You guys should already know that I love to travel. I’ve been to lots of big cities in the US, but haven’t been overseas at all. I’m waiting for my daughter to get just a little older. My parents are going to Greece and Italy in the fall and I’m dying to pack myself in their suitcase. But I think a year or two more and we’ll be ready. Unfortunately, my daughter has become quite the traveller–but a spoiled one. We used American Express points to upgrade to first class when traveling to Hawaii. She’s completely convinced one should never travel anywhere longer than four hours without being in first class. Hmmm…wonder where she got that from?
We went to Hawaii for Spring Break. It was our first trip there. I liked it. Can’t say I loved it. Isn’t that weird? I mean…what’s wrong with me? It’s HAWAII! It was beautiful. But I mean…if you’ve seen one palm tree and sugar cane plant, you’ve seen them all, right? I was the same way when I went to the Grand Canyon. I went to the side, looked over and said, “Yup, it’s big” and I was done. I mean, it looked like the pictures.
What excites me is STUFF TO DO. That’s why I liked Oahu WAY better than I liked Maui. Oahu had the Arizona Memorial, the Bishop Museum, Honolulu and a cute aquarium with these monk seals that are only in the Hawaiian islands. Maui had whales. It was cool to see them jumping outside our hotel…but well, once they jump three or four times, you’ve seen it, right? I don’t sail or snorkel or jump out of helicopters, so Maui was a bust. 
I wanted more than anything to go back to our hotel in Oahu that we’d been miraculously upgraded in, sip Blue Hawaii’s in the morning and watch my daughter swim on the private beach (our Maui hotel had no beach) and then spend the afternoon looking around. Buying art. Trying to decide why Waikiki was such a big deal. (Never figured that out.)
Maybe that’s why I’m most at home in Chicago or New York when I vacation. I have stuff to do. I mean, A CHORUS LINE IS OPENING ON BROADWAY AGAIN! Oh! It was one of the first shows I saw back in 1983. Even then, my parents knew I wasn’t your average teenager traveler. You see, it was a great rite of passage here in Florida to go to Beach Week every summer–a celebration at nearby Clearwater Beach. Every year I was in high school, I asked if I could go and my mother, who knew from my older brother that Beach Week was mostly about drinking and hooking up, said no. Now, for my senior year, she knew she’d have trouble with the no since I’d be 18. So instead, she made a brilliant mother move I hope to emulate someday. She said, “If you skip Beach Week, I’ll take you and two friends to New York City.”
Score.
We did go. We saw 42nd Street, La Cage Aux Folles and some Tommy Tune musical that didn’t last long (it was called My One and Only…gotta love the Internet Broadway Database!) I saw A Chorus Line on my next trip, I think…not too long after that first one. But anyway, I remember walking around the city at 2am with my friends (I’m pretty sure my parents didn’t want us to do that, but we were 18!) We met two hansom cab drivers who took us around the city for free, then took us to Studio 54. We saw Rick James. We saw people free-basing cocaine (though I had NO CLUE that was what they were doing, innocent that I was!) It wasn’t the hey day of Studio 54, but I can say I went there.
It was a whirlwind weekend. We dined at Tavern on the Green and Sardi’s. We went to museums. We stayed up late and slept in and walked in the city in the rain.
You can see where my love for doing stuff when traveling started. My husband wants to take us camping up at his brother’s house in North Carolina. As in…his brother stays in his gorgeous renovated house and we sleep in a tent. I should mention that he lives on a mountain that is an hour from anything…including a store. In fact, the nearest store is a old-fashioned convenience store. If you want big shopping, you have to hit the Kmart another half hour away. Oh, yes, you can go into Charlotte…two hours away. And it’s just mountains and tourist shops. And the Biltmore, which, by the way, I’ve seen three times. Can you tell this is not a big draw for me?
