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
Coming of Age in Japan
By Linda Tancs
On the second Monday of January each year, a public holiday known as Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi) represents the marking of adulthood for Japanese twenty-year-olds. In a nation deeply bound by tradition, the day’s festivities are ever more significant in this age of decreasing population, as reflected by the statistics of the Population Census Division. Between the years 1899 and 2004, live births (per 1000 of population) have sunk from a high of 33 to a low of 8.8. For this year’s ceremonies, that translates to up to 680,000 men and 650,000 women taking part in rituals ranging from a visit to the local shrine to local government events and get-togethers with family and friends. For young ladies, in particular, it is a time to dress in kimono, no doubt assisted in the intracacies thereof by family or shop attendants. In modern society where its use is confined to special occasions like this, the art of kimono may get lost among a shrinking populace. Let’s hope that’s not the case.
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European Culture East to West
By Linda Tancs
Year-long festivities are kicking off in Lithuania and Austria as the cities of Vilnius and Linz, respectively, take top honors from the EU as a European Capital of Culture. In Lithuania’s largest city and capital, the program of events coincides with the country’s millenium celebrations and its contest to anoint a new Lithuanian Capital of Culture for the town or city with the best cultural project. A particular high note for the EU’s honoree is the song and dance festival in July, during which 30,000 voices will unite in song. On the western front, the Danube city of Linz (Austria’s third largest) will showcase its art and art exhibitions, including summer’s famous street art fair and Ars Electronica, the world-renowned media arts festival in early September. So which will it be–Lithuania or Austria? Why not go Baroque and visit both.
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Norway Celebrates Culture
By Linda Tancs
The Norwegian government has designated 2009 the Norwegian Year of Cultural Heritage with an emphasis on everyday life. To that end, a site has been created to highlight cultural trends and present articles from a vast cross-section of the public on Norwegian ways and customs. Gratulerer, Norge!
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Little Town of Bethlehem
By Linda Tancs
It’s been said that Christmas time is the best time to visit Bethlehem. And considering that several denominations celebrate Christmas at times other than 25 December (6 January for Orthodox Christians and 18 January for Armenian Christians), there’s a window of opportunity to take part in the Mideast celebrations. Whatever your faith, consider taking in some of the processions and services around Manger Square and St. Catherine’s Church during this holiest of seasons. The Christian Information Centre has details for you.
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Traveling with Santa
By Linda Tancs
In the current edition of Travelrific® Travel Show, the topic is polar travel. Discover Santa’s northern delights in and around the Arctic Circle. Find the podcast here.
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Umbria’s Big Tree
By Linda Tancs
Every year on 7 December Gubbio, Italy turns the lights on the world’s largest Christmas tree. This “tree” is a fir-like design of 1300 feet of neon lights connected by over 40,000 feet of cable, beginning at the foothills of this Umbrian town and rising to its tabernacle dedicated to the village’s patron saint, Ubaldo. Now in its 28th year, the show runs till 10 January. If you can’t make it, buy the stamp instead. The local post office commemorated its 10th anniversary back in 1990–philatelists, take note.
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House of Glass
By Linda Tancs
The Cathedral of Mary in Erfurt, Germany is getting ready for a facelift. And this won’t be the express version–rather, a 19-year painstaking restoration of its painted glass windows is in the works. Even Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in a shorter span of time. But then again, its restoration from the 1980s took about 14 years. While the glass is out of commission, why not meander about the Christmas flower exhibition gracing the church’s nearly century-old arches?
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I Saw Three Ships
By Linda Tancs
Wilhelmshaven, the German Navy’s main base at the North Sea, has enjoyed a post-War renaissance of sorts as a tourist destination. Of particular interest to seafaring types is Bontekai, an area rife with historic vessels, like the museum ship Captain Meyer. More attractions are being planned for the area to increase tourism, which is only fitting for a port city that is third largest in size after Hamburg and Bremen/Bremerhaven. Let the euros roll.
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Cuba Hits Tourism Milestone
By Linda Tancs
They were breaking out the mojitos and salsa (a band, that is) in Cuba this past week in celebration of the island nation’s 2 millionth visitor for 2008, according to the Associated Press. Not bad for a destination hit thrice with hurricanes while the rest of the world wrestles with bad debt. Not that the Cuban economy wins any awards either, mind you. But despite their own share of woes, they must be doing something right to hit the 2 million mark every year since 2004. That’s a lot of bola.
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Cine City
By Linda Tancs
For those who haven’t heard, the U.K.’s Swindon Film Festival (which had been scheduled for 14 November – 22 November) has been cancelled this year. Don’t despair. Head on over to Brighton on 20 November for the film fest scheduled to run (at least for now) until 7 December. This year’s convention is set to open with Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona and includes the recently confirmed addition of Milk, starring Sean Penn. There’s even an animation minifest. Have a reel good time.
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Travelrific® Travel Journal 