Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
Sign up for our newsletter by filling out the JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER form in the right column of this page!
As I was reading Susan Mallery’s blog post the other day on A World of Romance, it made me think of some of my various trips and reflect on memories from them. I do love to travel and do so whenever I have the opportunity – the memories for me are such a source of pleasure that even little hiccups along the journey are viewed not as “how awful!” but rather more stories to add a richness to the experience.
My first trip out of the country – ever – was in 2005. A friend of mine had a job in Frankfurt, Germany and invited me to come visit. Giddy like a schoolgirl, I got my passport and booked a trip through London to Frankfurt where we would head out to other interesting places. I boarded the plane, which was then delayed, making me miss my connecting flight, so my first overnight in another country was spent in a hotel airport with no luggage (this is where I learned to always pack an extra pair of undies and my toothbrush in the carry-on). The next day, I made it to Frankfurt, where I had asked the airline to call my friend to let him know of the delay. He met me at the airport and we postponed our adventuring until my luggage showed up (2 days later) then we were off. We rented a car and headed east toward Prague where I learned to sort of read European traffic signs and remember my speed was in kilometers, not miles. I also learned that Czech drivers are lunatics and that no matter where you are in the world, you will find an Irish pub somewhere relatively close.
From Prague, we headed to Salzburg, Austria where I found my miniscule German could be somewhat understood by those in Austria and that Austria is known as Österreich, which I had never heard before that trip. I also had the exquisite experience of heading up to Salzburg Castle and pausing to hear the wave of clock towers chiming throughout the city.
From here, we headed to Venice (being the fourth language encountered so far on this trip.. and we weren’t done yet!) and this is where I learned another very important lesson when traveling. My friend bought a beautiful harmonica in a tiny little music shop that looked to have been there for centuries. He had always wanted one and what better souvenir than to buy one from a sop nestled in such a famous and historical city? We keep wandering, admiring the shops and buildings, we paraded through the water flooding St Mark’s square and sighed in bliss at some of the most decadent hot chocolate and pastry I had ever eaten. Our explorations around the city led us to the gondola docks where we decided that riding the gondola was something you just have to do when in Venice (even if it is stupidly expensive.) We boarded our little ship with the gondolier pointing out buildings along the way “Marco Polo’s house!” and got stuck in a gondola traffic jam as one poor gondolier accidentally spun his boat across the canal. We enjoyed the trip, took some photos and then went on our merry way afterward.
Down the way, I was admiring some of the famed Italian leather goods when my friend realized he had forgotten his precious harmonica in the gondola! We rushed back to the dock to see if it had been turned in. What we discovered is the man who booked the trip only spoke enough English to tell people the price and some of the sites – not much else other than that and my Italian is non-existent once you get me out of a menu. So we are on the dock trying to communicate with my looking in my Italian phrase book where I found bits and pieces to (badly) piece together “I left my bag in the gondola” (Dimenticato mi borsa en gondola… horrible!) to which he understood the gist then asked who the gondolier was.
“Antonio?” I said
“No Antonio”
“Marcello?” my friend asked. Another shake of the head. 
Then the light bulb went on. I pulled out my digital camera and showed him a photo of our gondolier I had snapped on the trip. He smiled and gestured in that oh-so-Italian way. “Silvio! He return soon!”
Sure enough, Silvio soon guided his boat back to the dock, his face lighting up as soon as he saw us and he handed my friend his wayward harmonica.
Lesson learned: phrase books and digital cameras are invaluable travel tools.
From there I learned other lessons regarding frightening mountain goats in the Alps and how to flag down a waitress in the madness that is Oktoberfest in Munich, but those are stories to save for another day.
(Another lesson learned: don’t go on too long about trips and adventures unless you are sure you have interest and time. 
)
So, what are some fun experiences that you have had and did you take away any lessons from it? Do you view little hiccups in a trip as calamity or all part of the journey?
