Travel was hot on my agenda for this year and I’ve been fortunate to travel a lot. In the lead up to my trip to Europe I got busy writing. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I had a few short story wins before I left. If you missed my news see September’s blog for a quick catch up HERE
My writer friends and I often discuss how we’d be broke if we solely relied upon our income from writing. When I asked ChatGPT how much the average author made in Australia, this is the AI’s response – According to the 2022 National Survey of Australian Book Authors, the average annual income for Australian authors from their writing is $18,200.
Not a lot is it? That’s why our writing has to take a back seat when it comes to thriving financially. At least until we hit the big time and can travel and write full time.
In my last blog I also mentioned I was waiting to hear back on two more short story entries. Since September’s blog, I received the wonderful news that I’d made the long list for the Sydney Hammond Memorial short story competition themed, ‘the look that said it all’. I’m excited to share that my story will be published in their anthology of the same name. I really loved my story which came to me on a run one morning.
The other story didn’t make the cut. As writers we rewrite, we reshape and we resubmit.
We move on.
You’ll often hear me say, ‘I work so I can travel’. Running and travelling are where I get my ideas. My husband and I have recently returned from our 25th wedding anniversary tour of Europe. We saved diligently for this trip and it was worth every cent. What an amazing time we had. A well-deserved break, particularly for my husband. It’s been a year of weighing up our options and deciding what to do next. Is this what they call a midlife crisis?
This long-awaited trip began in Athens, Greece. Our room had a gorgeous view of the Acropolis, beautifully lit at night. We explored the ancient ruins the following day along with the ruins of the Parthenon temple. We meandered through flea markets and the winding streets of Plaka. Appreciated the live music, fine wine and delicious Mediterranean food. Cats are revered in Greece and to our delight were everywhere.
We ferried over to the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, starting with the island of Santorini. Based in Fira, we journeyed across the whole island. Walked up the volcano, checked out an underwater crater, took a dip in the hot springs, swam at beaches with black, red, and white sand with lava pebbles. Fabulous people, fresh food, Greek salad and cocktails. Perfection! I wore my matchy-matchy new blue swimming costume bought with one of my recent writing wins.
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades Island group and our favourite. We headed up to Apollo’s Gate, wandered around mountain villages and saw archaic marble temples, ancient ruins and whitewashed houses. Swam in the crystal blue ocean and walked long stretches of beach and patted more cats. On to Mykonos, the windy island. Perfect day out on a catamaran with a small group of fun people. Our hotel overlooked the iconic 16th-century windmills. We ventured down stone-paved alleys with whitewashed houses, country chapels and clubs. Also known as the party island the clubs were next level. DJs in every bar, lots of dancing and more cocktails.
On to Italy. The Amalfi coast is beyond stunning. We based ourselves in Positano, which proved to be a good choice. The towns of Amalfi, Sorrento, Ravello, Capri, Pompeii and Naples were all explored. Ravello and Capri were my favourite. Ravello known as the City of Music, picturesque, quiet, and authentic with lush gardens. Lovely walks and weddings going on. We took a boat tour around the island of Capri, the millionaire’s playground. And admired the many luxury yachts and sampled traditional lemon sorbets served inside real lemons. I often caught myself wondering how all these young people could afford this lifestyle. Hiked to the top of Capri and indulged in the most delicious truffle gnocchi. We swam in the clear blue ocean outside Grotto Bianca and have become quite good at jumping off boats. Before we left the coast we took a day trip to the ash covered Roman city of Pompeli. Hard to explain the emotion. Not to be missed
I last visited Rome in 1992 as a backpacker. A lot has changed, certainly my financial situation. but the people were still the same. There was a strong police and army presence, and we always felt safe contradictory to what we heard before we went. We marched across Rome to visit, The Colosseum, Trevi fountain, and Trevi District. The Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Saint Peter Basilica. The Vatican Museum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Navona Square. Trastevere, Piazza Del Popolo and every other church, gallery and square in Roma.
A slower pace in beautiful Florence where we indulged in copious amounts of pasta and wine with my cousin and her partner who picked great restaurants. Our accommodation was in the Piazza del Duomo, the Duomo cathedral was right outside our door. The Mercato market was very cool, we visited a few times and had delicious paninis. We visited the Palazzo Vecchio, Basillica San Marco, and the Basillica S.S. Annunziata. The Galleria dell’ Accademia was a must see to view the magnificent Statue of David. We walked over the famous Ponte Vecchio and upwards to the top of Forte Belvedere where we were pleased to find a promised bar with a fantastic view of Florence. More wine on our winery tour to the Chianti wine region of Tuscany, where we tasted seven wines, balsamic vinegars and olive oil at Fattoria Lornano and Agricola Poggio ai Laghi and finished off at a medieval castle.
