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
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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Off the Cliff in Spain
By Linda Tancs
For a spectacular cliffside vista, head to Ronda, Spain. Located in the Spanish province of Málaga, the city is perched atop El Tajo canyon, offering incomparable views–particularly from Puente Nuevo bridge. The tallest of three bridges in the city, Puente Nuevo stands 390 feet above the canyon floor. This mountainous environment boasts a number of caves, like La Pileta and its cave paintings. Popular depictions there include “the pregnant mare” and “the fish.”
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A Roar in China
By Linda Tancs
There’s a roar in China about four hours northeast of Xi’an that can be heard for miles. That’s where you’ll find Hukou Falls , the second largest waterfall in China. The Yellow River roars at a junction where it meets the Hukou Mountain and the range on both sides chokes the river’s width, creating a surge as it plunges over a cliff.
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Chains of Love in Moscow
By Linda Tancs
Moscow, it seems, has a lock on love. Though hardly known as a city of romance, authorities there have taken the tradition of attaching padlocks to public fixtures as a gesture of love one step further. They’ve institutionalized the practice by placing a series of metallic love trees along Luzhkov bridge, adorned with colorful locks. Now, who’ll have the key to your heart?
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King of the Five Continents
By Linda Tancs
One of the largest carvivals in the world, Nice’s carnival promises fun and frolic for 20 days along the French Riviera. Celebrating universality, this year’s theme is “King of the Five Continents.” The day and night carnival parades along Place Massena feature 18 colorful floats and papier mâché accompanied by street theatre and music groups from all over the world. Couple that with the traditional flower parade along Promenade des Anglais and you have an unforgettable event where the Tournament of Roses meets Mardi Gras. This year’s festival takes place from 15 February to 6 March.
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The Gem of Downton
By Linda Tancs
Downton Abbey is a massively addictive British period drama television series. This post-Edwardian chronicle follows the life of the aristocratic Crawley family in the fictional Yorkshire enclave known as Downton Abbey. As any fan knows, Highclere Castle is used for exterior and interior filming. Located to the west of London, the castle is not in Yorkshire but rather in Berkshire and is home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Not surprisingly, the castle has become a hot commodity, but it’s only open to tourists for 70 or so days a year–during Easter, May bank holidays and in summer. Ticket sales are fast and furious. Summer 2013 is on sale now. Better hurry.
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Color Me Scotch
By Linda Tancs
The Scottish Colourists, generally recognized as Cadell, Fergusson, Hunter and Peploe, were a group of post-Impressionist painters from Scotland. Their use of vivid color defined the modern art movement in the country. A dedicated gallery to the Colourists is now open at Glasgow’s Kelvingove Art Galley and Museum. Like all of their permanent displays, it’s free to visit!
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Visit the Tea Experts
By Linda Tancs
Thomas Twining bought a coffee shop in London in 1706 and distinguished himself from the competition by selling tea. Since then, Twinings has become synonymous with tea. The flagship shop at 216 Strand in London is a mecca for tea aficionados. The location offers a free tasting bar, a museum, tea classes and, of course, a wide range of tea accessories, teas and infusions. Stop by for a cuppa.
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Muscat Love
By Linda Tancs
Beauty has an address, say the tourism officials in Oman. Of course, there are delightful attractions to navigate on foot, ranging from the tower tombs northeast of Bat to the caves at the foothills of the eastern Al Hajar mountains. But don’t ignore the world beneath your feet. Oman boasts some of the region’s best diving. Around the capital city of Muscat alone you’ll find diverse marine life among at least 11 diving sites at Al Khayran, Al Fahil Island, Dimaniyat Islands, Al Makbara Bay and Al Jissah beach. Oman Air is the national carrier. You can get there via cruise ship or border crossing as well.
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Island Charm
By Linda Tancs
Slovenia, the third most forested country in Europe, has but one island–Bled. Ringed by the Julian Alps, picturesque Bled reigns supreme in the middle of its Alpine lake, a sight to behold in winter when the lake freezes over. The average temperature is, after all, a chilled -2 degrees Celsius. Enjoy the winter views from Bled Castle, the country’s oldest, while munching on Bled vanilla cream cake, a local specialty.
