Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Forging Ahead in Millstone
By Linda Tancs
Blacksmithing was a crucial trade across countless centuries. The blacksmith–literally, one who smites iron–fashioned accessories for the aristocracy, ploughs for the working class and weaponry for the militia, among many other things. Industrialization may have vastly reduced their numbers, but the craftsmen behind this ancient art (practiced in some form as early as the Iron Age) are still celebrated through demonstrations and well preserved shops. In particular, Old Millstone Forge in Millstone, New Jersey is the oldest continuously operating blacksmith shop in the state. Open every Sunday from 1 April through 24 June, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into the life of the blacksmith and his role in society over the millenia.
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A Sphere of Influence
By Linda Tancs
Water towers are fascinating objects, as some blogs will attest. For residents of Union, New Jersey, its 211-foot water sphere has long been a prized possession, rising regally above the Kawameeh swamp to greet weary motorists and air travelers alike. Constructed in 1965, the tower became the tallest water sphere in the world. A different structure, a 220-foot colossus in Erwin, North Carolina, is technically a spheroid, so Union’s prize is still unmatched.
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An Enchanting Tour
By Linda Tancs
The last installment of the Harry Potter film series may have passed, but the movie magic will never end. You can experience the enchantment of Harry Potter’s world in London at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. The self-guided, three-hour walking tour takes you behind the scenes of such sites as the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office (including the sword of Gryffindor, the Sorting Hat and the Hogwarts headmaster portraits), Diagon Alley and Hagrid’s hut. The tour also reveals secrets on the execution of those special effects and animatronics. Be sure to order your tickets in advance; there are no sales at the door.
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A Ray of Light in Iceland
By Linda Tancs
Memorials to John Lennon abound throughout the world, but perhaps none is as spectacular as the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland. Located on Viðey island near the capital of Reykjavík, a beam of light radiates from a white stone monument bearing the words “imagine peace” in 24 languages. You can view it year round except for 8 December, the day he died.
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Matchmaker, Matchmaker
By Linda Tancs
Some recent news indicated that certain airlines will try matching passengers according to interests when assigning seats, a move no doubt calculated to make that long haul flight a bit more tolerable, not to mention social. Well, for those who would prefer to take control of their own matchmaking, Air New Zealand’s Twin Seat option takes the worry out of bad neighbors. For a reduced price, you can buy the seat next to you and enhance your personal space. So which is more important to you: your sociability quotient or your sanity?
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Blueberry Capital of the World
By Linda Tancs
The small, unassuming town of Hammonton, New Jersey is the blueberry capital of the world. Just 29 miles southeast of Philadelphia, acres of blueberry farms dotting the landscape produce millions of berries, the official fruit of the State of New Jersey. This prime export is celebrated each summer at the Red, White and Blueberry Festival, but this South Jersey hub and surrounding area is a year-round destination with local attractions like Batsto Village, as well as the Walt Whitman House, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, and the Warren E. Fox Nature Center.
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Paris on the Half Shell
By Linda Tancs
The City of Light conjures up dozens of gastronomic delights: snails, frogs’ legs, bouillabaisse, pot au feu, boeuf bourguignon and….oysters? Mais oui. France is Europe’s number one grower, exporter and consumer of the bivalve extraordinaire. King Louis XIV even had fresh oysters delivered from Cancale to Versailles every day, or so the story goes. So where is the best place for half shell cuisine in Paris? The favorite appears to be Huîtrerie Régis. Do you agree?
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Charting Checked Bag Fees
By Linda Tancs
Ever wish you could have a handy reference for each major U.S. airline’s checked bag fees? Your wish is granted. Airfare Watchdog has published an updated list of checked bag fees for first and second bags, additional bags, overweight bags and oversized bags. With all those fees, you’d be tempted to make do with a carry-on. Not so fast. Airlines impose weight limits on carry-on bags, too. Maybe that checked bag charge for your overweight carry-on will give you a lump in your throat. But that’s better than a lump on the head from an overhead bin, isn’t it?
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The Flying Duchess
By Linda Tancs
Woburn Abbey has been the home of the Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years. As with any historical manor, the stories of its occupants over the centuries are what bring it to life for contemporary guests. In the case of Woburn, the ladies of the house are just as compelling as their male counterparts. Take, for example, Mary Russell, wife of the 11th Duke. In the spirit of our modern era Amelia Earhart, she embraced aviation and flew record-breaking flights from Kent to India and later Cape Town. An ill-fated flight in 1937 resulted in her plane washing ashore near Great Yarmouth; her body was never recovered. Her adventurous spirit is reflected in the Flying Duchess’ Room at the Abbey.
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A Fortress in Manhattan
By Linda Tancs
At the foot of Manhattan in New York City lies a fortress, a national monument that celebrated its 200th anniversary last year. Known as Castle Clinton (named after Governor Dewitt Clinton of New York State), the structure was one of the New York Harbor forts built just before the War of 1812 with Great Britain. Over the last two centuries, the fort has also served as an entertainment center, an immigration landing depot and an aquarium. Saved from demolition in 1946, the Castle was restored to its original design by the National Park Service and today houses the ticket office for the Statue of Liberty, welcoming over 3 million visitors annually.
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