Weekend Trips Archives - Books And Travel

A Weekend Stone Carving In Somerset, England

As part of my research around Gothic Cathedrals, I wanted to experience stone carving.

I’ve also been interested in it since I read about the psychologist Carl Jung and his tower at Bollingen where he carved stones with various symbols and meaningful words. For more on Jungian psychology, check out my book, Writing the Shadow.

In mid-June, 2024, I attended a weekend course with Kate Semple at The Stone Carving Studio, near Radstock in Somerset. There were seven novice stone carvers, some who had carved before, but most completely new to the process. As a writer and photographer, I’d never used a hammer and chisel before, so it was a challenge from the outset.

Bankers at the stone carving studio Radstock Photo by JFPenn — Bankers at The Stone Carving Studio, Radstock Photo by JFPenn

Vienna, Nuremberg, And Cologne. My Five Days Research Trip For Spear Of Destiny

Places, Weekend Trips

In January 2024, I did a whistlestop five-day book research trip to Vienna, Austria, and then Nuremberg and Cologne in Germany. My goal was to research locations for my next action-adventure thriller, Spear of Destiny, and also to visit two spectacular Gothic cathedrals.

In this article, I’ll share the highlights and also some practical tips. It includes:

St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), Vienna
The Holy Lance / Spear of Destiny in the Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
Tombs of the Habsburgs, Capuchin Crypt, Vienna
Globe Museum and State Hall library, Vienna
Practicalities of Vienna, and trains to Germany
Nazi Art Bunker, Nuremberg, Nurnberg
Cologne Cathedral, Koln

Spear of Destiny, an ARKANE thriller, will launch in June 2024 on Kickstarter and will be available on all stores by September 2024. Click here for more details.

Classical Architecture, Angels Unawares, And A Surprise Gutenberg Bible. A Long Weekend In Washington DC, USA

Weekend Trips

I’ve always wanted to visit Washington, D.C. as it features in so many films and TV shows. I set a scene in my thriller, Ark of Blood, at the George Washington monument (they have a replica Ark), but I had never visited — until now.

On this long weekend, I enjoyed the classical architecture of the government buildings, the ecclesiastical grandeur of the Basilica and the cathedral, and discovered the beautiful Library of Congress. This trip ended up inspiring Spear of Destiny, which features the library and the Capitol.

JFPenn at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, Feb 2023 — it was very, very cold!

In February 2023, I managed a long weekend before speaking at a conference in Colorado Springs. It was an unseasonal cold snap, so I was freezing but the sky was blue, and I spent days walking the city, which was really empty as it was off-season. Here are some of the places I visited and would recommend to others.

Two Days In Porto, Portugal: Gothic And Baroque Architecture, Riverfront Strolling, And Catacombs

Weekend Trips

In September 2022, I walked the Camino de Santiago Portuguese Coastal route from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. But before I set off on the long walk, I spent a few days in Porto having a look around. Here are some of the highlights.

Walk along the Douro River on both banks

On the north bank of the Douro, walk along Cais de Ribeira and check out the lively street stalls, restaurants, and bars, or take a boat trip.

Cais de Ribeira, Porto, Portugal Photo by JFPenn

Pintxos, Txakoli, Modern Art And The Beach. What To Do In Bilbao And San Sebastian

Weekend Trips

I love Spain. The moment I arrive, I find myself relaxing into the laid back, low-key attitude that makes it so different from the UK.

I also return again and again for creative inspiration — Spanish cities have appeared in a number of my ARKANE thrillers — and of course, the food is some of the best in the world, but they don’t shout about it so you need to do your research to avoid the more touristy places. I almost moved here in the late 1990s but headed for Australia instead. It would have been a different life indeed …

Author JFPenn outside the Guggenheim, Bilbao. Photo credit: Jonathan Bleier

For this trip in early February 2020, I went with my husband (and photographer/business partner). We had four days in San Sebastian and Bilbao — a taste of the Basque country. In this article, I’ll share some of the cultural and culinary highlights in case you’d like to visit.

What is Basque?
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
Maman by Louise Bourgeois, Anselm Kiefer, and more of the art within
Promenade by the bay in San Sebastian and climb Mount Urgull
Enjoy pintxos and txakoli … plus Michelin star dining
Where to stay and how to get there
Recommended books about Basque culture or set in the region

A Weekend In Lisbon: The Age of Exploration, Pastel de Nata, and Ginginja

Weekend Trips

If you need a European break with balmy weather, fantastic wine, and a relaxed attitude, Lisbon is a great place to go. A walkable central city with views of the River Tagus, it has fascinating glimpses into the Age of Exploration when the Portuguese explored the coastline of Africa and on to India and the Far East, as well as West to Brazil.

I visited in early September 2019, drawn to the city by its history and the need for some sun as autumn progressed further north. It was a book research trip for my ARKANE thriller series, so my choice of sites might be a little different from others! But we also enjoyed some wonderful food and wine along the way, so hopefully, this article will give you some ideas for your own weekend in Lisbon.

Weekend Trips

Walk along the Douro River on both banks

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