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
The Half Penny Bridge
By Linda Tancs
A cherished landmark over the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, Ha’Penny Bridge is the city’s oldest pedestrian crossing. Erected in 1816 as the Wellington Bridge, the distinctive cast-iron structure takes its nickname from the half-penny toll levied on all users of the bridge up to 1919. Visit at night for the illuminated bridge’s reflection in the river, especially on a still evening.
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A Farm’s Wildlife Refuge
By Linda Tancs
Forming part of a family-owned ranch, Curú Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge on the southern Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Biodiversity is its hallmark, boasting a rich and diverse wildlife in five different habitat types ranging from marine zones and mangrove swamps, tropical dry and moist forest, and farmland. In addition to 232 species of birds along with iguanas, deer and monkeys, you might spot ocelots, pumas, margay cats or collared peccari. Choose a hiking trail; each one features its own sights and habitats. Ranging from easy to challenging, easiest walks are the trails called Laguna, Toledo, Finca los Monos and Ceiba.
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Levels and Moors in Somerset
By Linda Tancs
Among the lowest, flattest areas in the U.K., England’s Somerset Levels & Moors are an intricate, managed landscape developed over centuries from the drainage and irrigation of land for agriculture and to manage flood risk. At its heart lies a beautiful, internationally renowned area called the Avalon Marshes, one of the finest remaining lowland wetlands left in Britain and a critical home for vulnerable wetland bird populations such as the Bittern. Off the beaten track, its tranquility is often overlooked but it’s well served by footpaths and cycle routes.
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A Jewel in the Algarve
By Linda Tancs
Sporting a “skylight” courtesy of Mother Nature, Benagil Caves in Portugal’s Algarve region is arguably the jewel in its crown. Along with its natural light, a distinguishing feature of this grotto is the beach inside. The best way to visit the caves is by boat, kayak or stand-up paddle. Boats depart from several nearby locations such as Portimão, Carvoeiro or Albufeira. Generally, boat tours will not afford you the opportunity to spend time on the beach; choose a kayaking or paddle boarding excursion instead. Go early during high season to avoid the traffic.
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On the Outskirts of An Old Town
By Linda Tancs
On the outskirts of an old town center in Berlin, Germany, Köpenick Palace is the most important surviving palace from the reign of the Hohenzollern dynasty. The only Baroque building in Berlin to survive in its original state, it’s located on a man-made island in the Dahme River. Inside you’ll find the Museum of Decorative Arts, boasting ornaments, silverware and furniture in the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles. While you’re there, enjoy the palace park, meander along the medieval streets of Köpenick Old Town or take a boat ride.
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The Centerpiece of Brest
By Linda Tancs
Rising over 85 feet, Petit Minou Lighthouse is the centerpiece of Brest harbor in France. What distinguishes this lighthouse from so many others is the picturesque cobblestone bridge leading to it. Built in 1848, it stands next to a 17th-century fort constructed to defend the harbor against British attack. Hiking and surfing amidst lighthouse views are popular activities.
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A Storied Jewel Near Milan
By Linda Tancs
Separated from Milan by the Ticino River, Vigevano was a silk-manufacturing town. It’s known for its portico-lined Piazza Ducale, considered by some to be Italy’s most beautiful square. At over 400 feet long and nearly 160 feet wide, it seems out of scale for a small city, but its grandeur is explainable given its link to Milan and the House of Sforza. Ludovico Maria Sforza, the powerful Duke of Milan, commissioned the square’s construction as a regal antechamber for Sforzesco Castle. Today this ducal square is known for its bars, restaurants and shopping.
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Spectacular Caves in Italy
By Linda Tancs
One of the largest known cave systems in Europe, Italy’s Frasassi Caves (Grotte di Frasassi) in Le Marche is one of the country’s most popular show caves. Accessible only via guided tours, highlights include Ancona Abyss with its vaulted ceilings over 600 feet high, a crystallized lake and a cavern of stalagmites resembling candles. A limited number of timed, online tickets are available, which is particularly convenient during high season; otherwise, you can purchase them on site at the ticket office.
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A Wonky House in Lavenham
By Linda Tancs
Built in 1395, The Crooked House in Lavenham, England, is said to be inspired by the old English nursery rhyme “There was a Crooked Man.” Its off-centeredness owes to the hastiness of the wealthy wool merchant who wanted a grand estate. The wood used to build the house wasn’t properly seasoned; as it dried, the timber-framed house twisted and contorted, resulting in a very strong but also very crooked house. One of Britain’s favorite fairytale homes, it’s arguably also one of the most photographed in the world. Today it’s owned by two self-proclaimed “Crooked Men” who offer immersive experiences like theatrical house tours and black tie dinners.
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Two Centuries of Shoemaking
By Linda Tancs
Boasting two centuries of history, Clarks shoes began with James Clark’s idea to turn leftover rug-making material from the company’s origin into slippers. Now in a striking modern building beside Clarks Village (an outlet shopping center spread across the company’s former factory site), Shoemakers Museum documents the development of the global footwear retailer. Located in Street, England, the 100,000-strong collection of objects is complemented by historical accounts of shoemaking technology amid cultural and social evolution.
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