Do you like to travel?
I used to be able to go on a trip at the drop of a hat. I loved going sightseeing, learning about the history of the place, tasting local food, taking pictures, talking to people, and overall exploring other cultures.
In my younger years, I traveled to Lithuania, Germany, Poland, France, Russia, Ukraine. It was so much fun! One of my favorite vacations was the trip to Germany, especially a small voyage when numerous castles could be seen on both sides of the river (never been on a ship before!), delicious German cakes, and a huge park with myriad of colorful birds.
These days, however, I travel mostly through books. I’m so grateful that I can explore other cultures that way.
And I’m super thankful that Marion Ueckermann and Autumn Macarthur invited me to join A Tuscan Legacy multi-author series (you may have already read about A Tuscan Legacy in this post). This way, I could enjoy two of my loves at the same time: love for writing Christian romance and love for traveling. And the thread of mystery, family secrets, and art made it even better!
While the setting of my book is a small town in Texas (Rios Azules), the hero has a Tuscan heritage as he’s one of eight grandchildren. Italy is one of European countries I’m not familiar with and I don’t speak Italian. But all the more fun looking at beautiful pictures of Tuscany, starting with gorgeous scenery our talented Marion used for covers, including the one for my book, Rapsodia (Rhapsody). 
And I found that many Italian words sound similar to Spanish. I’m not going to say how many pizzas were consumed in the name of research, though. Such diet should be fully justified because pizza plays an important role in my book!
I’m looking forward to reading other books in the series. It looks like my next favorite vacation will be the book trip to Tuscany.
What’s your favorite vacation(s), be it the ones you’ve taken or the ones you hope to take?
P.S. If you’d like to make a book trip to a small town in South Texas, Rios Azules, one of my romances, Season of Joy, is on sale for 99 cents until February 3rd.
Alexa Verde writes uplifting, diverse books about faith, love, and hope. She has had 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in south Texas home. The latter is an inspiration for the fictional setting of her series Rios Azules Christmas and Secrets of Rios Azules. Alexa has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and a master's in Russian. She's worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer's hat suits her the best.
HI Alexa, the Tuscan series look great, I am excited to read them. I am blessed to call Australia home and I love to explore my beautiful country- awesome beaches, high plains, tropics… The Eyre Peninsula is a favourite to visit, as are the Bogong High Plains and Tasmania.
Overseas- I would love to visit Europe and the Holy Lands..one day maybe..until then, bring on the books:)
Blessings:)
I love going on holidays Hawaii is one of my favourite locations. I love that its far enough away home that I can’t just be called back. When mum was in care I had 2 weeks there and it was great knowing I was to far away to contact her and was able to have a complete break while I got to enjoy the place. before that when I went on holidays in my own country Australia I still had to ring every couple of days so was never really able to totally relax.
I also love Canada. Currently its hard to travel due to health issues but I have a goal to do it again.
Hi Alexa! I am so looking forward to the Tuscan Legacy series with the thread of mystery, family secrets, art, Italian food, and songs. I have NOT visited Italy personally, but often through books. I have been blessed to travel coast to coast (26 states) and 9 foreign countries on three continents. My favorite trip was to Switzerland visiting the cities of Luzern, Zurich, Interlaken, and Bern. Seeing Alpine villages nestled near pristine lakes and majestic mountains. I enjoyed my trips to Germany to explore the land of my birth. The meandering Rhine River with its rich medieval history, castles, and legends delights this German’s spirit. Today I am more of an arm chair traveler. During a gloomy Midwest winter what a fun interactive blog today. Best wishes.
My hubby never took vacations when he was young. So when we got married, that’s one thing he wanted to do. He really wanted to make memories for us & for our children. Twice we took our “West Coast” trip, seeing friends in Rapid City, S.D.; seeing my sister’s family in Seattle; traveling down the coastline of Oregon & California & seeing the sand dunes, the Redwoods, the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, Barstow, CA, Calico Ghost Town; then stopping at the Petrified Forrest; the Painted Desert; London Bridge; the Grand Canyon; and finally home. We have traveled that route several more times without seeing all of these, but my favorite vacations are those 2 times when we did see them. I can’t wait to see your cover, Alexa and read your book!!
Hi, Wemble! The Holy Lands is at the top of my list of places to visit some day. Australia sounds so beautiful. It would be so awesome to travel there and see it with my one eyes. I was reading yesterday about kangaroos, and it was fascinating!
we like to visit Shipshewana, Indiana. It is an Amish Tourist area. Lovely, laid back. There is a live theater, concerts and lots of shops.
