Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Green Mountains and Blue Water
By Linda Tancs
When Christopher Columbus discovered present day Haiti, he thought he’d landed in Asia or India and not the gateway to the Caribbean. The island might be better known for the port of Labadee, a cruise ship destination boasting a private resort owned by the cruise line Royal Caribbean International, but the real charm is just outside Jacmel. That’s where you’ll find Bassin Bleu, an idyllic respite of cascading waterfalls surrounded by green mountains and blue water. Hopefully you’ll find the commute well worth it, after being rattled to and fro in a 4×4 for 30 minutes. Despite the common wisdom, in this case it’s the destination that counts, not the journey.
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Gates of the Arctic
By Linda Tancs
With no roads or trails, Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic ain’t your momma’s national park. But for those pioneering enough to brave nature’s elements, it offers spectacular opportunities to discover a premier wilderness. Four times the size of Yellowstone, the park and preserve lie entirely north of the Arctic Circle, straddling the crest of the Brooks Range (the northernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains). This land is home to the Athabascan and Nunamiut, who hunt the caribou herds that migrate through the park in the spring and autumn. The park was named by intrepid explorer Robert Marshall, citing two mountains paired opposite the North Fork. A lake named in his honor is about 33 miles from Anaktuvuk Pass, an Eskimo village within the park borders and a popular entry point into the preserve. Scheduled flights from Fairbanks serve the area.
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Straddie’s Natural Wonders
By Linda Tancs
Starting around May and ending in July, thousands of humpback whales migrate north past Australia’s North Stradbroke Island (popularly known as “Straddie”), a favored destination for Brisbanites just off the coast. You’ll find the best land-based viewing at Point Lookout. Forget your watch; here you’re on nature’s time. Besides whale watching season, there’s plenty of hiking, fishing, swimming (five beaches to choose from) and surfing to keep you occupied. Or just relax at one of the peaceful inland lakes with names like Blue Lake and Brown Lake. It’s that simple.
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Old Wood in North America
By Linda Tancs
Located along Swedesboro Road in Gibbstown, New Jersey, the Nothnagle cabin is one of the oldest log cabins in the United States and the oldest standing wooden structure in North America. All but one of the cabin’s original logs are intact. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, it is believed to have been built in the 1600s by Finnish settlers. Privately owned, it is open for scheduled tours with the owners, Harry and Doris Rink. They reside in a newer part of the structure added in the 1900s.
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The Marlstone City
By Linda Tancs
Valkenburg is the central town in the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul in the southeastern Dutch province of Limburg. It’s equally as charming as nearby Maastricht (Limburg’s capital city) although probably not as well known despite having been fought after for centuries. In fact, the city and its environs were conquered in medieval times by Duke Philip the Bold for Burgundy. No doubt he was attracted to the warm yellow glow of marlstone girding its cliffs. Marlstone was mined to build the old castle (now in ruins), cultivated from the caves that now serve as a major tourist attraction. At a unique cave gallery, professional marlstone sculptors will help you unleash your inner Claus Sluter.
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Island of the Arts
By Linda Tancs
In the Gulf Islands of British Columbia on Canada’s west coast you’ll find Canada’s best loved outdoor market on Salt Spring Island. Internationally known, Saturday’s Market in the Park features over 100 artists, writers, musicians and farmers, showcasing their handiwork under the market rule of “make it, bake it or grow it.” The world-class artistry exhibited at this seasonal event has garnered the island the moniker “island of the arts.” The market takes place weekly on Saturdays from April through October in Centennial Park and in the adjacent parking area in downtown Ganges.
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A Classic Combination in Scotland
By Linda Tancs
Scotland’s Dumfries House is an all-around classic, inside and out. Set amidst 2,000 rustic acres in Ayrshire, the 18th century country house is a neoclassical gem designed by Robert Adam, one of the most important British architects of his day. Inside, the house enjoys the distinction of holding one of the largest collections of Chippendale furniture in the world, a classic by any standard. A royal restoration begun in 2007 saved the property from an uncertain future.
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The Calendar Islands
By Linda Tancs
On the southern coast of Maine lies Casco Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Maine. Blessed with a multitude of islands, the region is referred to as The Calendar Islands, suggesting you’ll need a calendar’s worth of time to see them all. Well, maybe not quite, but the slower pace of life will encourage you to take all the time you want. There’s something for everyone on the larger islands served by the year-round ferry. Cyclists will love the dirt roads on Cliff Island. Golfers will appreciate the ability to perfect their long drive on breezy Chebeague Island. Naturalists will enjoy hiking the trails along Long Island’s large conservation area. Historians can stroll around the former parade grounds of Fort McKinley on Great Diamond Island. Culture buffs will love the thriving artist community on Peaks Island. Need more inspiration? The Maine Island Trail Association offers a handy guide on places to explore.
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A Prehistoric Masterpiece Unveiled in France
By Linda Tancs
Discovered in 1994 in the Ardèche department of southern France, the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc cave contains the earliest known and best preserved figurative cave paintings in the world depicting Upper Paleolithic life. Its 36,000-year-old paintings cover not only the typical herbivores dominating Paleolithic life but also stunning images of bears, panthers, lions and other predatory animals–424 animals and 14 species in all. This prehistoric masterpiece would be lost to public viewing (in consideration of the need for preservation) were it not for the replica cave constructed less than five miles from the original site. The official opening is on Saturday, 25 April.
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The Essence of Extremadura
By Linda Tancs
Badajoz is the capital of Badajoz Province in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. Kissing the border with Portugal, a key focal point for spectacular views is Alcazaba, a fortress built in the 8th century by its Moorish conquerors. It’s surrounded by a host of little squares and gardens from which spring other imposing sites like the fortress-inspired cathedral and palatial museums. But nothing is as emblematic as Puerta de Palmas, an entrance point to the city marked by two majestic cylindrical towers guarding their namesake bridge across the Guadiana River. Take a walk across the bridge and enjoy the riverside.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 