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
A Storied Jewel Near Milan
By Linda Tancs
Separated from Milan by the Ticino River, Vigevano was a silk-manufacturing town. It’s known for its portico-lined Piazza Ducale, considered by some to be Italy’s most beautiful square. At over 400 feet long and nearly 160 feet wide, it seems out of scale for a small city, but its grandeur is explainable given its link to Milan and the House of Sforza. Ludovico Maria Sforza, the powerful Duke of Milan, commissioned the square’s construction as a regal antechamber for Sforzesco Castle. Today this ducal square is known for its bars, restaurants and shopping.
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Spectacular Caves in Italy
By Linda Tancs
One of the largest known cave systems in Europe, Italy’s Frasassi Caves (Grotte di Frasassi) in Le Marche is one of the country’s most popular show caves. Accessible only via guided tours, highlights include Ancona Abyss with its vaulted ceilings over 600 feet high, a crystallized lake and a cavern of stalagmites resembling candles. A limited number of timed, online tickets are available, which is particularly convenient during high season; otherwise, you can purchase them on site at the ticket office.
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A Wonky House in Lavenham
By Linda Tancs
Built in 1395, The Crooked House in Lavenham, England, is said to be inspired by the old English nursery rhyme “There was a Crooked Man.” Its off-centeredness owes to the hastiness of the wealthy wool merchant who wanted a grand estate. The wood used to build the house wasn’t properly seasoned; as it dried, the timber-framed house twisted and contorted, resulting in a very strong but also very crooked house. One of Britain’s favorite fairytale homes, it’s arguably also one of the most photographed in the world. Today it’s owned by two self-proclaimed “Crooked Men” who offer immersive experiences like theatrical house tours and black tie dinners.
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Two Centuries of Shoemaking
By Linda Tancs
Boasting two centuries of history, Clarks shoes began with James Clark’s idea to turn leftover rug-making material from the company’s origin into slippers. Now in a striking modern building beside Clarks Village (an outlet shopping center spread across the company’s former factory site), Shoemakers Museum documents the development of the global footwear retailer. Located in Street, England, the 100,000-strong collection of objects is complemented by historical accounts of shoemaking technology amid cultural and social evolution.
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Portugal’s Highest Mountain
By Linda Tancs
At nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, Mount Pico is Portugal’s highest mountain. It’s located in Pico Island in the mid-Atlantic archipelago of the Azores. A paradise for nature lovers, the island boasts unique lava formations and panoramic views of the archipelago from atop the mountain for hikers. The volcanic landscape also yields a special type of white wine called Verdelho from vineyards classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This time of year you’ll also spot several species of whales. Pick up a flight from Lisbon, Porto or other cities in Europe. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from the nearby islands of Faial or São Jorge.
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Views Over Eden
By Linda Tancs
A formidable barrier against Scots invaders, England’s Brougham Castle in Cumbria was founded in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont, a powerful local baron who was granted the lordship of Westmorland by King John. Largely in ruins, the keep still stands today, a fine example of medieval military architecture. Climb its spiral stairs to the top for panoramic views over the Eden Valley.
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Mostar’s Iconic Bridge
By Linda Tancs
Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina located on the banks of the Neretva River. Its iconic symbol is Old Bridge, a replica of a 16th-century bridge built under the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it hosts a cliff diving competition each year that draws spectators and thrill-seekers alike. This year’s event begins on July 31.
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Art in the Fjord
By Linda Tancs
Surrounded by the Tjuvholmen sculpture park with views of the fjord, Oslo’s Astrup Fearnley Museum is a destination in itself. One of the Nordic countries’ leading museums for contemporary art, the museum manages the extensive Astrup Fearnley collection and presents changing exhibitions featuring both works from the collection and new productions by artists from around the world. You’ll find significant works by artists such as Matthew Barney, Paul Chan, Trisha Donnelly, Nicole Eisenman, Ida Ekblad, Félix González-Torres and others. Don’t miss a stroll through the sculpture park which, along with the museum building, was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.
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Art in the Subway
By Linda Tancs
Stockholm’s subway (metro) system may not be the biggest or the oldest, but it does boast the world’s longest art gallery. Sixty-eight miles long, the tunnels exhibit artwork initiated during Sweden’s late 1950s cultural boom that continues to be updated today. Its 100 stations feature unique art on the platform, walls or waiting hall. The system celebrated a milestone, its 75th anniversary, last year.
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The Viking Age
By Linda Tancs
Danish prehistory culminated in the Viking Age, the period from A.D. 800 to A.D. 1050. During the Viking Age the first kings appeared, who ruled an area roughly corresponding to present-day Denmark and, at the end of the age, also ruled over England and Norway during certain periods. That’s just part of 9,000 years of history you’ll discover at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. Denmark’s largest museum of cultural history, it’s regarded as one of Europe’s best museums. A key exhibit showcases national treasures such as the Sun Chariot (a Nordic Bronze Age artifact discovered in Denmark), the well-preserved remains of the Bronze Age Egtved Girl, and an incredible collection of archaeological finds from the Viking Age. Self-guided and guided tours are available.
