Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for October, 2024
Halloween in NYC
By Linda Tancs
One of the most iconic events in New York City is the annual Halloween parade in Greenwich Village. Now in its 51st year, the parade starts at 7 p.m. with participants lined up on Canal Street and 6th Avenue. The procession can be viewed on 6th Avenue from King Street to 15th Street. Anyone can march in the parade, provided that you’re wearing a costume. You’ll be joined by hundreds of giant puppets, dancers and bands.
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Turtle Watching in Costa Rica
By Linda Tancs
Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Tortuguero (meaning “turtle catcher”) National Park is a must-see destination for turtle watching. It provides nesting beaches for four species of turtles: leatherback, loggerhead, green sea and hawksbill. You may see individual turtles at any time of the year, but the prime nesting season for green sea, loggerhead and endangered hawksbill turtles is July through October. Leatherbacks, the world’s largest turtle, nest from March to May. The park is also a prime nesting site for the endangered and elusive green macaw.
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Cave Churches in Türkiye
By Linda Tancs
A highlight of any Cappadocian itinerary in Türkiye is Göreme Open Air Museum, a treasure trove of ancient cave churches. A brief walk from Göreme’s village center, the UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a cluster of rock-cut churches with stunning frescoes. The most famous of them (commanding a separate entrance fee) is Dark Church, so named because it received little light through a small window in the narthex. As a result, its frescoes are vibrant and well preserved and include scenes such as the Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Betrayal of Judas and the Crucifixion. Buckle Church, the oldest of the cave churches, is located outside of the open-air museum complex but does not require a fee.
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The Ladder of Kotor
By Linda Tancs
Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor. Flanked by mountains, the bay is often erroneously called Europe’s southernmost fjord but it was not carved by glaciers. Instead, it was created when rising sea levels drowned an ancient river valley, forming what is known as a ria. Regardless what you call it, the glorious views are best taken in by hiking the route known as the Ladder of Kotor. The trailhead is just outside of Old Town, and the trek boasts more than 70 switchbacks. A round-trip hike is 8 miles on rocky terrain but the breathtaking views are worth the effort. For the best photographs, leave in the morning to avoid shooting into the afternoon sun.
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The Champagne Route
By Linda Tancs
The Champagne Route in France stretches for about 435 miles across the Grand Est region. Its epicenter is arguably Reims, where you’ll find some of the largest and most celebrated champagne houses, many of which are open for tours and tastings. A key attraction is Domaine Pommery, covering 123 acres and 11 miles of cellars and tunnels. You’ll even see underground cathedrals dating from the Gallo-Roman era, some of which have monumental bas-reliefs sculpted in chalk. Chalk is a unique feature of the region, and houses like Pommery are fortunate to have their cellars buried in historic chalk pits. Get there via a 45-minute train ride from Paris.
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A High Plateau in Austria
By Linda Tancs
Situated on a sunny plateau high above Innsbruck, Austria, is where you’ll find the Tyrolean village of Seefeld. Typical of the region, it’s prized for its rugged mountain vistas and horse-drawn carriage rides. It’s also arguably the preeminent destination for cross-country skiing, boasting mile after mile of trails for every skill level. Less common for the area is the octagonal shape of its prized icon, the Seekirchl chapel. Completed in 1666, the early Baroque-style church is a favorite for shutterbugs. Travel there via Innsbruck, where transfers take about 30 minutes.
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The Hot Spot of the Azores
By Linda Tancs
Furnas is a small town with a big draw in São Miguel Island, Azores. That’s because it’s a thermal hotspot boasting close to 30 bubbling, steaming calderas and fumaroles of different temperatures in the center of town. In addition to taking a dip in natural thermal pools and hiking around the crater lake, don’t miss the opportunity to eat a nature-baked meal. A longstanding tradition is a Portuguese stew (cozido) comprising a carefully layered pot of pork, beef, chicken, sausages, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and kale that is cooked slowly in the ground for around six hours. Virtually every restaurant offers a version of this meal; reservations are a must.
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Trees of Life in Tanzania
By Linda Tancs
The giant baobab is known as Africa’s “tree of life.” It’s an apt description, considering that they’re a source of food, water and shelter for numerous species and are also used medicinally. Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is known for its baobabs. A great way to see the abundance of this national icon is by taking a nature walk in the company of a guide. The best time for a walk is from June to October.
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New Zealand’s Glacier Country
By Linda Tancs
Glacier Country is located on the West Coast of the South Island in New Zealand. In the heart of the country is the town of Franz Josef (named for an Austrian emperor), which serves the glacier of the same name. The glacier descends from the tops of the Southern Alps into rainforest close to sea level. For a close encounter, consider a guided ice walk or heli-hike. Another must-see in town is the West Coast Wildlife Centre, where kiwi take center stage. In fact, the center has hatched and incubated over 385 rowi kiwi—the rarest kiwi on the planet with less than 600 left alive in the wild today.
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Gateway to the Sahara
By Linda Tancs
Erfoud, Morocco, is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara” due to its proximity to Erg Chebbi, a striking sand dunes formation. Other attractions in the area are the palm groves and fossil exhibits. The arid, otherworldly scenery formed the backdrop for Hollywood films like The Prince of Persia and The Mummy. You can take in the magical setting from Borj Est, a military fortification on a hill that provides the perfect vantage point for watching the sunset over the surrounding mountains and dunes.
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