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OK, we might have got you there but it’s Nova Scotia we’re talking about here where Timberlake is bringing the folksy back.

And we reckon that its namesake would appreciate its rural charms away from his glitzy world.

And he might very well have got hooked on the latest hit Netflix series out of Canada, Sullivan’s Crossing.

Nova Scotia’s spectacular coastal scenery provides the perfect setting for the filming of the romantic drama.

Which follows neurosurgeon Maggie as she returns to her childhood home of Timberlake and reconnects with family and friends.

In Sync

Of course Timberlake is as much a star of the show as Maggie and is showcased right from the off.

As she drives home, sweeping shots reveal Agricola Street in Halifax, Lawrencetown Beach, Mahone Bay, Chester.

And scenes of Nova Scotia’s South Shore.

Canadaphiles, eh, will need no introduction to the village of Peggy’s Cove.

And its most-photographed lighthouse, but for the rest…

You can take in the stunning coastal views from the accessible viewing deck.

Explore the local art galleries and shops, savour a seafood-rich meal.

And try the gingerbread at the Sou’Wester Gift Shop & Restaurant.

The world’s your lobster

And because the world’s their lobster on Sullivan’s Crossing our Nova Scotia cousins tell us.

Of a scenic boat tour, exploring the Lobster Capital of Canada in Barrington.

Dining at The Shore Club, home of the original Nova Scotia Lobster supper, or sampling a variety of lobster dishes along the Nova Scotia Lobster Trail.

While each February, be sure to celebrate with a month-long festival, the Lobster Crawl.

Including the Lobster Roll Off Competition, annual Lobster Chowder Chowdown Showdown.

And featured lobster dishes at restaurants along the South Shore.

But if you really want to show off as a Crossing fan then you’ll need to get to Hali Deli in Halifax’s North End.

And order from their smoked meat sandwiches, latkes, fish and chips and all-day breakfast.

Our first rodeo

Wheel deal: Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures

For Sully’s actual waterfront campground you’ll go to Oakfield Provincial Park in Oakfield and nearby Laurie Provincial Park in Grand Lake where the scenes were shot.

Now because this might be your first Sullivan’s Crossing location rodeo.

Then you’ll want to take in Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures, outside Halifax, and used for the rodeo-themed event space in Season One.

And where you can enjoy wagon and sleigh rides, animal petting pens, pony rides, and a playground.

Gone fishing

Fisherman’s Cove is to the fore in season two.

And with its views of Halifax Harbour, seafood restaurant Boondocks appears as a backdrop for a community gathering.

This quaint fishing village offers visitors a stroll on the picturesque boardwalk at MacCormacks Beach Provincial Park.

With views of McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park.

And because you’ll need somewhere to stay why not the very hotel where Maggie is removed from the awards ceremony gala?

The location used for this scene is the ballroom at the Prince George Hotel in the heart of downtown Halifax.

This 203-room hotel accommodation with prices ranging from $169 to $999 is located within walking distance of the Halifax Waterfront.

We found a Lufthansa and Air Canada round-trip from Edinburgh to Halifax for a random week this month from £690.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Debussy Galore on the Moselle

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He was the most unaffected self-made man and delighted in his knowledge of just one composer, so my doctor dad would have alighted on Debussy Galore on the Moselle.

Quite why the French fin de siecle musician was his songsmith of choice I should have asked.

In their limited record collection there were no Debussy or any classic LPs, only folk, trad or Irish rebel albums my Mum acquired.

But he would answer every music question on every TV game show with an elongated Debuuuuussy and a big smile.

Whether Parisian Debussy had a special connection with the Moselle, Belgium or the Netherlands is doubtful too.

Claude hopper

But Riverside Luxury Cruises settled on Claude Debussy to carry their name and passengers along the great northern European waterways.

The Riverside Debussy sets sail on July 10 from Trier near the German and Luxembourg border.

And meanders its way for eight days to Amsterdam.

Sing me a Melody

Book with Platinum Travel stay in a Melody Suite for from €3,950pp with a 0% Single Supplement.

Trier where you’ll begin boasts impressive Roman ruins.

You’ll cruise north-east and stop in Bernkastel, a health resort and wine-growing centre.

And join the Rhine at Koblenz, whose distinctive Deutsches Eck (German Corner) houses symbols of German unity.

