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
London’s Sweetest Attraction
By Linda Tancs
Now the candy that “melts in your mouth and not in your hand” has its own showcase across the pond. Opening earlier this month, M&M’s World in London’s Leicester Square is the first overseas attraction for the brand’s candy maker. The 35,000-square feet behemoth features a Union Jack comprising M&M’s logos, a Wall of Chocolate and a range of merchandise from apparel to bedding.
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The Smallest Church in the World
By Linda Tancs
In the bay of St. Malo in the English Channel lie the Channel Islands, about 30 miles from the north coast of France and 70 miles from the south coast of England. A world apart from its more cosmopolitan neighbors, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that these ancient islands would yield up some signature sights. Take, for example, the so-called smallest church in the world on Guernsey. Aptly named The Little Chapel, the church is beautifully decorated with seashells, pebbles and colorful pieces of broken china. Begun by Brother Déodat in March 1914, the goal was to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France. Admission is free, but do be sure to pick up a souvenir booklet of this amazing structure at the Tourist Office at St. Peter Port.
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Playing Solitaire in France
By Linda Tancs
Only single hands on deck for France’s La Solitaire du Figaro, a skipper-only race around seaside towns in France (and one in Ireland). Sailing only the Figaro Bénéteau 2, the 49 rivals comprising this year’s competition will sail a 1,695 nautical mile race in a traditional format with four legs set between the 46th and 53rd parallels, starting in Perros-Guirec on the North Brittany coast on 23 July and visiting Caen, Normandy, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, Les Sables d’Olonne, Vendée, before finishing in Dieppe, Pas de Calais, on 28 August.
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Snail Racing in Congham
By Linda Tancs
“Snail racing” is as oxymoronic as you can get, which might explain why there’s only one such championship in the world. Now in its 40th year, the World Snail Racing Championship is due to take place on 16 July in Congham, an English village in Norfolk. And what prize awaits the winner at the finish line, you might ask? Why, a silver tankard stuffed with lettuce, of course! Slow and steady just might win this race.
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A Mistletoe for Any Season
By Linda Tancs
There’s no need to hold out until the Christmas season to fall under the amorous spell of the mistletoe. At the Mistletoe Lodge outside England’s Amberley Castle in West Sussex, summer is the perfect time to play Cupid. Perched upon the beautiful sycamore trees by the Castle’s main entrance, the lodge is a tree house reached by a rope bridge and walkway, offering spectacular views of the 900-year-old Sussex castle and its lakes and grounds. The tree house is available for rental for a ‘dîner à deux’ from May to September (weather permitting), offering up seasonal fare and a floral ambience custom crafted to your liking. No wonder the luxury retreat is a favorite for marriage proposals.
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Gluten Free Travel
By Linda Tancs
Those with celiac disease or wheat allergies know the special challenges that travel can pose. Rest assured, you needn’t be an armchair traveler. Information sites like Gluten Free On the Go compile lists of places where dietary needs can be met. Where to eat, stay and shop on a gluten-free or restricted diet is just a click away.
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Running with the Fishes
By Linda Tancs
It’s not every day that humans compete with dolphins and sharks for good eats. But ’tis the season off South Africa’s east coast for locals and tourists to rush after massive schools of sardines off Durban, South Africa during their annual migration. Consider a sardine run expedition fit for divers and snorkelers alike for an underwater extravaganza of a lifetime.
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Through the Looking Glass
By Linda Tancs
Stained glass, leaded glass, art glass–the possibilities are endless. That’s what the folks at the Shanghai Museum of Glass want you to take away from their new museum celebrating the art and technology of glass making. Boasting ancient and contemporary collections from around the world, the glass-encased facility includes a hot glass demonstration hall for those interested in understanding the process and performance of glass blowing. Handle with care!
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A Taste of London
By Linda Tancs
There’s great taste abiding at Taste of London. From 16 to 19 June, 40 local restaurants and world class chefs will compete for your palate in Regent’s Park. The event features a boutique food market, cooking lessons from culinary greats in the Taste Theatre and a Secret Garden. No roses there, just a gourmet oasis of wines and first-class foodstuffs. Hope you’re hungry.
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Open Garden Days in Amsterdam
By Linda Tancs
Think of Amsterdam and you probably envision wooden shoes and tulips. But did you know that Amsterdam has more canals than Venice? Along those 17th century canals where you’ll experience some of the oldest homesteads in the city as well as its industrial heritage, watch out for the clock gable and the fabulous canal houses along what’s known as The Golden Bend. Along Prinsengracht, you’ll find very old homes, including the location of the Anne Frank House and museum. For a taste of the city’s industrial past, sail by the giant warehouses of Keizersgracht. The canal gardens have a charm of their own, highlighted each year in June during Open Garden Days. Located around Keizersgracht and Herengracht, features include the floating gardens on the houseboats’ roof and behind the canal houses. On the 17, 18 and 19 of June this year some thirty canal gardens will be open to the public. Reachable on foot, a three-day pass will give you plenty of time to discover the color in the canals.
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