to get back out there travelling again.

America, Countries, Culture, Food, Food & Wine

Stair Wars

23rd March 202029th March 2020 funtime65

I wonder what Mickey thinks of this Science Fantasia.

The Galaxy’s Edge is far, far away from Walt Disney’s vision.

And its centre-point, Millennium Falcon even further from my standpoint.

Which is at the back of a snaking queue in the bowels of the new 14-acre €1bn Star Wars section of Disneyland in Anaheim, California on the very weekend it opens.

It has taken me half an hour to get even this far.

I have passed by the inviting diversions of Walt’s Main Street USA, a jazz band on an island next to the Mark Twain Riverboat.

Something to chew on

And a host of our favourite smiling, singing, hugging Disney favourites before arriving in this dark place.

Chewbacca does envelop a middle-aged Asian woman in his arms but I am too slow off the mark to get my picture taken.

While the Storm Troopers brush me aside.

Personally, I’d have a welcoming party of Yoda, Jabba the Hutt, Princesses Leia and R2-D2 instead.

Still I persevere and hang on the words of those in the line, a grown man with a light saber among them, who have been waiting light years for this moment.

They point out the fine details of the futuristic world we are passing through in hushed, reverential tones.

Apparently, we are in the middle of the Black Spire Outpost which is on the Outer Rim planet of Batuu.

They could be speaking Yoda for all I know.

And on and on we go, scaling the ramps. Whole battles don’t last this long.

Star Wars? This is more like Stair Wars.

And finally we are ushered through to a holding area, a hangar where a rasta dude intergalactic pirate. Honda Ohnaka, clues us in on our mission.

With a reprise from Chewbacca.

Smugglers’ Run

And informs us that the more we succeed the more rewards he gets. I bet.

The idea is that Chewy needs some supplies for the Resistance but Rasta Dude has borrowed the craft and is using the opportunity…

To get us to smuggle some coaxium from Corellia for him which is hyperfuel from Han’s homeland obviously.

Thanks Brad from Texas for that.

But still the anticipation and the exhaustion (it’s now been an hour and a half) builds as we have to trudge further.

Before finally being given our briefs for the starship’s mission, Smugglers’ Run.

A little more about this 114ft hulk of flying saucer which has grown men and women clicking away…

It was manned by Han Solo and Chewy….

And was the second fastest in the Star Ward pantheon at 105kph and is a highly modified YT-1300.

But then, you know that yourself.

The action is set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker and played out on a video screen before us.

Poetry in Motion

Myself and Hiro are gunners and Jill and Lesley are the pilots.

I can’t remember the names of the two engineers at the back of the cockpit but one had to be Scotty…

Or is that the other Star one?

And finally we are hurtling through space, dipping and swooping, dodging enemy battleships and giant asteroids.

Mine’s and Hiro’s job is simple, press square and round buttons to fire laser beams at the foe until the light goes out.

It is an interactive experience but I’d be surprised if my efforts are making a blind bit of difference.

And this is what I spent five years at Space University for.

And then our ten minutes on the motion simulator are over.

I guess it’ll all make more sense when I actually watch the movies – I was never going to admit that in the queue.

I know how privileged I am and that there are millions who would gladly climb over me.

And queue a whole day to get to see Millennium Falcon and play Smugglers’ Run and the Rise of the Resistance.

Which will follow hard on its heels later this year.

And that it will be a huge success particularly when they space out the waiting times.

But it’s just that get I don’t Stars Wars.

I retreat instead to simpler pleasures and a star who never lets me down, the original, and still the best, The Donald.

My pal The Donald

I find him outside the Golden Horseshoe saloon with Jose and Panchito, the Three Caballeros, playing it for laughs.

And I’m sure The Donald remembers me from Orlando a couple of years ago, he even wrote to me when I got back and signed it too.

And when your ask… yes, he really does love Mexicans.

In this part of Disneyland there are only smiles.

The Jazz band are belting out ‘Everybody Wants to be a Cat’.

I am nibbling on my fried chicken, corn and rice. I’m truly at my happiest.

This is one place where a middle-aged hiply won’t be glowered at.

Here. And on the Pirates of the Caribbean water ride where I’m almost mistaken for Jack Sparrow.

The ride is gentle, more my style but if you want seat-of-the-pants thrills.

Disneyland has no shortages.

Splash Mountain, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones… too many to mention.

But in your cart, going through Jack’s world, you’ll get just gentle drops.

I’m all right, Jack

What really makes a ripple on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride through caves and coves are the intricate fun sets which immerse you in Jack’s world.

Look out for the old rogue popping up on the islands, semi-hidden from view.

