Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 7

All You Want to Know About Travel

Should you buy travel insurance? Is your checked bag too “smart”? Is your currency too old?  Imagine having all of your travel questions answered in one text, eliminating the deep dive into a multitude of sources. After all, you’re too busy for that. That’s where All You Want to Know About Travel by Linda Tancs comes in. As practical as it gets, the book is chock-full of tips, tricks, hints, and resources covering everything from researching a destination to getting ready to come back home.

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Bustling Barry

By Linda Tancs

Fans of the BBC’s award-winning TV series Gavin & Stacey are familiar with the town of Barry, a seaside resort in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, that served as a backdrop for many of the show’s scenes. It’s believed that the town gets its name from the sixth-century Celtic Saint Baruc. You can visit the remains of the chapel dedicated to him which date back to the eighth century. The locale is also known for Barry War Museum, which explores what life was like in the area during both world wars. It features a World War I replica trench and an Anderson shelter from World War II. The Wales Coast Path (heralded as the first dedicated coast path in the world to cover the entire length of a country’s coastline), runs right around the coastline at Barry to Rhoose Point, the most southerly spot in Wales.

Little Rock’s Early Days

By Linda Tancs

The MacArthur Park Historic District encompasses approximately 50 blocks in the heart of Little Rock, Arkansas. Boasting a variety of homes from the 1800s in different architectural styles, the district is centered on MacArthur Park, established as the first municipal park in Little Rock in 1892. It contains the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, which is located in the historic Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal — the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur. 

Great Blue Hills of God

By Linda Tancs

One of South Carolina’s most photographed natural attractions, Table Rock is an iconic open rockface (akin to a table) that overlooks the rolling mountains and dense forests of the Blue Ridge Escarpment region. The Cherokee tribes of the region called it Sah-ka-na-ga, which translates to “Great Blue Hills of God.” It’s the hallmark feature of Table Rock State Park, boasting nearly 3,000 acres of natural beauty that benefits from a myriad of hiking trails. In addition, the park offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, pedal boats and even yearlong bluegrass jam sessions.

Large Girth in Lincolnshire

By Linda Tancs

One of Britain’s greatest trees is the Bowthorpe Oak near Bourne in Lincolnshire. It ranks as the U.K.’s largest girthed oak tree at around 44 feet. Of unknown age, the pedunculate oak is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. You’ll find it at the aptly-named Bowthorpe Oak, a private family farm where you can visit the oak as well as see traditional breeds of livestock including Pedigree Lincoln Red cattle, Jacob sheep and Berkshire pigs. They’re open to the public throughout the summer on weekends.

A King’s First Castle

By Linda Tancs

Peleş Castle was built at the initiative of the first King of Romania, Carol I, to serve as his summer residence. It was the first castle in Europe to be fully powered by electricity, with the electric system completed in 1884. A masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture, it’s widely regarded as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe with an interior art collection and rooms to match. The nearest train station to the castle is Sinaia via Bucharest, Brasov or Sibiu.

Phoenician Wonders in Sicily

By Linda Tancs

The ancient city of Motya (Mozia) was originally a Phoenician settlement occupying the island of San Pantaleo off the coast of Sicily. One of its most famous attractions is popularly known as the Motya Charioteer, a marble statue discovered in 1979 that dates from the ancient Greek Classical Period. It’s one of many ancient treasures you’ll find at the Whitaker Museum. Reachable by ferry, the closest train station served by the national service is Marsala. The ferry departure point is approximately 2 miles from the station.

The Irish National Stud

By Linda Tancs

Less than an hour from Dublin, the Irish National Stud in County Kildare is a famed thoroughbred horse breeding facility. Included with admission is a free guided tour of the stud farm as well as an opportunity to explore on your own the prized Japanese Gardens as well as St. Fiachra’s Garden, a place designed to highlight Ireland’s natural assets. For an additional fee, don’t miss the interactive Irish Racehorse Experience, where visitors have the chance to buy, train and ride their own racehorse in a simulated race.

Floating Islands in Peru

By Linda Tancs

Made entirely from totora (cattail) reeds, the man-made floating islets known as the Uros Islands are a world unto themselves on Peru’s Lake Titicaca. The islets are home to the indigenous Uros people, who created them from reeds centuries ago and are dependent on the reeds for their survival. Handicrafts made from the reeds are a popular souvenir. Visitors can also learn about fishing techniques and how a reed island, and boats, are made. The quickest way to get there is by boat from Puno.

The Four Lakes Trail

By Linda Tancs

Arguably one of the most beautiful panoramic hikes in Switzerland is the Four Lakes Trail. As the name implies, there are four lakes to behold: Trübsee, Engstlensee, Tannensee and Melchsee. Highlights include Mount Titlis (Central Switzerland’s highest peak) and views of the distant Bernese Alps. The overall walk calls for a good level of fitness, but you can vary the route according to your needs by shortening the trek with mountain railroads or take a break at a cozy mountain hut or resort hotel.