On the other hand, I’m very glad that we’re not going anywhere this summer. Except when I go to Atlanta for the RWA conference–and frankly, my daughter is dying to go with me because Atlanta now has the world’s largest aquarium and has the only whale sharks in captivity in North America. I’d prefer to take her up in the fall when the weather isn’t quite so Atlanta hot. World of Coke. CNN. Stone Mountain. So much to do, so much to do…
So…if you were allowed to pick someplace to go…anywhere…where would it be? My dream trip? Well, barring another trip to NYC or Chicago, I’d say Italy. Venice. Florence. Rome, of course. But mostly…Sicily. I’d love to see where my paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother came from. But of course, only if we fly first class. :-)
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
Oh I am the outcast among the plotmonkeys. Why, you ask? Well, they love to do, as Julie said. You now know her loves. Janelle will get in a car and drive to her destination. Happily. Drive? No more than twenty minutes for me, thanks. :d Leslie loves loves loves Broadway shows. I fell asleep during Mama Mia (Oh the shame!
). I do, however, vote for traveling first class. But we don’t. The four of us went to Aruba and we traveled coach, all stayed in one room for one week, that’s three girls, one teen, one almost teen, clothes everywhere, one bathroom, makeup all over … you get the gist.
And now Julie asks, if I were allowed to pick some place to go, any place, where would it be? The Ocean Club in the Bahamas where we went on our honeymoon. It’s only two hours away. It’s secluded. It has beaches. I would NEVER leave the hotel except to take the mini bus to go to Atlantis at night if my husband wanted to gamble. And I’d sleep on the beach, write when the mood struck, and just ….. BE.
Oh I long for the beach.
Comment
Oh, that’s such a tough one! I’m thinking Australia (and then hopping over to NEw Zealand). But if Aussie was sold out, I’d say Scotland, then Ireland. And Prince Edward Island (where Anne of Green Gables was set). Sorry, but how can I pick just one?
Comment
England – I absolutely love it! Every cold, rainy, drizzly day of it. I’ve traveled to about nine different countries (not including the US – in which case Florida is my top pick) and England is the one I always enjoy the most. The history behind every street just makes me stop in my tracks. I always feel a sense of coming home. Almost a deja vu feeling. (Though I will never figure out the tube system!) I’ve just booked my first cruise – Eastern Carribbean – the jury is still out on that trip.
Comment
There are so many places that I would love to go but I’ll just give you two. In the states I want to go to NY to see the plays. I used to do a lot of acting and would love to see the Broadway plays, hell; I’d love to be in one but would settle for just seeing them. J
Out of the states I have to agree with you Julie, I want to go to Italy. My parents and sister and her husband have all been several times and listening to them makes me want to go even more. I have three sepia colored pictures that look very much like what I picture places in Italy to look like and I stare at them often trying to see myself there.
First class is the best I have to agree. I remember the good ole days of free upgrades to first class if they had room when you checked in. I loved it.
Comment
I can’t just pick one. :) My dream place has been since I was a teenager, Australia.Since I’ve grown I would add New Zealand to the trip. I researched the Australian continent and there is a lot of things to do,same as NZ. The problem is you would have to do a lot of travel within the country to do it all. It’s also a forever trip to get there that would have to be done in first class or not at all that’s for sure. After reading so many historical romances I have added to my list Scotland, Ireland, and England. Also I would want to travel to Italy and visit all the cities you mentioned and the area of Tuscany to explore all the castles.
Comment
Hmmmm, this is a tough one. You see, I am petrified to fly. I have flown twice but had a REALLY frightening experience and haven’t been on one since. So, if I weren’t afraid to fly I would want to go to Portugal (sp?) and also Greece. I have heard so many things about both. :)
Carly, if it’s beaches you like you should visit your husbands hometown state. Where I live in Massachusetts is right on the coast and off the top of my head there are at least 6 beaches here. I’m sure there are more but I can’t think of them all.
Comment
I love your blog!!!
It has been my life dream to visit Greece. My sister was just there and she says it’s amazing. But i would probably never be able to afford it so i would have to settle with NYC. I (l) NY!!!
I agree with you, going to the beach is nice but sitting in the sun gets boring after a while. My family and I were talking about how much we didn’t like going to the beach and we thought we were weird; but you are right if there is nothing to do it gets boring.