Our last stop in Italy was Venice, so unique. This time I was able to afford a gondola ride which was beyond exciting and very relaxing. Walked over and boated under the beautiful Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto bridge. We witnessed a high tide which flooded the piazza San Marco in the evening. I marvelled at the fish markets and creative stalls. The views from the Basilica San Marco were stunning. We indulged in a special dinner in the multiple award-winning Michelin star restaurant Bistrot De Venise. From small canals to the Grand Canal we explored as much as we could, delighted in Venetian glass, masks, food and cocktails. I hope to return one day.
On to Innsbruck, Austria. I’d live here. So happy to be back in my favourite country. They had an unexpected dump of snow for this time of year so we layered up to ride the Nordkette funicular and cable car up the mountain to play in the snow. Spectacular views! A couple of sunny days too, giving us the perfect contrast. Cobblestone streets, colourful architecture, schnapps, and an easy language to understand. Perfekt.
Salzburg, Austria, the city of music feels like Innsbruck’s big sister. Huge pretzels and beer. Delicious strudel. Regained my love for shandy, called a Radler here. Highly recommend Fraulein Maria’s, The Sound of Music bike tour. I did the coach tour many years ago, but this gave you a real overview of the city and was so much fun cycling around to the tunes from the movie. Discovered the Austrian artist Leon Einberger. Everything Mozart, of course! Explored old town, up a short funicular ride to Fortress Hohensalzburg, walked all over the city, Mirabell Palace and its gardens.
Of course we had to visit the opening of Oktoberfest in Munich, the capital of the Bavarian Region. What a huge weekend. I channelled my inner Bavarian by wearing a traditional dirndl.
Swanned from beer tent to beer tent drinking steins of German beer. Met some great people. Marienplatz is the heart of Munich with Gothic architecture, music and pubs on every corner. The New Town Hall has a glockenspiel, a chiming clock constructed over 100 years ago. We enjoyed the outdoor market, Viktualienmarkt and strolled through the English Garden listening to the soothing sounds of the piano.
Back on the train to visit Luzern/Lucerne in Swizz, Germany. Still trying out our German. A more relaxed pace here, we strolled through old town, with its 14th century buildings and bridges. Walked over the Spreuer bridge and the wooden Chapel bridge which was built in 1333 and connects the old town with the right bank of the River Reuss. Marvelled at the workings of the Needle dam and the clear waters of Lake Lucerne. Indulged in traditional cheese fondue. Walked around the Musegg Wall surrounding old town and up two of its nine towers for the city views. We caught the cableway and panorama gondola up to the top of Mt Pilatus and rode the very steep cogwheel railway back down the mountain. Then took a lovely boat ride around Lake Lucerne to take in the beautiful scenery. Gorgeous place, not to be missed.
Rained cats and dogs in Lausanne on Lake Geneva, but we were blessed with a little sunshine each day. We switched to speaking French in this French region of Switzerland. Gorgeous churches and chateaus like the 12th-century Gothic cathedral, several palaces like the 19th century Palais de Rumine which houses fine art and science museums. Checked out the Olympic Museum and lakeshore Olympic Park. Another Old city which had medieval, shop-lined streets, cakes galore and yummy crepes.
Ending our trip in the city of love, Paris, where the mini skirt is alive and well, even coming into winter. Fifth visit here for me, and still four days was not enough. We spent one whole day in Montmartre alone. Contrary to popular belief everyone was fine with our rusty French. We trekked across town and saw as much as we could from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame to the Louvre. Risked our lives getting across the death trap roundabout to the Arc de Triomphe. Swanned around grand palaces and their gardens, down the Champs-Élysées, and into fancy shops. Walked over several famous bridges like Pont Neuf. Took a boat along the River Seine. Old buildings on every corner, we often didn’t know what we were looking at.
Paris the city of love and fabulous food, escargot, French onion soup, croque monsieur, crème brulée, fromage, beef bourguignon, salmon, mille-feuille and oh my, the baguettes.
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I know right now it might seem I’m more like I’m a travel blogger than an author, but I’m still a writer and if I don’t write these things down, I might forget all the details, but I won’t forget how I felt, that’s for sure.
Selena Jane 🙂
