Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for U.S. travel
Sundance a Draw for Film Cognoscenti and Skier Alike
By Linda Tancs
It’s not too late to make your way to Utah’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, running from 17 January to 27 January. And remember, they say that folks come to Park City for two reasons: Sundance and skiing. So if upping your arts quotient isn’t your cup of tea, then head for the pistes. Pick up free ski vouchers at the Sundance box office if you can, or just head for the slopes. Snow conditions are reportedly favorable, so hop on the next plane to Salt Lake City, and experience what many consider to be the best powder quality anywhere.
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Registered Travelers Sail Through Airport Security
By Linda Tancs
If you’re an airport latecomer, frequent flier or business traveler, there’s Zen-like relief from airport security lines at your disposal. In case you haven’t heard, a program called Clear allows registered travelers access to a special security lane to breeze through security. The one-year-old program works like this: you fill out an online form and then meet with a Homeland Security representative to verify your ID and select your fingerprint and iris images for your Clear card. At a participating airport (there are 14 to date), you move through a special security lane with your ID and Clear card. The program does not remove the need to pass through the metal detectors and x-rays, but the special lanes should theoretically cut down on your airport transit time. So how much is all this convenience worth to you? There’s a special first-year introductory rate of $100. If your security “status” changes (in other words, you’re not on Santa’s good list anymore), then you’ll get a refund for the unused portion of your annual fee. Clear encourages lobbying your state airport directors to make its program more widespread–and therefore more viable–across the country. Learn more at www.flyclear.com.
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Winter Fantasy Thrills Families at Longwood Gardens
By Linda Tancs
Want to see a Currier & Ives lithograph come to life? Then be sure to visit Longwood Gardens’ Winter Fantasy now through 6 January. Located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (outside Philadelphia), Longwood Gardens produces a dreamlike atmosphere of caroling, bell ringing, dancing fountains and outdoor lighting (500,000 bulbs strong) sufficient to snuff the bah-humbug out of anyone. And don’t miss the skating shows highlighting professional and amateur skaters near the Chimes Tower.
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The Art of Tipping
By Linda Tancs
The now-debunked story of Donald Trump leaving a $10,000 or so tip to a waiter has me thinking about the art–some would say, science–of tipping. How much is too much or not enough? Do popular conventions typically override the actual service received? Do you tip differently when you travel internationally? Calling all pundits–what say you?
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The New South Beach
By Linda Tancs
If market saturation in Miami’s South Beach has you feeling less than sanguine about your prospects for peace and quiet–not to mention scoring that coveted table at Bed–then head a bit north to Sunny Isles. Soon to go upmarket, Sunny Isles will offer CHI condo towers, sporting $5 to $7 million digs complete with personal mineral water pools. Not to be outdone, Regalia will offer full-floor condos in the $7 to $14 million price range. Better hurry before the Euro crowd–or any other dollar beaters for that matter- swoops in for the kill.
If you enjoyed my post, please leave a comment and/or write a short review at a site like Stumbleupon.
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Jersey Building is First to Go Net Zero
By Linda Tancs
A nondescript warehouse in Branchburg, New Jersey enjoys the distinction of being the first “net zero electric” facility in the U.S. A net zero electric facility produces more electricity than it consumes. The Branchburg facility, owned by Ferreira Construction, accomplishes this feat through over 1200 rooftop solar panels that heat the tap water and a series of hoses under the floors that circulate the water. It seems only fitting that a construction company should lead the charge in sustainable building practices. Statistics put the market in green building products and services at $12 billion this year. Consider the advantages. In addition to energy conservation and environmental stewardship, going green could provide tax incentives for suppliers and other municipal benefits for the building’s owner.
If you enjoyed my post, please leave a comment and/or write a short review at a site like Stumbleupon.
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The Most Expensive Dessert in the World
By Linda Tancs
You can search the world over for a trifle sweet truffle but, according to Guinness World Records, you won’t find one as pricey as that served at an eatery on East 60th Street in New York City. The restaurant, known appropriately enough as Serendipity 3, offers a chocolate sundae concoction comprised of worldwide cocoas (or is that cacao?), whipped cream, edible gold (we’re not talking 10 carats here, but does it leave a metallic aftertaste?) and shavings from the venerable La Madeline au Truffe. What is La Madeline au Truffe, you ask? That’s a haute piece of chocolate truffle (with a little Perigord thrown in for good measure) created by Connecticut chocolatier Fritz Knipschildt. This consummate confection is served in a golden goblet ringed with a diamond bracelet and eaten with–what else–a gold souvenir spoon. That’s right–a souvenir. You might as well have something by which to remember this $25,000 gastronomic delight. Besides a lighter bank account, that is.
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Faith-Based Tourism Is Growing
By Linda Tancs
Today is All Souls Day, and so it seems only fitting to discuss faith-based tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization, the faith-based travel industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the business, with one-third of each major demographic expressing interest in a spiritual-oriented vacation. Want to learn more? Visit the World Religious Travel Association at www.religioustravelassociation.com.
Answer to yesterday’s trivia question: Hawaii, Puerto Rico and parts of Arizona.
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Standard Time Returns on Sunday
By Linda Tancs
Spring ahead, fall back. That’s the common refrain we use to change the hour hand on clocks every 6 months, more or less. Now comes the time to fall back again on Sunday after an extra week of extra light (thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005) gives way to standard time. It’s been over 40 years since Congress legislated this clock-turning routine, but not everyone observes it. So today’s trivia question is this: which jurisdictions do not observe savings time? The answer will appear in a special Friday edition of Travelrific®.
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Masterpiece Fearatre
By Linda Tancs
If it takes more than “boo” to have you jumping out of your skin, then test your composure at the Las Vegas Fright Dome at Circus Circus. This year’s haunt fest sports 5 haunted houses, 20 rides and a cast of creepy characters popping out of walls and ceilings. If you can’t make it by midnight, then you’ll have to wait until next year’s act. They’re aiming to be the #1 scare attraction in the country, so stay tuned to www.frightdome.com for future frights.
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