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 Grassalkovich Era
By Linda Tancs
The palace of Gödöllő is a baroque masterpiece just 20 miles northeast of Budapest, Hungary. Commissioned by Count Antal Grassalkovich I in the early 1700s, its ornate Grand Hall, tapestried rooms, red marble bath, conservatory and theatre represent the life and times of the area’s nobility. The palace remained in the possession of the Grassalkovich family until the death of the last male heir in the 1800s. Later purchased for the Crown, it was the favorite palace of Elisabeth, Queen of Hungary. The palace and its grounds are easily accessible by car, bus, train or suburban rail (HÉV).
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Matterhorn of the Pacific
By Linda Tancs
Ball’s Pyramid has–you guessed it–a pyramidal shape reminiscent of Zermatt’s Matterhorn. Technically an erosional remnant of a shield volcano and caldera formed millions of years ago, the rocky islet named after its discoverer Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball is located 12 miles southeast of Lord Howe Island in the Pacific Ocean. At 1844 feet in height, this Australian wonder is a climber’s paradise. Apparently, it’s not so bad for the “tree lobster” as well. The rarest of species, it was discovered clinging to the last bit of plant life surviving on this prehistoric rock.
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Germany’s Venice
By Linda Tancs
Canal laden Spreewald is sometimes referred to as Germany’s Venice. Situated about 62 miles southeast of Berlin, it was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991, a designation reserved for those locales that have demonstrated best practices in environmental conservation. Its compact labyrinth of 171 miles of navigable waterways makes punting one of the most delightful and common means of getting around. What may be less commonly known is that the region was originally settled by Slavic tribes who remain in the area today and lend it their language. When you’re there, be sure to sample the gherkins, the region’s agricultural hallmark.
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New Bells Toll in Paris
By Linda Tancs
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris recently attained 850 years in service. A yearlong celebration, begun in December, includes two stamps issued by the national mail delivery service La Poste and a set of nine new bells for the towers–eight for the North Tower and one for the South Tower. Named after saints, the new bells will harmonize with the older, main tenor bell named Emmanuel, considered to be one of the finest bells in Europe. To preserve it for future generations, one of the new bells was cast as a second great bell to accompany Emmanuel in the South Tower. The new bells will ring for the first time this weekend (Palm Sunday) to kick off Holy Week.
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A Welcome Wagon for Women
By Linda Tancs
For those women wishing to meet up with a friendly face in a foreign country, there’s an international fellowship organization waiting to help you. Women Welcome Women World Wide (known as 5W) boasts 2400 members speaking over 100 languages from 80 countries. Whether you seek accommodations with a local hostess or just a meetup, hospitality is right around the corner.
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The Colony of Seals
By Linda Tancs
Ireland’s Garinish Island in County Cork is best known for its subtropical gardens in Bantry Bay. Try telling that to the attention-grabbing seal colony living in the harbor waters. Unfazed by the hum of ferries between the island and the main pier at Glengarriff, the 250-strong seal colony stands ready to strike the pose.
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Swiss Precision
By Linda Tancs
The quality of Swiss timepieces is legendary. And why shouldn’t it be? Those talented artisans have been perfecting it since its debut in the 16th century. The cradle of the industry is the Joux Valley. Of course that’s where you can expect to find a museum dedicated to the art of Swiss watchmaking. Recently reopened after a months-long renovation, Joux Valley Museum of Watchmaking is an interactive museum combining traditional exhibition space with hands-on training and demonstration. The current exhibit traces the changing face of watchmaking, celebrating the Technical College’s 111th anniversary graduating watchmakers.
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Two to Tango
By Linda Tancs
In Buenos Aires, Argentina you can shake off the winter blahs (and those chilly temperatures accompanying many parts of the globe) at the annual tango festival now through 16 March. Originally the dance of poor dockworkers, the popularity of the tango is evident in the number of worldwide festivals honoring this steamy Latin dance. So why not go back to the source and experience its flavor and flair for yourself in the city that made it famous. Rhythmically challenged or not, there are dance lessons, as well as exhibitions, concerts and dancing displays.
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Train Tickets Simplified
By Linda Tancs
Individual tickets or railpass? Advance or same-day purchase? How do you find the cheapest ticket? Sometimes, the terms and conditions for international train travel can leave you dazed and confused. That’s where the helpful advice of The Man in Seat 61 comes to the rescue. Whether you’re interested in UK or continental Europe train travel, The Man has all the answers to demystify the ticket purchasing process. Seat 61, by the way, is his favorite first-class seat on the Eurostar.
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A Russian Wonder
By Linda Tancs
Of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, only the pyramids of Giza still stand. If you can’t manage a trip to Egypt, then the next best thing might be Russia’s wonder: a 55-ton pyramid outside Moscow. Built of fiberglass, the 144-feet-high structure is the largest pyramid across Russia. Regardless whether you believe in the power of pyramids, it’s a site to behold in perhaps one of the unlikeliest of places.
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