Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for short reads
Mechanical Music in Portugal
By Linda Tancs
Who doesn’t love a mechanical music maker like a music box? If you’re a fan of mechanical music, then head to the Museum of Mechanical Music in Pinhal Novo, Portugal. Their collection consists of more than 600 items that move exclusively through mechanical systems (like player pianos, music boxes, phonographs and pneumatic organs), mainly covering the period from the late 1800s until the 1930s. All in working order, an amazing fact about the exhibition is that it represents the collection of just one mechanical music aficionado, Luis Cangueiro, who began amassing his treasure in 1986. The museum is less than an hour’s drive from Lisbon.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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The Heart and Soul of Milan
By Linda Tancs
La Scala is an opera house in Milan, Italy, often referred to as the city’s heart and soul. Indeed, it’s hard to think of Italy’s second-most populous city (after Rome) without linking it with its iconic theater. You can learn all about it at Museo Teatrale alla Scala, the theatrical museum and library attached to the opera house. They provide special guided tours of the theater, including the foyer, the royal box, the historic boxes and the stage’s mechanized movement system. You’ll also see the Ansaldo Workshops, where the costumes and scenery come to life. General tours are available in English and Italian as well as in French for personalized guided tours.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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The Hub of the Cook Islands
By Linda Tancs
Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands, a nation in the South Pacific. Of course, “large” is a relative term. It only takes 19 miles to circle the island, after all. That gives you ample opportunity to sample all the sightseeing activities that the locals have to offer—things like four-wheel drives, lagoon cruises, guided mountain hikes and storytelling cycling tours. Head there now during autumn’s shoulder season for a nice combination of sun and warmth.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Southern Italy’s Little Gem
By Linda Tancs
Soft sand, pastel-colored houses and scenic harbors. Those are just some of the delights in Procida, the smallest island in the Campanian Archipelago in southern Italy near Naples. It boasts three scenic harbors (Marina Grande, Marina Chiaiolella and Marina Corricella), all of which can be visited via a boat ride. The belvedere near the castle provides exquisite views of the colorful Marina Corricella, and Punta Pizzaco offers commanding views of the whole island. Don’t miss the chance to try “Procida’s tongues,” a puff pastry filled with custard.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Air Force History in Ohio
By Linda Tancs
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a premier location supporting the collection, conservation and presentation of the Air Force’s history, heritage and traditions. The site displays more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles, many rare and one-of-a-kind. The galleries chronicle the history of aviation, beginning with the Wright brothers’ legacy and continuing with wartime assets and space launch vehicles. Free guided tours of the museum are offered daily and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes. The facility is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Road to the Isles
By Linda Tancs
The A830, popularly known as the Road to the Isles, is one of the most famous roads in the United Kingdom. It connects the town of Fort William to the port of Mallaig, where the West Highland railway line terminates. Sporting some of the nation’s best scenic views, it’s abounding in woodlands, moors, sandy beaches and sea views. And just a ferry ride away (year round) are the Small Isles (Eigg, Canna, Muck and Rum), one of 40 National Scenic Areas in Scotland, where local food, wildlife, archaeological sites and amazing sunsets await you.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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The South’s Oldest Forest
By Linda Tancs
Rich in history, Ouachita National Forest is the South’s oldest national forest. Encompassing a staggering 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma, the land was originally known as the Arkansas National Forest when it was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907. It’s framed by the Ouachita Mountains, once explored by the Spanish and French. In fact, “Ouachita” is the French spelling of the Indian word “Washita,” which means “good hunting grounds.” As you might imagine, the rugged mountain landscape (the only mountain range running east to west, rather than the north to south direction of the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains) makes trails a focal point. The premier trail is the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, spanning 192 miles across the forest’s entire length, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,600 feet. Spur trails connect to various recreation areas and points of interest.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Italy in a Day
By Linda Tancs
Rimini is an Adriatic, Italian resort town primarily known for its jam-packed beaches. But you can also experience a taste of the whole country there. You’ll do that by visiting Italy in Miniature, a theme park with at least one miniature building from every Italian town of any prominence. You can even take a gondola ride in little Venice, a huge favorite among tourists. Its 273 scale reproductions also include major European cities. Expect to spend the better part of a day exploring.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Leeward in St. Vincent
By Linda Tancs
Picturesque falls, petroglyphs and natural anchorages are some of the features of the leeward side of St. Vincent. And then there are the pirates—the fictional kind, that is. Wallilabou Bay, a port of entry for visiting yachts, is the site where the opening scene of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was filmed. Parts of the set remain to the delight of aficionados of the film franchise.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Tennessee’s Cherokee
By Linda Tancs
Tennessee’s only national forest, Cherokee National Forest is the largest tract of public land in the state, separated into two parts by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Covering nearly 630,000 acres in 10 East Tennessee counties, it has a whopping 30 developed campgrounds, 30 picnic areas, 700 miles of trail, hundreds of miles of cold water streams and seven whitewater rivers, among other things. Recreational opportunities are plentiful, a popular one being ginseng harvesting. Ginseng is a native plant of Tennessee that grows mostly in cool, moist mountain forests. Keep an eye out for the permitting process in the coming months. The collection process is limited.
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As coronavirus proceeds, it is likely that the vast majority of us will be limited in our travels. But this, too, shall pass. Our love for travel remains, so Travelrific will continue offering travel inspiration in this medium. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 