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
Harmony in Pudong
By Linda Tancs
China is celebrating harmony. Odd, you might think, for a world power not exactly known for its humanitarianism. Well, put those beliefs aside when you visit Shanghai’s World Expo 2010. The first world’s fair to take place in China, the exhibition welcomes 189 nations to a five-square-kilometer, $50 billion playground. Over 200,000 visitors poured in for the 1 May opener and fireworks extravaganza over the Huangpu River. Events include folk festivals and cultural feasts, perfect complements to the Austrian theme “Feel the Harmony” or Pakistan’s “Harmony in Diversity.” Over 70 million guests are expected before the event’s close on 31 October. Will you be one of them?
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A Golden Week in Japan
By Linda Tancs
May 1 is typically a public holiday in many parts of Europe, a time to celebrate the advent of spring and enjoy a bit of conviviality in the process. In Japan, however, they needn’t settle for a day of celebration. Golden Week, beginning on 29 April, marks the start of over a week of spirited activity and travel. In fact, many Japanese travel widely during the holiday as many businesses shut down. The festivities begin in April with Showa Day, marking the birthday of the emperor Showa. May 3 marks Constitution Day, so called for the new Constitution put into effect on that day in 1947. Nature is revered on May 4 during Greenery Day. The festival season concludes on May 5 with Children’s Day, a time when carp streamers decorate the thresholds of many homes to symbolize children’s success in life. If you want to be a part of the action, there’s plenty to see, like the 1300th anniversary celebration at Nara. This is prime time for cherry blossoms, too. Visit Hirosaki Park Cherry Blossom Festival. Maybe you’ll find a hanami (viewing party) to get happy with. Hana yori dango, as they say.
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Body and Soul Unite at Castle Chaumont
By Linda Tancs
The international garden festival in France is once again gracing the landscape of Castle Chaumont in the Loire Valley, just 185 km from Paris. This year’s theme, Body and Soul, suggests the restorative properties of gardens and gardening, both spiritually and physically. The jury has selected 20 gardens from over 300 proposals, representing works from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. Opening on 29 April, a general entrance ticket covers the festival, castle, stables and the landscaped parkgrounds, all for 15 euros. Take a train to Onzain, and beat a path to the door.
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Riding in Style in India
By Linda Tancs
If train travel in India conjures a (shall we say) palpable ride to the tea capital of Darjeeling, then your salvation is at hand. Debuting in March, the Maharajas’ Express is the first luxury train to cover the entire country. Although lacking the historical significance and affection of a line like the Himalayan Railway, the newbie promises to make up in comfort what it may lack in charm. As in air conditioning, roomy cabins and luxe suites. For the royal treatment, you’ll pay a princely sum of $800 per day per person for a seven or eight-day package. Destination airfare is not included, but they’ll assist with the bookings. Stay tuned for special air/land arrangements in the near future.
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Japan Celebrates 1300th Anniversary
By Linda Tancs
Lest you forget that Japan had a capital city long before Tokyo, Nara celebrates its status as the birthplace of Japan with a series of exhibits and events throughout Nara Prefecture this year. The anniversary celebration will include exhibitions of hidden treasures and rarely-viewed Buddhist statues. The main venue, Heijo Palace, will commemorate the restoration of the audience hall where state ceremonies were held before the emperor on 23 April. Later in the summer the palace grounds will be awash in light as night falls with a tremendous display of candles and LED technology. The party continues until 7 November.
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Ireland’s West Celebrates 25 Years of Literature
By Linda Tancs
Dublin has its fair share of authors, poets and playwrights, but Ireland’s literary tradition is equally strong along the western coast. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Galway’s Cúirt Festival, a celebration of verse that has been previously described as a banquet of writing. Quite a banquet, indeed, as the event this week welcomes such luminaries as Fread D’Aguair, Naomi Shihab Nye and Dionne Brand. A highlight will be Colum McCann’s first reading in Ireland since his National Book Award win for Let the Great World Spin. Budget conscious travelers should look into the sponsoring hotel’s midweek cost cutting offer–that is, if the recent volcanic activity in Iceland doesn’t ruin your plans.
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The Treasures of Tivoli
By Linda Tancs
Today marks the 168th opening of Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. Although it’s more than just a garden (consider the bone chilling Demon roller coaster or its stately wooden counterpart built in 1914), the hallmark of this respite in the dead center of the city is its 15 gardens. Among the Chinese and Japanese inspired gardens are 80,000 tulip bulbs to usher in the season. The tulips border Tivoli Lake, the end of which presents the Parterre, a beloved garden with a view of the town clock. All the better to remind you of the time you’ve likely spent getting lost in its charms.
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Teed Off in India
By Linda Tancs
In a supersized nation like India, one might imagine you’d need a lot of everything. Like golf courses. Over 200 of them. From majestic views of the Taj at Agra Golf Club to moonlit play at DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi (rated the best course), golf in India is giving the esteemed courses of Great Britain a run for their money.
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Will the Spirit Move You?
By Linda Tancs
As many readers may have learned, Spirit Airlines has taken the unprecedented step of charging for carry-on baggage that must be placed in the overhead bin. Excluded from the baggage fee will be a single personal item that fits underneath the seat. The new fee system also excludes such sundries as coats, umbrellas, car seats (for children holding a ticket), cameras and assistive devices. The fee for the airline’s online club members is $20. Nonmembers pay an online fee of $30, including phone and check-in customers. The gate fee is $45. Is this a shameless move for more revenue or an enlightened approach towards thwarting an uptick in checked baggage masquerading as carry-ons? Take the poll below.
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Design Makeover
By Linda Tancs
For those who like their ultra chic all in one place, Milan’s La Rinascente has answered your prayers. The flagship stalwart in central Milan has been redesigned to include a Design Supermarket, dropping names like Zaha Hadid and Ettore Sottsass on a melange of worldly goods from tech toys to tableware. With the Duomo cathedral next door, you can shop first and then pray that the billing cycle meets your requirements.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