Continue to see the vibrant Old Town of Dusseldorf and our own recommendation here… take in Little Japan.

Before heading for Antwerp, where more than 70% of the world’s diamonds are traded.

Rotterdam is noted as one of Europe’s great ports and innovative Cube Houses.

And this being the Netherlands windmills, of course, and Zaanse Schans’collection of iconic twirly mills and wooden houses.

Before you disembark in awesome Amsterdam, and you all know how we feel about the great city of arts, bikes and crepes.

Compose yourself

So what’s stopping you if you want the best all-singing, all-dancing way to explore this part of Europe.

It has to be Debussy Galore on the Moselle with Riverside Cruises.

Now while RC will cover everyone on the ship you’ll need to find your own way to Trier.

With hub Frankfurt your airport with all major airlines landing there but Lufthansa our go-to for Germany.

Of course, back in the day when Dad and Mum were honeymooning in these parts that wasn’t an option.

And Dad drove through France, Germany and Belgium… hope Debussy was on the radio.

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

Oh de Koln

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It’s been 37 years in the making though that’s 595 less than the actual cathedral but Oh de Koln!

Way back then it was a mere pitstop on our way to the Munich Oktoberfest.

And a combination of too little time and too much booze meant we were in and out of the Gothic wonder.

Thirty-seven years is, of course, too long to pass before worshipping again at Koln (or Cologne) cathedral.

But with more time on our hands and without the distraction of a party of boozers we got to take in the full awe of the church.

And that meant getting in behind the church.

Not sure if there was a lift up then to the roof.

Our thirtysomething guide was naturally too young to have experienced it himself.

Closer to God

But it’s true what they say about the higher you go the closer to God you feel.

And for a time in the 19th century Koln Cathedral, at 157m tall, was the tallest building in the world.

Before Washington Monument was put up and Eiffel Tower rose above Paris.

And as striking as both those edifices are you do not get up so close to the Gothic intricacies of the Koln delicacies.

Although being this close to the gargoyles might make you feel like your mother-in-law is keeping an eye on you.

Mind you maybe that was the intention.

Down by the river

The panoramic views of course from the roof are sensational.

And there was a pang of jealousy looking down on the tourists enjoying their boat cruise along the Rhine.

Although, of course, they would have been looking up at us thinking the same.

The sheer scale of Koln Cathedral of course is impossible to capture on one viewing.

And that’s no doubt what they had in mind to get you through the door for the hundreds of services a year.

Germany’s magnet

And so we can see from its grandeur why it’s the most popular site in Germany with 20,000 visitors a year.

But why here?

Well, the bones of the Three Wise Men are said to reside there in a golden reliquary.

Get some cop-on yourself join the flock, it’s free to enter the church, onvs.

And a behind the scenes through the riggings tour.

And a lift and a spiral staircase up to that spectacular view is reasonably pitched.

Where like us I bet you exclaim Oh de Koln.

It certainly won’t be another 37 years before I’m back.

Particularly as I’m now a fixture and fitting at the German Travel Mart and am one of Lufthansa’s frequent flyers.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland, UK

The trials of Odysseus and today’s Greece

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These Greeks are a resilient bunch, they can pull themselves away from the Sirens, overcome the Cyclops and live with modern-day economic collapse.

And run faster, fight stronger and jump higher.

And they can see off COVID-19. With a little help from the Gods on Mount Olympus.

Because they’re getting precious little help from their own politicians – or ours.

A prayer for Greece

Lies, damn lies and statistics

Greece’s COVID-19 levels were low (and still are with 147 new cases and two new deaths).

And yet the UK Government are threatening them with being thrown off the exempt list.

Now every death is a loss but I’ll say this in the hope, and expectation, that it won’t happen to me.

I don’t want people to stop living if I’m either of those casualties.

Because our politicians are blinding us with statistics by frightening us with daily rises and not putting them in context.

The Alpha and the Omega

People come first

In all they have had 7,222 cases, with 3,804 recoveries (a stat which our politicians never tell us) with 230 deaths.

The UK, by comparison have had three deaths overnight and Scotland none for 30 days.

I never went for stats and graphs at school and the only tables I looked at were football league tables.

But politicians love a stat because stats don’t talk back the way people do.

The Greeks will though and I admit that I’d love to see more British people vent their fury and argue the consensus.

