Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!The House on Ellicott Hill
By Linda Tancs
The first American flag raised in Mississippi occurred on Ellicott’s Hill in 1797. The House on Ellicott Hill is one of the first houses built in Natchez. A National Historic Landmark, it boasts a two-story structure with double galleries and canted roof and is one of the earliest territorial buildings to exhibit the definitive characteristics of the Federal style. Located on Canal Street, the house is open for groups by appointment and during Spring, Fall and Christmas tour seasons.
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St. Patrick’s Well
Named for an Irish cave in which St. Patrick prayed, St. Patrick’s Well (Pozzo di San Patrizio) is a stunning shaft in Orvieto, Italy. The well shaft is 203 feet deep and 42 feet wide, adorned by 72 windows and two staircases that meet at the bottom. It was dug at the behest of Pope Clement VII, who had taken refuge in Orvieto during the Sack of Rome in 1527, an event that saw the capture of Rome by the mutinous troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. You’ll find it in the center of Orvieto near gardens that include Etruscan remains.
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Ohio’s German Village
By Linda Tancs
Just south of downtown Columbus, Ohio, German Village is a historic neighborhood built by German settlers in the mid-1800s. Structures and sidewalks are orange masonry, and many streets (about half) are still constructed of brick pavers. Remarkably preserved, German Village Tours offers resident-led walking tours of the area. You can also download a map from the German Village Society.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 