Coffee and Conversation with the #RomanceGems

It's time for Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: Favorite vacation destination or dream trip

No denying we are into summer in the northern hemisphere. Hot, hot, hot! That means vacation time for many. So, tell me… What’s your favorite vacation destination or dream trip? The ocean or a lake? A tropical island getaway? Is there a theme park, hometown, big city, campground, casino, or cruise ship calling your name? Maybe your ideal vacation destination is fictitious, someplace you dreamed up for a book? Tell me!

"Among our all-time favorite trips, my husband and I enjoyed our past trips to Ireland. The entire country is beautiful. What’s more, the Irish apparently like Americans when many countries do not. With the huge number of Americans of Irish descent, the Irish consider Americans “coming home”. We hope to go back someday and rent a cottage for a month—or two. From that base, we could use a rail pass and see those sites we missed."
~ Caroline Clemmons

"Since I live in Las Vegas, when I vacation, I want to beat the heat. I love going to the beach. My favorite is Huntington Beach, CA."
~ Laura Hunsaker

"My dream vacation would be a train trip through the Canadian Rockies. Although I've been to the Colorado Rockies once during a business trip, I think it would be amazing to travel along enjoying the scenery and getting pampered." ~ Lucinda Race

"My dream vacation would be to go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. There is a place there where you stay in a cabin with a glass roof so you can see them from inside your bed!" ~ Karen Whiddon

"My favorite vacation destination these days is Florida. We're New Englanders counting down until retirement, and we plan on making sunny Florida our future home. This month we're visiting a town called Dunedin. It's on the west coast and it's high on the "move to" list. I can't wait to kayak on the Shell Key Preserve and visit the quaint stores and restaurants... and of course, the beach!" ~ Elsa Kurt

"This summer, we're taking a road trip to Drumheller, Alberta to see all the fossils and dinosaurs. When I say road trip, I mean with a 5 and 7 y.o. in our back seat. A 2 day drive. Wish us luck." ~ Bonnie Edwards

"My top five future travel destinations are Morocco, Iceland, Turkey (Cappadocia region), Spain, and Argentina. I love traveling and have been lucky to see quite a few places, including Thailand, Myanmar, Ireland, and Switzerland. However, my favorite vacation was going to Peru for my honeymoon and seeing Machu Picchu and the Amazon Rainforest. I firmly believe everybody should try to visit the Amazon Rainforest at least once in their life. You can’t help but be changed by the awesome beauty of Mother Nature when you see it!" ~ Satin Russell

"There are so many places I'd love to visit, I couldn't possibly name them all. But the one place that I truly love, that I've been to many times, and would go many, many more, is Bar Harbor on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. Looking in the shops downtown, or walking around the gorgeous Jordan Pond and nibbling on one of their popovers at the Jordan Pond House after, and especially watching the sun set from the top of Cadillac Mountain. Nothing more beautiful!" ~ Kari Lemor

"My dream vacation always includes sun, sand, and a large dose of romance. As we love the Caribbean, I was excited to explore somewhere new, notably the island of Utila off the coast of Honduras. This is a cute, sleepy island with one main street and no cars. One evening Mr. Romantic whisked me away to one of the few restaurants, which he had booked exclusively for us. I had no inkling until, just before desert, he went down on one knee with the most romantic proposal ever, and a gorgeous diamond ring that fit me perfect. I said ‘yes’." ~ Kathleen Lawless

"A haunted castle in Scotland or Wales would be my dream vacation! I even know the perfect posse to take along. But my other side craves sun and surf. Mr. H. took Darling Daughter and I to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico. A tiny town named Xpu-Ha near Playa del Carmen. From our hotel outpost, we explored Mayan ruins at Tulum, swam with sea turtles, and enjoyed beachside bars. The best experience, by far, was snorkeling with Whale Sharks thirty miles off Isle Mujeres. Majestic creatures the size of a bus, floating in a bottomless sea." ~ Kathryn Hills

"It's not just because I write historical romances set in England that it’s my favorite place to visit. I've always had an affinity for the country. English lit was my second major in college, and there's never been a time when I didn't love books set in England. The first time I went to England more than 30 years ago it felt like coming home. I've been there a dozen times since and been fortunate enough to take a flat in London for several weeks three times. Our whole family loves it and will continue to visit Merry Old England." ~ Cheryl Bolen

"My Fav Vaca Destination. I have so many: The French Quarter of New Orleans, LA; San Francisco, CA; Savannah, GA. However for breath-taking, raw-beauty I must choose the Grand Tetons National Park, WY.

"The first glimpse of the jagged mountain range is beyond description. The wilderness, the wild-life (bear, elk, deer, beaver) the endless sky, the walk along a slow-moving river. The reflection of Mt. Moran at the bend of the Snake River. Horseback riding, hiking trails, and dinner at the Teton Lodge. Bliss." ~ Connie Vines

"I’d go back to the Covered Wagon Ranch, Montana, snug between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. The scenery was gorgeous. The ranch family was friendly. The food was great! It was a real dude ranch experience." ~ Jan Scarbrough

"I loved vacationing in Montana. The mountains and the beauty within always mesmerized me. So much, that we moved there when we retired. Unfortunately, I can't breathe there, so we had to move. But I would go back there in a heartbeat just to visit. We saw so many ghost towns, or old mining towns, that I actually wrote three books about life in Montana. Montana just reminds me that there are so many wonderful places in the United States to visit, who needs to visit other countries?" ~ Constance Bretes

“I love the ocean. Walking on the beach and watching the dolphins play in the surf. It's very relaxing. Port Aransas Beach in Texas is my favorite.” ~ Karen Kelley

"My favorite vacation spot is Las Vegas. Surprisingly to some (perhaps), it's not all about the gambling. Although, truthfully, that's my favorite part! When I go, I make sure to take in at least one or two shows. As someone who can't keep an air fern alive, I am obsessed with the beautiful foliage at the Wynn (one of my two favorite hotels/casinos). The carousel, made from thousands of flowers, is magnificent. Just walking through their display, a near-perfect form of stress-relief!" ~ Nancy Fraser

Okay, it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.

Surprise addition to this month's topic! Some Gems are sharing their personal vacation pics over on Facebook. Here's the link to our Romance Gems Facebook Group if you'd like to see. Maybe even share some of your own pics in "comments" there.

Thanks for joining us!

~ The Romance Gems ~

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