Good morning, Ausjenny! I’ve never been to Hawaii, but I heard it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth. And I was just looking at some pictures of parks in Canada before reading your comment. Absolutely breathtaking! I’m so sorry to hear about your health issues. I really hope the things will get better for you and you’ll be able to travel soon.
Hi Renate! I’m so glad you like the idea of A Tuscan Legacy series. I’m very impressed by your travels to 26 states and 9 foreign countries on three continents. And you described the Rhine river and Germany perfectly! Thank you for commenting, and best wishes to you, too!
Hi Becky! I agree with you and your husband that making wonderful memories is important. I loved reading about your trips, and I can imagine how many great pictures you have. Thank you so much for your kind words about the cover and my book. I can’t wait to release Rapsodia!
Hello, Lori Smanski! A visit to an Amish Tourist area sounds very interesting. I was once considering writing an Amish romance book, so I could’ve called such trip research. Thank you very much for commenting!
Lori – living in SW Michigan, we visit Shipshewana at least once a quarter – especially in May for Mother’s Day and my birthday. The Dutchman Essenhaus is a favorite lunch stop for chicken and pie. The shops have amazing finds. Lori, do you live in Indiana!
I enjoy traveling! When I was younger, I went to France, Switzerland, Italy (twice), Austria and Germany.
My husband is not much of a traveler, so trips have been in the States/Canada since we married (PEI (thrice), Niagara, Disney World, Alaska). That being said, we are going to England, Ireland and Scotland this summer!
A month ago I would have said the trip I took to Germany (at Christmas) and Italy (for New Year’s Day) pre-marriage would have been my favorite, but now I’m hoping the trip with my husband this summer will be my new favorite!!
Now I want to visit Shipshewana! :)
Hello, Julianne! I love your list of trips. I can only imagine how amazing Germany is during Christmas. And the trip you have for this summer sounds awesome. I hope you and your husband will enjoy visiting England, Ireland and Scotland tremendously!
I love to travel but it has been mostly in the US.
My favorite vacation was for a working vacation of 3 months in an RV in Colorado in the 90″s
I love trains and I would love tour the US via trains to view more of our National Parks.
Foreign travel has only been to Mexico as a child of missionaries.
Love be an armchair traveler via books,also.
Hello, Linda! Thank you very much for commenting. I traveled by train in several countries, but not in the U.S. Yes, touring the U.S. via trains sounds awesome!
I love going to the beach in either South Carolina or Florida. I also got to travel to California 11 years ago and had a great time seeing San Francisco, Muir Woods (amazing!), Los Angeles and San Diego.
Hello Jessica! Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve been enjoying reading about everyone’s travels. I love going to the beach, too, and live about forty minutes drive from the ocean. Sadly, I hardly go to the beach anymore. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Alexa! I would love to go to Tuscany for real! Marion’s photos from her trip last year are so amazing. But for me, it will just have to be a book vacation for now. Maybe someday! :)
I’ve got lots of good memories of family reunion camping trips. Since half of my mom’s family lived in California and the other half in Michigan, we often met in Colorado. I’ve recently been scanning all the slides of those old reunions, and reliving the memories. A lot of my mom’s generation are in heaven now, and we cousins haven’t been doing as good a job as our parents in planning more reunions.
A year and a half ago my husband and I did a 2-1/2 week train trip up the west coast and over to Montana. The daytime parts were fun. We tried sleeping in the coach seats, and that was NOT fun. Another time I’d fly and then rent a car to explore in each area.
Hi Autumn! I feel exactly the same way. I’d so love to visit Tuscany in real life, but it would have to be a book trip for now!
Hi Margaret Nelson! Family reunion camping trips sound like such wonderful opportunities to reconnect with the family while enjoying beautiful nature. And Colorado is really such a beautiful state. I’m glad you have these memories. Train trip sounds so interesting, but I imagine sleeping in the coach seats can be rather uncomfortable. Thank you so much for sharing your memories!
I took my favorite vacation when I traveled to Hong Kong 5 years ago. While I was there, I celebrated my birthday and Thanksgiving too. What a time I had!
Alexa, one of the things which really draws me to a novel are the foods mentioned within the pages. As I read, I don’t just imagine the setting, but taste the morsels described. After all, taste is one of the senses, and that can really make a story zing. I will admit that reading about pizza in your post gave me a sudden urge to get in the kitchen and start cooking!
Hello Janet! Sorry for replying late. Wow on the trip to Hong Kong. What a great way to celebrate birthday and Thanksgiving!
Hello D.J. Blackmore! I love reading about food in books! So glad to hear that you do, too! And your words about wanting to start cooking made me smile. Thank you very much for stopping by!