Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for travel writing
Hiking in Amorgos
By Linda Tancs
Scenic views, Cycladic houses and quaint alleys are pretty much expected in the Greek isles, so what distinguishes Amorgos is the part with considerable height above sea level, offering superb views out over the archipelago. What better way to enjoy those views than with a hike! And there are lots of options (signposted), ranging from a four-hour trek from Chora halfway across the island to a one-hour sprint along a cobblestone path connecting Chora with Katapola, the main harbor and one of the largest natural harbors in the Aegean Sea. No matter the route, you’ll discover rich cultural treasures like the ancient acropolis, temples and monasteries. Amorgos is accessible via ferry from Athens and nearby islands.
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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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Austria’s Salt Empire
By Linda Tancs
Hallstatt is a medieval village on Lake Hallstatt’s western shore in Austria’s mountainous Salzkammergut region. Salzkammergut means “domain of salt,” an apt description for the ancient salt mine dominating the area. Of 40 miles of tunnels, about 14 miles are walkable. Three tiers are currently mined by nearly 40 employees today. A funicular railway connects to the mine as well as to Skywalk Hallstatt viewing platform, where the town and its majestic landscape unfurl before your eyes on an observation deck some 1,200 feet above the rooftops.
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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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Bristol and The Great Gatsby
By Linda Tancs
In the heart of Bristol, Rhode Island, is Linden Place, a Federal-style mansion built in 1810. Visited by four U.S. presidents, it might be better known as a film locale in 1973 for Hollywood’s “The Great Gatsby.” The mansion (now a historic house museum) is complemented by sculpture-filled gardens, an 1825 carriage barn, a 1902 ballroom and outbuildings dating from 1750. Guided tours of the house (generally available from May to October) take one hour.
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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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A Forest in France
By Linda Tancs
South of Calais in northern France is Crécy-en-Ponthieu. If that rings a bell, you might be remembering the Battle of Crécy, an event in 1346 that resulted in victory for the English in the first decade of the Hundred Years’ War against the French. The area also lends it name to the Crécy Forest, one of the largest forests in northern France (at over 10,000 acres) and the only one of such a size open to the public. Beeches and oaks reign there. The oldest, “the Ramolleux oak,” is reputedly over 600 years old.
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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 Beehives in Purnululu
By Linda Tancs
One of the best-loved attractions in Western Australia’s Kimberley region is the Bungle Bungle Range (also known as the Bungle Bungles). Often likened to giant beehives, the range comprises a landscape of orange and black striped karst sandstone domes rising 820 feet above the surrounding semi-arid savanna grasslands. Amazingly, these prehistoric formations were known only to local Aboriginals until a documentary film crew discovered the site in 1983. Touted the most outstanding example of cone karst in sandstone anywhere in the world, it’s an iconic feature of Purnululu National Park.
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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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A Landmark in Stirling
By Linda Tancs
Sir William Wallace is a national hero of Scotland, leading the nation in victorious battle in 1297 in its quest for independence from English rule at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Tried and sentenced for treason, his patriotism nonetheless paved the way for a later, decisive victory in the war for independence by Robert the Bruce. His courage and martyrdom are commemorated at the National Wallace Monument, standing on the Abbey Craig overlooking the city of Stirling. In the Hall of Arms inside the monument you’ll find Wallace’s sword and learn about Scotland’s most famous heroes. Take the 220-foot climb to the top of the monument for breathtaking views.
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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 Bayeux Tapestry
By Linda Tancs
France is no stranger to grand tapestries, like that found in Angers memorializing a book in the Bible. Head three hours north and you’ll find another treasure in tapestry in Bayeux. The Bayeux Tapestry (well, actually, an embroidery—but let’s not get too technical) measures a staggering 230 feet in length and depicts the Norman conquest of England. The UNESCO-listed artifact is on display in an 18th-century seminary.
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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 Town of Cycling
By Linda Tancs
In the center of Sweden lies Örebro, one of the largest municipalities in the country. It boasts the moniker “the town of cycling.” And why not? With numerous parks, countryside and nature reserves, it presents the perfect opportunity for biking, which is why the town has plenty of cycle lanes and bikes for rent. Wherever you bike, it’s hard to miss the castle. The medieval fortress stands on an islet in the river Svartån in the city center. Start your visit at the castle’s visitor center, which offers great views of the river and the Storbron bridge. The city is well connected by train from Stockholm or Gothenburg.
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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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A Place of Mythic Proportions
By Linda Tancs
According to Greek mythology, Thessaly is the birthplace of Achilles, the handsome hero of the Trojan War. In ancient times it was known as Aeolia and appears as such in Homer’s Odyssey. It’s likewise known as the region boasting the almost mythical Meteora, a complex of monasteries perched above towering sandstone peaks. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos. Originally comprising 24 structures, six monasteries remain today, “suspended in air” as their name, Meteora, attests. The sites are variably accessible by paths, bridges and steps. Check opening times as they all have different visiting days and hours. Go now when the crowds are thinner.
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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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A Port and More in Algeciras
By Linda Tancs
Algeciras is a port city in the south of Spain, the largest city on the Bay of Gibraltar and one of the largest ports in Europe. It’s easy to write it off as just a transit point to Morocco, but a wander around the city will prove its worth as a matter of historical interest. Take the Reina Cristina, for instance, a historic hotel opened in 1901 and evocative of British colonial architecture seen in nearby Gibraltar. Visited by royalty, statesmen and film stars, the hotel was originally built to meet the housing needs arising from the opening of the Algeciras-Bobadilla railway in the late 1800s. The city is also the birth and burial place of one of its most famous sons, Paco de Lucia, a famous flamenco guitarist and composer. The Paco de Lucia Route will take you to 10 sites in and around the city that were either a part of his life or referred to in his songs.
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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 