Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for January, 2026
Japan’s Island of Art
By Linda Tancs
Nicknamed Japan’s “Island of Art,” art displays and museums can be found all over Naoshima. A small island in the Seto Inland Sea, it has become an international hotspot for contemporary art. Benesse House Museum (both a museum and a hotel) was the very first structure to be built on Naoshima as part of the art island initiative. The newest museum complements Benesse and is home exclusively to contemporary Asian art. Ferries to Naoshima depart from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa and Uno Port in Okayama.
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A Reserve for Sperm Whales
By Linda Tancs
Dominica is the only country in the world where sperm whales can be viewed year-round (although sightings are most common between November and March). What better location, then, for the world’s first Sperm Whale Reserve. Located off the island’s western coast, tourists will be able to view the whales from boats. Around 200 of these whales reside in the waters off this Caribbean island.
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The Heights of Old San Juan
By Linda Tancs
Located in the Old San Juan section of San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan National Historic Site preserves and interprets the Spanish colonial-era fortification system of the city. Explore the forts, where you’ll enjoy the views of the highest points of Old San Juan. You can also go meander through tunnels, sentry boxes and WWII lookouts, and learn from the exhibitions explaining the history of the forts. The fortification system defended the city against foreign intrusion and pirate attacks since its inception, with over 500 years of European history embedded in its walls.
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Where Senita and Organ Pipe Grow
By Linda Tancs
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a U.S. national monument and UNESCO biosphere reserve located in extreme southern Arizona that shares a border with the Mexican state of Sonora. Organ pipe cactus is named for its tall, cylindrical stems that grow in clusters, resembling the pipes of a church organ. Senita cactus is sometimes confused with organ pipe and is also found in certain places within the national monument. The park is the only place in the United States where senita and organ pipe cactus grow wild. Come for a wilderness hike, a scenic drive or a night of camping.
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A Hindu Landmark in Singapore
By Linda Tancs
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. A historical landmark, the religion’s rich traditions are amply demonstrated through carvings of Hindu deities on the temple’s exterior, exquisite ceiling paintings in its main hall and five tiers of sculptures of deities and mythological figures in its majestic grand tower entrance. A bustling place of worship, the temple is also the site of sacred events like the annual firewalking festival.
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Zoolumination
By Linda Tancs
Tennessee’s Nashville Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the country. It features more than 3,700 animals representing more than 350 different species. This time of year, though, it’s best known for Zoolumination, an event that boasts over 1,000 stunning Chinese lanterns. The largest festival of its kind in the nation, the theme varies from year to year.
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Capitals of Culture in 2026
By Linda Tancs
In keeping with tradition, we begin the New Year with an announcement on the European Capitals of Culture for 2026: Trenčín in Slovakia and Oulu in Finland. Oulu is a vibrant coastal city sometimes called “the capital of Northern Finland.” One of the featured programs for the year is Climate Clock, a permanent public art trail that will pair artists with scientists to create site-specific outdoor installations that blend into natural and urban settings across the municipality. In Slovakia, Trenčín’s year-long program is themed “Awakening Curiosity.” The goal is to transform the city into a dynamic space for art, creative initiatives and community collaboration, building on a rich heritage of festivals, artistic events and community initiatives.
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