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 Lady of the North
By Linda Tancs
A new English lady is borne out of over a million tons of rock, clay and soil in the English countryside near the Northumberland town of Cramlington. Christened Northumberlandia and coined “the lady of the north,” the colossal depiction of a reclining female figure, 100 feet high and a quarter mile long, is the centerpiece of a new public park. Open year round, the 46-acre community park features free public access and four miles of footpaths on and around the sculpture.
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Eat With the Locals
By Linda Tancs
Tired of hotel food? Are restaurant experiences too isolating, or expensive? Why not dine with the locals! The EatWith program offers travelers a taste of down home cookin.’ Choose from a variety of destinations and dining experiences. Hosts that are “verified” meet quality standards under the program. Fees vary based on the nature of the culinary event, like homemade paella from a backyard grill in Toledo, Spain, or a nine-course meal at a family farm outside Florence, Italy. Bring your appetite.
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Timeless Elegance
By Linda Tancs
A grand dame of European hotels, Copenhagen’s five-star d’Angleterre retains its timeless elegance following a two year renovation. Dating to 1755, the palatial icon’s first iteration on Kongens Nytorv arose from the culinary and servile aptitudes of a royal servant and the daughter of a royal chef. The founders’ culinary talents and exceptional service are a hallmark of this grand hotel still today. Prepare to be pampered.
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Verdi Festival Celebrates Milestone
By Linda Tancs
As any foodie knows, the Italian city of Parma is famous for its prosciutto and cheese. The Parma region is also the birthplace of the great Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi. This year’s annual Verdi festival, taking place now through 31 October, celebrates the composer’s 200th birthday. In addition to performances at the Regio Theatre of Parma, events will also take place at the Verdi Theatre in nearby Busseto. Enjoy performances of Falstaff, Simon Boccanegra, I Masnadieri, and Messa da Requiem.
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The Diversity of Slovenia
By Linda Tancs
Boasting one of the most diverse landscapes in Europe, Slovenia is a treasure trove of uplands and lowlands, karst and castles, alpine lakes and majestic mountains. Learn about its natural and cultural highlights at Travelrific® Radio.
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England’s Oldest Racecourse
By Linda Tancs
Chester, England rightly takes its place in horse racing history, the first recorded race dating back to 1539 during the reign of King Henry VIII. Known as the Roodee, the course is the oldest one still in use in England. The 2013 season ends this Saturday with a series of class 3 and class 4 stakes with prizes ranging from £8,000 to £50,000. Situated in the heart of Chester and easily accessible by road or rail, the course is signed from all the major routes into Chester on race days.
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A Rare Glimpse of a Goldsmiths’ Pavilion
By Linda Tancs
The Goldsmiths’ Company, founded in London to regulate the craft and trade of the goldsmith, received its first royal charter in 1327. Thanks to its efforts you can be assured of the quality of gold, silver and more recently, platinum. The guild is housed in Goldsmiths’ Hall, a hidden gem just northeast of St. Paul’s Cathedral at the junction of Foster Lane and Gresham Street. The palatial-style building is never open to the public except during exhibitions and designated open days. That’s why the Goldsmiths’ Fair is a great opportunity to steep yourself in its long history. Taking place from 23 to 29 September and then from 1 to 6 October, the fair gives discerning collectors the world over a chance to meet the up-and-coming designers of jewelry and silverware design.
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The Island of Magic
By Linda Tancs
Recently named in a travel magazine survey as the world’s friendliest city, it isn’t hard to see why the stretch of beaches comprising Brazil’s Florianópolis earns it the nickname, the island of magic. About 450 miles southwest of Rio de Janeiro, this beachy destination easily gives glam spots like Ibiza or Punta del Este a run for their money. Originally renowned for its surfing holes like Joaquina, Praia Mole and Praia Brava, its cosmopolitan flair can’t be missed on Jurerê Internacional, Canasvieiras, and Ingleses on the north end of the island, where domestic and international tourists mix and mingle in trendy beach bars and nightclubs. For a little more peace and tranquility, witness the traditional Azorean customs still practiced on the island’s south end or visit the city centre for ample remnants of its colonial past. Whatever you do, prepare to be spellbound.
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Longitude 131°
By Linda Tancs
Longitude 131° is more than just a coordinate. It’s an experience in Australia’s Outback that puts the glam in glamping. Located near Ayers Rock Resort with complimentary transfers from the area airport, the luxury resort sports only 15 “tents,” each comprising a white dome roof and fabric draped from the center to create the illusion of camping’s more rustic nature. But that doesn’t make the experience any less adventurous–the World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjutaof National Park beckons just minutes from your door.
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The Bard of Eastwood
By Linda Tancs
It’s an auspicious year in Eastwood, England, the hometown of writer D.H. Lawrence. Not only are they celebrating the centenary of the author’s semi-autobiographical novel Sons and Lovers, but 2013 also marks the 10th anniversary of the annual D.H. Lawrence Festival. In conjunction with the D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre, the events on tap through 21 September include a series of lectures, exhibitions and guided walks, like the Blue Line Trail. The one-hour walk takes in sights like the library where a young D.H. would read, the chapel where his family worshipped and the pub renamed the Moon and Stars in his breakthrough novel. Join the D.H. Lawrence Society today for their special birthday lecture on Lawrence as a philosophical novelist.
