Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!River Trivia
By Linda Tancs
Calling all smarty pants: what’s the world’s longest river below sea level? Name a body of water having “river” in its name in the northeastern U.S. that is actually not a river but rather an estuary. Answers to appear in tomorrow’s post–and no cheating.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Share this:
Secure Flight Means Tighter ID Requirements
By Linda Tancs
The Transportation Security Administration recently announced the implementation of its Secure Flight program, an initiative from 9/11 requiring airlines to collect precise identity information to match up against the no-fly and warning lists. The program requires that a party present ID at check-in that matches the name given to the airline when making a reservation. Of paramount concern is whether a problem will arise if a driver’s license or passport omits a middle name or middle initial or some other hiccup in identity that is otherwise revealed on a boarding pass, or vice versa. Perhaps it’s too early to tell what the ramifications of the new rule will be, which ultimately will apply to both domestic and international travel (international rules taking effect in late 2009). The best advice? Have the appropriate ID handy when making that reservation or when instructing your travel agent.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Share this:
Going Green in Madagascar
By Linda Tancs
Recent reports indicate that Madagascar, the Indian Ocean island off the coast of southeastern Africa, just got a little greener. As in frogs–200 new species of them. Not all of them green, of course, but if you put them all together it might look like a small treetop. The way things are going, it may well be the only way to get the feel of a canopy in this idyllic island nation. Word has it that the protected forests are being plundered. In fact, rainforest destruction there is among the highest on the planet. And that gives our amphibious friends really something to croak about.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Share this:
Live Like a Novelist
By Linda Tancs
Fans of mystery writer Agatha Christie will be pleased to learn that her beloved Devonshire home, Greenway, has been reopened to the public after refurbishments restoring it to its original condition. Deeded to Mrs. Mallowan (her married name) in 1938, she resided there with her husband for over 20 years, transferring the property in 1959 to her daughter. Now owned by the U.K.’s National Trust, a cottage on the grounds can be rented. Timed tickets are available for tours of the main house. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your muse there. As Christie once said, “Everything that has existed, lingers in the Eternity.”
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com
Share this:
Celebrating Mexican Heritage
By Linda Tancs
Think Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the fifth of May) and up pop images of salsa, chips and margaritas. Like so many dates lost in a bit of kitschy commercialism, the sacrifice or courage that underlies the commemoration is long forgotten. So today a little history: after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1810, it suffered through many wars, leaving the country in economic ruin, unable to pay its debts to other countries. When Mexico failed to pay its debt to France, France invaded. On May 5, 1862 a small regiment of Mexican soldiers bravely faced off against the French at the Battle of Puebla and prevailed–at least for a while. The bravery of that outnumbered and beleaguered militia is celebrated each year on 5 May. The biggest celebration in the world takes place in Los Angeles (though not on 5 May) at the Festival de Fiesta Broadway. Plan ahead for next year.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com
Share this:
Konstanz Blooms
By Linda Tancs
Each spring over a half million bulbs start blooming in Mainau, an island in Lake Constance, Germany. For gardeners, this event is no doubt topped with the orchid show in the Palm House. The springtime bonanza, planned and cultivated by the late Swedish prince Lennart Bernadotte and run by his children, attracts over 1 million visitors a year. Those without a green thumb need not spare themselves a visit. The 111-acre site, open year round, also boasts an arboretum, a children’s playground, a butterfly house and what else–a castle. Get there via the scenic route by boat from Meersberg and Unteruhldingen.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com
Share this:
Stardust in Your Eyes
By Linda Tancs
When the Stardust Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas was imploded in 2007, many saw the end of an era in this desert of dreams. After all, it was to be replaced by the monolithic Echelon Place, a Miami-chic inspired collection of hotels and shops, now halted due to shaky capital markets. But don’t wipe the dust from your eyes just yet. MGM and its partner Dubai World are forging ahead on their own $8 billion megalopolis, CityCenter. With three luxury residences, it’s billed as the address to live it up–or maybe better put, to live up to. Despite the economic woes, the project is set for completion in late 2009. Let’s hope so. With over 12,000 jobs up for grabs, it’s a veritable economic stimulus package.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Share this:
Healthy Travels
By Linda Tancs
We’re all a bit jittery over the prospect of a swine flu pandemic, which has me thinking about preparedness and the need for public health information, particularly to prevent panic and misinformation. For example, you can’t catch swine flu by eating a pork chop. Period. You can catch it, though, by traveling to a country with a known outbreak, such as Mexico–which is why the U.S. has posted an advisory against nonessential travel there. Can you spot the signs of an infected passenger? Are you prepared for an outbreak? Thankfully, the Centers for Disease Control provides answers to these and other questions. Better safe than sorry.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Share this:
The Wisconsin Apostles
By Linda Tancs
At the northern tip of Wisconsin’s Bayfield peninsula sits a string of 21 islands–the Apostles–waiting for exploration. Actually, the Ojibwe tribe beat you to their exploration, by about 600 years. In fact, members of the Ojibwe Nation still call this part of the world, and the rest of the Great Lakes, home. One of the most spectacular features of this area is the mainland sea caves, a heaving jut of sandstone best seen by boat. Sandstone, by the way, was a big export of the islands, ferried around to the largest midwestern cities in the 19th century to build some of their best known landmarks. Native Americans used this earthly treasure to create culturally significant imagery. You can learn more about their artifacts from the Wisconsin Historical Society.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Share this:
An Alluring Vessel
By Linda Tancs
Royal Caribbean has announced that it’s now accepting reservations for its newest ship, Allure of the Seas. Set to launch in 2010 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ports of call include the Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico. All aboard!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
Travelrific® Travel Journal 