Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for December, 2012
Oldest Gingerbread Recipe
By Linda Tancs
Passau, Germany is a gem along the Danube, particularly during the holidays. Its Christmas markets are a popular tourist stop, offering handicrafts for the holidays as well as gingerbread. Lebkuchen (gingerbread) is a classic holiday treat, and Passau reportedly is the site of the oldest gingerbread recipe.
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World’s Largest Model Railroad
By Linda Tancs
Located in Flemington, New Jersey, Northlandz is home to the world’s largest model railroad according to Guinness World Records, boasting up to 100 trains traveling on eight miles of track, 40-foot bridges, huge canyons, and thousands of buildings nestled among cities and villages. You’ll need at least two hours to tour the 16-acre site, which includes a 94-room dollhouse and over 200 dolls. There’s nothing small scale about this family attraction.
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Earth’s Lowest and Oldest City
By Linda Tancs
At over 800 feet below sea level, Palestine’s Jericho is the lowest city on earth. Sometimes referred to as the City of Palm Trees, Jericho is also the oldest city at 10,000 years and counting. Located north of the Dead Sea and west of the Jordan River, it was the first city in the Old Testament to fall to the Israelites under Joshua. Ancient Jericho is just a few short miles from the city center.
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America’s Christmas Hometown
By Linda Tancs
It’s hard to miss the spirit of the season in a town called Santa Claus, Indiana. Enjoy the Christmas Celebration, which takes place on the first three weekends in December. The Christmas-themed attractions include the Candy Castle, Santa’s Post Office, and Santa’s Tree of Lights, which comes to life hourly at Kringle Place. While you’re in town, take a drive through the Land of Lights at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. Munch on roasted chestnuts as you shop at the Christmas Store and craft stalls. Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’?
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A Presidential Retreat
By Linda Tancs
Nowadays our U.S. presidents retreat to Camp David for a little respite. But in Teddy Roosevelt’s day, Sagamore Hill was a presidential oasis–actually, the homefront–for one of the first presidents to be extensively chronicled. Located in Oyster Bay, New York, the grounds comprise the stately Roosevelt home, the museum at Old Orchard (formerly, eldest son Ted’s home), a visitors’ center, and a nature trail leading to the national wildlife refuge on Cold Spring Harbor. Although the house is closed for renovations, why not take in a peaceful visit of the park grounds during this off-season. The museum and vistors’ center are open Wednesdays through Sundays.
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The Tallest Small Mountains
By Linda Tancs
In the northern part of Slovakia bordering Poland you’ll find High Tatras, the tallest small mountains in the world. Twenty six of its peaks are 2500 meters above sea level. Of those accessible to tourists, Lomnický Peak is one of the most popular. Reachable by guided hike or via cable car from Tatranska Lomnice, the peak once known as Dedo (“Grandpa”) sports the the highest situated Astronomical and Meteorological Observatory in Slovakia at the cable car station.
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Doomsday Deal in Mexico
By Linda Tancs
The Mayan calendar ends on 21 December this year. So perhaps it’s fitting that a Mexican hotel should capitalize on Doomsday mania by offering an end-of-world promotion. That’s right. Book any three-night stay or longer that includes 21 December at Condo Hotels Playa del Carmen and get a complimentary stay on that day. If the world should end, you’ll get double your money back. Now that’s cheeky.
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