Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Victorian Splendor in Louisville
By Linda Tancs
Just south of downtown, Old Louisville in Kentucky is known for having the largest contiguous collection of Victorian-era mansions in the United States. One of its gems is the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, a castle-like house that symbolizes the spirit and Victorian grandeur of Louisville’s Progressive Era. Constructed in 1895 by Louisville architect Arthur Loomis, the castle’s Richardsonian-Romanesque architectural style is one of the best representations in the city. You can explore the house on either a docent-led or self-guided tour.
Share this:
St. Augustine’s Gilded Age
By Linda Tancs
Once the winter residence of Franklin W. Smith, a Boston millionaire who modeled his home after the Alhambra Palace in Spain, Villa Zorayda in St. Augustine, Florida, is a historic Gilded Age house museum. It features the priceless antique collections of both Franklin Smith and the home’s subsequeant owner, A.S. Mussallem. One of the most popular pieces on display is the “Sacred Cat Rug,” which is over 2400 years old and made from the hairs of ancient cats that roamed the Nile River. You’ll find some of the oldest furnishings in the “Prayer Room,” which was historically used as a library or office. Franklin Smith’s original office furniture dating to the 17th century (desk, curio cabinet and three-drawer chest) remain there. Audio-guided tours are offered daily in English, French and Spanish.
Share this:
Modern Architecture in Hawaii
By Linda Tancs
Vladimir Ossipoff is recognized as the master of Hawaiian modern architecture. Born in Russia and raised in Japan, Ossipoff was instrumental in the development of place-sensitive architecture appropriate to the lush topography, light and microclimates of the Hawaiian Islands and synthesizing Eastern and Western influences. The Liljestrand House is recognized as an outstanding example of his work and of mid-20th- century modern architecture. Commissioned by Howard and Betty Liljestrand, it was built on the slopes of Pu`u Ohia (Mount Tantalus) overlooking Honolulu. Private, guided tours are available and must be booked in advance.
Share this:
Avenue of Oaks
By Linda Tancs
Perhaps best known for its allée of oak trees known as the Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall is frequently cited as a must-see stop in Charleston, South Carolina. It was founded in 1681 when Englishman Major John Boone came to Charleston and established a lucrative plantation and gracious home on the banks of Wampacheone Creek. In 1743, the son of Major John Boone planted live oak trees, arranging them in two evenly spaced rows and providing a spectacular approach to the home. The admission fee includes this approach as well as, among other things, the house tour, covered wagon tours of the entire property, stable tours and the gardens.
Share this:
Grandad Bluff
By Linda Tancs
A 600-foot-high bluff known as Grandad Bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Its view of the Mississippi River Valley on a clear day includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The bluff is easily accessible by car, and there are parking areas and observation decks at the top. The park features a shelter house, coin-operated binoculars and a picnic area and is also the site of an annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show.
Share this:
Long Island Charm
By Linda Tancs
Northport is a maritime village on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. Initially designated Great Cow Harbour by 17th-century English colonists, the area was officially renamed Northport in 1837. Main Street offers visitors a magnificent view of the scenic harbor and homes dating back to the 18th century. The picturesque village still bears the trolley tracks laid in the early 1900s as well as the family-owned vintage sweet shop operating since 1929. One of the town’s most famous residents was Jack Kerouac, a novelist and poet. The local historical society hosts a “Kerouac Crawl,” which offers a chance to explore the neighborhood where he lived.
Share this:
On Ice in Québec City
By Linda Tancs
Open every winter from January to mid-March, Hôtel de Glace (ice hotel) in Canada is the only ice hotel in North America. Situated within the Village Vacances Valcartier near Québec City, the seasonal attraction is made entirely of snow and ice. This ultimate Nordic sleepover features a warm sleeping bag atop your ice bed. The facility includes a Grand Hall, chapel and a bar with drinks served in glasses made of ice.
Share this:
Trekking Sri Lanka
By Linda Tancs
Touted as one of the best-kept secrets in Asia, the Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka winds its way through the Central Highlands. Trekking through tea plantations, cloud forests, waterfalls, heritage estates and rural villages, the 186-mile trail is divided into 22 stages. The country’s first long-distance hiking trail, most stages are open from dawn to dusk except for those in wildlife corridors and protected areas. Some stages may also require special ticketing or permits, particularly those on private lands. The trail is open year round, but the best time to walk most of it is December to April and July to September.
Share this:
Swan Valley
By Linda Tancs
The Swan Valley is a region in the upper reaches of the Swan River between Guildford and Bells Rapids in Western Australia. Home to Western Australia’s oldest wine region, it’s also the only wine region in the country that you can cruise to from a capital city. Just 25 minutes from Perth, you’ll find the visitor’s center in Guildford. Be sure to pick up a map of the food and wine trails, featuring more than 40 world-class wineries, 10 breweries, five distilleries, three cideries, a meadery, gourmet producers, markets and art studios. Besides the self-drive or chauffeured option, you can take a scenic Swan River cruise from Perth or go wine-hopping in a horse-drawn wagon.
Share this:
Japan’s Island of Art
By Linda Tancs
Nicknamed Japan’s “Island of Art,” art displays and museums can be found all over Naoshima. A small island in the Seto Inland Sea, it has become an international hotspot for contemporary art. Benesse House Museum (both a museum and a hotel) was the very first structure to be built on Naoshima as part of the art island initiative. The newest museum complements Benesse and is home exclusively to contemporary Asian art. Ferries to Naoshima depart from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa and Uno Port in Okayama.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 