Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Fair History in Queens
By Linda Tancs
One of the city’s most iconic parks, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, boasts a World’s Fair legacy. In 1939 and again in 1964, the park hosted two of the largest international exhibitions ever held in the United States, the World’s Fair. One of its landmark attractions is the Unisphere, a spherical stainless steel representation of the Earth designed by Gilmore D. Clarke for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. It’s also the locale of Arthur Ashe Stadium, site of the U.S. Open tennis championships and headquarters of the National Tennis Center.
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Ohio’s Oldest Settlement
By Linda Tancs
Martins Ferry has the distinction of being the oldest settlement in Ohio, beginning in 1787 when the ground upon which the city is located was purchased by Captain Absalom Martin, one of the surveyors of the Seven Ranges of the Northwest Territory. Absalom started operating a ferry in 1789 (hence, the name). Historical artifacts related to the region are housed in the town’s Sedgwick House Museum, where you’ll find everything from the pioneer days of the Zane and Martin families to the space shuttle.
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Europe’s Highest Sea Cliff
By Linda Tancs
Europe’s highest sea cliff is Hornelen in western Norway. Situated in the Nordfjord region on the island of Bremangerlandet, it’s a popular destination for hikers seeking rewarding views of ocean, islands, fjords, villages, mountains and glaciers. The already challenging route is even more adventurous, however, with the addition of a via ferrata (“iron path”) climbing route, a form of mountain climbing that utilizes steel cables and fixed ladders to aid climbers. The new route features three options, the easiest of which, a two-hour route called Ørnelia, is for beginners. The intermediate route, called the Wall of Witches, takes about six hours to complete. The expert level climb, Olaf’s Route, requires the most experience and will take a day to complete.
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Where Everyone’s An Artist
By Linda Tancs
The Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York, is one of America’s oldest and largest art museums. At 560,000 square feet, the museum is New York City’s second largest and contains an art collection with around 500,000 objects. One of its latest innovations gives anyone the opportunity to be an artist, thanks to a renovated arts education center with three studios offering expanded access to art-making and
learning for all ages and a dedicated gallery hosting rotating family-friendly installations. In addition to general admission and ticketed exhibitions, First Saturdays (monthly evenings of free programming) occur from February to June and in August and October.
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The Key to England
By Linda Tancs
The history of England’s Dover Castle begins in the 1180s, when King Henry II commenced building of the present fortress. It’s known as the “key to England” because of its strategic location overlooking the English Channel from the White Cliffs of Dover and its defensive significance. In fact, the castle has played a crucial role in the defense of the realm for over nine centuries, a span equaled only by the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. Remarkably, an even older structure exists within the castle walls, a lighthouse built by the Romans to guide ships into the harbor after they invaded in A.D. 43. One of only three Roman lighthouses to survive from the whole of the former Roman Empire, it is also the most complete standing Roman building in England.
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The Ulysses Riviera
By Linda Tancs
Named for its mythological origins, Italy’s Ulysses Riviera is a coastline running from San Felice Circeo to Minturno that’s known for its natural beauty and archaeological sites. One of its beautiful seaside towns is Gaeta, which dates to Imperial Rome. Not surprisingly, it boasts a protected area with Roman ruins, which is set within Monte Orlando Park. Its most stunning attraction is arguably the Sanctuary of the Split Mountain—an 11th-century Benedictine monastery built into the cliffs and grottoes of the park. Its appearance today reflects renovations dating to the 17th century that incorporate Neapolitan and Spanish baroque styles. Popes, kings, bishops and saints have been counted among its visitors. You can reach the sanctuary from the city center of Gaeta going through Via Munazio Planco and following the indications along the road.
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Fairy Tale Forest
By Linda Tancs
Imagine a parkland filled with attractions bringing stories from Grimms’ Fairy Tales to life! That’s exactly what you’ll find at Fairy Tale Forest in Oak Ridge, New Jersey. The story of Fairy Tale Forest began in 1953 when Paul Woehle Sr., a German immigrant, started to build it at the age of 40. He came from a family of 13 children and his mother used to read them the Grimms’ stories every night. What began as a few storybook cottages has evolved into a theme attraction bringing to life over a dozen of the famed fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.
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Steaming Through the Doux
By Linda Tancs
The Train de l’Ardèche follows a railway line linking Tournon-sur-Rhône and Lamastre, a route built in the 1800s to transport people, goods and mail. Its Mallot steam locomotives were especially built for this line, a narrow gauge track following the Doux River through beautiful gorges, scenic views of villages and countryside, chestnut groves and orchards. The main station is Tournon St Jean situated in the village of St-Jean-de-Muzols, not far from Tournon-sur-Rhône. However, you can also depart from the stations in Boucieu le Roi and Lamastre. Events are offered throughout the year, ranging from Western-themed trips to wine tastings and decorated trains for Halloween.
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The Magic of Ashdown Forest
By Linda Tancs
Ashdown Forest is an ancient area of open heathland occupying the highest sandy ridge-top of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in East Sussex, England. It’s perhaps better known as the woodland that inspired one of the best-loved children’s stories of all time, Winnie the Pooh. The loop trail around the forest explores locations that correspond to the Hundred Acre Wood from the story. The route begins at Gill’s Lap car park and heads north, passing Gill’s Lap Clump. There you’ll find a commemoration stone for the author A.A. Milne and the illustrator E.H. Shepard. The route continues to Wrens Warren Valley, known as Eeyore’s sad and gloomy place in the story. The trail is open year round.
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Cleveland’s First Skyscraper
By Linda Tancs
Erected in 1890, the Society for Savings Bank building in Cleveland, Ohio, is the city’s first skyscraper. Ten stories tall, it combines elements of the Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance styles in red sandstone. Now a branch of Key Bank, it’s worth a visit inside the lobby (during banking hours) to view the stained-glass ceiling and four large murals. The building is located downtown on the north side of Public Square.
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