Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 24

Cotton Castles in Türkiye

By Linda Tancs

Pamukkale (meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish) is a town in western Türkiye known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside, which does resemble a kingdom made of cotton. Legendary for its healing claims, it’s been a flourishing spa destination since ancient times. The closest town is Denizli, which is serviced by a bus terminal, train station and airport.

Oak of the Witches

By Linda Tancs

Heralded as a national monument, there’s a thriving 600-year-old oak tree in Capannori, Italy. In addition to its age, what’s enchanting about it is its size—over 65 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 13 feet and a crown diameter of 131 feet with gnarled branches stretching horizontally. Legend has it that witches met at the oak and danced on it, causing it to reach horizontally rather than vertically. The tree is so distinctive that it’s recorded on NATO maps as a military point of reference.

The Oldest State House

By Linda Tancs

Opened in 1819, the New Hampshire State House is the oldest state house in continuous use in the United States. It’s free and open to the public during business hours. One of many attractions in the capital city of Concord, you might consider seeing it as part of a historic walking tour in town. A self-guided tour takes less than two hours and is about 2 miles long.

Scenic 7 in Arkansas

By Linda Tancs

Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway is arguably among the most scenic drives in America. Approximately 290 miles in length, the north-south state highway runs from Louisiana Highway 558 at the Louisiana state line north to Bull Shoals Lake at Diamond City near the Missouri state line. It’s the state’s first state-designated scenic byway, incorporating the coastal plain region in the south with the Ouachita and Ozark mountains. The region is rich in wildlife, outdoor recreation and historical resources, not to mention top-tier views on the ridgelines.

An Elegant Estate in West Virginia

By Linda Tancs

In 1900, Cleveland industrialist Earl W. Oglebay purchased what is now known as Oglebay Mansion in Wheeling, West Virginia, to serve as a summer home. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, you can explore 13 period rooms and impressive collections of American furniture, china, silver, glass, pewter, toys and textiles. Another feature is The Glass Museum, located on the lower level of Carriage House, which boasts over 4,000 examples of Wheeling glass made from 1829 – 1939, plus the largest piece of cut lead crystal ever made – The Sweeney Punch Bowl. Standing 5 feet tall and weighing 225 pounds, this remarkable piece of Victorian artistry is world renowned.

America’s National Maritime Museum

By Linda Tancs

Designated by Congress as America’s National Maritime Museum, The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia, is one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime museums in the world. In fact, the museum’s library contains the largest maritime history collection in the Western Hemisphere. One of its most iconic features is the USS Monitor, representing the world’s largest marine archaeological metals conservation project. More than 210 tons of material were excavated from the ship’s wreck site in the depths of the Atlantic. Historically significant objects recovered include the revolving gun turret, two Dahlgren guns and the steam propulsion engine. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the conservation efforts from the observation platform at the Batten Conservation Complex. Leave some time to visit the 550-acre park which features the award-winning 5-mile Noland Trail that surrounds the 167-acre Mariners’ Lake.

The Boise River Greenbelt

By Linda Tancs

Located in Boise, Idaho, the Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile, tree-lined pathway following the north and south sides of the Boise River through the heart of the city. It boasts a series of parks along the trail known as the Ribbon of Jewels, properties that honor some of the city’s finest leaders. Fishing and bird watching are popular activities in the greenbelt, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

A Sea Arch in Iceland

By Linda Tancs

Of the many rock formations in western Iceland, Gatklettur (Hellnar Arch) is arguably the most popular. Located in the heart of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you’ll get there by walking a coastal path between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. The peninsula is one of the most beautiful regions in the country and is often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature” because of its diverse geological features and wildlife. It’s best to get there via a tour from Reykjavik or rent a car; there is no public transportation within the region.

Boulder Chic in Portugal

By Linda Tancs

From Manueline style to baroque to azulejos, Portuguese architectural styles are recognizable by visitors worldwide. And then there’s boulder chic, as one might call it, in the village of Monsanto, Portugal. Giant boulders carpet the entire hamlet, which is replete with red-roofed granite houses. Homes there are sandwiched between, on and underneath goliath boulders, a situation attributable to the town’s location atop a rock mass outcrop. Therefore, the walks are steep but the unusual sights are worth a trip. Take a bus from Lisbon or Porto.

Seoul Music

By Linda Tancs

Divided into an upper and lower level, the Hyundai Card Music Library in Seoul, Korea, boasts an enviable collection of records from Korean hip-hop to Western classics along with music-related books and magazines. The record exhibition on the lower level includes a rare vinyl collection that features The Beatles’ 1966 controversial cover of Yesterday and Today and one of the nine existing albums of the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen. Upstairs you’ll find over 3,000 music-related books as well as every single issue of Rolling Stone ever published. Hyundai credit card holders get special benefits, like live performances in an underground concert hall.