Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!A Movable Feast
By Linda Tancs
Tourists are accustomed to eating on the run, often sacrificing finer gastronomic experiences in favor of squeezing in one last attraction. In Barcelona, though, there’s a better alternative: the Gourmet Bus. Imagine dining on a terrine of rock fish and mild mayonnaise coupled with guinea fowl à la royale with parmentier of potato and wild mushroom on a glass roof bus with multilingual attendants, route cameras and commentary. The year-round panoramic sightseeing tour includes such gems as Casa Batlló, Torre Agbar, Plaça d’Espanya and Sagrada Família.
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Where Russia’s Winter Begins
By Linda Tancs
In Siberia’s Yakutian permafrost some say Russia’s winter begins. With winter temperatures easily hitting minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit there, it may even seem neverending. Yakutian settlements also boast world records as the “pole of cold,” the coldest place in the northern hemisphere. It should come as no surprise that this is where you’ll find the Permafrost Kingdom, an ice cave some 492 feet long located at Chochur Muran mountain. After donning a warm coat and boots, you’ll see ice crystals and sculptures aglow in rainbows of light through the slippery corridors. Opened in 2008, the “kingdom” is in its infancy compared with the prehistoric permafrost underscoring the entire Yakutian region, the onetime home of the extinct woolly mammoth.
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A Birthday Parade in Alexandria
By Linda Tancs
It’s parade day in Alexandria, Virginia, the hometown of first U.S. President George Washington. The largest parade in the United States celebrating Washington’s birthday, the festivities kick off at 1:00 p.m. in Old Town. Thereafter, take advantage of free admission at historical sites such as the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, the Lyceum, Carlyle House and Christ Church.
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The Heart of Buddhism
By Linda Tancs
Tomorrow marks the full moon day of the third lunar month. That means that in Buddhist-majority countries like Thailand they’ll be celebrating Makha Bucha Day. Held in honor of Buddha, the event commemorates Buddha’s sharing of his enlightenment with a congregation of disciples. The day ends with a closing ceremony where thousands of monks light candles, chant scripts in temple grounds and perform the ritual of wien thien (circling the temple three times) in major shrines.
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The Life and Times of Romans in Jordan
By Linda Tancs
In yet another nod to the appeal of gladiator contests and chariot races, Jerash, Jordan is the latest site for the staging of gladiator fights and chariot races at its restored hippodrome. This “Rome away from Rome” as the Tourism Board so aptly puts it is a perfect locale for the reenactments of ancient sporting events. After all, the excavated colonnaded paved streets reveal chariot tracks worn in the original stone.
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Adopt a Tree in Provence
By Linda Tancs
What better way to guarantee yourself a steady supply of sumptuous truffles than to adopt your own oak tree at Les Pastras, an organic property in Provence featuring 11 hectares of grapes, olives, apricots, cherries, plums, apples, pears, pomegranates, figs, almonds, hazelnuts and, of course, black winter truffles. They offer truffle hunting tours followed by truffle hors d’œuvres and champagne. Best of all, for every tree adopted, Les Pastras buys a fruit tree for the One Family orphanage in Haiti.
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The Joy of Boating
By Linda Tancs
Looking to master the high seas without the maintenance headaches? Well, your ship has come in. Get My Boat offers rentals and charters in over 80 countries and 1100 locations at various price points. Hot spots include Miami, Split, San Francisco, San Diego and USVI. Are you ready to make some waves?
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The World’s Longest Teak Bridge
By Linda Tancs
In Myanmar’s ancient capital Amarapura you’ll find the expected ruins of the palace and tombs of old kings. But what survives in the old capital is even more stunning: a teak bridge spanning 1.2 kilometers. The longest teak bridge, U Bein Bridge was built from pieces of the city’s dismantled teak palace when the capital moved to Mandalay. Enjoy the view at sunset.
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Calais’ Better Half
By Linda Tancs
Nestled between Boulogne-sur-mer on the Côte d’Opale and the port of Calais you’ll find the seashore and salty air of Wimereux. Boasting 19th century Victorian Anglo-Norman architecture, this relatively undiscovered gem offers all the familiar fare of not-too-distant Paris, as well as sunbathing, sailing, windsurfing, horse riding, walking, tennis and golf on one of the region’s oldest courses. On a clear day, you can see forever (or, at least, the white cliffs of Dover).
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Very Superstitious
By Linda Tancs
Located east of Phoenix, Arizona, the fabled Superstition Mountain is aptly named considering the history and folklore of the region. Perhaps best known as the alleged site of the richest gold mine in the world, treasure hunters still descend on Apache Junction in search of the Lost Dutchman Mine. You’ll find interesting memorabilia at nearby Superstition Mountain Museum, where exhibits include the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine maps, gold samples from local mines and Native American artifacts.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 