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 Light North of Shetland
By Linda Tancs
The perils and adventures of lighthouse building no doubt influenced Robert Louis Stevenson, whose father and uncle designed some 30 lighthouses around Scotland’s coasts. One such lighthouse, Muckle Flugga, is the U.K.’s northernmost light, located on a rocky outcrop off the northern tip of Unst in the Shetland Islands. The island’s remote location is cited as inspiration for Robert’s novel, Treasure Island. These days Unst is conveniently linked with the rest of the Shetlands by a bus and ferry system, giving you the chance to experience the island’s treasured grasslands and coastal cliffs for yourself.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Spain’s Land of Spas
By Linda Tancs
Ourense is Spain’s hot spot. Known as the Thermal Capital of Galicia, it’s known for its hot springs. That history is over 2,000 years old, beginning with the Roman baths at As Burgas, where an Interpretation Center explores the development of medicinal baths in this region. The city is a stone’s throw away from Portugal and also accessible via high-speed rail from Madrid.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Fruit of the Vine in Paris
By Linda Tancs
Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Champagne may be France’s better known winemaking regions, but centuries ago Paris was the country’s winemaking hub. It would be easy to forget that bit of history but for the network of newer vineyards in the city paying homage to the ancient ways, the most famous being Le Clos Montmartre. Government-owned and largely tucked away in Parisian parks, the wines produced at these sites are not available commercially. Instead, they’re auctioned off and enjoyed only at select festivals.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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London’s Cheese Bar
By Linda Tancs
Touted as the world’s first cheese conveyor belt restaurant, The Cheese Bar in London offers Pick & Cheese, a bar featuring a conveyor belt with glass-domed plates of cheeses sourced around the U.K. Pick as you please; prices vary according to the color of the plate. Bar seats are available on a walk-in basis for a one-hour period. In the heart of London’s West End, the venue is located just two minutes from Covent Garden Station at Short’s Gardens.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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A Haven for Veggies in Zürich
By Linda Tancs
Swiss cuisine is marked by cheese, mounds of fondue and raclette. Add Geschnetzeltes (small pieces of veal cooked in a creamy mushroom and white wine sauce) to the list in Zürich. You’re not likely to think of tofu, greens and chickpeas—unless, of course, you’re dining at Haus Hiltl, which happens to be the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. Founded in 1898 and operated by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family, the eatery is even recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest, continuously-run vegetarian restaurant. Offering new takes on vegetarian and vegan cuisine, The Hiltl also creates veggie versions of many traditional meat dishes.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Latin American Art
By Linda Tancs
The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA) sports an impressive collection of Latin American art amassed by Argentine real-estate developer, philanthropist and patron of the arts Eduardo Costantini. Its permanent collection features contemporary art from the 20th century and includes artists from across Latin America. Among those represented are Botero, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Xul Solar. Commentary is provided in Spanish and English. Take a few hours to enjoy the galleries, and get there early to avoid potentially long lines.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Jinju’s Landmark
By Linda Tancs
Originally a mud castle, Jinjuseong Fortress is a memorial to South Korea’s embattled history, beginning with sea marauders in the 1300s, necessitating the structure’s stone reconstruction. Benefiting from a decades-long restoration effort, the fortress is part of a heavily wooded park with temples and shrines. The site also boasts Jinju National Museum, where the area’s war history is recounted along with military artifacts and local art. Seoul’s Gimpo Airport offers daily flights to Jinju.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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A Garden Fit for a Queen
By Linda Tancs
London’s largest and best rose garden is fit for a queen. It is, after all, named after the wife of King George V. Opened in 1932, Queen Mary’s Garden in Regent’s Park boasts 12,000 roses, the city’s largest collection. You’ll find 85 single variety beds on display, exhibiting most rose varieties from the classics to the most modern English roses. The upcoming first two weeks of June offer the best blooms.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Peaking in Spain
By Linda Tancs
Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range near Barcelona, Spain. Its signature feature is a Benedictine monastery atop the range with one of the few black madonna statues in Europe. The hikes are likewise legendary, the easiest being from the monastery to Cami dels Degotalls. For the best views of the countryside, take the Funicular de Sant Joan, the steepest funicular in Spain. From there you can hike to Sant Jeroni, the highest peak, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Barcelona and perhaps as far as Mallorca. Montserrat is an easy train ride from Barcelona-Plaça Catalunya station, taking little over an hour.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Springtime in Abruzzo
By Linda Tancs
Spring is the best time to visit Italy’s Abruzzo National Park. That’s when the meadows are covered with flora like flowering violets, crocuses, snowbells, gentians, lilies, primroses and buttercups. It’s also when the area’s protected fauna arise from hibernation and migrating birds blanket the sky. Located in the heart of the central Apennines, the park is a refuge for protected species like the Apennine wolf, Abruzzi chamois and Marsican brown bear. Both the park and various towns in its environs organize themed guided tours throughout the year, as well as exhibitions and shows, events and festivals associated with the local heritage.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 