Some novel travel suggestions for summer reading!

There's nothing like a good book to take you away somewhere and holidays are often the only time many people get to read these days. With so many books to chose from often many good reads join the long list of 'to be read' while we are distracted to read the newest books on the shelves. That's why I've picked three books that have been around for a while. They have been made into movies but there is a different experience to be enjoyed from flicking through the pages of a novel and conjuring up images in your own head.
I've picked three books set in three different destinations that are popular all year around and even if you are not going to these places, reading these books may well inspire your next trip.
We discussed these books on Midday on Tuesday 26th July and you can see the clip here Midday TV3 discussing Novel Travel

Parc Guell Barcelona

First up is Barcelona and the book I chose to give a reader that sense of place is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon.

Set in post civil war Spain the main character Daniel Sempere is brought to an old library called the cemetery of forgotten books by his father where he is allowed to take only one book. The book inspires the young boy to find out more about the author and it brings him on an adventure where he finds love and danger but it takes the reader to many of Barcelona's great sights.
There is a fully guided tour available which will give fans of the book a chance to relive Daniel's footsteps. /The-Shadow-of-the-Wind-Walking-Book-Tour-in-Barcelona
Barcelona is a great city to take the kids to visit. A big hit with my son was the Nou Camp stadium, home to Barcelona FC. Another treat for all the family or romantic couples is Parc Guell. The Spanish architect Gaudi is responsible for much of the magical architecture around the city and it will amaze even the most reluctant sightseer.

My son, Mark in Nou Camp

If you have time the red bus tour takes about two hours and really gives a sense of the enormity of this city and will help to get your bearings. But if you would rather just relax then a stroll along the ramblas and stop off for churros and hot chocolate - the kids will love you for it.

Las Ramblas

A landmark restaurant in the Gothic Quarter that will transport you to a cultural feats is 4 Cats where artists like Picasso and Gaudi hung out in the early twentieth century.
If you are heading to one of the popular resorts close to Barcelona then it is worth even taking a day trip to this beautiful city.
For more information see Spanish Tourist Board
Barcelona pops up in my novel Six Postcards Home - in fact it opens in a scene in the Placa Reial - if you would like to take a read it's available on amazonSix-Postcards-Home

Few places capture the imagination like Rome with all its romance and ceremony. I've picked a book that has been around a long and time. Dan Brown has certainly had his critics over the years but he did something similar for books as JK Rowling did with the Harry Potter series and got people reading. Any author that has people turning pages rapidly is incredibly talented.

 Angels and Demons is the second in the Robert Langdon series and I think one of the best reads to find your way around Rome.

Vatican city , St Peter's Basillica

The plot takes readers at break neck speed around Vatican City, The Castel San Angelo and The Piazza Navonna which is easily my favourite place to people watch in Rome. If you have plans to visit there is so much to do with incredibly food and the best handbag shopping you will ever find.

Piazza Navonna

Rome has so much to offer the lover of art and culture and must sees include the Colloseum and Trevi Fountain mean that you can be busy running around the city trying to fit it all in - much like Robert Langdon. I recommend taking a slower pace and leaving something to return to for next time.

Trevi Fountain credit FOTOTECA ENIT.

CARACALLA THERMAL BATHS OPERA SEASON IN ROME

Rome 22 Jun – 10 Aug 2016

www.operaroma.it

This year the Caracalla Opera Season will present a rich programme of opera and ballet in the magnificent Caracalla Thermal Baths in Rome. The spectacular backdrop will enhance the enjoyment of operas such as: Nabucco, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Madame Butterfly and ballet such as Nureyev tribute and a recital by the acclaimed dancer Roberto Bolle. Performances by the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, and legends like Lionel Ritchie and Neil Young are also in the programme.   This year, with the MyCaracalla initiative it is also possible to combine a guided visit to the Caracalla Thermal baths at night and a gourmet aperitif before an opera or ballet of your choice.

