Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 20

November 6, 2024

Peru’s Sacred Valley

By Linda Tancs

Ollantaytambo is a village in the Sacred Valley of south Peru that’s known for an Inca archaeological site. Lauded as an architectural jewel on the way to Machu Picchu, a big draw is the Temple of the Sun. The locale served as a city, a fortress and a site for nobility and is one of the very few places where the Incas held back the invading Spanish. An easy commute from Cusco, be sure to hire a local guide to understand the history there. A tour lasts about two hours.

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Published on November 06, 2024 05:00

November 5, 2024

A Phone for the Birds

By Linda Tancs

In Takoma Park, Maryland, there’s a phone fit for the birds. Known as The Bird Calls Phone, it’s an old payphone rewired by a local artist to play bird calls. The dial tone is replaced with the sound of a mourning dove, and each number corresponds to the call of a local bird. The phone’s buttons also play facts about the bird species. Instructions on use of the phone are provided in English, Spanish and Amharic (to accommodate Takoma Park’s sizable Ethiopian community).

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Published on November 05, 2024 05:00

November 4, 2024

Capital of the Azores

By Linda Tancs

Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island, is the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal. Its status as a gateway to the Azores is represented by the City Gates, a set of three arches constructed in the 18th century. Nearby is a bell tower adjacent to City Hall that provides extraordinary views. The local museum also provides a good orientation regarding the history and geography of the archipelago. While you’re there, don’t miss out on dolphin and whale watching tours departing from the harbor.

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Published on November 04, 2024 05:00

October 31, 2024

Halloween in NYC

By Linda Tancs

One of the most iconic events in New York City is the annual Halloween parade in Greenwich Village. Now in its 51st year, the parade starts at 7 p.m. with participants lined up on Canal Street and 6th Avenue. The procession can be viewed on 6th Avenue from King Street to 15th Street. Anyone can march in the parade, provided that you’re wearing a costume. You’ll be joined by hundreds of giant puppets, dancers and bands.

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Published on October 31, 2024 05:00

October 30, 2024

Turtle Watching in Costa Rica

By Linda Tancs

Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Tortuguero (meaning “turtle catcher”) National Park is a must-see destination for turtle watching. It provides nesting beaches for four species of turtles: leatherback, loggerhead, green sea and hawksbill. You may see individual turtles at any time of the year, but the prime nesting season for green sea, loggerhead and endangered hawksbill turtles is July through October. Leatherbacks, the world’s largest turtle, nest from March to May. The park is also a prime nesting site for the endangered and elusive green macaw.

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Published on October 30, 2024 05:00

October 29, 2024

Cave Churches in Türkiye

By Linda Tancs

A highlight of any Cappadocian itinerary in Türkiye is Göreme Open Air Museum, a treasure trove of ancient cave churches. A brief walk from Göreme’s village center, the UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a cluster of rock-cut churches with stunning frescoes. The most famous of them (commanding a separate entrance fee) is Dark Church, so named because it received little light through a small window in the narthex. As a result, its frescoes are vibrant and well preserved and include scenes such as the Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Betrayal of Judas and the Crucifixion. Buckle Church, the oldest of the cave churches, is located outside of the open-air museum complex but does not require a fee.

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Published on October 29, 2024 05:00

October 28, 2024

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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Published on October 28, 2024 05:00

October 24, 2024

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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Published on October 24, 2024 05:00

October 23, 2024

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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Published on October 23, 2024 05:00

October 22, 2024

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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Published on October 22, 2024 05:00

The Long and Short of It

Linda A. Tancs
A blog about writing and highlights from my books and other musings.
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