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
Trad Festival Begins in Ennis
By Linda Tancs
The folks of Ennis, Ireland in County Clare haven’t lost the art of traditional Irish music. After all, it’s celebrated each year at the Trad Festival, a gathering of traditional singers, dancers and musicians in a relaxed and informal setting. Now through 14 November, this year’s event will include a masterclass for both flute and fiddle enthusiasts on Saturday. Just 24 km from Shannon Airport, you can reach the festivities by train or bus as well from Dublin or Limerick.
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Underground at the Hermitage
By Linda Tancs
To tens of thousands of travelers, Russia’s Hermitage is the cat’s meow, its 365 rooms in the Main Museum Complex located in the historic centre of St. Petersburg boasting nearly three million works of art by the likes of masters from Italy, Spain, Holland, Flanders, France, England, Germany, and other Western European countries. What most visitors may not know is that its labyrinthine underground tunnels are home to nearly 100 cats, whose function is not to meow but to rid the massive complex of any mice or rats, a tradition begun centuries ago by Tsarina Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the First. Sounds like a purr-fect solution to a vexing problem.
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Fashion, Food and Frolic in Stratford
By Linda Tancs
UK shoppers are no strangers to the Westfield Group, one of the world’s largest shopping centre portfolios boasting approximately 25,000 retailers in more than 10.5 million square metres of retail space. The new Westfield in East London’s Stratford is Europe’s largest urban shopping mall with 222 stores, a fresh food court and leisure and entertainment activities like a bowling alley, casino and cinema. Sign up for sneak peeks and you could win 1000 GBP.
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Alicante Hosts Iconic Regatta
By Linda Tancs
Lots of regattas are iconic, like Cowes, the longest running annual sailing regatta in the world. And the International Rolex regatta in St. Thomas, or Antigua’s Sailing Week or America’s Cup. But none can match the rigors of the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s toughest sailing event, a marathon on the seas lasting over eight months and passing through four oceans and five continents. Beginning on 29 October in Alicante with in-port races, this edition of the event will visit Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, Itajaí, Miami, Lisbon and Lorient before finishing in Galway. The first leg leaves for Cape Town on 5 November. Visit Alicante’s Race Village before then.
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Treehouse Dining in Northumberland
By Linda Tancs
Ordinarily you might not wish to see a tree trunk rising like a phoenix from the floor of your dining room. That is, of course, unless you’re dining in a treehouse. No doubt a unique experience, The Treehouse at Alnwick Gardens in England’s Northumberland offers farm-to-table menus, live music and a long list of beers and wines. Not to mention the bird’s-eye view. Needless to say, the kids will love it.
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Tallest Nordic Hotel
By Linda Tancs
Only 15 minutes from Stockholm’s city centre, the brand new Scandic Victoria Tower is the tallest Nordic hotel, piercing the skyline at 34 floors and with enough glass to clear Murano of its inventory. The glass-clad tower with distinctive windows forming triangular patterns was created by architect Gert Wingårdh. All of the hotel’s 299 rooms are doubles, with free access to the gym, sauna and internet. This month the Skybar opens on the 34th floor. Enjoy the view.
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A Singular Concierge
By Linda Tancs
A singular service is atypical, extraordinary–of a quintessential nature. So arguably a concierge service offering 24/7/365 assistance is the quintessential valet. That’s what the folks at Quintessentially aim to be. Available worldwide, members get a host of services and customized attention, like travel services, special health and beauty offers, events and entertainment assistance, spa and health club privileges and personal shopping. You might even find youself in the best seat at that trendy restaurant. It’s all about connections. But you’ll have to join the club; sounds like it could be money well spent.
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1066 Redux
By Linda Tancs
In the mood for a joust? If so, the Battle of Hastings reenactment on 15 and 16 October may be just the ticket for you. The annual event in Britain’s East Sussex features 400 soldiers clashing in the annual re-enactment of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, on the very battlefield where it took place. A decisive Norman victory, the battle took place between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II. The living history encampment will immerse you in medieval life. The cavalry awaits you.
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Art and Architecture Tours
By Linda Tancs
For nearly 40 years National Trust Tours has been offering the intellectually curious traveler a world of cultural enrichment in luxurious surroundings through more than 70 distinct itineraries. With a special emphasis on art and architecture, tour members gain unprecedented access to private homes, gardens, castles and collections around the world. Upcoming offerings include art and architecture in Chicago, the imposing Biltmore estate in historic Asheville, North Carolina, and the Hudson River Valley fall foliage cruise aboard American Glory. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America’s communities. Want to share your passion for history and culture? Join Gozaic, their online community and destination guide for cultural and heritage travelers.
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National Food Fest in France
By Linda Tancs
The late cookbook author and TV chef Julia Child referred to French cooking as a serious art form and a national sport. So it might be surprising that France has never hosted a national food festival. Until now. The inaugural La Fête de la Gastronomie will take place this year on 23 September (the first day of autumn) and will herald the start of autumn each year thereafter. The theme this year will be “la Terre” (the land), highlighting local products made in different regions of France. Famous chefs will cook on the streets, including Thierry Marx and Alain Ducasse. Bon appétit!
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