Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Author Archive
A World of Books in Romania
By Linda Tancs
Founded in the 18th century by Hungarian aristocrat Samuel Teleki, Teleki-Bolyai Library in Târgu Mureș, Romania, is a historic public library and museum. It contains a large collection of first editions and important manuscripts documenting Transylvanian history as well as treasures including 15th- to 19th-century encyclopedias. As the venue’s name suggests, it also features the works of János Bolyai, a Hungarian mathematician and one of the founders of non-Euclidean geometry. Located on Bolyai Street, the library is an easy walk from the city center.
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The Bradford Gudgeon
By Linda Tancs
Just 12 minutes by train from Bath, England, Bradford-on-Avon is a picturesque little town located on a bend of the River Avon. It’s known for its iconic, arched stone bridge built in the 13th century. A feature of that bridge is the domed building topped with a fish-shaped weathervane known as the Bradford Gudgeon. In the 17th century it served as a prison (Lock Up), or holding cell, for criminals awaiting their date with the magistrate, who were said to be kept “below the fish and over the water.” You can experience the wait yourself this month, when the Lock Up is open for a few days during Heritage Open Days.
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A Castle in Clare
By Linda Tancs
Set on 26 acres of countryside in County Clare, Ireland’s Bunratty Castle is one of the country’s most historic castles. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country. The castle features prominently as part of a Folk Park, a living museum comprising recreated farmhouses, streets, homes and shops from the 19th century.
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Devine Lavaux
By Linda Tancs
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux, Switzerland, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great way to see them is by taking the Lavaux Express, a tourist train that takes you through the glorious hillsides of this winegrowing region. It operates from April through November.
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Seaside Chic in Normandy
By Linda Tancs
Emerging from the sand dunes in the 1860s, Deauville is a fashionable seaside resort in Normandy, France. Its well-established pastimes include horseracing, polo, golf and high-end shopping—that is, when you’re not enjoying the beach and its iconic wooden boardwalk. This time of year, though, the locale takes center stage for the annual Deauville American Film Festival. Established in 1975, the festival celebrates American cinema. This year’s event runs through September 15.
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Austria’s Steepest Cog Railway
By Linda Tancs
In operation since 1893, Schafbergbahn Cog Railway is Austria’s steepest cog railway. The journey to the top of the Schafberg takes about 35 minutes and begins at the lovely town of St. Wolfgang on the banks of the Wolfgangsee. Covering a distance of 3.6 miles and rising over 3,900 vertical feet to an altitude of 5,682 feet at the terminal station, the railway offers one of the best mountain panoramas in the country.
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Croatia’s Green Island
By Linda Tancs
It’s high season at Mljet National Park, Croatia’s southernmost national park. Its lush, green vegetation has earned it the nickname, “the Green Island.” The majority of the park is covered by forest and, among its many charms, you’ll find two saltwater lakes, the Great Lake and the Small Lake. The Isle of Saint Mary sits within the Great Lake and includes a Benedictine monastery. Park admission includes a visit to it by boat. The villages of Polače and Pomena are connected to the lakes by hiking trails, one of the most popular activities in the park. Get there via ferry from Dubrovnik.
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The Albanians in Tirana
By Linda Tancs
The Albanian capital of Tirana hosts the country’s largest museum, the National Historical Museum. Its distinctive features begin with the exterior, which is adorned by a giant mural known as “The Albanians.” It represents the struggle against invaders over thousands of years. Inside, it boasts most of the country’s archaeological treasures, including a replica of the massive sword of Skanderbeg, a feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Overall, its 6,200 objects date from prehistoric times to the late 20th century.
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Palace of the Parliament
By Linda Tancs
The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, is the second-largest administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.). It’s also the heaviest building in the world, with an estimated weight of 4.1 million tons, due to its construction with vast amounts of steel, bronze, marble, wood and crystal. Created by former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, the building has 12 stories and eight underground levels, the last one being an atomic bunker. Designed to symbolize the triumph of communism in Romania, it now houses the chambers of government and various administrative offices among its staggering 330,000 square meters of space. Entry is by guided tour only.
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The Grand Canyon of Greece
By Linda Tancs
Although no match for Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Vikos Gorge is the deepest gorge in Greece and often referred to as the Greek Grand Canyon. It’s even listed in Guinness World Records as the deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width, which can range to just a few meters at its narrowest point. Located in the Pindus mountain range, now is a good time to visit, when the river is shallow.
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