Send author/film producer TJ to Italy and Greece - make her heart sing!

TJ Cummings Start Date: Mar 1, 2015 - End Date: Jun 28, 2015
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • Rome, Italy
  • Verona, Italy
  • Venice, Italy
  • Tuscany, Italy
  • Athens, Greece
  • Meteroa, Greece

My Travel Story

by: TJ Cummings Start Date: Mar 1, 2015 - End Date: Jun 28, 2015
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
My love of Italy began when I was a very young girl, when my grandfather, who was stationed there during the war, told me stories of his adventures there during WWII and in the years that followed, when he visited again and again with his wife of forty years, who passed away in 2013. My grandfather himself passed last December, and my efforts to get to Italy have only doubled since. I adore learning about Greek History, and incorperating its mythology and tales into my own writing. The cultures and communities of both Greece and Italy mesmirize me. I have no choice but to follow their beckonings.

I'm going to travel for the sheer joy of it, but also to write and film. As an author, I want to get at least one full novel completed whilst there, be it of my usual fantasy, or even a travel book describing each tiny mishap and every meandering tale. I also wish to film a couple of short films, the details of which have yet to be finalised, and create an endless stream of Italian and Greek photography art. Of course, I would be writing a blog the entire time, too, giving tips for people looking to travel in the future, and just generally sharing stories of the countries.

I hope to spend some time volunteering on the vineyards in Italy, too, working all day with the sun hot on my skin and the labour strengthening my body. Who knows, if I enjoy the trip enough, I may just move to Italy and join a vineyard permanently!

The video link is of a Contiki trip to Rome, and is, incidentally, how I travel; I love to seek out the hidden gems, the little perks and parts of the country or city which make you fall in love with the place over and over again. It's the best way, isn't it? To dive straight into the innermost workings of the place that surrounds you, submerge yourself completely in its culture? I think so.

I would be eternally grateful to anybody willing to contribute to the cost of the trip (which promises to be expensive, sigh), and would be only too happy to send you postcards and photographs of the trip whilst I'm there! For anybody who wishes to donate a large(r) sum, I'd be willing to video chat whilst there with you, so that you, too, could experience the breath-taking journey. I'd also be happy to offer advance readings for any novels I write whilst travelling, and advance showings of the short films.

I have no idea if I've convinced you to help or not, but, if I have, then thank you, and good luck in life! When I go, if you'd like to recieve some of the rewards, then let me know via email ( tj.l.cummings@gmail.com ) and I'll keep you in mind!
  • Rome, Italy
  • Verona, Italy
  • Venice, Italy
  • Tuscany, Italy
  • Athens, Greece
  • Meteroa, Greece