Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for travel
A Writer’s Cottage in New York
By Linda Tancs
Rolling hills, farmland, and unobstructed views to the shores of Long Island. That was The Bronx, a borough of New York City, in the 1800s. This once bucolic setting (now America’s third most densely populated county) was home to one of America’s most celebrated writers, Edgar Allen Poe. Now located at Kingsbridge Road and the Grand Concourse (following removal from its original location not far away), Poe Cottage is a small wooden farmhouse built in 1812. Poe spent the last years of his life there, where he authored various essays and poetical works like “Annabel Lee,” “The Bells” and “Eureka.” The cottage is open on Saturdays and Sundays.
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The First National Wildlife Refuge
By Linda Tancs
A host of threatened and endangered species, including Florida’s venerated manatee, call Pelican Island home. Situated in the middle of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon on the Atlantic coast, the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is the first wildlife refuge in the country and has the most diverse bird population in North America. Established in 1903, the site provides a habitat for 700 species of fish, 310 species of birds, and 36 endangered species. The refuge features three trails for nature lovers. The shortest hike is wheelchair-accessible Centennial Trail, a paved path that served as the centerpiece of a nationwide celebration of the refuge system in 2003. The other two mangrove-lined trails are Bird’s Impoundment Trail and Pete’s Impoundment Trail.
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Is There Anybody Out There?
By Linda Tancs
The third largest telescope of its kind in the world, England’s Lovell Radio Telescope in Cheshire has been probing the depths of space for signs of intelligent life since 1957. Located at Jodrell Bank Observatory, the shining white disc measuring 255 feet stands in stark contrast to the verdant plains of Shining Tor, Cheshire’s highest point. At the Visitor Centre you can walk half way around this powerful radio telescope as it investigates cosmic phenomena.
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The World’s Largest Tablet in London
By Linda Tancs
As previously noted, London’s Trafalgar Square attracts interesting exhibitions, artful and otherwise. The latest one to hit the famous meetup space is Microsoft’s installation of a colossal Surface 2 tablet. Smack in the middle of the square, the tablet measures 27 feet in width and 17 feet in height. And it works, too. Of course, this isn’t the corporate behemoth’s first foray into interactive art–remember the giant Windows phone in New York’s Herald Square?
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Paradores and Pousadas
By Linda Tancs
If the usual tourist class hotel accommodations are getting a bit old, why not consider something more exclusive and off the beaten track? Spanish Paradores and Portuguese Pousadas are intimate settings often located in historic buildings such as monasteries, castles, and fortresses. Consider Santa Marinha Pousada, a monastery perched on a hill overlooking Guimarães, known as the “cradle of Portugal” as it’s the birthplace of the nation’s first king, Afonso Henriques. Or sleep like royalty in Pontevedra, Spain in a palace that was formerly the residence of the Counts of Maceda. Best of all, you don’t need a rock star’s wallet to afford these gems; find a property to match your budget and desires.
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Water for Elephants
By Linda Tancs
November is Manatee Awareness Month in Florida. Despite their popular nickname “sea cow,” these aquatic mammals are actually related to the elephant. This time of year, when the waters of the Gulf cool down and subject these gentle giants to cold stress, you’ll find them instead in the balmy waters of Crystal River, less than two hours north of Tampa. During manatee season, more than 150,000 people will visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to snorkel and kayak among manatees, the only place where such interaction with this endangered and federally protected species is allowed.
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The Residents of Copp’s Hill
By Linda Tancs
Shoemaker William Copp once owned a spot of land in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Now Boston’s second oldest burying ground, Copp’s Hill is the final resting place for ordinary Bostonians–merchants, artisans and craftspeople. But how does one define ordinary? Now there’s the rub, as these grounds harbor the remains of some extraordinary people, like Robert Newman, who placed the signal lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church on the eve of the Battle of Lexington and Concord; Shem Drowne, the weathervane maker who crafted the grasshopper atop Faneuil Hall; and Prince Hall, the anti-slavery activist and founder of the Black Masonic Order.
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A Fought-After Russian Fortress
By Linda Tancs
The Neva River is a storied attraction in Saint Petersburg, hosting its fair share of romantic walks along the granite embankment. Only 46 miles long, the river flows from Lake Ladoga to the Gulf of Finland. Perhaps even more storied is the Shlisselburg Fortress, located near the head of the river not far from this popular city. The site has been fortified for over 800 years, hosting bloody battles between the Swedish and Novogorod Republic for possession. Russia obviously won. Nowadays the fortress plays host to an annual rock concert, but its gloomy past as a political prison is also on display at the political prisoners exhibition.
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One of America’s Prettiest Towns
By Linda Tancs
In 2009, Forbes Traveler listed Portsmouth, New Hampshire as one of “America’s Prettiest Towns.” It’s also one of the oldest. Settled in 1623, it is reputedly the nation’s third oldest city. The locals suggest that it even has the most restaurants per capita. Whatever the homage, this relatively small city near the mouth of the Piscataqua River offers more than 70 points of scenic and historic significance along the Harbour Trail, including 10 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, 10 National Historic Landmarks and three historic homes.
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The Oldest Vine in the World
By Linda Tancs
Do fine vines get better with age? You can bet the answer is a resounding ‘yes’ in Maribor, Slovenia, home of the Old Vine. Aged over 400 years, Old Vine is listed in Guinness World Records as the oldest vine in the world. The still-producing vine is located on the frontage of Old Vine House along the Drava embankment. Enjoy the exhibition and wine tasting room.
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