Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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A Head in the Clouds
By Linda Tancs
If you fancy the idea of experiencing life amidst the treetops like Swiss Family Robinson, then a trip to Costa Rica should be on your short list. At Monteverde Cloud Forest, you can commune with nature along the Skywalk, a series of suspension bridges and integrated walking paths atop the forest canopy–that’s in the clouds, of course (hence, the name). Orchid lovers will swoon over nearly 1500 species supplying a great part of the world’s florists. The walk will take about 2 hours. If you’d rather zip along, then you might want to take Sky Trek (a bit of a misnomer if you ask me), a zip line that zig zags through 10 different cables at about 500 feet. The less adventurous would do just as well taking the tram. They say that 90% of all rainforest life is found in the canopy. With all the flora and fauna converging on this ecosystem, it gives new meaning to the phrase “workplace diversity.”
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Earth Day Celebrations
By Linda Tancs
Happy Earth Day. Kermit the Frog says it’s not easy being green. Earth Day advocates surely don’t agree. This year’s events will show you why. Listen in at Travelrific Radio.
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Fido Flies First Class
By Linda Tancs
Remember Eos and Silverjet, those now defunct business-class only airlines? Well, now comes the equivalent for four-legged travelers: Pet Airways. Billing itself as first-class travel for “pawsengers,” the airline uses Beech 1900 turbo props with a proprietary restraint system to fly your dog or cat in its carrier to one of their current destinations: Teterboro, NJ, Washington, DC, Denver, Los Angeles or Chicago. The experience includes a pet attendant, monitored potty breaks before travel and a little decompression in the travel lounge. The only thing missing is filet mignon on a porcelain plate. Rawhide will just have to do for now.
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Birthday Celebration in Puerto Rico Draws Tourists
By Linda Tancs
The third Monday in April is celebrated in Puerto Rico as Natalicio de José de Diego–José de Diego’s birthday. José de Diego, a poet, lawyer, and patriot, led the movement for Puerto Rican independence and self-government. Revered throughout the land, his birthday constitutes a public holiday, replete with festivals to occupy the day off from work and school. However, a national birthday party is but one reason to visit this northeastern Caribbean nation in April–despite the rainy season. Consider the kite festival in the beach town of Aguadilla, known for its world-class surfing. Or how about picking up a wooden figurine of the Virgin of Montserrat in Hormigueros during the carving festival? In this Island of Enchantment as they call it, you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy.
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Travelrific® Travel Journal 