Keen eyes will see him in a vat of rum though and I want to join him.

Harking back to the Star Wars section of Disneyland that really is the best thing about it – Disneyland, which has rightly prided itself on its family-friendly image.

And kept alcohol outside its doors for 60 years for the general public, is now allowing you to have a snifter in Oga’s Cantina.

I could have used my time more profitably.

This being a corporate launch, I took a rum punch earlier from the tray of a passing waitress to settle my nerves for the simulator.

And have gone back to stock up long after I got off the ride.

There is no shortage of choice of diners to line your stomach for those hairy rides if you don’t want a rumbly tumbly, and alternative entertainment if you want to take a weight off.

Duelling pianos meld in well with the Classical surroundings of Olde Worlde buildings and the open spaces simplify the sound.

Nowhere is this better evidenced than the Disney Castle.

We sit down on the benches and grassy banks off Main Street to watch Mickey’s Music Extravaganza flash up on the Castle.

Mickey introduces his pals, Aladdin, King Louis. Elsa from Frozen among them, and they take over.

Light show

You can’t take your eyes off this light show or your hands from clapping along.

It is a kaleidoscope of colour and crescendo, of sound, a Mickey Mix of Magic.

All the standards are there but for a younger audience.

It has been sassed up with modern tunes getting us all up on our feet.

Of course, it’s all about Da Mouse in Da House though and he brings the party to a spectacular climax.

The fireworks pop off into the night sky and all eyes shoot upwards.

While in a galaxy far, far away – or across the park at least – the lights have long gone out.

TRAVEL FACTS

How to get there: I flew Dublin to Los Angeles LAX with Aer Lingus with Aer Lingus, Ireland’s only 4-star airline. It operates a daily service from Dublin direct to LA.

With fares starting from €259 each way including taxes and charges when booked as a return trip.

The year-round service reduces to five times weekly during the winter season.

Where to stay: I stayed at the Hilton Anaheim, a 15-minute walk from Disneyland Resort. King bed Disneyview for the sample dates of June 28-July 1 from $347 (€281).

Where to go: Attraction Tickets offers a range of offers and discounts and help with pre-booking which will save precious time and money.

Its two-day Disneyland California 1 Park Per Day Ticket is from €198 per adult and €186 for a child including Star Wats: Galaxy’s Edge.

The three-day Disneyland California 1 Park Per Day Ticket including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is from €266 for an adult and €249 for a child.

America, Deals

Stair Wars

3rd July 201920th January 2020 funtime65

I wonder what Mickey thinks of this Science Fantasia. The Galaxy’s Edge is far, far away from Walt Disney’s vision.

And its centrepoint Millennium Falcon even further from my standpoint.

Which is at the back of a snaking queue in the bowels of the new 14-acre €1billion Star Wars section of Disneyland in Anaheim, California on the very weekend it opens. It has taken me half an hour to even get this far.

I have passed by the inviting diversions of Walt’s Main Street USA, a jazz band on an island next to the Mark Twain Riverboat

And a host of our favourite, smiling, singing, hugging Disney characters before arriving in this dark place.

Chewbacca does envelope a middle-aged Asian woman in his arms but I am too slow off the mark to get my picture taken while the Storm Troopers brush me aside.

Personally, I’d have a welcoming party of Yoda, Jabba the Hutt, Princess Leia and R2-D2 instead.

Still, I persevere and hang on the words of those in the line, a grown man with a light saber among them who have been waiting light years for this moment.

They point out the fine details of the futuristic world we are passing through in hushed, reverential tones.

Apparently, we are in the middle of the Black Spire Outpost which is on the Outer Rim planet of Batuu.

They could be speaking Yoda for all I know.

Rasta masta

And on and on we go, scaling the ramps. Whole battles don’t last this long.

Star Wars? This is more like Stair Wars.

And finally we are ushered through to a holding area, a hangar where a rasta dude intergalactic pirate.

Hondo Ohnaka, clues us in our mission with a reprise from Chewbacca, and informs us that the more we succeed the more rewards he gets. I bet!

The idea is that Chewy needs some supplies for the Resistance.

But Ohnaka has borrowed the craft and is using the opportunity to get us to smuggle some coaxium from Corellia for him.

It’s hyperfuel from Han’s homeland, obviously. Thanks Brad from Texas for that.

But still the anticipation and the exhaustion (it’s now been an hour and a half) builds

As we have to trudge further before finally being given our briefs for the starship’s mission, Smugglers’ Run.

A little more about this 114ft hulk of flying saucer which has grown men and women clicking away – it was manned by Han Solo and Chewy and was the second fastest in the Star Wars pantheon at 1050kph and is a highly modified YT-1300. But then, you knew that yourself.

The action is set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker and played out on a video screen before us.

I’m gonna be a gunner

Myself and Hiro are gunners and Jill and Lesley are the pilots. I can’t remember the names of the two engineers at the back of the cockpit but one had to be Scotty. Or is that the other Star one?

And finally we are hurtling through space, dipping and swooping, dodging enemy battleships and giant asteroids.

Mine’s and Hiro’s job is simple, press square and round buttons to fire laser beams at the foe until the light goes out.

It is an interactive experience but I’d be surprised if my efforts are making a blind bit of difference. And this is what I spent five years at Space University for.

And then our ten minutes on the motion simulator are over.

I guess it’ll make more sense when I actually watch the movies – I was never going to admit that in the queue.

The lucky one

I know how privileged I am though and that there are millions who would gladly climb over me and queue a whole day to get to see Millennium Falcon and play Smugglers’ Run and The Rise of the Rise of the Resistance which will follow hard on its heels later this year.

And that it will be a huge success particularly when they space out the waiting times.

But it’s just that Star Wars I don’t it get.

I retreat instead to simpler pleasures and a star who never lets me down, the original, and still the best, The Donald.

I find him outside the Golden Horseshoe saloon with Jose and Panchito, the Three Caballeros, playing it for laughs.

And I’m sure he remembers me from Orlando a couple of years ago, he even wrote to me when I got back, and signed it too.

And when your friends ask… yes, he really does love Mexicans.

I want to be a cat too

In this part of Disneyland there are only smiles.

The jazz band are belting out Everybody Wants To Be A Cat. I am nibbling on my fried chicken, corn and rice. I’m truly at my happiest.

This is one place where a middle-aged, bandana-wearing hippy won’t be glowered at. Here, and on the Pirates of Caribbean water ride where I’m almost mistaken for Jack Sparrow.

The ride is gentle, more my style, but if you want seat-of-the-pants thrills, Disneyland has no shortage: Splash Mountain, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones, too many to mention.

But in your cart going through Jack’s world, you’ll get just gentle drops.

What really makes a ripple on the Pirates of Caribbean ride through caves and coves are the intricate fun sets which immerse you in Jack’s world.

Look out too for the old rogue popping up on the islands semi-hidden from view. Keen eyes will see him in a vat of rum though. I want to join him.

Harking back to the Star Wars section of Disneyland, that really is the best thing about it.

Disneyland, which has rightly prided itself on its family-friendly image and kept alcohol outside its doors for 60 years for the general public is now allowing you to have a snifter in Oga’s Cantina.

I could have used my time more profitably.

This being a corporate launch, I took a rum punch earlier from the tray of a passing waitress to settle my nerves for the simulator and have been going back to stock up long after I got off the ride.

There is no shortage of choice of diners to line your stomach for those hairy rides if you don’t want a rumbly tummy, and alternative entertainment if you want to take a weight off.

Disney Castle

Duelling pianos meld in well with the classical surroundings of Olde World buildings and the open spaces amplify the sound.

Nowhere is this better illustrated than the Disney Castle. We sit down in benches and grassy banks off Main Street to watch Mickey’s music extravaganza flash up on the castle.

Mickey introduces his pals, King Louie and Elsa from Frozen among them, and they take over.

You can’t take your eyes off this light show or your hands from clapping along.

It is a kaleidoscope of colour and crescendo of sound, a Mickey Mix of Magic.

All the standards are there but for a younger audience it has been sassed up with modern toons getting us all up on our feet.

Fireworks

Of course, it’s all about Da Mouse in Da House though and he brings the party to a spectacular climax.

The fireworks pop off into the night sky and all eyes shoot upwards while in a galaxy far, far away – or across the park at least – the lights have long gone out.

TRAVEL FACTS

How to get there: Dublin-Los Angeles LAX with Aer Lingus with pre-clearance.

It operates a daily service from Dublin direct with fares starting from €259 each way when booked as a return trip. The year-round service reduces to five times weekly during the winter season. Visit www.aerlingus.com.

Where to stay: The Hilton Anaheim, a 15-minute walk from Disneyland Resort. King bed Disneyview for the sample dates of June 28-July 1 from $347 (€281). Visit www.hilton.com.

Where to go: Attraction Tickets http://www.attractiontickets.com has a range of offers and discounts which will save precious time and money.

The deal

Its two-day Disneyland California 1 Park Per Day Ticket is from €198 for an adult and €186 for a child including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is from €266 for an adult and €249 for a child. Visit www.disneyland.disney.go.com. www.starwars.com.

And for more duck-related fun… Why I love The Donald.