A couple of weeks ago I had the, er, pleasure (yea that’s it!) of a small vacation with my niece,parents and in laws. I call the in laws the Griswolds, and my family the Funs because we put the fun in dysfunction. So all in all it was two elderly, four middle aged, an 18,13, and 11 year old. It just oozes problems, doesn’t it? The very first night my 11 year old niece (not quite sure how to say this) well, she took a huge step into womanhood. That’s right she got her time of the month. For the first time ever. You would think with four other women in the house somebody would have something on them, right? No, not the Griswolds or Dysfunctiinals. It was seen as calamity for a while, but with five other days to go that was just a hiccup by the end! We all had a blast, including my niece, who stated it was the best spring break ever! That’s awesome because she lost her father last year. I’m glad we can steal her every now and then! We always find the calamity humorous after a while. It provides great stories!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:05 am.
That big of a family group is always a good recipe for some stories later. Congratulations to your niece who ended up having a great time. (and doesn’t it always happen that way…a group of women and one really needs “something” and no one has “anything”?)
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:41 am.
I have learned that skinny dipping in summer is not a good idea if you don’t have sunscreen. The sunburn that comes from it is not fun especially when you get it on the shoulders.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:06 am.
I’ve gotten really careful about sunblock. I’ve been known to get some brutal burns on vacation farther south. I can’t imagine getting burns on places where a bathing suit usually covers!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:13 am.
LOL I’m not even tempted to try it! I burn so easily that I am sure all the skin that has never seen the light of day would actually sizzle – like a vampire!
Sunscreen is always your friend.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:42 am.
I have also learned that Advil is a very good thing ATM. I had another mole removed from my back today and the local has worn off and Advil isn’t quite helping.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:49 am.
Lessons learned as a solo traveler: people in Kentucky like to talk to strangers, people in Idaho not a peep – not even a “how you doing?”
as a diva traveller: St. Barths is freaking hit and humid in July. And it’s actually like state in France meaning when you’re there on Bastille, you’re in France and ain’t nothing to do but beach it yet again.
when staying at someone’s house in the Netherlands: when you ask your friend’s mom what the meat is you’ve been served, she doesn’t know and you friend’s perfect English is suddenly iffy.
When driving north on the Outer Banks: read the map your self. Accidentally driving 25 miles up and 25 miles down a wild horse preserve to get off an island doesn’t guarantee you’ll see a wild horse.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:57 am.
I despise heat with humidity. I’m worried this summer is going to be really bad.
Also, come visit me! I promise the locals will all say hello. We live in SUCH a friendly tourist town.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:12 am.
Your in perfect local road trip country. Expect a visit this summer.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:49 am.
You’re. Damn fingers!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:50 am.
lol the different personalities in different areas can be interesting, can’t they?
Europe in July is like July here.. blech.
and I have also learned that it is sometimes best not to ask what the meats are in things. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, especially for the rather sterile American tastes. hehe (horsemeat pizza, anyone? – Italy.. guinea pig? – Peru)
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:47 am.
Exactly! I wised up and dropped the subject, convinces it was oxen. I’m such a fussy eater, I want to go to Asia just for the sure fire weight loss.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:50 am.
We have definitely encountered quite a few interesting adventures in our travels and learned some lessons. Like, it is possible to get stranded on a desert Caribbean island, you should find out what the name of the town means… if it means yellow jacket, don’t go fishing, horses are always crazier when they don’t speak English.
We’re off for our next adventure this May- not to far from the location of the stranded island adventure. I’m curious to see what comes of this one…
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:10 am.
HA! yeah, animals who speak another language don’t respond well to English.
(I overheard a tourist gripe because the parrot in the amazon did not speak English.. then the parrot said something in Spanish and she said “I didn’t know parrots could speak Spanish!” It was really hard not to burst out laughing)
I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:56 am.
I usually flip out if something goes wrong on a trip, or at least I used to. We went to Maine a few years ago with IV’s brothers and their wives. Got lost on the way back to the airport and missed our plane.
