One of my favorite travel websites is Wanderlust and Lipstick, which recently sponsored the terrific WanderWomen Write contest. Although I didn’t win a trip to Vietnam, I am proud to share that my essay “The Return” was a finalist in the Family Fun category.
I hope you enjoy this story about my first visit to Florence as a mother. And be sure to take a look at some of the other winning entries including the grand prize essay “Building a Family in Kenya” by JoAnna Haugen. Armchair travel at its best! Happy reading to all.
I've taken with my children and those I want to take. Explore and you'll find family travel tips, information about vacation destinations, and lots of stories about our adventures! 
Nice essay. I hope to one day be able to visit Italy. It is always interested re-visiting places you’ve been before. I remember going to Mexico City and wanting to show my wife the path I used to take to get to school. Unfortunately, it was mostly gone and the large stairs I used to climb to get up this big hill were now closed off.
.-= John´s last blog ..Good Intentions =-.
Mara, congratulations on becoming a finalist. Your essays about Florence are among my favorites. I really look forward to more on your time there!
I also harbor fantasies of visiting Vietnam; wouldn’t it be awesome to meet up there?
Congrats again.
Congratulations Mara. Its a great recognition of your powerful writing style. Your stories really take me places, so glad you received more official kudos!
.-= Lora´s last blog ..Tubing in Tahoe =-.
What a lovely essay, Mara. Sounds like it was a healing trip. Glad you were able to find the beauty in the place while facing some pretty intense memories. Brave of you to go there….
p.s. Thanks for stumbling me: ) I’ve never seen that site before, and am excited to check it out.
.-= Megan Regnerus´s last blog ..take away the scenery and the friends and you’ve got nothin’ =-.