Travel to Greece with Pippa Roscoe

 

[caption id="attachment_1434" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pippa with Rachael Thomas[/caption]

Earlier this year I convinced Rachael Thomas to come to Crete with me on a research/writing trip. I know that I write better in the sun, outside. I’m not sure whether it’s the fresh air, or the warmth, or just being away from home but there’s something about it that helps the words to flow. We packed up our laptops and booked the flights and accommodation – something that was done with military precision worthy of any determined, accomplished Harlequin heroine! – and picked the most beautiful hotel in Crete. 



We arrived early in the morning, which meant that the first thing I did before we could check into the hotel was to get myself an iced coffee. Okay – so one thing I LOVE, to a really insane degree, is Greek Ice Coffee. It has to be sweet because, of course, I’m on holiday so the diet is OFF. On average I need about twenty minutes of alone time with this gorgeous thing before I could even think about eating breakfast. I may even need a second one!

Dani Collins – Hawaii’s Volcano Park Off The Bucket List!

HAWAII has been on our bucket list for a while. We actually visited the island of Kauai the year after we married for my sister’s wedding. For fun, I dug up a photo from that trip. 

 

My husband has wanted to see the volcano park ever since. We were looking for a splashy vacation for our twenty-fifth anniversary last year—as well as a break from winter—so we went this January.

 

It was a truly wonderful vacation! We started with three days on ‘the big island,’ aka ‘Hawaii.’ Then we flew to Oahu and spent eight days on the North Shore at Turtle Bay Resort.

 

I am blessed with a husband who likes to do his research. While most of Hawaii hovers in the twenties throughout the year, he read that the volcano park elevation is 1143 meters and can get quite cold. We were fine through the day, but when we tried to view the glow of lava in the crater at night, I had to bow out. The wind came up and I was still in shorts.

Travel to Andalusia, Spain with Jane Godman

Tapas, Flamenco, and Ice Cream (with some history thrown in) – A whirlwind tour of Andalusia

[caption id="attachment_1071" align="alignleft" width="225"] Alhambra[/caption]

I love Spain. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour flight from my home to the glorious beaches, or enticing cities, of one of the most beautiful European cities. It’s almost a hobby of mine to leave the English weather behind and soak up some Mediterranean sunshine.

Last year, my husband and I went on a tour of Andalusia. I’d wanted to visit Granada and see the Alhambra, so we decided to take in some of the other sights of the region as well. Our whirlwind tour started high up in the hills of Mijas, took in the ancient town of Ronda, allowed us to spend time in the vibrant city of Seville, included the incredible mosque at Córdoba, and ended with the iconic Alhambra.  

There were so many incredible sights packed into the tour that I’m going to leave the “wow factor” to the pictures and talk instead about the “yum factor”.

Lesser Spotted Destinations with Katrina Cudmore & Giveaways!

Lesser Spotted Destinations

 

A few years ago after a particularly hectic weekend break in a jam-packed London, I read a travel article in the English Sunday Times that really resonated with me. The article argued that in a time of ever increasing tourism and the associated concerns over the environmental impact on popular destinations, we should all be seeking out new and less visited destinations. The Cliffs of Moher here in Ireland are a case in point. Last year the cliffs had over 1.5 million tourists. Cliff erosion is now a concern at the site, as is visitor management. I don’t know about you but when I travel, I like to visit unique locations. I hate the feeling of being yet another tourist in a too predictable destination.

That why’s I thought I’d share with you two alternative coastal destinations in Ireland for you to consider, where more often than not you will be only one of a handful of visitors on any given day and where you will find a more authentic Ireland.

 

Geokaun Mountain & Fogher Cliffs on Valentina Island are located in County Kerry in the South West of Ireland at one of the most westerly points in Europe.



Valentina although an Island is accessible by a bridge and is a wild and beautiful place on the Atlantic coast full of stunning walks, in particular the 600ft Fogher seacliffs. The Blasket Islands can be seen in the distance from the cliffs and the area is renowned for its flora and fauna. Ferries leave from the nearby fishing village of Portmagee for the Skellig Rocks. Skellig Michael towers 714ft above sea level and is famous for its sixth century monastic settlement. The site, reached by steep steps, includes stone beehive-shaped huts, oratories and crosses. Thousands of puffins breed on Skellig Michael during the warmer months and it was a recent location for the filming of Star Wars movies.

Travel to Great Wall of China for #BritishHeartFoundation with Rachael Thomas!

For the last six months I have been spending lots of time preparing and training for a charity trek in China. Later this month I will be leaving my desk and flying out to Beijing and then onto The Great Wall of China where I will spend five days trekking to raise funds for British Heart Foundation.