IV kept looking at me waiting for me to lose it. But the plane was gone. Oh well. C’est la vie.
My sis in law, however . . . Flipped out.
Maybe that’s the lesson I learned on trips up to that point. Stuff happens. Oh well.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:32 am.
Very true, somehow it all works out in the end – just not always as planned.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:57 am.
My biggest lesson learned-Always bring loads of sunscreen. I burnt myself so bad on a trip to both Mexico and Bahamas, that I almost let it ruin both trips. I have learned that I am not a sit on the beach kind of girl. I like it for a day or two, but not for 7.
I also learned last summer during our trip to NYC during the hurricane, that it’s ok if plans change. We didn’t let the weather ruin our trip.
I also learned that if I had to live in the US instead of Canada, I would live in Chicago. I loved my time there and can’t wait to make a return trip.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:30 am.
Chicago is an awesome city! and I agree, sunscreen is our friend. I’m also not a sit on the beach the whole time kind of girl. If I have traveled somewhere new, I want to see it and explore.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:59 am.
I have not been on all that many trips, save my honeymoon (road trip across Canada), and two trips with my family (Mexico and Hawaii).
I have never had any real problems, but for Mexico, I would say buy water from the supermarket and have it with you AT ALL TIMES. Do not drink the tap water, and do not rely solely on alcohol for hydration!!
Many of you ladies mentioned sunscreen, but for me it’s the opposite. I learned NOT to wear sunscreen… All through my childhood, I never understood why I got head-to-toe hives during the summer… but now I know! I’m allergic to sunscreen. I learned this valuable lesson while on my honeymoon. I was miserable and itchy. Anyhow, now I have to cover up and stay in the shade during the summer months (boo!).
My first trip out of Canada, the US, and Mexico will be in May this year… I’m surprising my husband with a trip to Edinburgh and London!! He will finish his final Electrical Apprentice exam (to become a journeyman) in the morning of the day we leave, and when he comes home his bags will be packed, our sons will be ready to go to Nana’s, and we’ll head for the airport on a whirlwind vacation! I’m SO excited!!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:28 am.
How fun Cheri!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:45 am.
What an awesome gift! I don’t know how you are not so giddy with excitement that he hasn’t realized something’s up! I think I’d be about to pop!
Oh, you are going to love Edinburgh. Say hello to it for me.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 10:01 am.
I am SO giddy, but I always make sure that I give my mom a call before my husband gets home… that way I can get out all my girlish squeals of excitement.
It’s been a dream of mine (since I was about 6) to go to Edinburgh and London, and now that I can FINALLY go, I’m brought to tears every time I go online to look at pictures.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:16 pm.
I will never forget hurtling through the French countryside in a tiny little car, wondering aloud what the big yellow sign meant before I almost slammed into the toll booth around the corner. Toll, apparently. Driving in foreign countries is both fun and nerve-wracking!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:44 am.
LOL yeah, I never got the hang of the different signs. At least many are just symbols so I only had to attempt to read road signs and not “one way” etc.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 10:02 am.
I have also learned that you always pack a bathing suit and a change of clothes in the carry on. Sleeping at an airport is not fun, but at least if you are prepared, you can freshen up. Here are some other things I have learned:
Do not question the meter to a French cab driver – he will pull over and leave you on the streets of Paris.
While in Aruba, if your husband gets mistaken for a famous Venezuelan singer – go with it. They treat you very nice.
If you are lost in Florida and are asked for a map, do not hand over a map of Universal Studios. You can also follow the spotlights of Pleasure Island to find your way back. Once you start seeing the signs with Mickey ears behind them you know you’re in the right area.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:01 am.
HAHA I’ll bet that is a fun story about your husband being mistaken for the singer!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:07 pm.
What an amazing trip!! Aren’t you thrilled you did it? I’d love to take a trip like that.
