Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Hog Wild in Carmel
By Linda Tancs
Did you know that the Hog’s Breath Inn restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea is owned by actor and former mayor Clint Eastwood? I’m sure you’d make his day if you stopped by for a visit, but that’s not the only attraction in this city in California’s Monterey Peninsula. The town is known for its story book-style cottages, characterized by turrets and stone chimneys, like those at Torres Street and Sixth Avenue. Another feature is its mile-long pure sandy beach. And then of course there’s the visual and performing arts centre along with the third oldest art gallery in the country, Weston Art Gallery–not surprising, considering Carmel’s origin as a bohemian art colony. This pet-friendly destination was rated a top ten locale by a leading travel magazine. If you go, consider a scenic walking tour. Then eat, shop and explore some more and find out for yourself why they call it California’s Jewel City.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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The Cognac of Napoleon
By Linda Tancs
In the vineyard-embellished countryside of Jarnac in western France stands the house that Courvoisier built. That is, Maison Courvoisier, a refurbished warehouse of brandy barrels overlooking the Charente River. The story goes that Napoleon sailed away to oblivion with several barrels of Courvoisier’s doubly distilled elixir. Enough to forget one’s troubles, I suppose. No wonder this house markets its drink as the cognac of Napoleon. Just a three hour train ride from Paris, this region is the homeland of cognac. Nearby you’ll find Hennessy, Martel and Rémy Martin.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Tattoo You
By Linda Tancs
The 19th International Tattoo Convention gets underway in Berlin at Arena Berlin from 4 to 6 December. Here’s where you’ll find Isobel Varley, the most tattooed senior woman in the world, as indicated in the Guinness Book of World Records. Also appearing are legendary tattoo artist Herbert Hoffman and well-known illustrator Sarah Horwath. Will Elaine Davidson of Brazil, the most pierced woman on Earth with 6000 body piercings, make a return appearance? Some things really must be seen to be believed.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Rockefeller Tree Lighting
By Linda Tancs
From today until 7 January 2010 you can enjoy one of the most famous trees in the world, New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This tree is green in more ways than one. Following a tradition begun with the 75th tree in 2007, the 75+ foot spruce will be illuminated with 30,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs. Tonight is the lighting ceremony, beginning at 7:00pm and concluding at 9:00pm. The two-hour long program features various celebrity appearances and top musical entertainment, together with the countdown and tree lighting. Better get there early for the best views of the event, taking place at 30 Rock. The nicer the weather, the larger the crowds. Not in the area? Watch the tree online.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Book Now for Shroud Viewing
By Linda Tancs
The Shroud of Turin will be available for viewing after a ten year break from 10 April to 23 May 2010. Revered by many as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, it underwent restoration in 2002 and will be available for viewing at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Torino, Italy. You can now book your ticket online. Without a ticket, you can still enter the central nave of the Cathedral but access to the shroud will be foreclosed.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Christmas at Biltmore
By Linda Tancs
Biltmore House, that glorious French Renaissance chateau in Asheville, North Carolina, was opened to friends by George Washington Vanderbilt in 1895. For those of you with champagne wishes and caviar dreams, you can experience the grandiosity of a Christmas at Biltmore by visiting the seasonal attraction, now in its 35th year. Daytime tours include a walk about Biltmore House, seranaded all the while with music of the season. The event also includes a tour of the Gardens, the Winery with complimentary wine tasting, River Bend Farm and Barnyard. Of course, the illumination of the house and grounds is a must-see as well. For the past 26 years, therefore, Biltmore has offered Candlelight Christmas Evenings, a separate ticketed event. Guests tour through rooms lit by twinkling lights and firelight, reflected in thousands of ornaments. Live entertainment inside Biltmore House is included. New this year is the restoration and preservation of the magnificent Louis XV Suite in Biltmore House, the birthplace of two generations of the Vanderbilt family. Buy your tickets online and print them at home. Meet the season in high style!
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A Note of Thanks
Thanksgiving Day is an especially appropriate time to thank you, the reader, for being a part of the Travelrific family. My hope is that you’ll continue to enjoy the blog and share your comments!
Warmly,
Linda Tancs, blog author
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Biking the Columbia River Gorge
By Linda Tancs
Is there a bad time to bike the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon? It all depends on your seasonal preferences. Weather in summer east of the Cascades can top 100 degrees fahrenheit. And be prepared for spring rains, icy winters or slippery fallen leaves in autumn. So, pick your poison, as they say. Whichever season you choose, be sure to take in the scenic delights offered by the Historic Columbia River Highway (a national scenic byway), the first scenic highway in the nation. Three Highway State Trails are now open, and more are under construction. Beginning at the city of Troutdale and traveling east, you’ll find Oregon’s most visited waterfall, Multnomah Falls. Views of the Gorge include Portland Women’s Forum Scenic Viewpoint, Vista House at Crown Point and Rowena Crest. Enjoy the view; just remember to share the road.
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Vampire Tales and Tourism
By Linda Tancs
Dracula is just so yesterday, as any adolescent movie goer today would likely tell you (think: “Twilight” and “New Moon”). I wonder what they’d think of Grando, though. Legend has it that Jure Grando, a farmer in the tiny village of Kringa, Croatia, died in 1656 and came back to life in 1672 to wreak havoc on his former neighbors until a stake through the heart ended the bedlam. Over 300 years later, however, the vampire mystique remains in full throttle in this hamlet of 400 souls in the Istrian peninsula, a Tuscany-inspired vacation destination. In fact, there’s now a Caffe Bar Vampire in honor of its earlier inhabitant, one of the first bloodsuckers ever to be documented. Point of interest on the vampire tourism trail to be sure.
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Art and Life
By Linda Tancs
You’ve heard the expression: which came first, the chicken or the egg? In a similar vein, does art imitate life or does life imitate art? Well, at Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny in France, the line between art and life is more like a blur. In fact, when you view the master impressionist’s abode in this village northwest of Paris, you’re likely to feel like you stumbled into one of his paintings. You won’t find any of his originals on the premises; you’ll need to visit d’Orsay, Marmottan or de l’Orangerie to see those. But you will find in his garden oasis the blooming water lillies he made so famous. The house will reopen in April for tours. From then until November 1 you can observe the changing cascade of color–from springlike pastels to the deep brilliant hues of autumn–that makes his artwork come to life. Less than an hour away from Paris, buy a packaged tour, drive or take the train to Vernon and then a bus or taxi ride will have you there in 10 minutes or so. No doubt the still beauty of the place will leave a lasting impression on you.
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