Travelrific® Travel Journal

Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!

Relaxing at London’s Gatwick Airport

By Linda Tancs

Weary travelers, take heart.  London’s Gatwick Airport now offers restful, hotel-like stays on the premises, courtesy of Yotel.  Check out (no pun intended) www.yotel.com.

Travel Refunds

by Linda Tancs

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Part II:  If you’re experiencing delays in obtaining your expedited passport, take solace in the fact that the U.S. State Dept. just might consider refunding your expedited fees if you ask them.  Check their online announcements for procedures.

The Hidden Cost of Air Traffic Delays

By Linda Tancs

So what’s a little $9.4 billion among friends?  That’s the amount of economic loss that the U.S. Dept. of Transportation estimates is lost due to air traffic delays.  Maybe that’s why galactic travel is gaining interest these days.  It costs less and traffic is light.

Exploring Savannah, Georgia

By Linda Tancs

In this week’s edition of the podcast Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Savannah, Georgia.  You’ve got 22 historic city squares to explore.  Listen in for some travel tips to one of America’s great historic landmarks.  Visit www.travelrificradio.com.

New Warder at the Tower of London

By Linda Tancs

Think of the word “beefeater” and invariably the image of a male costumed in black and red ceremonial garb with a big black hat is conjured up.  Oh, that’s so twentieth century.  Starting this month, a woman–42-year old Moira Cameron of Argyll, Scotland–will join the ranks of Yeoman Warder of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary (or just plain Yeoman Warder to the uninitiated).  Good thing those teddy bears in the gift shop are unisex.

London 2012 Olympics

by Linda Tancs

Now be honest–did you really see that the 2012 Olympics logo set out the numbers, 2-0-1-2, at first glance?  It reminds me of a Rorschach test.  Could you do better?  Try your luck at www.london2012.com.

Lost in Translation

By Linda Tancs

Just as marketers research their brand names in foreign markets so as not to offend, so too must tourists be wary of the shirt or purse sporting a phrase or logo in a foreign language.  Case in point:  Cameron Diaz toted a bag in Machu Picchu emblazoned with Mao Zedong’s “Serve the People” slogan in Chinese.  The problem is that Peru suffered an insurgency by the Maoist Shining Path rebels some twenty years ago.  Just another reason to research your destination before you travel and pack accordingly.

QE2: Last Call

By Linda Tancs

If you have a tendency to be last minute when it comes to cruise travel, be forewarned–QE2 will be following in the footsteps of old Queen Mary towards the end of 2008.  Book now, or save your pennies for that long awaited trip to luxury haven Dubai for your photo ops with the grand lady.

Young Adult Travel

By Linda Tancs

In this week’s edition of the podcast Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is young adult travel. To backpack or not to backpack?  Tune in to hear the options.  Visit http://www.travelrificradio.com.

France Will Keep You Healthy

By Linda Tancs

In a recent study, scientists discovered that Madiran, a traditional French wine, has a potent form of polyphenols.  Polyphenols help reduce artery damage.  Francophobes, fear not:  a pill form is expected in a decade or so.