Lui
Comment
My dream place would be Europe! Yeah… I know you’re thinking that’s not just one place, but I want to see it all! Spain, Italy, London, Switzerland… all of it!!!! Then again, the Mediterranean must be so beautiful… Greece! Someday, I’ll get to all those places!
Comment
Oh, Julie, you know I’m with you. I adore traveling. My hubby and I have been introducing the girls to travel over the past few years and we’ve taken them to NYC (twice–they’re total Broadway babies, too) New Orleans (pre-Katrina…they loved it) Toronto, Savannah, and last year 2 weeks in Ireland. They are now every bit as chomping at the bit to go on our next adventure as I am.
Hmm…one place. I’d love to visit Italy. But I think if it were *safe* (and in this day and age it probably is not) I’d absolutely love to visit Egypt. I have an aunt who lives there and my father has gone many times. The stories enthrall me. I’d love to see the Valley of the Kings and Alexandria. Ride a camel, explore the pyramids. Sounds amazing.
Leslie
Comment
I need to get my passport redone cause I want to go to Scotland this Sept.
I lived on Oahu for two years and I hated it. I felt trapped and lonely. The only things I miss are the birds, the Koolau mountain range and the turtles.
Comment
Where would I love to go to travel? Hmm. good question, I would have to say someplace tropical, like the Camen Islands, Bahamas, etc. I went to the Bahamas a few years back and absolutley loved it. But since I can’t afford that right now, I would Settle to to NY or Chicago. Although I have been to Chicago numerous times throughout the past two years, it never seems to get old and you always find new adventures to go on when you get there.
Comment
Julie, being raised in NC, I have to say yuck to the camping idea in the mountains. Gross. I hate camping and the weather is so unpredictable. Now a nice little cabin (full of amenities) now there’s the ticket. My hubby and I prefer Pigeon Forge, over say Cherokee (unless you are going to gamble at Harrah’s). You can go to the water parks, go to the Comedy Barn (good family show to see), go tubing, canoeing, swimming, shopping.
Me, I’d rather be at home curled up with a book!
.
Comment
Madison, my idea of camping is a Holiday Inn with no room service. That’s about as “rustic” as I get. I think at age 40 (8 days until 41!) I can live with never having slept in a tent.
We’ve been to Pigeon Forge! And Cherokee–which, since I don’t gamble, was over for me after all of five minutes. I do remember eating yummy fudge…at Christmasland? Was that what it is called? Loved Dollywood, though I found it pricey. (I know, I’m a Disney freak and it’s very hard for any other theme park to please me.) I remember coming up with the title What’s Your Pleasure? with my editor on my cell phone while in Dollywood. Isn’t that weird? Never heard of the other places, but we were there in the cold (no water parks!) … but I’m sure we’ll end up there again sometime so we’ll have to look into them!
Melissa, I imagine living on an island in the middle of the ocean would get isolating after a while. But it’s nice to visit!
Mary, you know how I feel about Chicago. Any time. Well, except winter.
Oooh, Leslie…Egypt? You’re so much more adventurous than I. It does sound fabulous and of course, if you have a tour guide, I’m sure it would be amazing. The Princess would have to be much older…while I’m sure she can survive Italy on pasta con olio, I’m doubting they have mac and cheese in Egypt. :)
Susana, I don’t blame you for naming all of Europe…I mean, if you’re going to fly that far, you might as well stay a long time and see everything you can!
And no, Lui, you’re not weird. I do love the beach…but I can’t lay around for more than one day. I get ants in my pants to go do stuff!
So many cool places are coming up! Portugal was someplace my grandmother (who toured Europe rather extensively once my grandfather semi-retired) loved so very much. That and the Isle of Capri.
Comment
Hey Julie!
