view from Bosphorus cruise

Top Tips for Visiting Istanbul

I have always wanted to visit Istanbul. There is something exotic about the name which conjures up images of past civilizations, beautiful palaces, mosques and emperors. And divided by The Bosphorus, it is the only city to span two continents. The city has had several names throughout its long history, each reflecting a different period
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Florence

Trip to Tuscany with Travel Department

The Dublin to Pisa flight with Aer Lingus on our Travel Department Holiday to Tuscany was pain-free and on time. We were met in Pisa by our guide Claudia and were in our hotel by 11 am on day 1. Our first impressions of Tuscany were that it looked very much like Ireland. Its terrain
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Whistles jumpsuit

Packing Tips for a Week-Long Holiday Abroad

I love going on holiday but I dislike airports. Remember when travel used to be fun, but now airports are so stressful, particularly until you get through security. And then there is the packing. I nearly always get it wrong, returning home with half of the clothes never seeing the light of day. But last
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Health and Holidays in 2023

Happy New Year and welcome to my first post of 2024. A special welcome to new subscribers; I hope you will find something of interest in my posts. So here is my review of 2023, loosely titled ‘Health and Holidays’. Well, they begin with the same letter and it is important for your health that
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Piran Slovenia

Slovenia and the Coast of Trieste with Travel Department

Before we went there with Travel Department, I knew very little about Slovenia except that it was part of the former Yugoslavia (it was one of the first to declare independence 32 years ago). Yes, I had heard it was a beautiful country and was fast becoming a popular holiday destination. It lived up to
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Brandenberg Gate

Berlin is the Perfect City for a City Break

If you have not been to Berlin, put it on your list. GG and I had a wonderful three days there in March with Travel Department. We left a wet and damp Ireland behind for a cold, but sunny German capital. Map created with Wanderlog, a road trip planner app on iOS and Android Berlin
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view of Lisbon

Top Tips for Visiting Lisbon

Heading off to Berlin soon with Travel Department so republishing our visit to Lisbon pre Covid. If you are thinking of a city break, can really recommend Lisbon. Also loved Porto and you can listen to my podcast with Senior Times (interviewed by Gary Cooke) where I talk about city breaks HERE 1. CLEANLINESS Graham
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Halong Bay Vietnam

My Podcast with ‘Senior Times’

I have just recorded my very first podcast – and it was with ‘Senior Times’. What is ‘Senior Times’? It’s a magazine and website for older people who don’t act their age. Well, many people would say that is me. And I bet it is you too. It is Ireland’s only dedicated and nationally distributed
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Regensburg

How to Visit 7 European Destinations in 7 Days without Unpacking

Yes, we visited 7 different places in 7 days and we did not unpack! How? We went on a River Cruise. Our River Cruise with Travel Department on board M/S Amadeus Silver III was three months ago. But we love looking back on the photos and re-living our experiences. That is one of the reasons
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Amadeus Silver 111

Wonderful Holiday with Travel Department on a Danube Cruise

  Thank goodness we were travelling with Travel Department on our Danube Cruise. As we approached D-Day (Departure Day), and flights were being cancelled left, right and centre, we sat back and waited. We knew that we would be informed if there was a problem and that the company would do everything possible to get
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Porto

Porto with Travel Department

Porto is the perfect city for a short break. We travelled with Travel Department in mid-May and it proved to be the perfect time to visit. I was delighted to accept Travel Department’s offer of a press trip. And, of course, GG (Gorgeous Graham) had to come too. Travel Department Regular readers know that I
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The Taj Mahal

A New Grandchild and Planning Holidays Make Me Happy

Hello, my friends. I am feeling positive as we enjoy the holiday weekend. And I hope you are too. I have lots of happy news to share with you. We need to celebrate when we can, don’t we? And count our blessings. GRANDDAUGHTER As many of you know, we have three wonderful grandsons – Logan
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Procession in Khajuraho

Tips on what to bring when travelling to India and other Asian countries

A year ago, GG and I and four good friends had the most incredible holiday (well it wasn’t really a holiday; it was more of an adventure) in India with TDActive (the adventure wing of Travel Department). You can read about our amazing  trip in my previous posts – part 1 and part 2. And
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group Stylish Mondays

Maxi Madness with my ‘Stylish Mondays’ friends

I join with some stylish sisters in showcasing our love of the maxi. Those of you who know me well, or who have followed my blog for some time, know that there is one item of clothing that I wear more than any other and that is the maxi dress. I have about a dozen
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Travel broadens the Mind so our Bucket List keeps Growing

“Travel broadens the mind and widens horizons”, according to the late US hiker and itinerant traveller Christopher McCandless Do you have a list of places you would like to travel to before you kick the bucket? Yes, a bucket list! GG and I do and have divided it into ‘Nearer Home’ and ‘Far Flung’. We
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Travel Department trip to Salamanca

When I was invited by Travel Department to go on a press trip to Salamanca in north-western Spain, I jumped at the chance. In the past, GG and I have travelled to South Africa, Beijing and several European cities with the online agency and have always been delighted with its service. The beauty of an
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