Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 23

A Castle in Clare

By Linda Tancs

Set on 26 acres of countryside in County Clare, Ireland’s Bunratty Castle is one of the country’s most historic castles. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country. The castle features prominently as part of a Folk Park, a living museum comprising recreated farmhouses, streets, homes and shops from the 19th century.

Devine Lavaux

By Linda Tancs

The terraced vineyards of Lavaux, Switzerland, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great way to see them is by taking the Lavaux Express, a tourist train that takes you through the glorious hillsides of this winegrowing region. It operates from April through November.

Seaside Chic in Normandy

By Linda Tancs

Emerging from the sand dunes in the 1860s, Deauville is a fashionable seaside resort in Normandy, France. Its well-established pastimes include horseracing, polo, golf and high-end shopping—that is, when you’re not enjoying the beach and its iconic wooden boardwalk. This time of year, though, the locale takes center stage for the annual Deauville American Film Festival. Established in 1975, the festival celebrates American cinema. This year’s event runs through September 15.

Austria’s Steepest Cog Railway

By Linda Tancs

In operation since 1893, Schafbergbahn Cog Railway is Austria’s steepest cog railway. The journey to the top of the Schafberg takes about 35 minutes and begins at the lovely town of St. Wolfgang on the banks of the Wolfgangsee. Covering a distance of 3.6 miles and rising over 3,900 vertical feet to an altitude of 5,682 feet at the terminal station, the railway offers one of the best mountain panoramas in the country.

Croatia’s Green Island

By Linda Tancs

It’s high season at Mljet National Park, Croatia’s southernmost national park. Its lush, green vegetation has earned it the nickname, “the Green Island.” The majority of the park is covered by forest and, among its many charms, you’ll find two saltwater lakes, the Great Lake and the Small Lake. The Isle of Saint Mary sits within the Great Lake and includes a Benedictine monastery. Park admission includes a visit to it by boat. The villages of Polače and Pomena are connected to the lakes by hiking trails, one of the most popular activities in the park. Get there via ferry from Dubrovnik.

The Albanians in Tirana

By Linda Tancs

The Albanian capital of Tirana hosts the country’s largest museum, the National Historical Museum. Its distinctive features begin with the exterior, which is adorned by a giant mural known as “The Albanians.” It represents the struggle against invaders over thousands of years. Inside, it boasts most of the country’s archaeological treasures, including a replica of the massive sword of Skanderbeg, a feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Overall, its 6,200 objects date from prehistoric times to the late 20th century. 

Palace of the Parliament

By Linda Tancs

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, is the second-largest administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.). Created by former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, the building has 12 stories and eight underground levels, the last one being an atomic bunker. Designed to symbolize the triumph of communism in Romania, it now houses the chambers of government and various administrative offices among its staggering 330,000 square meters of space. Entry is by guided tour only.

The Grand Canyon of Greece

By Linda Tancs

Although no match for Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Vikos Gorge is the deepest gorge in Greece and often referred to as the Greek Grand Canyon. It’s even listed in Guinness World Records as the deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width, which can range to just a few meters at its narrowest point. Located in the Pindus mountain range, now is a good time to visit, when the river is shallow.

A Towering Pinocchio

By Linda Tancs

Carlo Collodi is the pen name of the Italian novelist responsible for the character Pinocchio. He reportedly spent a considerable amount of time in Collodi as a child, which is why the locale lays claim to the famous author. It’s where you’ll find Pinocchio Park, where you can walk through the story on themed paths taking visitors past statues of characters in the order in which they appear in the book. You’ll first be greeted by a towering wooden Pinocchio, touted as the tallest wooden Pinocchio in the world. It stands 63 feet tall if you count the 11-foot-high plinth. Collodi is easily reached by train or car from Florence.

Arkansas Grand Canyon

By Linda Tancs

It’s not unusual for a state to have a canyon so magnificent that it’s “grand.” In Arkansas, the Grand Canyon of the Ozarks is southeast of Jasper running alongside AR 7, the scenic byway. One of the most popular overlooks is Rotary Ann Roadside Park with its 180-degree view. The locale is also the first roadside rest area constructed in Arkansas, dating back to the 1930s.