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 Parade of Lilacs This Weekend
By Linda Tancs
Spokane, Washington will be awash in lilac for the 72nd season during this weekend’s lilac festival. The theme for this year’s torchlit parade on 15 May is “Freedom is Not Free,” a nod to the event’s long abiding collaboration with the local air force base to celebrate Armed Forces Day. A number of local hotels are offering lodging packages for guests. While you’re there, why not tour the new neighborhood aquatic center that opened yesterday. Or take the kids cycling on the Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved trail from Nine Mile Falls to the state line. As they say in the Lilac City, bring your family and leave your worries behind.
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Another Reason to Visit Paris in Springtime
By Linda Tancs
For the sixth year this Saturday, the currency-challenged can enjoy free access to the museums of Paris. Dubbed La Nuit des Musées (Night of the Museums), the event signifies one day of the year when access to many museums in Paris (and the rest of France) is free for one evening. Among the highlights: for collectors, there’s The National Library of France: Museum of Coins, Medals and Antiques; Petit Palais, where “The History of French Art” is painted on the dome above the circular staircase; Monet’s “Water Lilies” at Musée de l’Orangerie; the 18th century art collection of Cognacq and Jay, founders of La Samaritaine, at Musée Cognacq-Jay; and Parisian history at Musée Carnavalet. Expect long lines.
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Your Water Adventure Awaits
By Linda Tancs
Boating season is nearly underway or, in some cases, has already begun. Your water adventure awaits at Lake Powell, the majestic looking man-made lake along the Arizona/Utah border in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Of course, you can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lake from the comfort of your spacious lakeview room or suite at the Lake Powell Resort. Or you can commune with nature on a luxury houseboat like the 75-feet Odyssey. The $12,000 price tag may seem a little steep, but if you gather up 12 of your closest friends to fill the quarters, then that’s only $1000 per person. Hey, what are friends for?
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Life in the Gilded Age
By Linda Tancs
Imagine the life of a silk baron in the 19th century. Grand estate, lavish parties, extensive artwork collection. You can experience it vicariously at Lambert Castle. That’s in New Jersey (bet you had a different destination in mind, now didn’t you!). Modeled after an English castle by silk baron Catholina Lambert, the stately manor overlooks the city of Paterson from Garret Mountain. Now a museum, it houses period rooms and collections on the first floor, permanent exhibits featuring local history, folk arts and portraiture on the second floor and revolving exhibits on the third floor. Only $5 for adults; visiting hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
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Paris Your Way
By Linda Tancs
Writer Ernest Hemingway famously remarked that Paris is a movable feast. Those who live aboard les péniches (the houseboats) are apt to agree. Perhaps it’s the striking views of the city’s landmarks from the plank or the exhilaration of plying the Seine at one’s own pace in rhythm with the waterway that drives folks to riverboat living. In any event, it’s a great opportunity to experience Paris your way. Why not rent one the next time you visit the City of Light?
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Got You Covered in New Jersey
By Linda Tancs
If you thought New Jersey was nothing more than a patchwork of open road punctuated by exit signs, then imagine how surprised you’ll be to discover the romance of the covered bridge. You know, like The Bridges of Madison County–only not quite so many. In fact, only two: Green Sergeant’s in Hunterdon County and Scarborough in Cherry Hill. Green Sergeant’s, a 19th century queen post truss at Rosemont-Sergeantsville Road over Wickecheoke Creek near Flemington, is perhaps better known thanks to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. Scarborough carries two-way traffic over the North Fork of Cooper River, however. Built in the 1950s, it sports an incomplete A-frame and town truss construction. Either bridge is navigable, so be sure to cross when you come to it.
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Going Ape in the Netherlands
By Linda Tancs
Hold on to your hats, your cameras, your wallets, and anything else you treasure at Apenheul in the Netherlands. The first primate zoo in the world allowing free roaming (that means among you, too), this forest in Apeldoorn features over 30 species of primates, among them a 50-year-old orangutan and burgeoning artist named Karl. Meet Karl and his friends, a variety of monkeys, gorillas, bonobos, other orangutans and added species such as water swine, parrots, macaws and a giant anteater. Watch that tongue.
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Harmony in Pudong
By Linda Tancs
China is celebrating harmony. Odd, you might think, for a world power not exactly known for its humanitarianism. Well, put those beliefs aside when you visit Shanghai’s World Expo 2010. The first world’s fair to take place in China, the exhibition welcomes 189 nations to a five-square-kilometer, $50 billion playground. Over 200,000 visitors poured in for the 1 May opener and fireworks extravaganza over the Huangpu River. Events include folk festivals and cultural feasts, perfect complements to the Austrian theme “Feel the Harmony” or Pakistan’s “Harmony in Diversity.” Over 70 million guests are expected before the event’s close on 31 October. Will you be one of them?
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The Triple Crown in Chicago
By Linda Tancs
In the race toward enlightenment, Chicago wins the triple crown thanks to Artropolis, a celebration of art, antiques and culture at The Merchandise Mart beginning on 30 April. Art Chicago will assemble a collection of exhibits in various media such as painting, photography, drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations. Highlights this year include special exhibits for top MFA students from across the country, social and political-inspired art, an array of American artworks and nomadic sculptures of Swiss born artist Florian Graf, presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago. Other artistic nuggets are waiting for you at the International Antiques Fair, like a coral and gold sea urchin brooch. Now that you don’t see everyday. Next is NEXT, an arts fair presenting contemporary works in all their eye-popping splendor. Tickets are $20 per day or $25 for a multi-day pass through the event’s conclusion on 3 May. The weather will be cookin’ in Cook County this year, so get your tickets while it’s hot.
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A Golden Week in Japan
By Linda Tancs
May 1 is typically a public holiday in many parts of Europe, a time to celebrate the advent of spring and enjoy a bit of conviviality in the process. In Japan, however, they needn’t settle for a day of celebration. Golden Week, beginning on 29 April, marks the start of over a week of spirited activity and travel. In fact, many Japanese travel widely during the holiday as many businesses shut down. The festivities begin in April with Showa Day, marking the birthday of the emperor Showa. May 3 marks Constitution Day, so called for the new Constitution put into effect on that day in 1947. Nature is revered on May 4 during Greenery Day. The festival season concludes on May 5 with Children’s Day, a time when carp streamers decorate the thresholds of many homes to symbolize children’s success in life. If you want to be a part of the action, there’s plenty to see, like the 1300th anniversary celebration at Nara. This is prime time for cherry blossoms, too. Visit Hirosaki Park Cherry Blossom Festival. Maybe you’ll find a hanami (viewing party) to get happy with. Hana yori dango, as they say.
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