My last novel is set in Rome and if you would like to read a sample click here amazon.co.uk/7-Wishes-Rome-Irish-Fiction

For more information about visiting Italy go to http://www.italiantouristboard.co.uk/

My final recommendation is a book that isn't one of my favourites but the premise is similar in theme and style to many of the great women writers we have produced in Ireland, if this book had been writing by Maeve Binchy or one of the many other strong women writers such as Melissa Hill or Colette Caddle it may not have had such literary recognition. But it is a good story about a very real time in our history and a character that will resonate with many readers who have experienced emigration. It takes the reader back to Wexford too which is still a popular summer destination for those who holiday at home.

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn is one of the five Burroughs that makes up New York city. Traditionally the Irish have a history of congregating around mid-town Manhattan for our weekend visits but here is so much more to see and if you are taking a second or third bite of the big apple then make some time to explore one of the other Burroughs. One of the best views of Manhattan is from Brooklyn, framed by the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. The Bus tour from Manhattan is a great way to cross the Hudson River and see the area from best advantage.

Beautiful Brownstone houses in the Cobble Hill district

This time of year is lovely in New York and it is also NYC Restaurant Week. If you are in town why not try out one of the 387 participating restaurants. In its 24th year, NYC Restaurant Week takes place this summer from July 25 through August 19 and features 49 new restaurants. For menus, photos and reservations visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek.

Coney Island is part of the Burrough of Brooklyn and home of the New York Aquarium and Luna Park fairground.

Coney Island Beach

One memorable scene in the novel is when Eilis goes on her first trip to Coney Island and see the world through her new sunglasses while sporting her swimsuit. It's difficult to imagine what life was like for her but it is easy to be transported back in time in this popular beach resort where the locals come to swim in the sea. Take time out on one of the fairground rides at Luna Park.

Luna Park Fairground Coney Island

 If you would rather a more sedate activity then the Botanic Gardens are beautiful and well worth a visit, especially in April and May when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. 

For all you need to know about visiting Brooklyn or any of the New York suburbs go to NYCGO.com

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Some great deals with Tour America at the moment include a stay at the hotel Beacon which is my favourite place to stay in Manhattan touramerica.ie/packages

Probably my favourite book baby is Three Nights in New York - written in 2008! .amazon.co.uk/Three-Nights-New-York-

Northern Spain special, Bilbao and the Camino

Northern Spain is a different World - fun with the kids in Bilbao!

Spain is always a popular destination for Irish Tourists and this summer it is more so than ever with a predicted increase to 1.4 million in 2016. But when we think of Spain all too often we choose popular destinations like Barcelona or the Costa Del Sol but Northern Spain is having a Renaissance for a number of reasons and I've been checking them out.

I recently returned from Bilbao nestled in Basque country and close to the other jewels of the region, San Sebastian and Pamplona.

With the kids in tow we arrived on a Wednesday and checked into the Gran Hotel Domine in Bilbao, set across the road from the glorious Guggenheim Gallery. I didn't know about Puppy, the lovely doggy covered in flowers who sits outside the gallery - an incredible living sculpture that children especially will love to touch. We spent our first day cycling around the city on bikes with a guided tour - it was three hours long and I wondered if my teens would be giving out but on the contrary they adored seeing the city while doing an activity. Next day we took the unusual perspective of seeing the city from the river. Once the most polluted in Europe it is spotless and full of fish after a massive cleaning that cost the city millions. It was money well spent as we were able to kayak freely up and down on our two hour trip.

Any activity like this works up an appetite and Bilbao is a wonderful city for food lovers.

I'd recommend it for couples or girlie weekends and my kids adored the pinxtos which are a different kind of tapas to the usual you will find around Spain.

The transport system is excellent and shopping condensed in the one area which was perfect for my 12 year old daughter to get to see all her favourite stores. Bilbao is a masterpiece in design and layout. In the seventies many of the ugly industrial buildings that hugged the river were demolished and the infra structure was developed to a high aesthetic and working standard.

San Sebastian is only an hour away by bus and a beautiful city - why not do the coastal route and creep along the unspoilt beaches that hug the Atlantic. Another popular activity that has brought millions to Northern Spain is the Camino. Most pilgrims walk the final section of the 800 mile pilgrimage which is over 110km and get their passports stamped along the way in various hostels and guest houses. It seems to be a wonderful experience and life changing from anyone that I have spoken to who has done it. I've put together some deals below from Irish Tour operators and links to the Bilbao Tourist Board and the beautiful Gran Hotel Domine Where we stayed in Bilbao. 

