Hi Readers: Thanks for coming back for my second blog of the day. Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a $25 certificate for www.glassbyhand.com, a glass artisan who makes awesome jewelry. A sample picture is on my personal blog, www.joycemoore.blogspot.com.
For those of you who love to travel but find it a bit beyond your budget, 
I’ll tell you a little-known secret. Travel doesn’t have to be pricey. For readers and authors who want to see and smell and feel the climate and landscape of a town, there’s nothing like a real visit, or tramping through some 13th century ruin to get an idea of what life must have been like for someone living in the Middle Ages. Those stone turrets, the arched doorways, the dungeons, all become very real as we listen to the silence that surrounds the places in which our characters may have lived. That said, what can a traveler do when funds are short?
There is help””real help. I went to France to research for my 2010 book, The Tapestry Shop. Armed with a new respect for life in the Middle Ages, I decided to write a romance set in 14th century France, and that idea resulted in Jeanne of Clairmonde, my historical romance released this summer from The Wild Rose Press. Here’s what Romantic Times had to say about the book:
“A Compelling Read; Page-turner.”
“The beginning of a Hundred Years’ War is the backdrop for a compelling tale filled with treachery, determination, and love. Moore captures the imagination with her vivid portrayal of the era and interesting characters.” Donna M. Brown, Romantic Times , Sensuality rating: Mild.
Now, back to my big travel tip. I went to France alone, as a Servas traveler, and stayed in homes of Servas members. No money for room or board is expected, and they only ask that you stay at least two days. They want you as a guest, mostly to experience a bit of a culture that is different from theirs. I was a guest in the homes of different French families, and still correspond with friends I made there. It was the experience of a lifetime. If interested, just google “Servas” and read about how you can become a Servas traveler.
0 COMMENTS
Kimber Chin
15 years agoI love, love, love to travel!
Never heard of Servas though.
Going to google it!
Thanks for the tip!
Kimberly
15 years agoThat is a really interesting way to travel. My husband and I are in our (gulp) late 30s. We are slowly working our way across the US with his job. We started in Michigan, moved to Pennsylvania, now we’re in Oklahoma. Eventually, we hope to end up in Washington. His job is skilled labor and certain companies are dire need of people with his skill (most of the time).
Keena Kincaid
15 years agoJoyce,
I’ve traveled much in my life and hadn’t heard of Servas until today. Thanks for the tip.
Joyce
15 years agoKimber: By all means, look it up. It’s the best way to travel. Staying in American hotels doesn’t really give you a feel for other places, not like the locals can.
Joyce
15 years agoHi Kimberly: I love Washington state. My son lived there and had a sailboat and took me out on Puget Sound. I wanted to stay there forever. Well, at least you’re getting to see the U.S.A. and good luck to both of you.
Joyce
15 years agoHi Keena: I love your name. I named a character that once, and then named my dog that (sorry 😆 ). I didn’t find out about Servas until I was reading travel books in preparation for my trip to France. I think the info was in a book about women traveling alone, written by a stewardess. I looked Servas up on the internet and followed up. Servas hosts are the world’s greatest, and the book Servas sends you tells all about the hosts so you can match up, like pets, smoking, ages, intests, etc. Good luck!