My mother just got back from Italy and she went to Florence, Rome and Venice! She loved it there but the bathroom situation is kind of weird. She said the public bathrooms are a hole in the floor that you have to squat over! And you have to pay to use the bathroom. Besides that she loved it there. :)
My dream vacation would be anywhere out of NJ! ANYWHERE!! (d) (d)
Comment
so beautiful so jealous
Comment
Julie,
I have always wanted to travel to Ireland and Greece. Ireland because I have Irish heritage, and Greece because well… it’s Greece lol. I can just picture myself in a villa with nothing but the azure backdrop of the Mediterranean … sigh. Okay, I need to snap out of my daydream now lol.
Hugs, Zara :)
Comment
This would be a really tough decision, not sure I could pick just one place to travel. No camping though, I did lots of that growing up & it was very fun & taught me to love the outdoors & Mother Nature. My ex-husband also thought camping was a great vacation but that is because he didn’t have to do all the work before, during & after the trip, I no longer do camping! My first choice would have to be a road trip to see Yosemite (I’ve been there but once is not enough!), the Grand Canyon, Sedona, AZ., Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, WY. staying in the really fantastic lodges & luxury hotels along the way. Second choice would be Las Vegas, never been there, Hawaii, never been there either and Washington D.C. I have a list of places to go before I die and all of these are on my list in no special order just whenever there is the time & the money & someone willing to travel with me. I love road trips but I also like to fly and of course flying 1st class would be the best! :)
Comment
I went to Hawaii in 1983. Didn’t like Waikiki–loved Maui.
Comment
Okay…if I have to narrow it to a few…Tahiti is right now on the top of my list (I know it is not a city, but, you know). I have been to Australia twice (I studied abroad there twice) and want to go again. I missed a LOT (I did have to study, you know). I also want to go to New Zealand. I am also itching to go back to Hawaii (I was there 25 years ago). Europe is also on my list, as is the Carribean (okay, I know those aren’t cities, also).
I don’t camp, not since I was a kid. Camping to me, is one of those pop up trailers. Nope, no tent for me. I do want to see the US, sometime…maybe in an RV….
For now, I am content with Disneyland (I have three little guys) and things around where we live. There’s lots to do on the West Coast….Unless I can find a sitter :)
Comment
I am with you Leslie my dream is to go to Italy on my 10 year anniversary. I have been married eight years and my husband and I have already started saving up. I can’t decided whether we should take the kids. They will be 12 and 9. I think the expeirence would be great, but this is really going to be a me vacation.
I have to give it to Carly also, I am a beach bum. A mai tai and white sand and I am in heaven. I feel like I was meant to be on the ocean. My Husband and kids get tried of it pretty quickly. They need things to do. All I need is a good book and the sound of the ocean.
Happy travels.
Comment
I would love to go to Nova Scotia, where I was born, and see all the places that my parents are always talking about……….
Comment
I know it’s not for everyone (like Carly! :p ) but my husband and I love, love, love to cruise! We’ve been on several Mexican cruises, a 2 week Panama cruise, and just recently this past February a 2 week cruise to Hawaii. We had such a fun and relaxing time! For us, there is no better (and affordable) way to travel. I mean, the price includes your accomodations, three meals a day (and a 24 hour buffet!), and entertainment galore on the ship. For the most part, my husband and I just relaxed, read books, and did our own thing. It was such a great way to destress.
We’re looking at going on an Alaskan cruise next summer, and this time we’re going to take our two teenage girls. We can’t wait! :d
Comment
I’ve traveled quite a bit in Europe, which I love and would do again in a heartbeat, but it made me realize how little of the U.S. I’ve seen! So in-country travel will be my focus over the next few years, starting (hopefully) with an Alaskan cruise next year.
Comment
Hmm.. where would I go?
I LOVE to travel! I used to be a travel agent back in the 90′s let me tell you I loved that job!! Now I’m a stay at home mom which believe me can be an adventure some days. If I had to pick just one place though it would have to be Itay! I never did make it there and I’ve always wanted to go! I’ve been to Ireland and loved it there! I would go back again! There are so many places I would love to go it’s hard to pick one!! I’m with you on the first class though!! :d
Comment
I would love to visit the castles of Ireland and Scotland. That would be my dream. (dog)