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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Getaways for the Awestruck Child in Me


Welcome! I'd say pull up a chair by the fire to warm up, but I live in the Bay Area in California, and we're in the throes of temperatures in the mid-60s, so I'll just say, come on out to the patio, pick out a lounger, and enjoy some January sunshine with me.

I'm sorry, that's mean, isn't it?

If it makes you feel better, I've had more than my fair share of cold weather in my lifetime. I grew up in mid-Michigan. In the country. On a dirt road. Whenever it snowed, we just plain got stuck, because we lived too far out of town for them to do much about it. We relied on one of our neighbors to come around and plow us out. Frankly, I loved it as a kid. Snow drifts six feet high that stretched over thirty yards on both sides of the driveway. We used to tunnel through them, creating catacombs to crawl through. For a kid who lived in her imagination, it was like having my very own Narnia.

These days, though, I have to find that kind of magic in other ways. With my schedule so crazy between raising a family and writing my stories, I find myself making imaginary travel plans to places around the world that appeal to the awestruck child in me.

Like the Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus:

Located in the Troodos Mountains, it's ornately decorated on the inside, with beautiful murals that have recently been restored. Take a look at this gentleman's video for a closer peek at how stunning it all is.

For something more urban, there's the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore:

I think it's an engineering marvel. On the top there are infinity pools where you can go all the way up to the edge and gaze out over the bay and the city:
That takes magic to a whole 'nother level.

Not that I don't love San Francisco. I do. A lot. I love it so much, more and more of my stories are set here, like my upcoming Bay Wolves series at Amber Allure. But that doesn't mean I don't want to escape when the time is right. Like if the weather isn't exactly pleasant.

Where would you go for that magical escape? Tell me in the comments. Everyone who comments will be eligible to win the Kindle Fire grand prize, but on top of that, I'm giving away a prize to one random commenter on this post, a 3-piece Kenneth Cole black cosmetics travel kit for your next getaway:

31 comments:

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous set. Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to go to eastern Canada, especially Montreal and the Maritimes!

vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com

Unknown said...

I have always wanted to go to England and Scotland!
diamer13@yahoo.com

Life Without Frank said...

Fiji, I've never been but an employee who is an avid surfer has shown me so many amazing pictures I'm dying to go there. Looks amazing!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Shannon
sabai30705 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

thank for the chance to win i would look to visit England someday
kimberjohnston@att.net

Unknown said...

I have to say my ideal fantasy getaway would either be to Greece or some tropical island... As both have their own beauty... But right now somewhere warm with tropical waterfalls sound good. Thanks for being part of the hop.

Unknown said...

Italy than France followed up by visiting more of Germany

Unknown said...

Hawaii as it's such a beautiful place to visit

bbsbooknook said...

My dream magical getaway would be Hawaii. I've always wanted to go, and have never gotten to. I'm one of those people that should have a t-shirt that says "My Mom went to Hawaii and all I got was this crummy t-shirt." LOL!

Barbara
bbsedits@hotmail.com

Nicola W said...

I'd love to visit New Zealand. It looks amazing.

nswoodhouse at yahoo dot co dot uk

Christina Livingston said...

always wanted to visit Scotland! can't wait until I get to! :)
bookjunky2013@yahoo.com

Heather Kumar said...

Well this is a no-brainer! Magical = Disney Land/World!

Christine Merritt said...

I've had the luxury of traveling around the world but have never been to Greece - all that white hot heat and blue blue sea...

Nay Nay said...

Love the set. I live in Pasadena, CA and I love it. The weather can get cold, but cold to us in California is NOT the same as cold to someone in say New York. I grew up in New York so I know about the cold wind and snow. I wouldn't live anywhere else. I can go play in the snow, or go swimming at the beach and do them both in the same day. LOL Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win. <^_^>
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

Mines IRELAND if the chance were ever to come up. Thanks for the giveaway.
bdsmith40@hotmail.com

bn100 said...

Tahiti

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Jennifer Mathis said...

oh the pictures look so nice . the better question is where dont i want to go
meandi09@yahoo.com

Terri H said...

My dream is to go to Australia someday, but my in-country favorite getaway is the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Someday, I'll live there. :)

terrihawk66@yahoo.com

Booklover Sue said...

I would love to visit Scotland, Italy or Hawaii! Maybe when kids grow up?!

I live and grew up in Central New York and totally loved that when I was a kid, we make snow tunnels or forts (this was before we realized that snow is cold!!).

susanmplatt AT Hotmail DOT com

Jeana said...

There are a lot of places I would love to visit, but at the top of the list right now is Scotland. It's just seems so pretty, and I absolutely love the accent.

Beckey said...

Thanks for being a part of the hop and sharing

BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to go to Scotland and Ireland.
Great pictures.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Beth said...

I'd love to be able to visit Australia. Get a chance to see lots of great sites I've only seen pictures of. And meet all the online friends that live Down Under. :)

tina said...

I'd love to go to a Greek island. edwards1@cox.net

Sharon E said...

My magical escape would be to Las Vegas with a group of my friends. We always have a great time. Remember: What you do in Vegas stays in Vegas!

Susan W. said...

I would love to visit Scotland and Australia. Both look like such beautiful countries.
Thanks for the giveaway!
suz2(at)cox(dot)net

Unknown said...

Alaska

Anonymous said...

I'd love to be able to visit Miami. Get a chance to see lots of great sites with my friends and family.
:)

sjoakham@hotmail.co.uk

Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

One day I would love to go to Ireland. It is on my bucket list. Until then, small jaunts to neighboring states and local attractions work for this busy mom.
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Oh that's just mean, it's in the single digits here & supposed to get below zero tonight.
69mustanglady@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Ireland or Rome!