Travel Tuesday on TV3's Midday chat about Bilbao - click here for link Bilbao on Midday 

Aer Lingus operates a daily service from Dublin to Bilbao with up to two flights on Saturday. One-way fares including taxes and charges start from €49.99 including taxes and charges

www.aerlingus.com

http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/tourists#

http://www.hoteldominebilbao.com/

http://tournebilbao.com/en/

http://www.bilbobentura.com/

www.madmuseum.es
www.spain.info

Most popular package - Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago

This is the most popular Camino route known as the French Way. This trail captures the perfectly captures the essence of the Camino de Santiago. You will meet fellow pilgrims, discover local traditions and enjoy the unique atmosphere walking through Galicia's green countryside. This route finishes in the historic town of Santiago where you will collect your pilgrim certificate. 

Price: A 6-night self-guided tour on the French Way from Sarria to Santiago starts from €560 per person sharing for 6 nights. More details here: French Way

Another popular option is the last section of the Camino Portugues from Tui to Santiago

The Portuguese Way is the second most popular route among pilgrims to Santiago but you don't have to trek all the way from Lisbon to discover this classic Camino trail. 

Start from the town of Tui in Galicia, separated from Portugal only by the River Minho, and walk to Santiago in just a week. Tui is home to a wonderful historic centre and spectacular medieval cathedral-fortress. On your way you will reach the coast in the fishing village of Arcade, where you should taste the famous local oysters.

Price: A 7-night self-guided tour on the Portuguese Way from Tui to Santiago starts from €746 per person sharing. More details here:Camino Portugues

All prices include: Half-board accommodation, luggage transfers and holiday pack with route notes and practical information.

Price does not include:

Flights, transport, travel insurance.

www.caminoways.com

tel: 015252886

Final Stage – Camino Frances (8 days)

Weekly departures from April to October

Sarria to Santiago (8 days), the full and final stage of the Camino Way…

All inclusive price                                                                             Special Offer

     Flights                                                                                        From €775 

     B&B                                                                                       per person sharing

     Luggage transfers

     Pilgrim passport

www.maptravel.ie

tel: 01878311

Epic new tourist attraction in Dublin

Epic Visitor Museum at CHQ Building Custom House Quay

Open 7 days per week 9am-6pm

There's an Epic new attraction in the CHQ described as Dublin's newest immersive visitor museum. I brought along two pre-teens, to see how Ireland's Diaspora changed the world, and was surprised and impressed at how the interactive displays kept them busy.

Getting passports at emigration

On entering the fully accessible building, we were handed our passports, which instantly gave the girls something to do. The adults seemed just as amused with the task of stamping their passports as they completed each section of the exhibition.

Stamping passports as we passed through the museum

The ambience and initial imagery is unmistakably celtic, and I did wonder if this was going to be fun for the kids, Our island's tragic history makes gloomy reading and the story of emigration even more downbeat and ever cyclical. However, the constant stamping got the kids through the initial horrors of famine, destitution and poverty without determent, and the girls had their phones out from the initial display. Using their cameras and social media is as much a part of an experience for this generation as the exhibits, and because the displays became more fun and interactive as we passed through each section the girls stayed longer to find out more.

The layout of the exhibition is cavernous which neatly blocks the themes of music, arts, sport and literature into tidy separate sections that are easy to navigate.

I was especially impressed by the books in the literature rooms which recounted tales from various classic novels when pulled from the shelf. The guides were especially helpful in this part of the museum and eager to show off the novelties.

Those Diaspora who had achieved acclaim on the silver and small screens were recorded especially well and I was so engrossed that I lost the girls at that stage. They were more amused by the sports room and found a place to make better use of snapchat and instagram.

The images taking me through Italia 90 made me quite reminiscent of our innocence as a nation and I was even emotional watching the pope in the Pheonix Park in 1979. Although, I'd imagine the JFK speech will impact largely with the American Visitors to the museum.