I don’t flip out on trips. I do everything I can to plan and then go with the flow once I’m there. I would have a hard time if I missed a plane though. I’ve done that, recently too, and it was stressful. I still can’t believe I did it–I missed the first flight, the one from my own airport at the start of the trip. Now I always get to any airport 45 minutes earlier than I did before. So . . . about 90 minutes to two hours before flight time.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:07 am.
It really was a great trip.. and it started my travel addiction, so it might be my favorite for showing me the joy of exploring other countries.
I am usually early to airports as well, though not quite that early.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:09 pm.
Hi Claudia! I’m amazed you only have to be at the airport 90 minutes to 2 hours! Here in Belgium, where I live and was born, you need to be at least 3 hours early if you take an international flight.
I’ve done quite a bit of flying but never experienced a lot of trouble -that’s to say, until that one time. We were taking an American Airlines flight to JFK and were well over the ocean, when the pilot announced ‘We have a small problem’. Small, hell, something was bloody wrong, as all the crew were white as sheets. We circled around and around, to get rid of the kerosene, and landed at last at London Heathrow (after having been told we’d land in Ireland, Scotland..) … somewhere far enough away from houses and such. A big line up of firetrucks and ambulances stood ready when we came down (the plane was about to explode, we learned later) and miracle by miracle, nothing happened (well, some spray came out of the one engine I could see from my seat) – and that was it. After two more hours the firebrigade said it was ok to leave the plane. And afterwards we had a lot of trouble of getting aboard another plane directtion New York!
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:15 am.
About eight years ago we got stranded in Kentucky outside Mammouth Cave the Sunday of the running of the Derby. Fuel Pump went out in the car. We were camping and our tent and all of our belongings were about 45 miles away. I had also come down with a flu/cold that had me wiped.Called AAA and was towed to some small town. We sat in the “Diner” (every small town has one right?), and waited for news of the car. We were told they couldn’t even order a part until Monday. This lovely couple Charles and Polly first drove us to the campground in the middle of the night. We literally threw are things in their van. They put us up in their home until the car was fixed and we could drive back to Wisconsin. These people fed us, housed us, nursed me back to health, showed us all around, drove us to Louisville to get the part and back again under tornado warnings. And Charles even entertained us playing his guitar and signing Elvis songs.They never accepted one cent from us. Told us maybe we could do the same for somene else in need.We have never forgotten them and they changed our lives and how we view and accept strangers.That long weekend changed me in a way I can’t even put into words. Thanks for letting me share this extraordinary story with two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:59 am.
What a wonderful story and an amazing couple. Your story just made me smile and get a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I think I love Charles and Polly.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:15 pm.
I hope I meet my own Charles and Polly one day. What a lovely story!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:17 pm.
Things I’ve learned traveling – always add 30 minutes onto however long my dh says it’s going to take. Then, we’ll arrive on time.
When traveling with children, always provide them with something new – DS game, book, etc, because it’ll keep them entertained longer.
Have books on cd for to listen to in the car.
Always pack your own snacks.
Don’t rely on dh to keep track of departure time (we barely made our flight out of Richmond because he thought our JFK departure time was our Richmond departure time.).
Cushion arrival time at smaller airports because they are bigger sticklers about the TSA rules.
Be flexible, especially when traveling with children.
And make sure that your children know that they need to behave when they are traveling – or the consequences are going to be worse than if they did that at home.
Something that I’d NEVER, EVER do, but have seen it happen on planes – both parents CANNOT fall asleep when traveling with your lap baby/toddler and preschooler. Not only is it irresponsible as a parent, you’re not respecting your fellow passengers, especially when it’s on a flight from Orlando to LA.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:17 pm.
You know, I tell my dad false start times to ensure we are there on time. Sounds like your dh is the same.
Sounds like you have developed some pretty helpful lessons!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:37 pm.
