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
Shakespeare Played Here
By Linda Tancs
The Guildhall of St. George is a Grade I-listed building in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. Founded in 1376 as a religious fellowship, it’s the largest surviving medieval guildhall in the country. It was the site of a theatrical production at least as early as 1445, when a nativity play was produced. Its biggest claim to fame, though, is the contention that even Shakespeare performed there. Recent academic research supports the local tradition that Shakespeare played there with the Earl of Pembroke’s Men in 1593, when London theaters were closed because of plague. Performances at the guildhall became so popular that a new theater was built in the 1700s. Today the guildhall is used as a public space for performances, lectures and entertainment.
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Iron Age Denmark
By Linda Tancs
The Early Iron Age in Denmark covers the period from 500 B.C. until 400 A.D. Arguably one of the most important discoveries of the period was Tollund Man, a mummified corpse left for dead in a Danish bog some 2,400 years ago. So named for the two discoverers who hailed from Tollund (located close to the bog), the reason for his death is unknown to this day although human sacrifice was fairly common during that time. The body is a main feature at Silkeborg Museum in Hovedgården, where you can immerse yourself in the history of the Silkeborg region from ancient times to the present day.
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An Ear for Liberty in France
By Linda Tancs
French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi is perhaps best known for creating the Statue of Liberty. You’ll find a museum dedicated to his works in the home of his birth in Colmar, France. Among the exhibits is a full-size plaster model of Lady Liberty’s left ear. You’ll also find statues that he created for his hometown, as well as family furniture, personal souvenirs, models, drawings, paintings, engravings and photographs. Give yourself at least an hour for a tour; audio guides are available for a fee.
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Gateway to the Durham Dales
By Linda Tancs
Known as the gateway to the Durham Dales, Bishop Auckland is a bustling market town in England’s Vale of Durham. As the name implies, the town was home to the bishops of Durham. Their principal residence for centuries was Auckland Castle, one of the best-preserved bishop’s palaces in Europe. Also known as “Kings of the North,” they would come to be known as prince-bishops owing to the princely powers granted to them by the king, such as the power to mint their own coins and levy taxes, raise an army and establish their own legal court. Now a tourist attraction, the castle still houses the bishop’s offices.
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Europe’s Highest Sea Cliff
By Linda Tancs
Europe’s highest sea cliff is Hornelen in western Norway. Situated in the Nordfjord region on the island of Bremangerlandet, it’s a popular destination for hikers seeking rewarding views of ocean, islands, fjords, villages, mountains and glaciers. The already challenging route is even more adventurous, however, with the addition of a via ferrata (“iron path”) climbing route, a form of mountain climbing that utilizes steel cables and fixed ladders to aid climbers. The new route features three options, the easiest of which, a two-hour route called Ørnelia, is for beginners. The intermediate route, called the Wall of Witches, takes about six hours to complete. The expert level climb, Olaf’s Route, requires the most experience and will take a day to complete.
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The Key to England
By Linda Tancs
The history of England’s Dover Castle begins in the 1180s, when King Henry II commenced building of the present fortress. It’s known as the “key to England” because of its strategic location overlooking the English Channel from the White Cliffs of Dover and its defensive significance. In fact, the castle has played a crucial role in the defense of the realm for over nine centuries, a span equaled only by the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. Remarkably, an even older structure exists within the castle walls, a lighthouse built by the Romans to guide ships into the harbor after they invaded in A.D. 43. One of only three Roman lighthouses to survive from the whole of the former Roman Empire, it is also the most complete standing Roman building in England.
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The Ulysses Riviera
By Linda Tancs
Named for its mythological origins, Italy’s Ulysses Riviera is a coastline running from San Felice Circeo to Minturno that’s known for its natural beauty and archaeological sites. One of its beautiful seaside towns is Gaeta, which dates to Imperial Rome. Not surprisingly, it boasts a protected area with Roman ruins, which is set within Monte Orlando Park. Its most stunning attraction is arguably the Sanctuary of the Split Mountain—an 11th-century Benedictine monastery built into the cliffs and grottoes of the park. Its appearance today reflects renovations dating to the 17th century that incorporate Neapolitan and Spanish baroque styles. Popes, kings, bishops and saints have been counted among its visitors. You can reach the sanctuary from the city center of Gaeta going through Via Munazio Planco and following the indications along the road.
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Steaming Through the Doux
By Linda Tancs
The Train de l’Ardèche follows a railway line linking Tournon-sur-Rhône and Lamastre, a route built in the 1800s to transport people, goods and mail. Its Mallot steam locomotives were especially built for this line, a narrow gauge track following the Doux River through beautiful gorges, scenic views of villages and countryside, chestnut groves and orchards. The main station is Tournon St Jean situated in the village of St-Jean-de-Muzols, not far from Tournon-sur-Rhône. However, you can also depart from the stations in Boucieu le Roi and Lamastre. Events are offered throughout the year, ranging from Western-themed trips to wine tastings and decorated trains for Halloween.
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The Magic of Ashdown Forest
By Linda Tancs
Ashdown Forest is an ancient area of open heathland occupying the highest sandy ridge-top of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in East Sussex, England. It’s perhaps better known as the woodland that inspired one of the best-loved children’s stories of all time, Winnie the Pooh. The loop trail around the forest explores locations that correspond to the Hundred Acre Wood from the story. The route begins at Gill’s Lap car park and heads north, passing Gill’s Lap Clump. There you’ll find a commemoration stone for the author A.A. Milne and the illustrator E.H. Shepard. The route continues to Wrens Warren Valley, known as Eeyore’s sad and gloomy place in the story. The trail is open year round.
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House of the Ninth Symphony
By Linda Tancs
In the center of Baden, Austria, a very ordinary house boasts an extraordinary history. It’s the home where the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven lived in the 1820s and composed much of his ninth symphony. To appreciate his musical genius, Beethovenhaus offers audio tours featuring his famous symphony. You’ll also find artifacts like a lock of his hair and the grand piano that he played.
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