The girls were getting into the swing of the museum by the time we reached the sport room

I was genuinely astonished to see the Irish Diaspora's contribution to science and astronomy and this particular display was the most innovative with fluorescent light effects.

The room of notorious Irish was possibly the most fun for the girls and they were educated about historical facts while they partook in the interactive quiz. I have to admit that I danced around from option A to B a couple of times myself. Every bit of space is used with the displays in all the rooms making the floors, walls and free standing surfaces equally interesting and informative.

It was nice to see one of my classmates from my old alma mater, the NCAD in Thomas Street, getting a display to himself beside the likes of Francis Bacon and Eileen Gray.

We did spend over an hour at the museum which made the entry fee of €16 for adults and €8 for kids good value.

With plenty of opportunities to see their names in lights the girls got involved with the personalised postcards and twitter feeds. If you do visit this summer be sure to use the hastag #epicireland to see your tweet in lights. Some heavyweight social media experts like @tedrubin have been to visit here already! It's good to see a top quality attraction like this in Dublin. With the range of healthy eating options upstairs at the CHQ I really hope that visitors are directed to this attraction this summer and it will put in an interesting afternoon for those living in Dublin or visiting from the rest of Ireland too.

Get two holidays for the price of one! #Travel Tuesday on TV3's Midday Show!

Jackson Family at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai on way home from Australia

Tuesday 24th May 2016
How do you squeeze an extra holiday into your main holiday and delay the going home process? Taking a long-stopover or breaking your journey is a wonderful opportunity to ease jet lag and get to see somewhere else for a small outlay and sometimes make savings too!
With so many people visiting family in Australia the most popular route is now through the middle east and both Emirates and Etihad offer daily flights from Dublin. The hub airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only an hour apart by taxi and if you break your journey with an overnight it is possible to see both cities.

Family Day at the Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi

Shopping is a must in both and this is an opportunity to see middle-eastern culture and decide if you like it that you might come back for a longer time. If your stay is over 24 hours long you can book a hotel and bring light carry on bags for your overnight stay.



But be wary that flight schedules can change very quickly so if you really want to make a stop over book a multi-city trip and sometimes this will work out the same price.

Abu Dhabi racetrack Viceroy hotel

Abu Dhabi Do!
I took my daughter to Thailand in February and we had a 14 hour stopover. After a very early morning flight we arrived at 12pm and set about spending 12 magical hours getting to know the place. Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi's five regions and specialises in things to do with kids.

abu dhabi nights

We checked in at the Viceroy Hotel, which straddles the Formulae One raceway.The Viceoy hotel often has rooms for as little as €128 if you book through booking.com or trivago. and it is perfectly located close to every attraction with free bus transfers. Here we swam in the pool enjoyed the food and took in the top attractions - Ferrari World and Yas Shopping Mall, the second biggest in the UAE.

Ferrari World boasts the biggest rollercoaster in the world and if you want to see the scale of it take a look at it next to the grand prix circuit.

copyright Eamonn Blaney Ferrari World from the air

The Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is a wonder of the modern world and the largest. It is closed to non-muslims on Fridays and Holy Days but admission is free otherwise and it is an enthralling marvel of architecture - Free of Charge!

copyright Eamonn Blaney The Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Stop off in the neighbours!
London is much closer to us and can be overlooked as a great destination to spend a day. With so many airlines and flights passing through Heathrow and Gatwick Irish Travellers often have to transfer to a flight through the London hubs and because of our familiarity with the city I'd forgotten how many new attractions and sights there are to see in London. My daughter had never been so travelling with her helped me to see the city with new eyes and of course there were lots of attractions like the London Eye and The shard that I had never been to either. We made a list of our top things to do in London but if you only have one day then the top new sights are on the South Bank opposite Westminster. Even if you only have a day to spend you can fit a lot in.

Buckingham Palace

We suggest a London Duck Tour and take in the Sea Life Aquarium and London Dungeon, all south of the river. This is overlooked by the London Eye and if you book your tickets beforehand online, you can easily go from one attraction to the other.

Shopping on Oxford Street is great fun and try take a black cab!

