Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!A Taste of the Good Life
By Linda Tancs
Hot dog eating champs, move over. It’s time for a less hurried, more palate-pleasing competition in California. Just a few miles northwest of Philo, Greenwood Ridge Vineyards hosts a wine tasting competition this weekend. Singles can vie as connoisseurs on Saturday. Sunday is reserved for doubles. There’s even a training camp on both days for oenophile wannabees. Time to get your game on.
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Environmental Effects of Tourism
By Linda Tancs
Sometimes too much interest can be a bad thing. For years now, conservationists have been bemoaning the effects of tourism on a wide range of treasures around the world. Recently, a report indicated that the platforms harboring visitors at some of Cambodia’s ancient monuments are in danger of collapse because of the wear and tear from guests unloading from tour buses from sunrise to sunset. This situation is hardly unique, and other countries have implemented measures to control the effects of tourism on the environment. For instance, Egyptian authorities have long rotated the availability of tombs in the Valley of the Kings to offset the effects of rampant tourism. With some nations realizing a substantial part of their GDP from travelers, a dilemma arises between accommodating those who contribute to the community coffers and preserving an ecosystem that grows ever more fragile by the day through human and industrial actions. Ultimately, these nations must manage their tourism assets like a key player trying to effect change in a system, using goals that are strategic, measurable, agreed, realistic and timely. Then maybe sustainable tourism can be achieved.
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World Tourism Grows Amid Uncertainties
By Linda Tancs
The World Tourism Organization recently reported some encouraging news on the status of international tourism. Amid roiling global markets, the WTO found that world travel grew at a rate of about 5% during the first four months of this year, up 1% long term. Summer travel in the northern hemisphere will dictate whether the uptick holds at year-end. Not surprisingly, the U.S. sported a double-digit increase in tourism, thanks in no small part to the declining dollar. Tiger economies are enjoying a surge in inbound travel as well. On the other hand, Europe’s numbers are lagging except for the ever-popular southern and Mediterranean destinations. Overall, the WTO remains cautiously optimistic, so why shouldn’t we?
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Get Your Bajan On in Barbados
By Linda Tancs
It’s Crop Over time in Barbados. Find out what else is going on in this cruise ship haven. Visit Travelrific Travel Show.
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Largest Public Arts Festival Kicks Off This Weekend
By Linda Tancs
Art aficionados, take note. Baltimore, Maryland hosts Artscape this weekend. Billed as America’s largest free public arts festival, the event includes glass, ceramics, photography, clothing art, art exhibitions, and a host of musical entertainers from the worlds of jazz, soul, pop, rock, and blues, to name a few. Locals have easy access via bus, light rail or subway. For the rest, try Amtrak and save 50% off a companion ticket.
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Shutterbug Tours
By Linda Tancs
If the idea of touring like a photojournalist strikes your fancy, then a photography tour may be just the thing for you. How about capturing the haunting beauty of Glencoe or the hills and dales of Snowdonia and Yorkshire. If you prefer a walk on the wild side, then don’t miss the great migration at Masai Mara. Whatever your taste, there’s bound to be tour that’s right for you. So make like Ansel Adams and snap it up.
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Boating Tips for Summer
By Linda Tancs
What better way to enjoy the open skies and starry heavens in summer than to go boating. Rivers, lakes and open seas are now full of yachts, motor boats and everything in between. As with any form of transportation, boating needs to be undertaken responsibly. In addition to Mother Nature’s rip currents, hurricanes and other occurrences, operator-generated errors and omissions wreak havoc from time to time. The U.S. Coast Guard publishes responsible boating guidelines that every operator and prospective passenger should read. Ship ahoy!
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Golfers Will Find Paradise in the Balkans
By Linda Tancs
In Bulgaria, golf remains a little-known sport played predominately by foreign investors, diplomats and locals, if the scene at Ravno Pole is any indication. But it’s the foreign investment that may turn this land of almost 8 million inhabitants into a golf mecca. Already 19 properties are under development, set to compete with the ski and Black Sea resorts for an influx of tourism that reached the 5 million mark last year. If Black Sea Rama, a Gary Player signature course, is any indication, it’s the luxe traveler with 15.000 euros to spend on a membership who’s likely to find karma there. However, this government-supported venture promises to make golf an every man’s (or woman’s) game. Whatever the case, an uptick in Bulgaria’s tourism image seems assured.
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The Hottest Place on Earth
By Linda Tancs
Summer brings its share of perils–ozone warnings, dust storms, fires, draught and stormy weather. In some places, the heat is so extreme you might be wishing for your own polar ice cap to float on. Take Dubai, for instance. At a mere 40 degrees or so (centigrade, that is) in the shade, the air is so humid now you’d feel like a palm tree in a conservatory. So why are more and more Europeans flocking to this place in the stoking hot season of summer? In today’s crushing economic environment, value may be one answer. Outside of high season (September to May), this up-and-comer’s offerings are more affordable for those wanting a taste of the good life. And let’s not discount the probable desire of many travelers to witness history in the making as this Gulf resort for the super rich builds the world’s largest shopping mall and highest building. So there’s more than heat that’s hot about this playground. Whatever the season, though, those landmarks are likely to be little more than a gleam in your camera lens unless you’re part of the Jet set.
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Splendor in the Sea
By Linda Tancs
As we speak, Carnival’s newest goliath, Splendor, is fast completing its maiden voyage from Genoa to Dover. After its christening tomorrow, the ship will inaugurate Carnival’s northern European sailings, which includes ports of call in Scandinavia, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands. The liner also introduces a host of new innovations, such as flat-screen TVs in staterooms, a two-story spa and an improved mid-ship cinematic experience. A splendiferous ship, indeed.
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Travelrific® Travel Journal 