Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Treehouse Dining in Northumberland
By Linda Tancs
Ordinarily you might not wish to see a tree trunk rising like a phoenix from the floor of your dining room. That is, of course, unless you’re dining in a treehouse. No doubt a unique experience, The Treehouse at Alnwick Gardens in England’s Northumberland offers farm-to-table menus, live music and a long list of beers and wines. Not to mention the bird’s-eye view. Needless to say, the kids will love it.
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The Mullet of Boggy Bayou
By Linda Tancs
The mullet of Boggy Bayou: sounds like a children’s tale, doesn’t it? In a sense, it is. It’s a place (Boggy Bayou, that is–now known as Niceville) in Florida’s Panhandle where children will gather with their families and neighbors in a time-honored tradition of consuming the local fish, the mullet. In time, those children will teach their children about mullet fishing in the former village of Boggy Bayou. This annual mullet festival, taking place this year from 21 to 23 October, is one of the best known country music events. Headliners this year are Trace Adkins, Brantley Gilbert, Jake Owen and Steel Magnolia. Get ready to make some memories.
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Tallest Nordic Hotel
By Linda Tancs
Only 15 minutes from Stockholm’s city centre, the brand new Scandic Victoria Tower is the tallest Nordic hotel, piercing the skyline at 34 floors and with enough glass to clear Murano of its inventory. The glass-clad tower with distinctive windows forming triangular patterns was created by architect Gert Wingårdh. All of the hotel’s 299 rooms are doubles, with free access to the gym, sauna and internet. This month the Skybar opens on the 34th floor. Enjoy the view.
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A Singular Concierge
By Linda Tancs
A singular service is atypical, extraordinary–of a quintessential nature. So arguably a concierge service offering 24/7/365 assistance is the quintessential valet. That’s what the folks at Quintessentially aim to be. Available worldwide, members get a host of services and customized attention, like travel services, special health and beauty offers, events and entertainment assistance, spa and health club privileges and personal shopping. You might even find youself in the best seat at that trendy restaurant. It’s all about connections. But you’ll have to join the club; sounds like it could be money well spent.
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Kids Sail Free
By Linda Tancs
Spend any time cruising and you’ll see how popular this form of travel has become with families. And why not? Several cruise lines have teamed with theme parks, movie studios and toy companies to create experiences that the kid in any of us adults would envy. In some cases, you needn’t break the bank to pay for it, either. Kids sail free on some MSC cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico. Check out the extraordinary family escapes at Orbitz.
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1066 Redux
By Linda Tancs
In the mood for a joust? If so, the Battle of Hastings reenactment on 15 and 16 October may be just the ticket for you. The annual event in Britain’s East Sussex features 400 soldiers clashing in the annual re-enactment of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, on the very battlefield where it took place. A decisive Norman victory, the battle took place between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II. The living history encampment will immerse you in medieval life. The cavalry awaits you.
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Shrimp to Shore
By Linda Tancs
For 40 years now Gulf Shores, Alabama has been the place to be for the National Shrimp Festival. Taking place from 13 to 16 October at the Gulf State Park Pavilion, the annual fest draws 300,000 visitors each year to sample the local fare. But that’s not all. There’s live music playing from two stages, over 200 artists, and a children’s activity village. The festival is free; why not apply those unused funds to a little break in the Gulf Coast. Stay and play at any of the local hotels, campgrounds, cottages or condos. There is a shuttle that leaves for the festival hourly from the Winn Dixie grocery store parking lot at only a dollar each way.
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Cruising Solo
By Linda Tancs
If you’d like to cruise solo but don’t want a specialty cruise for singles and/or a roommate, then Norwegian’s Epic may be the solution. Designed for the solo traveler, its studio accommodation offers singles a roomy and flexible environment, with many studios connecting for those seeking privacy yet also traveling with friends or family members. Better still, the rooms come with private access to the Studio Lounge, a place for coffee, cocktails and meet-ups, offering singles the opportunity for a singular experience. You asked, they answered.
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Scaling the Heights in West Virginia
By Linda Tancs
At a dizzying 876-foot drop to the river below, West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge is the longest steel span in the western hemisphere and the second highest in the United States. Located on U. S. Route 19 just north of Fayetteville, the engineering marvel (featured on the state’s commemorative quarter issued in 2005) lures visitors to cross the catwalk, jump and rappel each October on the third Saturday, Bridge Day. Afraid of heights? No worries. Enjoy the farmer’s market, cornbread and chili cook-off and car show, to name just a few events. The jumpers and rappelers could no doubt use a little moral support, too.
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Fun in a Nutshell
By Linda Tancs
Why would some 200,000 people from as far north as Canada gather in Suffolk, Virginia over a peanut? Well, maybe it’s the all-you-can-eat steamed shrimp on 6 October kicking off the four-day Suffolk Peanut Festival. Or maybe it’s the Friday night demolition derby. There’s a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday night, and the roar of motorcycles on Sunday at the rally. You see, it’s not all about peanuts although they’re obviously nutty about the little legume.
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