Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for May, 2010
‘Tis The Season
By Linda Tancs
‘Tis the season, and I don’t mean Christmas. As summer rounds the corner, Britain kicks into high gear with a series of glam events characterizing what is known as The Season, starting with the Chelsea Flower Show in London through 29 May. If your plans don’t permit attendance at one of the world’s foremost horticultural shows, don’t worry. It isn’t over until the fat lady sings, as the expression goes. That would be on 29 August, the close of Glyndebourne Festival, an annual opera festival near Lewes, East Sussex. In the meanwhile, you can enjoy the pomp and circumstance at such staples as Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta and Cowes Week.
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Island Life Increases in Borneo
By Linda Tancs
Conservationist group WWF has reported the discovery of new species in Borneo, the world’s third largest island. The newest inhabitants include a lungless frog, a flying amphibian and a slug that shoots love darts. Cupid, you’ve met your match. In the past three years, 123 species of plant and animal have been discovered in this Southeast Asian island paradise about the size of Texas. In particular, there are 66 new plant species, 17 fish, 5 frogs, 3 snakes, 29 invertebrates, 2 lizards and a bird sharing space in what Charles Darwin described as “one great luxuriant hothouse made by nature for herself.” In an effort to prevent overcrowding, efforts are underway to protect 85,000 square miles of rainforest. You can bet at least one frog gives a flying leap about that.
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Dreams for Sale
By Linda Tancs
In the movie Field of Dreams, an Iowa corn farmer interprets voices he hears as a command to build a baseball diamond in his corn fields. Well, the diamond that Universal Studios built for the film, along with a two-bedroom house, six outbuildings and 193 acres in Dyersville, Iowa, is for sale. Apparently, the owners are ready to retire and let someone else carry on the tourist attraction summoning over a million visitors since the movie’s release two decades ago. Time to ask yourself: if you buy it, will they come?
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Mark Twain Slept Here
By Linda Tancs
Mark Twain, the celebrated creator of such classic characters as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, lived from 1874 to 1891 in a nineteen-room Victorian mansion in Hartford, Connecticut. A National Historic Landmark featuring interior decor designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (of lamp fame), the property commemorates this year the 100th anniversary of Twain’s death and 125 years since publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Visit the billiard room where Twain did his writing and see the bed carved with angels where he slept. Who knows, maybe you’ll catch some inspiration.
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The Yacht Industry’s Finest
By Linda Tancs
This Saturday’s 5th Annual World Superyacht Awards at London’s Guildhall demonstrates just how much size really does matter. The gala awards show and dinner showcases the best of the best in superyacht design this year. Fourteen Neptune awards will be issued, including best long distance voyager, best young designer, outstanding contributor to the industry, and yachts of the year in categories such as motor, refitted and sailing. Interested in attending? Alas, priority goes to yachtsmen. The rudderless can always watch the video.
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Ukraina’s Facelift Complete in Moscow
By Linda Tancs
Warm spring weather in Moscow provides leisurely boating opportunities down the Western bank of the Moscow River. For guests at the newly renovated Hotel Ukraina, a jaunt from the hotel’s jetty makes cruising a breeze. The 1950s Gothic-style monument to Stalin’s regime strikes quite the pose against the skyline opposite the Russian Government’s White House. A stone’s throw from the commercial hustle and bustle of Novy Arbat Street, the 30-story building with a combination of 1000 rooms, suites or apartments will reopen on 1 June, offering grand panoramic views of the city. In keeping with its moniker, the hotel offers a renowned authentic Ukranian restaurant. Other amenities include a 24-hour fully equipped business center, conference facilities, on-site shopping and a sightseeing and excursion bureau, all in the heart of Moscow.
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Birders Love Mindo
By Linda Tancs
Mindo, Ecuador is a birder’s paradise. An easy 2-hour bus ride from Quito, this corner of northwestern Ecuador is home to hundreds of varieties of hummingbirds as well as the cock-of-the-rock, a South American denizen bearing an orange-crested head and brilliant orange, black and white feathers along its back and wings. Budding birders and pros alike will benefit from a guided tour, proceeds of which may likely benefit conservation efforts, depending on the tour company selected.
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Kittitian Heritage Year Round
By Linda Tancs
How often have you dreamed of living the island life? Cool ocean breezes, swaying palms, golden sunsets. It’s all yours at St. Kitt’s Christophe Harbour. Riviera-inspired retreats are now available at Sandy Bank Bay, a horseshoe bay with two reefs and a natural sand bank more than 100 yards long. Amenities in this exclusive community include a beach club, golf course and marina slips for megayachts. All yours for under a cool million–for now. Any takers?
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A Parade of Lilacs This Weekend
By Linda Tancs
Spokane, Washington will be awash in lilac for the 72nd season during this weekend’s lilac festival. The theme for this year’s torchlit parade on 15 May is “Freedom is Not Free,” a nod to the event’s long abiding collaboration with the local air force base to celebrate Armed Forces Day. A number of local hotels are offering lodging packages for guests. While you’re there, why not tour the new neighborhood aquatic center that opened yesterday. Or take the kids cycling on the Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved trail from Nine Mile Falls to the state line. As they say in the Lilac City, bring your family and leave your worries behind.
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Another Reason to Visit Paris in Springtime
By Linda Tancs
For the sixth year this Saturday, the currency-challenged can enjoy free access to the museums of Paris. Dubbed La Nuit des Musées (Night of the Museums), the event signifies one day of the year when access to many museums in Paris (and the rest of France) is free for one evening. Among the highlights: for collectors, there’s The National Library of France: Museum of Coins, Medals and Antiques; Petit Palais, where “The History of French Art” is painted on the dome above the circular staircase; Monet’s “Water Lilies” at Musée de l’Orangerie; the 18th century art collection of Cognacq and Jay, founders of La Samaritaine, at Musée Cognacq-Jay; and Parisian history at Musée Carnavalet. Expect long lines.
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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.
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