Raising the bar on Greece

Like Mykanos bar owner Stavros Grimplas who gave out about the lightning lockdown of bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants.

‘We told them to come to Greece and Greece has shut down,’ Stavros argued.

These lightning lockdowns also risk congestion at airports and ports.

And where you get congestion you get a strain on social distancing which is our safeguard from the virus.

I accept that I have a hippos, or horse, in this race being a Hellenophile (Greek fan).

And having spent many of my happiest times abroad in Greece,

My Greek adventures

In Corfu where we honeymooned and Athens and its Attica island Kythera.

It is time for the people to remember that our politicians are merely the guardians of our house.

And we should be vigilant when New Zealand, the poster people of COVID, hunt at delaying their election by a month.

And Donald Trump stands accused of trying to manipulate the US election rules.

From a distance: As Athene would have seen it

An old relic and the Parthenon

It’s not just Belarus and Eastern Europe where elections are flawed.

It is time for us to take the power back.

I an reminded of a detour on the way to the Parthenon.

And my taxi driver telling me it was because the Athenians were protesting… ‘it’s what we do’.

In the cradle of democracy they will!

Countries, Europe, Flying

Holidos and don’ts – know your airport

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Now, it would be silly to suggesr an airport is as familiar as a train or bus station while it is considerably more complicated.

But knowing your airport can take the stress out of your holiday: start badly and it’ll set your break off wrongly.

And as I begin a new journey from a new (old) airport here in Edinburgh www.edinburghairport.com my first thought is that this does save the legs.

An old fave, Turkish Airport, at Edinburgh Airport

Anybody who has been through Dublin Airport (www.dublinairport.com) knows the long hike to your airplane.

It almost feels like you are taking the strain off the plane by walking halfway to your holiday destination yourself.

So leave yourself plenty of time. while it’s easy to mix up your Ryanairs and Aer Linguses.

So don’t leave yourself having to sprint between terminals: Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) Terminal 1 and Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com).

Apply this logic too to even bigger airports where it might involve buses between terminals, or even trains.

And ALWAYS read the small print on your information… you may be flying with an auxiliary airline from Munich to Athens.

And the main airline where you are is in another terminal in the airport.

Yes, guilty, and I am forever grateful and still terrified of the Lufthansa (www.lufthansa.com) reservations manager I had to break the news to… My Greek odyssey.

Uncategorized

Flyday Friday – Das airport toilets Herren und Damen

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I feel I know Franz J Strauss better now than my own wife.

Having spent a good bit of time with him on four visits to his airport in the last couple of weeks.

Franz J is not from the illustrious musical Strausses, the elder of whom gave his name to Vienna Airport.

He was in fact a former President of Bavaria.

And were he alive today I’d want to ask him why men have to walk down three flights of stairs beside Gate B15 to get to the loo.

While the women’s lav is on the same level.

You see it’s just that I don’t want to be caught with my pants down running up the steps.

To try to catch my connecting flight…

Again.

I’ve flown Lufthansa http://www.lufthansa.com out from Dublin and then Lufthansa operating with Aegean.

Or I should have done had I not missed that connection and, luckily thanks to Dani, was given a later connection when I missed that.

Then Ryanair http://www.ryanair.com out now and Aer Lingus http://www.aerlingus.com back.

Choose from these or any other major airline. I’m trying to complete the set. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/01/hungry-and-thursday-the-munich-beerfest/

Dublin or Dubai?

Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels.com

Talking of our national airline carrier… they want to fly out for less.

Pitching their latest offer as ‘From Madrid to Munich, Malaga to Manchester, you can save up to 30% on winter flights’ got me thinking about being in two places at once.

Apart from the fact that I struggle to be in one place at once.

But while I was away in Austria I could have been in Dubai where I was invited to or Madrid which also cam my way.

Neither of which I have visited but hope to for different reasons.

In fact I very nearly did find myself in the queue for Dubai… those pesky abbreviations.

Qatar’s the star… and Sydney too

Opera in the buff. Photo by Mudassir Ali on Pexels.com

All the Middle Eastern airways will fly you out there to that metropolis and further afield such as Australasia.

Now you won’t see it in this picture but my mate Fugee lives next door to the Sydney Opera House.

Fugee, or Ian as he was my Sports Editor (no, it was actually pretty much always Fufee) was the best manager I’ve ever had.

