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
Tree World Olympics
By Linda Tancs
Every October on the second Sunday of the month near the English village of Oundle in East Northamptonshire the folks go bonkers for conkers. So on 10 October make your way to New Lodge Fields where ladies and gents from 20 countries will compete in the World Conkers Championship beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 3 o’clock. A conker (otherwise known as a buckeye in the USA) is the seed of a horse chestnut, which is fastened like a yo-yo to a string at the event. The aim of the competition (no pun intended) is to knock out your opponent’s conker (oh, what imagery there). You do that by wrapping the conker string around one hand and then taking the conker in the other hand and drawing it back for the strike. Releasing the conker you swing it down by the string held in the other hand and try to hit your opponent’s conker with it. No doubt this year’s championship will be a smashing success.
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Puppet Theatre in Budapest
By Linda Tancs
Puppet theatre isn’t just for kids, especially at Budapest’s puppet theatre located at Andrássy útca 69. The show typically adapts classical musical works and dramas to puppetry using life-sized puppets operated by a crew of ten. And the fee is reasonable at $10 per person. Ask your concierge for details.
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Ostrich Rides in Oudtshoorn
By Linda Tancs
Bird watching is quite the sport in Oudtshoorn, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa some 270 miles east of Cape Town. In fact, you’ll find here the largest population of ostriches in the world. Not surprising, considering that this native has been roaming the Karoo since the 19th century. You can get up close and personal (and attempt a ride, if you dare) at Cango Ostrich Show Farm. If you’d rather eat than greet, you’ll have the opportunity to sample ostrich steak, eggs or pâté.
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Yachts Galore in Monaco
By Linda Tancs
The 20th edition of Monaco’s yacht show, the world’s largest superyacht exhibition, begins today through 25 September at Port Hercules. Although the economic downturn sent many yacht builders into receivership, you’d never know it by the lineup at this year’s event, sporting the worldwide debut of 30 new vessels. As the economy shrinks, the yachts get bigger, from an average 41 meters in 2006 to 43 meters this year. Eighty percent of the show’s visitors come from overseas. Will you be one of them?
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Corsica Museum Reopens
By Linda Tancs
Like any Mediterranean island, it’s far too tempting on the French island of Corsica to spend your days strolling among the beaches, bays, cliffs, mountains and parks. But there are plenty of museums, too–the best known probably being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Don’t stop there, though. Check out the recently reopened Museum of Ethnology, located in the citadel in the former governor’s palace in Bastia. In addition to coats of arms, city maps, paintings and manuscripts, you can trace the history of Bastia and Corsica from its pre-Roman origins to its role in World War II.
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Sunshine Guaranteed in Cumbria
By Linda Tancs
Rain, rain, go away! The folks at the Samling Hotel in England’s Lake District are so sure that the sun will continue to shine in Windermere that they’re offering a sunshine guarantee. If even a drop of rain falls on their roof through 30 September, guests get a refund of £100 per stay. That may seem like quite a gamble, but a record drought in the area this season puts favorable odds on this bet.
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Mystery Celebrated on the English Riviera
By Linda Tancs
England’s Torquay forms part of the English Riviera, on the south coast of Devon. It’s also the birthplace of mystery writer Agatha Christie. Torquay celebrates the life and times of the great Dame each year during Christie Week. Now through 19 September you can help yourself to the festivities. Some highlights include a guided walk along the Christie Mile on 14 September, capturing her life and influences in the coastal town. Trouble walking? No worries; take the vintage bus ride on 15 September. How about a mystery tour and fish and chips supper on 16 September? Top it off on 19 September with 1930s-themed dining and dancing. The Queen of Crime would no doubt approve.
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The Horses of Borgharen
By Linda Tancs
In the Netherlands, horse riding is a very common sport, with horse farms and manege (riding stables/riding schools) dotting the countryside. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that a burial ground for 51 horses dating to the 17th century was recently unearthed in Borgharen, a few miles shy of Maastricht. The mystery of their demise still remains, however. Was it a result of battle during the Eighty Years’ War over the strategic Maas River? We may never know for sure, but the find lends the area the distinction of hosting Europe’s largest known equine burial ground. However, the area might be better known for Castle Borgharen. Originally built as a defense tower, it was rebuilt in the 18th century as a humble abode for Baron Van Roosen. It could be yours for a cool 5 million or so euro.
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Gastronomy Rules in Budapest
By Linda Tancs
Hungary’s official website boasts “a love for life.” Make that food, too–especially during the September Festival, taking place from 3 to 5 September in Budapest’s Bókay Garden. This year’s eleventh running of the event will bring together internationally recognized master chefs, dance groups, Olympic and world champion athletes, politicians from the European Parliament, famous artists and 80,000 or so visitors who will dance, cook and otherwise enjoy themselves. The emphasis, though, is on cooking, as evidenced by the Strudel Festival, Sausage Festival and Pálinka (strong fruit brandy) Festival. In fact, cooking is so much a part of the event that Guinness records are often made or broken. Sought after records this year include a surprise meal in a 4,251-litres kettle and a Somló sponge cake with a diameter of about 3.4 metres. Good luck to all!
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Tipping the Tankard in Belgium
By Linda Tancs
The oft-quoted comment that beer is proof that God loves us is often attributed (erroneously) to U.S. founding father Ben Franklin. Nonetheless, it’s a sentiment heartily espoused in Belgium, particularly during Belgian Beer Weekend on the Grand Place. Taking place from 3 to 5 September, the event features some 240 kinds of Belgian beer. Surely you’ll find something to suit your palate among the pils, amber, white, trappist, abbey, geuze, fruit, strong pale, strong brown, red-brown, regional or assorted sundries. Cheers!
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