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
The Centerpiece of Brest
By Linda Tancs
Rising over 85 feet, Petit Minou Lighthouse is the centerpiece of Brest harbor in France. What distinguishes this lighthouse from so many others is the picturesque cobblestone bridge leading to it. Built in 1848, it stands next to a 17th-century fort constructed to defend the harbor against British attack. Hiking and surfing amidst lighthouse views are popular activities.
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A Storied Jewel Near Milan
By Linda Tancs
Separated from Milan by the Ticino River, Vigevano was a silk-manufacturing town. It’s known for its portico-lined Piazza Ducale, considered by some to be Italy’s most beautiful square. At over 400 feet long and nearly 160 feet wide, it seems out of scale for a small city, but its grandeur is explainable given its link to Milan and the House of Sforza. Ludovico Maria Sforza, the powerful Duke of Milan, commissioned the square’s construction as a regal antechamber for Sforzesco Castle. Today this ducal square is known for its bars, restaurants and shopping.
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Spectacular Caves in Italy
By Linda Tancs
One of the largest known cave systems in Europe, Italy’s Frasassi Caves (Grotte di Frasassi) in Le Marche is one of the country’s most popular show caves. Accessible only via guided tours, highlights include Ancona Abyss with its vaulted ceilings over 600 feet high, a crystallized lake and a cavern of stalagmites resembling candles. A limited number of timed, online tickets are available, which is particularly convenient during high season; otherwise, you can purchase them on site at the ticket office.
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A Wonky House in Lavenham
By Linda Tancs
Built in 1395, The Crooked House in Lavenham, England, is said to be inspired by the old English nursery rhyme “There was a Crooked Man.” Its off-centeredness owes to the hastiness of the wealthy wool merchant who wanted a grand estate. The wood used to build the house wasn’t properly seasoned; as it dried, the timber-framed house twisted and contorted, resulting in a very strong but also very crooked house. One of Britain’s favorite fairytale homes, it’s arguably also one of the most photographed in the world. Today it’s owned by two self-proclaimed “Crooked Men” who offer immersive experiences like theatrical house tours and black tie dinners.
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Two Centuries of Shoemaking
By Linda Tancs
Boasting two centuries of history, Clarks shoes began with James Clark’s idea to turn leftover rug-making material from the company’s origin into slippers. Now in a striking modern building beside Clarks Village (an outlet shopping center spread across the company’s former factory site), Shoemakers Museum documents the development of the global footwear retailer. Located in Street, England, the 100,000-strong collection of objects is complemented by historical accounts of shoemaking technology amid cultural and social evolution.
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Portugal’s Highest Mountain
By Linda Tancs
At nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, Mount Pico is Portugal’s highest mountain. It’s located in Pico Island in the mid-Atlantic archipelago of the Azores. A paradise for nature lovers, the island boasts unique lava formations and panoramic views of the archipelago from atop the mountain for hikers. The volcanic landscape also yields a special type of white wine called Verdelho from vineyards classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This time of year you’ll also spot several species of whales. Pick up a flight from Lisbon, Porto or other cities in Europe. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from the nearby islands of Faial or São Jorge.
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A Light in Sleepy Hollow
By Linda Tancs
Now just a few feet from land, Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, New York, was once a half-mile off shore. That all changed after years of landfill by a now-demolished General Motors factory moved the shoreline within a few feet of the light. Decommissioned decades ago, the lighthouse has been completely renovated inside and out. It’s accessible at Kingsland Point Park via the Riverwalk path. Curator-led tours are available by registration when available.
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A Walk Through Time in Connecticut
By Linda Tancs
The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum in Windsor, Connecticut, traces the development of electronic communications from the early 1800s up to the invention of radio, television, telephone, the personal computer and other technologies. Many of the exhibits are hands-on: Tap out your name in Morse Code; tune a vintage radio; crank a wind-up phonograph; listen to a home-made crystal set; or pick a song from a working juke box. Tour at your own pace or let a knowledgeable docent guide you around. The museum is open year round.
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Views Over Eden
By Linda Tancs
A formidable barrier against Scots invaders, England’s Brougham Castle in Cumbria was founded in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont, a powerful local baron who was granted the lordship of Westmorland by King John. Largely in ruins, the keep still stands today, a fine example of medieval military architecture. Climb its spiral stairs to the top for panoramic views over the Eden Valley.
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The Largest Covered Wagon
By Linda Tancs
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest covered wagon, The Railsplitter in Lincoln, Illinois, measures 25 feet high and 40 feet wide with 12-foot-high wagon wheels. It boasts a seated statue of Abraham Lincoln (referred to as Big Lincoln at 12 feet) reading a law book. The structure is being prepared to be moved downtown to the Route 66 Welcome Garden on the corner of Kickapoo Street (original 1926 alignment of Route 66) and Pekin Street.
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