On account of him pushing me to get on the slippery career ladder. Before the bloody thing was pulled away from me a couple of months ago.

Heck, every cloud and all that and that’s why you’re reading these tales now.

Anyhoos, Qatar Airways http://www.qatarairways.com will fly you to Sydney for £733pp.

Now Qatar has been on our radar because Scotland are going to be there for the World Cup in three years time!

Remember Saturdays are This Sporting Weekend in your all-action Travel blog so make sure you’re there when the whistle blows….

https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/28/sporting-weekend-helping-you-over-the-line/. And https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/09/07/this-sporting-weekend-internationals/

Ryanair flyin’ there

*Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com*

Of course it’s not just Ryanair who do red eyes but you’ll find the best fares bang in the middle of the morning so if you can handle not having any sleep.

Ryanair has up to €30 off return flights on a half a million sets to a bunch of destinations.

Including Athens from €14.99.

I’d have fancied that a couple of weeks ago instead of being stuck in Munich airport!

The offer is for travel, October to May 2020. The offer ends Midnight on Sunday.

MEET YOU IN THE SKIES

Uncategorized

Holidos and don’ts – my airport manifesto

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I’m back in Munich Airport on Sunday… I feel I never left.

My luggage didn’t.

Well, maybe not didn’t, but certainly a good day after I got back to Ireland.

Hey ho, that I can handle, there were after all seven of us in the same boat if I can mix my metaphors.

I feel my misadventures in Munich Airport have prepared me for whatever pitfalls may yet befall me on Sunday.

But there will always be some I’ll repeat or have yet to encounter.

And so I have prepared a manifesto for airports and airlines everywhere.

But remember we can be proud of our big four on this island of Ireland www.dublinairport.com, www.shannonairport.ie, www.corkairport.com and www.belfastairport.com.

While Donegal Airport http://www.donegalairport.ie was voted the most scenic airport in the world for the second year running by PrivateFly, a private jet booking service…

See www.privatefly.com.

But here’s where we can get better,

Subsidiaries of airlines

*Check, check and check again. Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com*

1: Don’t be shy. Shout your name on the booking and not just on the small print.

It will save confusion when you ask at the airport and you get directed to the headline airline.

And you find that the two airlines go to the same destination 15 minutes apart.

And the only way to make your destination is if you are Usain Bolt and the train connection to the other gate is on time.

Because I can’t always depend on Dani being on the customers service desk to get me on the next flight www.lufthansa.com. www.aegeanair.com.

Open up more check-in desks

*That’s right… every desk filled. Photo by Jopwell on Pexels.com*

2: Why is there always one unmanned (or unwomanned)?

And one clueless, selfish bloke is shoring up one of the two desks when you’ve only got 15 minutes.

To find your gate, in a foreign airport, with primarily Greek lettering signage.

Airport taxis

*Phew, made it. Photo by JÉSHOOTS on Pexels.com*

3. Make sure your taxi doesn’t turn up late.

To your hotel when you’ve only got 45 minutes to get to the airport.

OK, that’s not the airport’s fault.

Provide segways

4. Or at least fast and slow walking lanes.

I swear the walkway when you land in Dublin to customs gets longer every time I come through.

See Nos 1 and 3.

Provide some phone points

5. So that when it all goes Pete Tong you can charge your phone to get on the app…

To rearrange your flight, or, yes it’s old-fashioned but… phone your wife for a confidence booster.

In fact this is Nos 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

12: Leave a book of Greek poetry

For those of us who took Ancient Greek at school!

Like they did at Kythera airport in the Attica region from where we visited Aphrodite’s birthplace www.kythera.gr/en.

Turk that

13: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge

You can improve on perfection.

Turkish Airlines’ http://www.turkishairlnes.com business lounge in the new Istanbul airport, an ideal hub, though I’d say you’d be tempted to stay in Turkey’s biggest city.

That is if you ever leave the airport with its golf simulator, grand prix games track, banquets of food and drink and cinema.

And much, much more.

I also had the privilege of being shown around TA’s headquarters.

And shown all that goes on behind the scenes… Wham bam, thank you Hamam.

And remember every Friday is Flyday Friday… avert a Greek tragedy.

*The best of course: Turkish Airlines Business :Lounge in Istanbul*

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD