Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for international travel
French Inspiration in Bedfordshire
By Linda Tancs
Wrest Park is a country estate located in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, England. It comprises a Grade I-listed country house as well as formal gardens. Wrest Park’s significance lies in its unique architecture, a rare example of a 19th-century mansion built in the style of an 18th-century French chateau. This time of year it hosts the biggest, most action-packed St. George’s Day celebration in the country. Enjoy a weekend of shows, battles, games, performances and activities culminating in England’s most legendary battle between George and the dragon.
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A Medieval Gateway in Cornwall
By Linda Tancs
Of Arthurian legend, Tintagel Castle is a medieval fortification located on the peninsula of Tintagel Island adjacent to the village of Tintagel, North Cornwall, in England. Cross the footbridge to the island, where you’ll delight in amazing views of the Cornish coast and the sea. Key highlights include the remains of the Great Hall with its spectacular coastal views and the medieval chapel ruins. You can also visit Merlin’s Cave via a steep path down to the beach below the castle. At low tide, you can walk directly into the cave, so sturdy footwear is recommended as the rocks can be slippery. Be mindful of the tide schedule to ensure a safe visit, as the cave is completely submerged at high tide. You’ll need a timed ticket to access the castle and explore the area. Visit this time of year for clearer views and fewer crowds.
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Patagonia’s Chocolate Capital
By Linda Tancs
Commonly called Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche is a town in Argentina’s Patagonia region. It borders Nahuel Huapi, a large glacial lake surrounded by the Andes Mountains. Bariloche is known for its Swiss alpine-style architecture and its chocolate. In fact, in 2015 it was declared the national capital of chocolate. An annual festival takes place around this time of year, featuring various activities like chocolate-making workshops, tastings and displays of large chocolate sculptures, including record-breaking ones like the longest chocolate bar.
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Iceland’s Capital of the North
By Linda Tancs
Iceland’s second-largest city, Akureyri is often referred to as the “Capital of the North.” Located at the base of Eyjafjörður fjord in northern Iceland, it’s rooted in Viking history with origins dating to A.D. 890. One of the country’s longest and most scenic fjords, it’s considered one of the best places to observe humpback whales. The city also boasts a vibrant arts scene and a botanic garden with over 430 native species that benefit from a favorable microclimate. Take advantage of free city bus transportation.
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Seahenge
By Linda Tancs
Norfolk’s hidden gem of a beach, Holme Beach, came into the spotlight in 1998 with the historical discovery of Seahenge, a 4000-year-old Bronze Age timber circle so named for its resemblance to Stonehenge in Wiltshire. The structure comprised a large tree stump surrounded by 55 timber posts. Its exact purpose remains unknown although many theorize it was part of a funerary ritual representing a mortuary enclosure for excarnation. The site was eventually excavated and restored and can now be seen at Lynn Museum in Kings Lynn, England.
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The Blond Beach
By Linda Tancs
Despite the prevalence of black sand beaches arising from volcanic activity, Iceland actually has beaches with white sand. And no, that’s not an April Fools’ Day joke. Just head to Skarðsvík on the northwestern tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Its golden sandy beach is sometimes referred to as the “blond beach.” You might even be tempted to think you’re on a Mediterranean shoreline were it not for the volcanic landscape surrounding its turquoise waters. But unlike its white-sand cousins, you’d be better off admiring it from behind the shoreline; its currents are notoriously strong.
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An Inspiring Castle in Antrim
By Linda Tancs
Northern Ireland’s Dunluce Castle is more than just another medieval ruin. After all, its exterior featured as the Seat of House Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. It also appeared on the inner gatefold of the Led Zeppelin album Houses of the Holy. Some even say it was the inspiration for the great castle Cair Paravel in CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. Inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans, its dramatic history is matched by its its perch on a craggy headland accessible via a bridge from the mainland. There’s evidence of settlement from the first millennium although the present castle ruins date mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. You can get a nice view of the castle from the nearby Magheracross Lookout and picnic area. There’s no need to pre-book a visit to the castle but there is an entrance fee.
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The Ornament of Bristol
By Linda Tancs
Britain’s Sir Abraham Elton referred to Clifton Suspension Bridge as “the ornament of Bristol and the wonder of the age.” Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (a key figure in Victorian engineering), it was completed in 1864, standing majestically 245 feet above the Avon Gorge. The city’s icon boasts Egyptian-inspired towers and sweeping suspension cables, its original chains still intact. On the Leigh Woods (North Somerset) side of the bridge, a museum is open daily with free admission. It features displays and artifacts on the bridge’s construction and ongoing maintenance.
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Seals in New Zealand
By Linda Tancs
Kaikōura is a year-round destination, but the best time to see seal pups in this coastal New Zealand town is fast approaching. Located on the South Island, the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway is particularly known for its wildlife as well as ocean views. It starts at the town center and offers several viewpoints. You can walk the whole track to Point Kean car park in under an hour. It’s also a great place to eat crayfish. In the Māori language, “kai” means food; “kōura” means crayfish.
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The Traveling Show Chronicles
By Linda Tancs
Based at the University of Sheffield in Yorkshire, England, the National Fairground and Circus Archive chronicles every aspect of the fair, circus and allied entertainments, and the culture, business and life of traveling show people in Britain. The collection includes photographic, printed, manuscript and audiovisual materials on entertainment related to fairground, circus, variety and music hall, magic, sideshows, boxing booths, traveling cinematograph shows, pleasure and zoological gardens, amusement and theme parks, menageries, performing animals, optical illusion, traveling exhibitions, seaside entertainment and world’s fairs and expositions. Among the highlighted collections you’ll find one of the most important collections of early British cinema ephemera in the U.K. curated by leading film historian, author and collector Bill Barnes as well as the largest public collection of circus history in the country. A reading room is available during opening hours for exploration of the archives.
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