Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 115

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.

Cusco’s Sun Temple

By Linda Tancs

Koricancha was the main Inca temple in Cusco (Cuzco), Peru. Its interior was ablaze in gold leaf, befitting its status as the temple of the Sun god. The church and convent of Santo Domingo was built on its Inca foundations by the Spanish in the 1500s. You’ll find the ruins of the ancient temple around the patio of the convent, which also contains a gallery of paintings that includes 17th and 18th century canvases. A guided tour of the site lasts about 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.

Cave Life in Turkey

By Linda Tancs

Ürgüp is a Turkish town located in the historical region of Cappadocia, land of the fairy chimneys. It’s particularly known for its caves, both homes and hotels, cut into the soft volcanic rock. The Esbelli district boasts a number of boutique cave hotels. Renowned for its beautifully colored stone, its prime location also sports great views of the town and surrounding mountains. The locale is reachable by bus, car or plane.

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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.

What Lies Beneath in Suffolk

By Linda Tancs

Few areas expose the tribal origins of England better than Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. That’s where you’ll find an awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site from the seventh century unearthed in 1939, where a ship thought to be the final resting place of an Anglo-Saxon king was discovered. Akin to the discovery of a pharaoh’s tomb, the ship’s burial chamber revealed artifacts of a powerful leader, featuring a sword, shield, helmut and exquisite items crafted in gold and garnet. The ship is represented today by a full size, steel reproduction measuring around 88 feet long. Visit the High Hall for information on the lives of the Anglo-Saxons and just how Sutton Hoo came to be such a significant place in English history. Guided tours are also available.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.