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
The Luxury of Monaco
By Linda Tancs
Monaco is synonymous with luxury, from its five-star hotels and famous casino to the slew of Rolls-Royces, Aston Martins and Bentleys that cascade around the tree-lined streets and boulevards. Experience the grandeur at www.travelrificradio.com.
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Cruise Ports Unite in Marketing Alliance
By Linda Tancs
In a bid for attention among the better known (and used) ports of the Mediterranean and Baltic, fifteen European ports have united to market their appeal to cruise travelers. Calling themselves the Atlantic Alliance, the fifteen members of this cooperative are: Hamburg, Bremerhaven, IJmuiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, Brest, Nantes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Santander, Vigo and Lisbon. More West European ports are expected to join in the future.
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Oh, Canada!
By Linda Tancs
Canada’s motto is “from sea to sea.” And that’s no exaggeration for this country covering the Atlantic in the east, the Pacific in the west, and the Arctic in the north. Explore this vast expanse at www.travelrificradio.com.
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St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Abound
By Linda Tancs
More than just a holy day, the feast of St. Patrick is celebrated with song, parades and, of course, lots of comfort food. Whether or not you’ve made it to the festivities in or around locales like Dublin, Galway, Belfast or Cork (or anywhere else in the world), you can virtually be there in the online community of Second Life. Or watch the movie at www.discoverireland.com. Either way, as the Irish say, céad míle fáilte!
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A Little Napa in the Holy Land
By Linda Tancs
Perhaps fueled by Western oenophiles, Israel’s fledgling wine industry is enjoying a surge in interest. And why not, considering that its subtropical climate of hot days and cool nights lends itself quite nicely to the art of winemaking. Although the epicenter of winemaking would be the Judean Hills, wineries can be found from the Golan to the Mediterranean coast. So take a break from the turf and surf and enjoy a wine tasting in a nice cool cellar or lounge. Your taste buds will surely be thankful.
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More to Svalbard Than Seeds
By Linda Tancs
The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard gained national attention recently when it opened its seed vault to visitors. The vault, housed deep within an Arctic mountain in the capital city of Longyearbyen, was designed to safeguard seeds for the world’s crops to sustain life in the event of an apocalyptic event. But Svalbard, which means “cold edge,” and its capital city should be remembered as more than just a “Noah’s Ark” of sorts for farming. As with other Arctic destinations, you’ll find your fair share of reindeer, polar bears, blue ice and, between April and August, midnight sun. Also, jazz and blues enthusiasts will find festivals at the end of January and October, respectively. And around mid-March you can celebrate the end of Arctic darkness during SunFest. Just like the rest of Norway, though, prices here are outrageously expensive. Tent-based camping remains one of the most popular and cost-efficient ways to enjoy this northernmost inhabited tip of the world.
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Germany’s Natural Wonder Endangered in the North Sea
By Linda Tancs
In the middle of the North Sea, about 70 km from the mouth of Germany’s Elbe River, lies the tiny municipality of Helgoland. The smallness of the island is dramatized by the largeness of its landmark, a 47-meter high, red sedimentary rock birthed by Mother Nature affectionately called Lange Anna (Tall Anna). If the experts are right, Tall Anna will be getting a lot shorter. Claiming ongoing erosion of the 25,000 ton monolith by storm waters, experts fear that without the undertaking of protective measures likely to cost millions of euros, Nature will reclaim what it once built. And that won’t be good for tourism, considering that only about 400,000 tourists visited this destination last year. Without such a photogenic landmark to draw visitors, that number is likely to plummet further. So Nature, heal thyself.
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Little Liechtenstein
By Linda Tancs
Liechtenstein, a haven for both athlete and aesthete, is a tiny principality nestled along the borders of Switzerland and Austria. Explore the charms of this unassuming little land at www.travelrificradio.com.
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A Real Lover’s Lane
By Linda Tancs
In this Valentine’s Day edition of Travelrific®, it is only fitting to highlight one of Europe’s great romantic destinations–no, not Paris. The subject is Cinque Terre (five villages), nestled along Italy’s Mediterranean province of La Spezia. The five villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Along the way between Riomaggiore and Manarola lies Via dell’ Amore (lover’s lane), a hiking trail resplendent with ocean views that demands your full attention. Just don’t expect to lounge around these sometimes steep trails with your grappa and focaccia. Save that for later.
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York Celebrates Viking Heritage
By Linda Tancs
York, UK may be most recognized for its medieval Shambles, but its Viking history is just as compelling. Now through 17 February visitors can celebrate all things Viking at the festival at Jorvik Viking Centre. The Centre is built on the very location in York where archeological digs unearthed the ancient city of Jorvik, dating to AD 975. The festival celebrates Viking arts and crafts, storytelling and historical Anglo-Scandinavian events. Visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk for more information.
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