My training has meant lots of walking and my dog, Poppy and I have done plenty of walking locally. We’ve spent many hours walking over our farm and the surrounding area.



I’ve also spent time walking along the coastal path near me. This is looking back down to Aberaeron on a very blustery autumn day.

Beaches I have loved by Michelle Douglas #Giveaways

Sarah and the Secret Sheikh is set in the fictional Arabian country of Keddah Jaleel, and while I’d love to show you pictures of my adventures in that part of the world, I’ve never had the opportunity to experience it (maybe one day).



The desert sounds so magical, doesn’t it? But I haven’t been outside my own country in over four years! However, Keddah Jaleel does have the most spectacular coastline…and those who know me know how much I love the beach. It doesn’t really matter which beach—I pretty much love them all. So today I thought I’d share some of my favourite beaches with you. 

 

 

 

My childhood beach was in the tourist hamlet of Tuncurry, which is just over two hours North of Newcastle (which is where I live). This particular spot is called The Rock Pool (though it’s more a netted beach than an actual rock pool), and is very child friendly. It’s tucked into the mouth of the harbour, bordered by the breakwater, and it’s not unusual to see dolphins frolicking in the harbour on the other side of the net. J (This spot featured in my 2011 release, The Secretary’s Secret).

[caption id="attachment_870" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Rock Pool, Tuncurry…with the iconic Forster and Tuncurry bridge in the background[/caption]

 

Travel to Skye Island, Scotland with Andie Brock

Recently my husband and I spent a few days on the Isle of Skye. An island off the west coast of Scotland, it really is the most beautiful place.



Over the years I’ve had many holidays in this part of the world. Although not Scottish, my father was raised in a little town called Thurso, about as far north as you can go on the mainland. My grandfather was a customs and excise officer there but he died before I was born. Dad always had a huge fondness for Scotland and as kids we had lots of family holidays there. But this was the first time I had been to Skye – and I wasn’t disappointed.

Travel to Budapest with Kandy Shepherd

[caption id="attachment_828" align="alignleft" width="178"] On one of the beautiful bridges that span the Danube[/caption]

Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, wasn’t top of my hit list of cities to visit in Europe—until my visit last September. Now I rave about it to anyone who will listen. What a fabulous city—my only complaint about my time there was that it too short! I can’t wait to go again and see more than a three-night visit allowed.

 

My two bridesmaids (from 28 years ago!) who live in London suggested a long weekend “girls” trip with them to Budapest while I was visiting with them in the UK. Yes please, I said immediately. I’d never been anywhere in Eastern Europe. We flew from Gatwick airport on a budget airline for a fare that seemed ridiculously cheap for someone living in Australia. Then stayed in a delightful small hotel near the Opera House—again very reasonably priced.

Travel to Pisa, Italy with Rachael Thomas

I’ve always had a passion for Italy and over recent years have been lucky enough to visit Pisa several times – and go up The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

[caption id="attachment_805" align="alignright" width="300"] Rachael Thomas holding up the Tower[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_806" align="alignleft" width="200"] Inside the Duomo[/caption]

The first thing to say is that the tower does lean. A lot! When you first walk inside it really unbalances you and as you wind your way up the 293 stone steps you can see how they are worn in different places depending which side of the tower you are on. It also feels strange when you come out on top of the Tower.

It was built as the bell tower to the Duomo and work began in 1173. It was finally completed in 1350 but was even then suffering from problems of leaning due to subsidence.

Everywhere you look around the Tower, are people posing for photographs to make it look as if they are holding up the tower. Naturally I had to have a go too.

Travel to Montana, USA with Lynne Marshall

Last August we visited a state we’d never been to before, Montana. I’ve always wanted to go there but had yet to make it. So when my husband suggested we take a trip to Montana and North Dakota, I was quick to sign on.

We’d visited Wyoming and South Dakota a few years back, so it only made sense to head north. We arrived in Missoula. The next day we headed for Whitefish, Mt, a cute and trendy kind of town, then on to Glacier National Park where we spent two of the most wonderful days of our lives sightseeing and hiking. We spent one very long driving day through the grassland and prairies of Montana, stayed the night in Glasgow, MT (I bet you didn’t know Glasgow existed in MT) then on to North Dakota. After two days we came back to Billings, Montana for two days.

I hope you enjoy this little taste of Montana. I’m smiling remembering the gorgeous views.

