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
Happy Culture Day
By Linda Tancs
Bunka no hi, Culture Day in Japan, is celebrated every November 3rd in memory of Emperor Meiji. On this day the current emperor honors those who’ve made significant contributions to Japanese culture and society in a ceremony at the palace in Tokyo. It’s also supposed to be the best day over a 100 year period with fine weather. Well, today’s weather was clear with a high temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit. Sounds about right.
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Lost Souls in Mexico
By Linda Tancs
Mexico’s Day of the Dead is decidedly undead as relatives eat, drink and get merry with the souls of the dearly departed in celebration of All Souls Day on 2 November. Spirits are guided back to the homes of their loved ones with brilliant displays of flowers and candles at gravesides. Beautiful decorated altars are also erected in their honor. Want to share in the experience? Let the natives of Oaxaca or Patzcuaro (known for their spectacular festivities) show you how.
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Stansted to Share No. 2 Spot
By Linda Tancs
Despite some opposition from environmentalists, Stansted’s airport expansion is set to move forward, making it Britain’s second largest airport along with Gatwick. The move means an increase in passenger travel from 23 million to 35 million. The number of planes allowed to fly in and out will increase from 241,000 to 264,000. Currently, 184,000 planes use the airport. The expansion follows a study showing a shortage of runways in the Southeast. Whether the move will mean a shift in passengers’ airport of choice remains to be seen.
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Getting Into the Travel Spirit
By Linda Tancs
Travel spirit takes on new meaning with spiritually-oriented vacations. No longer the exclusive domain of missionaries and other religious groups, faith-based travel is a multi-billion dollar industry offering pilgramages and packaged tours to sacred sites. Major tour operators like Globus have a division devoted exclusively to tours of holy sites in Israel and Italy. Other operators, like Christian World Tours, offer tours in Vatican City, France, Portugal and Spain. Are you ready for some divine inspiration?
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Believe It or Not, It’s Open
By Linda Tancs
In September Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum finally opened in the heart of Piccadilly Circus. Given its bohemian nature, the location is quite fitting for the self-described odditorium. Where else can you see shrunken heads, crystal cars and a portrait of Diana made of laundry lint all under one roof? Open every day, now you have something to do on Sunday.
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An Icy Reception
By Linda Tancs
“Put it on ice” takes on a whole new meaning at London’s Ice Bar in the heart of Mayfair. As the city’s first permanent watering hole made of ice, it’s outfitted with tables, seats, wall hangings and drinking glasses made of pure ice. Of course it’s cold, kept at minus 5. The thermal cape and hood ensemble helps block the freeze, but the gloves aren’t enough to keep your hands from numbing after about a half hour. Good thing visits are limited to 45 minutes. Find your inner polar bear and give it a try.
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Malmö, Gateway to the Continent
By Linda Tancs
In the current edition of Travelrific® Travel Show, the topic is Malmö, Sweden. Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city but amazingly retains a very small town feel, no doubt helped by the easy reach of its beaches, shops, restaurants and museums. Find out more about this gateway to the continent here.
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She Loves You
By Linda Tancs
At long last, Hamburg, the city that honed what would become the Beatles phenomenon, has dedicated a city square to the Fab Four, some 48 years after taking the northern German port by storm. To the tune of 550,000 euros, the commemorative structure includes the Beatles-Platz signage and a record-shaped foundation with statues of the mop tops, including a nod to early bandmate Stu Sutcliffe. The move to honor the group was spearheaded by radio station Oldie 95. Better late than never.
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A Stronger Constitution
By Linda Tancs
It seems that Italy’s newest Venetian bridge in 70 years is suffering post-inaugural trauma reminiscent of London’s Millenium Bridge. When Millenium first opened, engineering snafus caused embarrassing tilts and waves of the new-agey span. In Venice, the $8 million bridge named in honor of the country’s Constitution has some tourists seeing double and tripping over themselves, allegedly over the disturbing optical effects of the sectioned stone and glass floorings. Others fear that the banks of the Grand Canal can’t support the latest juggernaut. Does Italy need a stronger Constitution?
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The Heart of Europe
By Linda Tancs
Ask anyone to define the heart of Europe and you’ll get as many responses as there are possibilities. One of those possibilities is a tiny region known as the Eastern Cantons of Belgium, stretching from the Dutch border to Luxembourg. With French, Dutch and German influences (Germany hugging the eastern border), you might think the area suffers from a bit of an identity crisis, but the multilingual populace seems to embrace its diversity. The three cantons comprising this area–Eupen, Malmedy and St. Vith–offer a range of natural wonders and cosmopolitan flair equal to any European cultural capital, from the outdoor cafes of Marktplatz in Eupen to the Michelin-starred eatery in St. Vith. Between the northern and southern reaches lies a mix of dense forest, marshes and wetlands for the avid hiker or cyclist. Over 70,000 inhabitants call this region home and home, as they say, is where the heart is.
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