Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Palming Off in Spain
By Linda Tancs
Palm trees are typically symbolic of tropical vacations but are also of historical significance, representating victory, peace or fertility in various cultures. What better place to contemplate the ancient origins of this popular plant than at Palmeral of Elche, Europe’s largest palm grove in the Spanish province of Alicante. Just 20 minutes from Alicante’s main rail station, the maze of old (200 to 300 years old) and young palms is easily navigable thanks to circles in the pavement telling visitors which way to walk. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, cultivation of palms in Elche can be traced back to the 5th century B.C.; the grove’s elaborate irrigation system dates back to the 10th century Moorish roots of its host locale.
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Meet the Wing King in Buffalo
By Linda Tancs
At least 33 tons of crispy, delicious buffalo wings will be served this weekend at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in–where else–Buffalo, New York. Each Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands of people travel across the country to downtown Coca Cola Park in celebration of Buffalo’s signature dish. It’s there you might also pay tribute to the Wing King, Drew Cerza, the event’s founder. Do you have a favorite restaurant or sauce? Nominate them for the Hall of Flame, and give them something to cluck about.
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A Golden Nugget in Nevada
By Linda Tancs
There’s more than one golden nugget in Nevada worth a visit. Just eight hours from the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas is the Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, a family friendly barbeque boasting a rib-eating tournament drawing the world’s most competitive chowhounds. Now through 5 September, this annual event claiming over 500,000 visitors features one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Northern Nevada. The tournament is tonight at 6 p.m.; don’t worry, there will be plenty of ribs left to feast on at Rib Village, a VIP area offering unlimited ribs and drinks for up to 10 people per party.
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Vacation Rentals Just a Click Away
By Linda Tancs
Wyndham Rentals offers 90,000 vacation properties in 500 destinations through its extensive network of rental agencies. Looking for a detached bungalow in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria or the Czech Republic? How about a beachfront condo, ski-in/ski-out townhome or golf villa in North America? Is camping–or glamping–your passion? Chances are, they’ve got you covered.
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Viking Adds More Luxury for 2012
By Linda Tancs
Next year you can experience even more style on your European river cruise: Viking is adding two new Longships, Embla and Aegir, and with them comes a whole new world of luxury cruising. Like full-size staterooms combined with full-size verandas, large suites with a veranda outside the living room and French balcony in the bedroom, and two Explorer Suites with private wraparound verandas and 270° views. Aquavit, anyone? You can sample that on the terrace by the same name, an indoor/outdoor area at the bow of the ship for viewing, relaxing and casual dining.
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Doll Auction in Seattle
By Linda Tancs
A gorgeous French doll is waiting for you on 28 August in Seattle. Now, don’t get the wrong idea; this doll is of the collectible variety, along with a collection of dolls from Chicago and Germany forming the nucleus of this year’s doll auction at the Westin Bellevue. The collection includes early bisque dolls with sculpted hair, rare porcelain dolls, early wooden and cloth dolls, Kewpie dolls, miniature dolls, life-sized dolls, Teddy bears and a host of curiosities. Just a few blocks away is the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, a treasure trove of rare dolls that is shutting down as of 1 March 2012. Here’s your chance to get all dolled up.
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The Ultimate Reading Room
By Linda Tancs
Bibliophiles, take note. Would you like to view the only surviving copy of Benjamin Franklin’s first Poor Richard Almanack? How about the manuscript of James Joyce’s Ulysses or Bram Stoker’s notes for Dracula? These collections and more await you at the Rosenbach Museum and Library. Founded in 1954 through a testamentary gift by renowned book dealers Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach and his brother Philip, the facility is located at their 1865 historic townhouse on Delancey Place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The brothers played a central role in the development of private libraries that later became our nation’s most important public collections of rare books. The collection has since grown to include the papers of poet Marianne Moore and the drawings of Maurice Sendak. A guided tour includes Dr. Rosenbach’s rare book library, Philip Rosenbach’s fine and decorative art collections, and the recreation of modernist poet Marianne Moore’s Greenwich Village living room. As the Rosenbach is a historic house museum and research library, make an appointment with the librarian to view items from their collections.
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Perfection Evolves at Celebrity Cruises
By Linda Tancs
Celebrity Cruises made clear that it doesn’t want you thinking of its ships as a concrete and steel jungle when it inaugurated a real grass lawn aboard Solstice. With the recent unveiling of Silhouette, they’ve taken the concept of the great outdoors a step further. Like outdoor grilling in the new, interactive Lawn Club Grill. You can also rent a cabana on the lawn for a private retreat, or take art lessons from resident experts. Sailing to the Caribbean and Europe in modern luxury, the fourth ship in the Solstice class also offers sweeping veranda views in 85% of her staterooms, or take in the sights from the observation lounge. Now you’ll always have a room with a view.
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San Artists in South Africa
By Linda Tancs
Only two hours from Cape Town, the Cederberg mountains and wilderness area offers up telling rock art from the nomadic San. The 2500 or so ancient sites depict everyday hunting and gathering activities and some not-so-mundane mysteries for rock sleuths. After a day of rugged rock climbing, why not indulge in a cup of rooibos, a tea derived from the rooibos plant (Aspalathus Linearis) which is only found in the Cederberg region. Famed for its restorative properties, you just might find your fountain of youth.
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Brew Fest in Wyoming
By Linda Tancs
Wyoming’s official state microbrewery competition will be held this Saturday, rain or shine, at Kathy Glode Park from 1-5 pm. To the winner go the spoils–that is, the coveted Saratoga Steinley Cup. And that ain’t no bull. But while we’re on the subject, you can mosey on over to the Saratoga Bullfest at nearby Buck Springs Rodeo Arena. The Bullfest is an exciting bull riders-only event and will feature 30 of the region’s top cowboys.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 