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 Ladder of Kotor
By Linda Tancs
Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor. Flanked by mountains, the bay is often erroneously called Europe’s southernmost fjord but it was not carved by glaciers. Instead, it was created when rising sea levels drowned an ancient river valley, forming what is known as a ria. Regardless what you call it, the glorious views are best taken in by hiking the route known as the Ladder of Kotor. The trailhead is just outside of Old Town, and the trek boasts more than 70 switchbacks. A round-trip hike is 8 miles on rocky terrain but the breathtaking views are worth the effort. For the best photographs, leave in the morning to avoid shooting into the afternoon sun.
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The Champagne Route
By Linda Tancs
The Champagne Route in France stretches for about 435 miles across the Grand Est region. Its epicenter is arguably Reims, where you’ll find some of the largest and most celebrated champagne houses, many of which are open for tours and tastings. A key attraction is Domaine Pommery, covering 123 acres and 11 miles of cellars and tunnels. You’ll even see underground cathedrals dating from the Gallo-Roman era, some of which have monumental bas-reliefs sculpted in chalk. Chalk is a unique feature of the region, and houses like Pommery are fortunate to have their cellars buried in historic chalk pits. Get there via a 45-minute train ride from Paris.
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A High Plateau in Austria
By Linda Tancs
Situated on a sunny plateau high above Innsbruck, Austria, is where you’ll find the Tyrolean village of Seefeld. Typical of the region, it’s prized for its rugged mountain vistas and horse-drawn carriage rides. It’s also arguably the preeminent destination for cross-country skiing, boasting mile after mile of trails for every skill level. Less common for the area is the octagonal shape of its prized icon, the Seekirchl chapel. Completed in 1666, the early Baroque-style church is a favorite for shutterbugs. Travel there via Innsbruck, where transfers take about 30 minutes.
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The Hot Spot of the Azores
By Linda Tancs
Furnas is a small town with a big draw in São Miguel Island, Azores. That’s because it’s a thermal hotspot boasting close to 30 bubbling, steaming calderas and fumaroles of different temperatures in the center of town. In addition to taking a dip in natural thermal pools and hiking around the crater lake, don’t miss the opportunity to eat a nature-baked meal. A longstanding tradition is a Portuguese stew (cozido) comprising a carefully layered pot of pork, beef, chicken, sausages, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and kale that is cooked slowly in the ground for around six hours. Virtually every restaurant offers a version of this meal; reservations are a must.
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Trees of Life in Tanzania
By Linda Tancs
The giant baobab is known as Africa’s “tree of life.” It’s an apt description, considering that they’re a source of food, water and shelter for numerous species and are also used medicinally. Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is known for its baobabs. A great way to see the abundance of this national icon is by taking a nature walk in the company of a guide. The best time for a walk is from June to October.
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New Zealand’s Glacier Country
By Linda Tancs
Glacier Country is located on the West Coast of the South Island in New Zealand. In the heart of the country is the town of Franz Josef (named for an Austrian emperor), which serves the glacier of the same name. The glacier descends from the tops of the Southern Alps into rainforest close to sea level. For a close encounter, consider a guided ice walk or heli-hike. Another must-see in town is the West Coast Wildlife Centre, where kiwi take center stage. In fact, the center has hatched and incubated over 385 rowi kiwi—the rarest kiwi on the planet with less than 600 left alive in the wild today.
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Gateway to the Sahara
By Linda Tancs
Erfoud, Morocco, is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara” due to its proximity to Erg Chebbi, a striking sand dunes formation. Other attractions in the area are the palm groves and fossil exhibits. The arid, otherworldly scenery formed the backdrop for Hollywood films like The Prince of Persia and The Mummy. You can take in the magical setting from Borj Est, a military fortification on a hill that provides the perfect vantage point for watching the sunset over the surrounding mountains and dunes.
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Special Wildlife in Buffalo Springs
By Linda Tancs
Established as a protected area in 1948, Africa’s Buffalo Springs game reserve in Kenya offers wildlife viewing unlike other places. Specifically, Buffalo Springs (along with Shaba and Samburu) is home to two species only found north of the Equator: Grevy’s zebra and the reticulated giraffe, characterized by its brown-orange patches separated by thick, white lines. You’ll see them on game drives, along with a host of other animals. The best place for wildlife viewing is along the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, where they’ll be drinking and bathing. Head there during the dry season from June to October.
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A Living Work of Art
By Linda Tancs
Located in Wiltshire, England, Stourhead is an estate boasting a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden. When it first opened in the 1740s, a magazine described it as “a living work of art.” Indeed, the home (one of the first grand Palladian-style villas built in England) boasts a spectacular collection of furniture, artwork and heritage pieces collected by the Hoare family. It’s also home to some of the most spectacular follies (decorative structures) in Britain. The most famous folly is arguably the Temple of Apollo, which made its way into the film Pride and Prejudice. Another folly, the Pantheon, was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. And another one, Alfred’s Tower (named for King Alfred the Great), offers panoramic views over three counties. Events at the property include Behind Closed Doors tours, guided walks and daily activities.
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An Iconic Tower in London
By Linda Tancs
Built in the 1960s, London’s BT Tower was once the city’s tallest building (at around 581 feet) until NatWest Tower opened in 1980. A national landmark, it was initially used for transmitting signals to television broadcasters and later featured a revolving restaurant and viewing platform (until an act of terrorism shut it down). As its role in telecommunications diminished with the evolution of fixed and mobile technology, the landmark saw new use as a giant banner of sorts when a wrap-around LED screen was installed around the 36th and 37th floors to provide messaging for various national events and even social media posts. The building has been sold to MCR, a major hotel group boasting properties like New York’s TWA Hotel and The High Line.
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