Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for February, 2010
Something Old, Something New
By Linda Tancs
There’s nothing borrowed or blue about St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, but there is something old and new about it. What’s new is the 60-plus million dollar renovation, timed to conclude (in substantial part) with the church’s 300-year anniversary. Today’s cathedral, built over three decades, was completed in 1710. Among the many recent improvements, the diocesan seat has been cleaned, repaired and restored both inside and out, the lighting and sound systems have been upgraded and the Grand Organ has had a facelift. What’s old is the battered slab of stone left untouched at the west entrance, a memorial of sorts to a storied past begun three cathedrals ago in A.D. 604 that has since triumphed over the ravages of fire and war and celebrated weddings, funerals, birthdays, jubilees and a number of other remembrances, both imperial and ordinary.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
Mojo for Your Moto
By Linda Tancs
Nothing says sexy like a 1966 Fiat 1600 S or a 1974 Lancia Flavia. Ready to add some mojo to your moto? Then head to Italy where you can tool around in one of these and other well-kept beauties on a vintage car tour around Rome, Milan, Tuscany, Abruzzo or your own custom itinerary. You won’t find a lemon in the bunch.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
Age Is Just a Number
By Linda Tancs
Age limits are arbitrary. Just ask the folks at Exploritas. Formerly known as Elderhostel (sounds a bit hostile to elders, don’t you think?), they removed their travel barriers limiting tours to those aged 60 or over. That change, of course, does not magically transform the composition of a group. So why would a millenial explore the wilds of Iceland with grandpa? Therein lies an answer: family. As it was so wisely put in the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, family is the most precious gift we are given. Looks like Exploritas figured that out, too.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
Do Not Disturb
By Linda Tancs
Those Do Not Disturb signs are as yesterday as dinosaurs at Seattle’s Hotel 1000, where infrared sensors let chambermaids know whether anyone’s home. The question is: does that technology protect Fido’s privacy, too? The hotel is, after all, pet friendly. At a wallet-friendly $40 per stay, your furry friend gets a bed, food and water bowl, chew toys and custom treats, among other things. It’s a dog’s life, indeed.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
A Hotel That Turns Heads
By Linda Tancs
The Marmara Antalya Beach and Resort Hotel in Turkey can turn heads. Perhaps your head–if you stay in one of their 24 club rooms that rotates 360 degrees to give you panoramic views of the Falez Hills of Antalya, the perenially sun-drenched Mediterranean and the hotel’s private beach and grounds. Sounds like a truly eye-catching experience.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
Hawke’s Bay Kidnappers
By Linda Tancs
Although it might sound a bit like something out of a comic strip, Cape Kidnappers is a luxe destination on Hawke’s Bay on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, a site said to be blessed with mucho hours of sunshine. The “kidnappers” part of the equation allegedly derives from an attempt in the 1700s by the local Māori to abduct the servant of a member of Captain Cook’s crew aboard the HMS Endeavor. Nowadays, you can steal away on your own at the resort occupying this site, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. How about a tour of the 6,000 acre working sheep and cattle farm? Or maybe you’d rather commune with the 20,000-strong Booby gannet colony. Much rarer, of course, is the kiwi. Maybe you’ll see one on your discovery walk. Or discover your true handicap at the imposing golf course, hailed as one of the top 50 courses in the world, designed by the legendary Tom Doak. Whatever you do, better rattle your dags while the sun shines. It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, you know.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
Mighty Ice
By Linda Tancs
Unruly amounts of snow and ice pounding the northeastern U.S. this winter would be a most welcome visitor in northeastern China these days as Heilongjiang province celebrates its annual International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin. The arctic climate produces enough ice and snow to produce a slide that rivals that of Atlantis in the Bahamas, a palace to top the Taj and a sphinx to…well, you get the idea. That’s a lot of ice, baby. You can view this arctic architectural achievement until 28 February.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
An Exit Strategy
By Linda Tancs
New Jersey suffers its share of jokes: “I’m from New Jersey. Oh yeah, which exit?” So why not make lemonade out of those lemons. Or beer. That’s what the folks at Flying Fish Brewing Company in Cherry Hill have done. They have an Exit Series celebrating the State’s highway system. In fact, Exit 4 (the others so far are 1 and 11) captured the gold at the Great American Beer Festival. What’s your favorite exit? Hit the road and find out.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
Valentine’s Day is for Tigers
By Linda Tancs
Hearts, flowers and–dumplings? You bet. This year, Valentine’s Day ushers in the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Boiled dumplings are a tradition on New Year’s Eve and symbolize prosperity. So while all you food mavens are rolling those homemade chocolate truffles for your sweetie, why not try a dumpling recipe. May the new year be a happy and healthy one.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Share this:
The Wizard of Menlo Park
By Linda Tancs
History buffs know that the Wizard is none other than Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, phonograph and over 400 other inventions. Menlo Park is the site within Edison, New Jersey where the great innovator worked his magic. Although another museum in West Orange gets more attention (and more tourists), this little enclave on Christie Street has one of those first light bulbs and the letter to the editor giving rise to the Wizard appellation. You would have trouble finding the place but for the concrete tower topped off by a 3.5 ton bulb that rises like a phoenix above the trees on Lincoln Highway. Are you the next great American inventor? Stop by for a visit and maybe you’ll find your muse.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 