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
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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Motorcycle Rentals Overseas
By Linda Tancs
Someone once said that two wheels move the soul. Easy riders know this. Now anyone with a heavyweight motorcycle operator’s license can experience moto mojo overseas through Harley Davidson’s international rentals program. Not a rider? Why not learn at the Academy of Motorcycling?
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Palming Off in Spain
By Linda Tancs
Palm trees are typically symbolic of tropical vacations but are also of historical significance, representating victory, peace or fertility in various cultures. What better place to contemplate the ancient origins of this popular plant than at Palmeral of Elche, Europe’s largest palm grove in the Spanish province of Alicante. Just 20 minutes from Alicante’s main rail station, the maze of old (200 to 300 years old) and young palms is easily navigable thanks to circles in the pavement telling visitors which way to walk. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, cultivation of palms in Elche can be traced back to the 5th century B.C.; the grove’s elaborate irrigation system dates back to the 10th century Moorish roots of its host locale.
