Travelrific® Travel Journal
A blog for travel enthusiasts. Listen to our podcasts at Travelrific® Radio, and visit our Wanderful Places® Travel Shop!Archive for tourism
Forging Ahead in Millstone
By Linda Tancs
Blacksmithing was a crucial trade across countless centuries. The blacksmith–literally, one who smites iron–fashioned accessories for the aristocracy, ploughs for the working class and weaponry for the militia, among many other things. Industrialization may have vastly reduced their numbers, but the craftsmen behind this ancient art (practiced in some form as early as the Iron Age) are still celebrated through demonstrations and well preserved shops. In particular, Old Millstone Forge in Millstone, New Jersey is the oldest continuously operating blacksmith shop in the state. Open every Sunday from 1 April through 24 June, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into the life of the blacksmith and his role in society over the millenia.
Like this:
A Sphere of Influence
By Linda Tancs
Water towers are fascinating objects, as some blogs will attest. For residents of Union, New Jersey, its 211-foot water sphere has long been a prized possession, rising regally above the Kawameeh swamp to greet weary motorists and air travelers alike. Constructed in 1965, the tower became the tallest water sphere in the world, only recently outdone by Erwin, North Carolina’s 220-foot colossus. No matter–the beloved landmark will always be the oldest. Age before beauty, as they say.
An Enchanting Tour
By Linda Tancs
The last installment of the Harry Potter film series may have passed, but the movie magic will never end. You can experience the enchantment of Harry Potter’s world in London at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. The self-guided, three-hour walking tour takes you behind the scenes of such sites as the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office (including the sword of Gryffindor, the Sorting Hat and the Hogwarts headmaster portraits), Diagon Alley and Hagrid’s hut. The tour also reveals secrets on the execution of those special effects and animatronics. Be sure to order your tickets in advance; there are no sales at the door.
Like this:
A Ray of Light in Iceland
By Linda Tancs
Memorials to John Lennon abound throughout the world, but perhaps none is as spectacular as the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland. Located on Viðey island near the capital of Reykjavík, a beam of light radiates from a white stone monument bearing the words “imagine peace” in 24 languages. You can view it year round except for 8 December, the day he died.
Like this:
Blueberry Capital of the World
By Linda Tancs
The small, unassuming town of Hammonton, New Jersey is the blueberry capital of the world. Just 29 miles southeast of Philadelphia, acres of blueberry farms dotting the landscape produce millions of berries, the official fruit of the State of New Jersey. This prime export is celebrated each summer at the Red, White and Blueberry Festival, but this South Jersey hub and surrounding area is a year-round destination with local attractions like Batsto Village, as well as the Walt Whitman House, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, and the Warren E. Fox Nature Center.
Like this:
Paris on the Half Shell
By Linda Tancs
The City of Light conjures up dozens of gastronomic delights: snails, frogs’ legs, bouillabaisse, pot au feu, boeuf bourguignon and….oysters? Mais oui. France is Europe’s number one grower, exporter and consumer of the bivalve extraordinaire. King Louis XIV even had fresh oysters delivered from Cancale to Versailles every day, or so the story goes. So where is the best place for half shell cuisine in Paris? The favorite appears to be Huîtrerie Régis. Do you agree?
Like this:
The Flying Duchess
By Linda Tancs
Woburn Abbey has been the home of the Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years. As with any historical manor, the stories of its occupants over the centuries are what bring it to life for contemporary guests. In the case of Woburn, the ladies of the house are just as compelling as their male counterparts. Take, for example, Mary Russell, wife of the 11th Duke. In the spirit of our modern era Amelia Earhart, she embraced aviation and flew record-breaking flights from Kent to India and later Cape Town. An ill-fated flight in 1937 resulted in her plane washing ashore near Great Yarmouth; her body was never recovered. Her adventurous spirit is reflected in the Flying Duchess’ Room at the Abbey.
Like this:
A Fortress in Manhattan
By Linda Tancs
At the foot of Manhattan in New York City lies a fortress, a national monument that celebrated its 200th anniversary last year. Known as Castle Clinton (named after Governor Dewitt Clinton of New York State), the structure was one of the New York Harbor forts built just before the War of 1812 with Great Britain. Over the last two centuries, the fort has also served as an entertainment center, an immigration landing depot and an aquarium. Saved from demolition in 1946, the Castle was restored to its original design by the National Park Service and today houses the ticket office for the Statue of Liberty, welcoming over 3 million visitors annually.
Celebrating the Bard
By Linda Tancs
The biggest celebration of Shakespeare ever staged begins today in the UK. The World Shakespeare Festival is the first ever collaboration between Tate Modern, the British Museum, National Theatre, British Council and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Considering that over 64 million children worldwide study Shakespeare, part of the event’s focus is its collaboration with teachers. An education conference in September will bring together education professionals, international artists and academics to investigate learning through Shakespeare and the arts. Another highlight of this months-long event is the staging of Shakespeare-inspired productions with 7200 amateur theatre makers in 260 groups across the UK. Overall, thousands of artists from around the world will take part in almost 70 productions, events and exhibitions in locations including London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Newcastle/Gateshead, Birmingham, Wales and Scotland. Can’t travel? No worries. An exciting digital platform called My Shakespeare will give you a chance to create your own visualisation and release your own works onto the site. Over a million tickets will be sold for the festival, which runs through November.
Like this:
A Little Piece of France
By Linda Tancs
A little joie de vivre awaits you just south of the Canadian province of Newfoundland. There you’ll find Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, France’s smallest and oldest remaining overseas territory. Once a mecca for cod fishing, the area is now prized for its ancient trails drawing hikers and birdwatchers. Every spring, whales migrating towards Greenland are spotted off the coast of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon as well. You can reach the territory by air, ferry (at Fortune, Newfoundland) or set sail on your own. Bon voyage!