I’ve had a couple of unpleasant traveling experiences, and while I wasn’t at all amused at the time, they DO make for good conversation after the fact. “I’ll laugh at it later,” usually occurs to me once everything’s been resolved.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm.
I have had a few where it occurred to me later that it would make a fun story. Wish I had remembered that earlier.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:38 pm.
The best part of being retired, is being able to travel. We usually travel with our 5th wheel or as I call it, our house on wheels. We learned to be flexible. Returning from the New England, we camped in NY state with plans to be home the next day. That changed when I discovered the FDR’s home was less than 30 miles away. Guess where we went the next day. We saw Discovery soar into space for its last flight. We didn’t know it was scheduled until we arrived in FL. While in Montana we went to a logging festival. I was sorry to learn that we had missed the testical festival though. I’m sure my husband wouldn’t have liked it.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:48 pm.
I love those trip detours! I have done that on road trips and they are always a great addition to the journey, aren’t they?
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:38 pm.
I haven’t done very much traveling.
I used to dream and dream about traveling to other countries and far away states, but it has never happened. Perhaps when I retire, I will travel like Sandi. That sounds like an amazing life!
I do know that when I do travel, even just a few hours away, I’m very good at going with the flow and changing plans on the fly, but I am like that in my day to day life to. Perhaps it will serve me well in my hypothetical traveling future!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:39 pm.
It definitely will serve you in your future travel! There is always something that doesn’t quite work out as planned
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:41 pm.
I’m on a road trip right now. No foreign languages, but we did visit the Weird and Wonderful exhibit at the historical museum in Eugene, OR. Not nearly as exciting as Silvio the gondolier, though, I’m afraid.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:07 pm.
Weird and Wonderful has a place.. and so does Silvio – just different views. lol
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:42 pm.
Most important lesson learned on my travels – if your toilet is an open-air one attached to your little grass hut on a tropical island, make sure you put the toilet seat down at night. Otherwise, a rat may fall into the toilet while trying to drink the water. Seriously, don’t laugh – this really did happen to us. You cannot imagine the look on my hubs’ face when he stuck his head out to check on the noise, came back in and said, completely deadpan, “there’s a rat in our toilet”.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 4:17 pm.
LOL I got nothing for this one! HA!
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:42 pm.
Always carry toilet paper in the countryside in Thailand. The Thais use those squat down toilets and they have big water jars for you to wash yourself with after you … er … do your business. That works well for the Thais, since native Thai attire is a long sarong, but it’s not so great if you’re wearing pants. *G*
Do not travel with my father … unless you really WANT to re-enact European Vacation ala Chevy Chase (I think someone must have followed Dad around before they wrote the script for that movie–my brothers STILL claim it’s based on Dad).
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:20 pm.
Please tell me your dad has been caught in the traffic circle…
I did carry toilet paper in Thailand and I am very glad I did… I never did get the hang of the squat toilet, though. My first encounter with one was on the night train to Bangkok. I just could not imagine trying to get the hang of it on a moving train.. so I held it.
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:44 pm.
Traffic circles … oy! Those things are awe inspiring. And scary!
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:52 am.
I hate travel glitches at the time – I mean, they’re distracting and cause tension, but you’re right and they usually make the trip just all the more memorable. You’ve got to roll when you travel, which I preach, but forget myself sometimes.
My son is going on a trip this weekend to a race (he’s driving) and his father is taking him. My son called me yesterday to tell me about all of the issues they were having and said the nicest thing, “Mom, I wish you were with me on this trip because things would be so much more organized.”
*sniff, sniff* That from a kid who wouldn’t walk beside me in the mall when he was 16. You gotta love it when they grow up!
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:57 am.
aww.. good luck to him on his race!!
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:12 pm.
I go with the hiccups & definitely view them as adventures.
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:54 am.
I do not even know the way I ended up here, however I thought this post used to be great. I don’t recognize who you’re however certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger when you aren’t already. Cheers!
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:08 am.