Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 14

A Symbol of Defiance in Croatia

By Linda Tancs

In 1991, tanks from the Yugoslav People’s Army rolled through Osijek, Croatia. Undeterred, a local resident parked his red Fiat (also called a Fićo) on the street in front of the approaching tanks, blocking the road as an act of defiance. He exited the vehicle before a tank rammed into the car and dragged it along the street before crushing it. A monument was later unveiled to commemorate the event. Known as The Red Fićo, the installation shows a Fiat climbing a tank, symbolizing resistance, and in the end, victory, in the war for independence.

A Maiden’s Castle in Bulgaria

By Linda Tancs

Vidin is a port city on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. One of its most popular attractions is Baba Vida Fortress, a medieval castle preserved in its original form. According to legend, the fortress takes its name from the eldest daughter of a Bulgarian boyar, Vida, who rejected all proposals for marriage after witnessing the unsuccessful marriages of her sisters. Instead, she built an impregnable castle as her hideaway. The fort served as an armory and prison during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Enjoy the views of the Danube from the top.

Napoleon’s Place in the Country

By Linda Tancs

Now a museum-château, Malmaison was the private residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine from 1799 to 1814. Just half an hour from Paris, it was their country getaway. After the couple divorced, it remained Joséphine’s residence until her death, where she cultivated the gardens still enjoyed today. Be sure to see the black swans in the small pond at the back of the house. In addition to the natural surroundings, the well-preserved home boasts an important historical art collection and exquisite furniture.

All About Mustard

By Linda Tancs

At the AnnaMax mustard factory in Austria, mustard is more than just a condiment. It’s where factory owner Rainer Haar creates mustard in over 20 different flavors, with each jar meticulously hand crafted like an art form. In addition to the multitude of flavors, you’ll learn about the cultivation of the mustard plant along with its history and medicinal uses. The facility is located in Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt.

Path of the Gods

By Linda Tancs

The Path of the Gods (or Sentiero degli Dei in Italian) is a clifftop trail above the Amalfi Coast. Widely regarded as one of the best hiking trails in Italy, the trek runs from Bomerano, near Agerola, to Nocelle in the province of Positano on the slopes of Mount Pertuso. All along the route you can admire the panorama of the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Legend has it that the the name of the trail comes from Homer’s Odyssey, recounting the gods who once rushed to Ulysses from the sirens of Capri and mapped out this path in the process.

Atlantic Islands of Galicia

By Linda Tancs

Comprising the archipelagos of Cíes, Ons and Cortegada (in Pontevedra) and of Sálvora (in A Coruña), the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park in Spain is a paradise in any season. This time of year, wintering waterbirds are still present in the area, and species like the barn swallow start to arrive to nest in Galicia. If you’re really lucky, you’ll see european shags (a type of cormorant) nesting on steep cliffs and coastal caves. Be sure to check entry requirements for the archipelago of your choice; some, like Cíes, limit the number of visitors each day to protect the biodiversity of this area.

Gateway to the Black Forest

By Linda Tancs

A gateway to the Black Forest, Breisach is a small German town on the Rhine River. Dominating the skyline is St. Stephen Cathedral, built in the 12th to the 15th centuries in Romanesque and Gothic styles. The church is particularly known for its mural, The Last Judgment, by Martin Schongauer. The Black Forest is an easy excursion away by bus.

Sun World

By Linda Tancs

Sun World Ba Na Hills is touted as the most significant resort and recreational complex of Vietnam. Located in Da Nang, it boasts stunning mountain views from one of its prized assets, the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian bridge supported by two gargantuan hands. The five cable car routes provide panoramic views as well. For a more grounded experience, head to the French Village, a faithful reproduction of a classic French village. You’ll also want to experience the indoor game zone and the first wax museum in the country.

The Calendar House

By Linda Tancs

A calendar house is a form of house dictated by the calendar. The principle of the calendar house is that the number of external doors, windows or panes of glass, chimneys, staircases or other elements should total four (the number of seasons), seven (days in a week), 12 (months in a year) or 365 (days in a year). Dating to around the Elizabethan era, the first such house is Knole in Kent, built after Elizabeth I’s death by one of her courtiers, Thomas Sackville (1st Earl of Dorset). The calendar in this case is represented through the 365 rooms, 52 staircases and seven courtyards. Once an archbishop’s palace, King Henry VIII liked it so much that he forced his archbishop to hand it over to him. Now owned by the National Trust, the Sackville family still occupies a portion of the estate, where you’ll find a medieval deer park and showrooms featuring textiles, paintings and a world class collection of Royal Stuart furniture.

A Norman Masterpiece in Sicily

By Linda Tancs

Built between 1170 and 1189, the Norman cathedral in Monreale is one of Sicily’s key attractions. Among its treasures are the 12th-century Byzantine mosaics, estimated to have been made with nearly 5,000 pounds of gold. They depict scenes from both the Old Testament and New Testament as well as the lives of saints. King William II of Sicily (William the Good) lived just long enough to see the completion of his commissioned church. He’s the last of the Norman kings to be buried there. Monreale is a few miles from the center of Palermo; there’s regular bus service from Piazza Indipendenza.