They call Montana the Big Sky state for a good reason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel to New York, USA with Dani Collins

[caption id="attachment_673" align="alignright" width="300"] Dani Central Park[/caption]

My husband and I live in a very rural corner of BC Canada, and love it, but my husband has always had some city-mouse in him. So when we got the chance to go to New York for a writer’s conference, I had to take him.

What can I say? I am not a city-mouse. I love my scenery and long walks on quiet country roads, but I can definitely say I Heart New York. What an amazing place!

[caption id="attachment_674" align="alignleft" width="300"] Statue of Liberty[/caption]

We were there in July, arriving with a heat wave that nearly smothered us with humidity, but we had a little booklet of coupons and were determined to use it as our guide. That put us on a cruise around Manhattan which was probably the most temperate place we could have found for sight-seeing and was the most delightful way to introduce us to the city. We saw the skyline, the Statue of Liberty, all the bridges and the place where Sully landed on the Hudson.

Our little coupon book also sent us up the Empire State Building, which I think is one of those things you have to do at least once, but we’d heard the view was nicer from 30 Rock and that was definitely a less crowded experience, but I wouldn’t say better or worse, just a different perspective.

Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam with Melanie Milburne #BookGiveaway

Two years ago my husband and I did a European river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam.

The cruise was wonderful. We visited places we might not have visited if we had been travelling on our own. Everything was catered for and it was lovely only having to unpack the once! Our cabin was always beautifully prepared for us and the food was amazing. As we toured through different countries the food and wine were sourced from those areas. That was so special.

 

 

Travel to La Gomera, Canary Islands with Christy McKellen

[caption id="attachment_718" align="alignleft" width="300"] La Gomera[/caption]

I’ve been to La Gomera in the Canary Islands for a winter break a couple of times now with my husband. While it’s not *hot* hot in the early months of the year, the temperature in the day usually reaches around the mid twenties (centigrade) which is more than warm enough to lie out in the sun for me (being a hardy Brit).

The island is the least touristy of the Canary Islands and in order to get to the other side of it where we stayed in Valle Gran Rey we had to get a taxi to drive us through dense forest of the Garajonay National Park along tight windy roads (a bit of a hairy experience!). Once you get there though it’s a really relaxed place where people gather on the beach in the evening to watch the sun sink below the sea-skyline. The bars and cafes are very chilled and serve a great range of locally sourced food and drink.

Travel to London with Liz Fielding #BookGiveaway

My very special day out was not exotic for me - I've been visiting London all my life - but I know it's a "bucket-list" destination for many people, even those living in the UK - and I want to share my very special day out on a very hot summer day.

[caption id="attachment_644" align="alignleft" width="300"] London[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a play-date with my daughter and grandchildren and the one thing we were determined to do was take a trip on the London Eye. The important thing if you're planning a trip to London in the summer holidays is to pre-book your ticket. You can do this on the internet - you get a confirmation email that you take to the office alongside the Eye and they will give you your tickets. They also have a place to safely leave buggies since you can't take them on the Eye. You can pre-book fast boarding for a little extra and I'm very glad we did that because the queue was very long.

 

 

Travel to Oregon, USA with Dani Collins

THE OREGON COAST has been a bucket list destination for my husband and I since before we married. We finally did it last September.

We drove from our home in BC Canada, south through Washington State to Oregon, down to the redwood forests, then up the coast of Oregon.  This was an incredible trip!

 Our first night was Hood River, which was a beautiful town and well worth the stop.

 I’ve always wanted to see Crater Lake and made it there the next morning. I highly recommend it! Seeing the lake involves driving around the actual lake, climbing out of the car at various viewpoints, then jumping back in. Be prepared for wind, but also awe and amazement. (Take snacks and take advantage of the bathrooms when you see them!)

Travel to San Diego, USA with Amy Ruttan

[caption id="attachment_703" align="alignleft" width="300"] San Diego[/caption]

 I went to San Diego California. I flew. It's quite a bit of a drive from where I live in Canada to San Diego. It's about a 5 hour flight from Toronto, Ontario. If you drive it turns into 40 hours of driving, not that I wouldn't mind the drive. I prefer driving over flying, but I was on a time crunch.

 

I had a good experience. I was there for business. I was attending the Romance Writer's of America national conference. It's one of my favourite conferences. So much information and it's amazing to meet people who you interact with daily, but just online. I loved the city. The weather in July was beautiful. I wish I could've stayed longer. Wonderful place.

 

 

Travel to London with Rachael Thomas #BookGiveaway

 

During 2016 I was lucky enough to visit London several times and I can’t wait to go again!

Living on a farm in the Welsh countryside is very different from a big city and London is so full of excitement from the moment I step off the train. There is so much going on, so many people, it’s fascinating.