Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a travel romance. And how many of you watched that spark blossom into a long-distance relationship?
I can attest to meeting my true love on travels, and so can Tanya Zaufi, in her debut novel, All Over the Map: Two Lovers, Six Continents and a Date With Destiny.
When I first learned about her book, I was excited to receive a review copy. I can still recall the day I met my future Dutch husband while exploring Petra, Jordan, back in 1996 — my entry ticket to the massive ruins is still lodged in a dog-eared copy of Lonely Planet Jordan & Syria!
When it’s meant to be, challenges like being across an ocean and a continent apart become part of your landscape.
Reading through Tanya’s heartfelt, entertaining book (which starts off with a dream job aboard a cruise ship sailing to all the beautiful, bucket-list-worthy spots) brought back so many memories of my single years skipping through countries on trains, planes, busses, mopeds and ferries.
[Regal Princess; photo courtesy of Princess Cruise Lines]
Anyone sitting at home sadly missing travel right now will be brought right back into the picture as Tanya recalls one adventure after another during- and after her six-month contact aboard the Love Boat (aka the Regal Princess).
True story: The very ship she was working on was occasionally used in Love Boat scenes. While getting her bearings aboard the mega ship, she even gives a shout-out to those beloved TV series characters Captain Stubing and Bartender Isaac Washington.
Things get really interesting when post-cruise contract, the pair decide to make a go for it in Kelowna, British Columbia. I won’t spoil the meat and bones of Tanya’s memoir, but highly recommend this page-turner to travellers, travellers at heart and believers in fate.
You’ll also learn some interesting travel tidbits about the Caribbean and Europe along the way.
All Over the Map is a poignant reminder that more importantly than romance, compromise, sacrifice and patience are the keys to everlasting love.
Tanya is a travel industry veteran with experience working at ski resorts, hotels and cruise ships. Her favourite destinations are the Austrian Alps, Caribbean, Greece and Australia. During the winter, you can find her skiing, snowshoeing, skating and relaxing in the hot tub with a good glass of wine.
All Over the Map: Two Lovers, Six Continents and a Date With Destiny by Tanya Zaufi drops on October 23. In paperback (ISBN 978-1-7773799-0-2; CAD $22.99/USD $16.99) and Ebook (ISBN 978-1-7773799-1-9; CAD $9.99/USD $6.99). The paperback version will be available via Amazon.
