Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 178

Sun City

By Linda Tancs

Bright—and blue. That’s the way to describe Jodhpur, one of the largest cities in Rajasthan, a northwestern state of India. Bright for the sun-kissed weather year round, earning it the moniker “Sun City.” Blue is the color of choice adorning dozens of buildings in the old part of the city. It’s a sight best viewed from Mehrangarh Fort, the seat of the Rathore rulers from the House of Marwar, located at a height of 400 feet above the city. The fort houses a museum highlighting the golden age of the Rathores and boasting a gallery that houses one of the finest collections of Mughal miniature paintings. The fort is also the venue for the Rajasthan International Folk Festival and World Sufi Spirit Festival.

Off the Tourist Trail in Africa

By Linda Tancs

Equatorial Guinea is a small country on the western coast of central Africa, the only independent nation where Spanish is an official language owing to its past as a colony. Lacking the glam of safari sites like Tanzania and Kenya, it’s perhaps no wonder that it bears the ignominious distinction of being one of the least visited countries in the world. But its off-the-beaten-path status is exactly why you should go. The country’s national park, Monte Alén, is located near the center and is one of central Africa’s hidden gems. Over 100 mammal species are registered there (more than 16 types of primates alone), as well as 2,300 types of birds and 65 species of reptiles. Moreover, the park’s hotel situated on a jungle ridge is an excellent place to experience the lush rainforest—without the crowds.

Sardine History in Portugal

By Linda Tancs

Sardines are an important part of Portuguese culture. In fact, the nutrient-rich relative of the herring is consumed at a rate of at least 12 pounds per person. The coastal city of Setubal is at the heart of the sardine industry; the first factory was founded there in 1880 to overcome the shortage of fish on the Breton coast. Get ready—sardine season runs from May through October. Be sure to enjoy it with a glass of the region’s globally acclaimed moscatel wine.

Far East in England

By Linda Tancs

Famous for being the most easterly town from which to watch the sunrise in England, Lowestoft occupies the northernmost part of the Suffolk Coast. Home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the family-friendly town has two piers, a zoo, a theme park and a maritime museum exploring the town’s long history with the North Sea. And that’s in addition to the award-winning beach, staffed with lifeguards from April to September. If you’re not beachy keen, then check out The Scores, a series of ancient narrow lanes leading to the sea. Trail leaflets are available in many High Street shops. Visitor information points are located at Claremont pier, the library, the train station and Windsor Gallery.

Dutch Blue and Orange

By Linda Tancs

Blue and orange embody the Dutch city of Delft. For instance, its blue earthenware has been a popular export for over 400 years. Royal Delft, established in 1653, is the last remaining Delftware factory from the 17th century, and its prized pottery is still entirely hand-painted according to centuries-old tradition. The canal-ringed city in the western Netherlands is also the former seat of the royal House of Orange (named for a medieval province in southern France). One of the oldest royal families in the world, almost every deceased member of the family since William of Orange has been interred in the royal crypts at the New Church.

A Gastronomic Safari in Mexico

By Linda Tancs

Ensenada is one of the oldest municipalities in Baja California, Mexico. What’s new is the Baja Med gastronomic concept, the result of a blend of influences from Mexican, Mediterranean and oriental cuisines. Embraced by chefs and food cart vendors alike, it combines Mexican ingredients such as chicharrón and cotija cheese with Mediterranean olive oil and Asian lemongrass. If your taste buds are less adventurous, try a traditional dish like abalone tiradito. Whatever you choose, you’ll want to pair it with a wine from the Guadalupe Valley, gateway to the wine route.

Ireland’s First Waymarked Trail

By Linda Tancs

The oldest and one of the most scenic long distance walks in Ireland, Wicklow Way lies just south of Dublin and is one of the nation’s most popular trails. The 80-mile waymarked journey runs from Marlay Park in the southern suburbs of Dublin through County Wicklow and ends in the village of Clonegal in County Carlow. The traditional route is north to south, beginning at Marlay Park and ending in Clonegal. Amidst the heathery moorland and the Wicklow Mountain range is the treasured stop at Glendalough (valley of two lakes), an ancient monastic site providing respite for tourists from around the world.

America’s Fleet Museum

By Linda Tancs

Located in southeastern Massachusetts on scenic Mt. Hope Bay, Battleship Cove is America’s fleet museum. Home to the highly decorated battleship USS Massachusetts (saved from demolition), it also features the world’s largest collection of World War II naval vessels, including the destroyer, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., the submarine Lionfish, PT 617 and PT 796 and the Soviet-built missile corvette, Hiddensee. A great day out in the Fall River area, there’s a re-creation of the Iwo Jima setting at Bicentennial Park.

Malaysia’s First Garden

By Linda Tancs

Taiping is a small and quiet town in Perak, Malaysia. The unassuming little place might go largely unnoticed but for the popularity of its lake gardens. Taiping Lake Gardens is the first public garden, established during British rule in Malaysia (then Malaya). Built atop an abandoned tin mine (a prime natural resource in the 1800s), the park’s huge ancient rain trees drape the crystal clear waters of the lake. Spread over 158 acres, the area has 10 scenic lakes and ponds framing the gardens as well as charming bridges and tracks for jogging. Taiping is well connected to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia by express buses from the long-distance bus station at Kamunting and Simpang.

Steel, Beer and Coal

By Linda Tancs

Dortmund, the largest city in Westphalia, lies on the eastern edge of the Ruhr in Germany’s historic Hellweg corridor. Once home to a thriving steel and coal industry, its industrial heritage is barely evident in the thriving tech-driven city seen today. That small army of industrial workers also meant there was plenty of thirst to quench; Dortmund became one of the largest beer producers in the world. Visitors can learn all about the triad of industrialization in the region by visiting the Brewery Museum on Steigerstraße 16.