Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 106

A Tip in Canada

By Linda Tancs

Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland Canada, a slip of land (the “Tip”) that tapers to a sharp point as it juts into Lake Erie. The area forms part of Point Pelee National Park, where you’ll see waves of Monarch butterflies this time of year. The park also enjoys the distinction of being the first place in Canada where the Northern Cardinal was recorded. More than 390 species have been recorded there overall, a go-to spot for birdwatchers thanks to the park’s location along major migratory flyways. The migration phenomenon is highlighted at an outdoor exhibit at the Tip. A seasonal shuttle bus runs there through October.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

Into the Wilderness in Greenland

By Linda Tancs

A nature lover’s dream, the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland hits all the marks with its glistening lakes, fjords, mountains and low Arctic vegetation. Nearly 100 miles long, this trek through the backcountry runs between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. Not for the faint of heart, it generally takes between nine to 11 days to complete the hike. At this time of year, expect cooler temperatures and overnight snow in the mountains. There are eight simple huts (some with restrooms) at various points along the trail that typically sleep up to six people. Given the limited number of guided hikes, you might want to download the maps and trail guides available from the Greenland GPS app for offline use.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

Mud in Your Eye in Germany

By Linda Tancs

“Here’s mud in your eye” is a toast with a double meaning in Föhr, one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. A popular way to get there is by hiking through the tidal mudflats from Emmelsbüll-Horsbüll. After a trek like that you might want a cocktail to ease into some relaxation. The drink you’ll find on virtually any menu is the Manhattan. Conceived, of course, in New York City, its popularity in this second-largest German island of the North Sea cannot be understated. A popular explanation is that German immigrants brought the concoction back to their homeland when fortunes there improved. Whatever the case, you can sleep off your indulgence in one of the island’s unique beach sleeping baskets along its white, sandy beaches.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

A Sing-Sing in Papua

By Linda Tancs

A sing-sing is a gathering of tribes or villages in Papua New Guinea. In the Highlands, that’s characterized by the annual Goroka Festival, the longest-running cultural show coinciding with national independence celebrations in September. Held in Goroka (capital of the Eastern Highlands Province), the event attracts nearly 100 tribes from around the country who enchant visitors with energetic and colorful dance rituals.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

Playground of the East Midlands

By Linda Tancs

Located in Rutland (England’s smallest county), Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe and the largest in England by surface area. Dubbed the “Playground of the East Midlands,” it offers not only a predictable array of watersports but also nature reserves, museums, historic homes and churches. An iconic landmark is Normanton Church, which sits upon a tiny peninsula out on the lake, giving it a floating appearance. Once it was abandoned as an active church, it was used as a museum before becoming a popular wedding venue. You can get stunning views of it from Rutland Belle, a tour boat operating from April to October.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

A Pilgrimage in the Balkans

By Linda Tancs

Medjugorje is a town located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia & Herzegovina, not far from the border of Croatia. It’s best known as a site of Catholic pilgrimage thanks to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary that have been reported since 1981. The area has attracted some 15 million people since then, despite the Pope’s lack of authentication of the events that have taken place there. In addition to Apparition Hill, St. James Church is noted for the many apparitions seen inside its walls in the early years. While you’re in the region, you’ll want to visit some other popular attractions, like the Herzegovina Wine Route, Kravica waterfall and the Ottoman-style bridge in Mostar.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

A Halfway Point in Virginia

By Linda Tancs

Middleburg, Virginia, was established in 1787 by American Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel and Virginia statesman John Leven Powell, who named it Middleburg because it was the halfway point between two towns on the popular Ashby Gap trading route. Historically, it served as the site of two battles of the Gettysburg Campaign during the Civil War and counts more than 160 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Later, it became so popular for fox hunts and horse racing that it earned the moniker “Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital.” It’s still a hotspot for equestrian events today, hosting an abundance of nationally renowned events. Equally popular are the vineyards, nestled scenically along a stretch of Route 50 dotted with old stone cottages and horse farms with the Blue Ridge and Bull Run mountains as a backdrop. You’ll find 20 wineries just 30 minutes away from this historic town.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

Shades of Blue in Morocco

By Linda Tancs

Chefchaouen is Morocco’s “blue city.” It has nothing to do with an emotional state but rather with the hue that envelops this city nestled against the Rif Mountains. Indeed, its medieval walls are awash in blue, a sight to behold on a clear day when the blue sky seems to merge with the earth. Needless to say, it’s a photographer’s dream—and a hiker’s, too. The mountains beckon with valleys, gorges and picturesque peaks. Bus service is available from Fez or Tangier. Take a taxi from the bus depot to the center of town to avoid the steep walk.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

Into the Woods in Idaho

By Linda Tancs

The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is the third-largest wilderness in the lower 48 states. Located primarily in Idaho (with a small portion extending into Montana), it comprises four national forests: Bitterroot National Forest, Nez Perce National Forest, Clearwater National Forest and Lolo National Forest. Part of its charm are the dramatic Selway-Bitterroot peaks spanning the Bitterroot Range along the Montana-Idaho border. Wild and scenic, it’s a must-do for hikers, backpackers and other outdoor adventurers.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.

Woodland Living in Wye

By Linda Tancs

For those who enjoy rustic living, the latest luxury hotel in the U.K. is sure to please. Located in two acres of private woodland at St. Briavels Common near Tintern on the border of England and Wales, a luxury A-frame treehouse retreat is pitched 13 feet above the ground on the hillside above The Hudnalls, a collection of woodlands in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Known as The Hudnalls Hideout, it’s the first A-frame, oak-clad treehouse to be built in the country, accessible via a suspended wooden bridge. Requiring a minimum two-night reservation, your experience includes an outdoor copper bath, a fire pit, an outsize window in the master bedroom loft for nature viewing and a telescope. Glamping never looked so good.

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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. 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.