Brunch on the roof of the ME Hotel

Afternoon Tea is a quintessentially English thing to do and if you have time try and do Brunch on the roof of the ME hotel.

London Duck Tours are great fun and include a cruise up the River Thames

Going West!
If you are travelling west there are lots of great options for taking in a second city. Wow Air fly to Boston and Washington via Iceland and encourage passengers to stop off and see this remarkable island. Air Canada take many of their passengers through Toronto which is the hub not only to all of Canada but to the USA and the Caribbean also. Many of the US airlines offer connections through the hubs of Chicago and New York especially.

Talk to your tour operator and see what they advise about extending your next longhaul trip!
Or just go on skyscanner and you will be amazed by the flight options that will pop up. If you book your flight with an online website check with your airline or airport the day of travel that your flight is on time - sometimes flight schedules can change and your flight can actually leave earlier!

If you missed my appearance on today's Midday Show on TV3 catch it here on player www.tv3.ie/3player/

Win B&B and Dinner in the wonderful King Sitric restaurant in my hometown Howth by going on the Midday Show page facebook.com/TV3midday

Happy Travels
Michelle x

Travels with Charley and the family!

I was rooting through some books that I Haven't finished because of my travels and I came across the very wonderful Travels with Charley by none other than the brilliant John Steinbeck. I bought my copy while I was at the authors family home, pictured above, in the town of Salinas, California. My children posed patiently while I ranted and and raved my way around the house where Steinbeck spent his most formative years. The lovely local people of Salinas have turned this house into a restaurant with homemade food and it's pretty much packed out all year round. In the basement is a treasure trove of books and memorabilia for fans to purchase and take home while the Steinbeck foundation continues to flourish on its proceeds.

Travels with Charley is about a road trip that the author took around the United States with his pet poodle Charley for company in a small camper van - which is on display in the Steinbeck museum in downtown Salinas. The museum boasts authentic artefacts from the authors life and is well worth a visit if you are in the San Francisco area this summer.

But back to the book and Steinbeck writes beautifully about the characters he meets as he traverses the states and different habits and cultural ways of the people who live there. In his journey across Illinois he meets up with his wife again and while he tells of his time on Lake Michagin I'm reminded of the lovely people that I met at the Travel Media award from the Great Lakes. I haven't explored this part of the Midwest and it's my intention to do something about it on my next trip to the states. I had a great chat with Bill from visit Detroit and I'm curious to hear more about his city which seems to be the comeback kid at the moment after a horrible few years with the collapse of the motor industry and city bankruptcy!

Travel Media awards at the Westbury Hotel 20th May 2016

The Travel Media awards are an annual event where the irish media vote for thier favourite travel brands and operators and this year there were three new peer awards. The Novel Traveller was nominated in the category best new Irish Travel blog and came runner up on the day. I was in the lovely company of two other runners up at Stena Line and Tourism Northern Ireland.

The Lovely Diane Poole from Stena Line was great company
and I look forward to travelling on one of her ships soon.

I look forward to travelling on Stena in a few weeks time when I'll be hoping to find my epic in Wales. The lovely people at visit Wales are promoting lots of adventure attractions this year, so I may well be hanging from a zip line or worse in June!

Laurence Duffy from Duffy Rafferty was there to represent Tourism Northern Ireland
while the rest of them were all at the golf in the K Club!

I was in the company of the Fabulous flamboyant people from the Spanish Tourist Board on Thursday when I, along with a host of media and tour operators, was entertained by flamenco music and opera while we ate dinner in the Dining Hall of Trinity College. I was chatting to representatives of the Andalucian region and particularly taken by the Almeria region which provided the setting for the great film maker Sergio Leone when he made the Clint Eastwood classics The Good the Bad and the Ugly and other spaghetti westerns. This region and the beautiful city of Seville are on my list for this year.

The man of the day at the Travel Media awards was Jim Murty, editor of the Irish Daily Mail
who picked up the award for being a pleasure to deal with.
I can vouch for that as he published my feature on Florida!

Finally my travel feature about the Wild side of Florida was published on 21st May in the Irish Daily Mail. I will be putting it up on my blog soon!
Happy travels and reading
Michelle X