Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Author Archive
Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail
By Linda Tancs
The Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail is an all-season trail featuring some of the valley’s best farmlands and historic places. The longest cycling path in Ontario, the multi-use corridor stretches from Smith Falls to Mattawa. A permit is required for ATV and snowmobile use.
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Fishermen’s Island
By Linda Tancs
Accessible only by boat, Fishermen’s Island (Isola dei Pescatori) is the northernmost of Italy’s Borromean islands in Lake Maggiore. The only one to be inhabited year round, it’s particularly known for its fish cuisine given the island’s history as a fishing village. The Church of San Vittore is a national monument, which still has its original apse with a single lancet window dating from the 11th century. The interior includes wooden busts of the apostles Peter and Andrew, the patron saints of fishermen.
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A Symbol of Defiance in Croatia
By Linda Tancs
In 1991, tanks from the Yugoslav People’s Army rolled through Osijek, Croatia. Undeterred, a local resident parked his red Fiat (also called a Fićo) on the street in front of the approaching tanks, blocking the road as an act of defiance. He exited the vehicle before a tank rammed into the car and dragged it along the street before crushing it. A monument was later unveiled to commemorate the event. Known as The Red Fićo, the installation shows a Fiat climbing a tank, symbolizing resistance, and in the end, victory, in the war for independence.
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A Maiden’s Castle in Bulgaria
By Linda Tancs
Vidin is a port city on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. One of its most popular attractions is Baba Vida Fortress, a medieval castle preserved in its original form. According to legend, the fortress takes its name from the eldest daughter of a Bulgarian boyar, Vida, who rejected all proposals for marriage after witnessing the unsuccessful marriages of her sisters. Instead, she built an impregnable castle as her hideaway. The fort served as an armory and prison during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Enjoy the views of the Danube from the top.
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Napoleon’s Place in the Country
By Linda Tancs
Now a museum-château, Malmaison was the private residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine from 1799 to 1814. Just half an hour from Paris, it was their country getaway. After the couple divorced, it remained Joséphine’s residence until her death, where she cultivated the gardens still enjoyed today. Be sure to see the black swans in the small pond at the back of the house. In addition to the natural surroundings, the well-preserved home boasts an important historical art collection and exquisite furniture.
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All About Mustard
By Linda Tancs
At the AnnaMax mustard factory in Austria, mustard is more than just a condiment. It’s where factory owner Rainer Haar creates mustard in over 20 different flavors, with each jar meticulously hand crafted like an art form. In addition to the multitude of flavors, you’ll learn about the cultivation of the mustard plant along with its history and medicinal uses. The facility is located in Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt.
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Path of the Gods
By Linda Tancs
The Path of the Gods (or Sentiero degli Dei in Italian) is a clifftop trail above the Amalfi Coast. Widely regarded as one of the best hiking trails in Italy, the trek runs from Bomerano, near Agerola, to Nocelle in the province of Positano on the slopes of Mount Pertuso. All along the route you can admire the panorama of the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Legend has it that the the name of the trail comes from Homer’s Odyssey, recounting the gods who once rushed to Ulysses from the sirens of Capri and mapped out this path in the process.
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Atlantic Islands of Galicia
By Linda Tancs
Comprising the archipelagos of Cíes, Ons and Cortegada (in Pontevedra) and of Sálvora (in A Coruña), the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park in Spain is a paradise in any season. This time of year, wintering waterbirds are still present in the area, and species like the barn swallow start to arrive to nest in Galicia. If you’re really lucky, you’ll see european shags (a type of cormorant) nesting on steep cliffs and coastal caves. Be sure to check entry requirements for the archipelago of your choice; some, like Cíes, limit the number of visitors each day to protect the biodiversity of this area.
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Gateway to the Black Forest
By Linda Tancs
A gateway to the Black Forest, Breisach is a small German town on the Rhine River. Dominating the skyline is St. Stephen Cathedral, built in the 12th to the 15th centuries in Romanesque and Gothic styles. The church is particularly known for its mural, The Last Judgment, by Martin Schongauer. The Black Forest is an easy excursion away by bus.
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Sun World
By Linda Tancs
Sun World Ba Na Hills is touted as the most significant resort and recreational complex of Vietnam. Located in Da Nang, it boasts stunning mountain views from one of its prized assets, the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian bridge supported by two gargantuan hands. The five cable car routes provide panoramic views as well. For a more grounded experience, head to the French Village, a faithful reproduction of a classic French village. You’ll also want to experience the indoor game zone and the first wax museum in the country.
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