Celebrity Travel: Go away with Meghan Quinn

In her latest novel “ How My Neighbor Stole Christmas,” bestselling author Meghan Quinn sets up a holiday romance that takes place in fictional Kringletown. “Kringletown is not really based off of any town,” said Quinn, 38. “I wrote a book called ‘The Romantic Pact’ that takes place in Germany. The couple travels down the Romantic Road and through all of the Christmas markets. I took inspiration from there, as well as the mountain towns in Colorado that I love so much. The only place I’ve been to during the holiday season is New York City. I’ll be honest – there’s something about Christmas in the city that is incredibly magical.” Quinn, who grew up in Southern California, resides in Colorado. You may find more information about Quinn’s books on her website (https://authormeghanquinn.com/). She is also active on Instagram (@Meghanquinnbooks).

Q: Your book’s protagonists don’t initially get along. Would you ever want to travel anywhere with Cole or Storee?

A: You know, I don’t think they would be good travel companions. They’re both homebodies. They wouldn’t want to go anywhere, but I would make them go with me to Germany to visit all the Christmas markets!

Q: What are your plans for this holiday season?

A: I’m actually going on tour in December. I’ll be visiting Chicago, New York City and Jacksonville (Florida). I can’t wait to see all the Christmas decorations. For the rest of the season though, I’ll just be curled up in my house in Colorado and I can’t wait.

Q: How do you separate vacations from work trips?

A: Oof, this is tough for me because I’m usually always on deadline, so there isn’t much separation. If I do have to work while on vacation, I tend to try to get work done early in the morning and then I spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Q: Was any of this novel written while you were on a plane, train or automobile?

A: “How My Neighbor Stole Christmas” was written while on tour in April. Six cities in six days and I wrote 30,000 words that week. I traveled from California to Colorado, to Texas, to Missouri, to Ohio, to Alabama – the entire time listening to Christmas music and carrying around my kid’s book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Q: Do you prefer warm or cold weather vacations?

A: When I’m at home, I prefer the cold. But when I go on vacation, I need all of the warm weather. My favorite place to go is Hawaii. There’s something in the air there that just makes you relax.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: I would love to go to Germany during Christmastime and experience the holiday spirit. Greece is also on the bucket list, as well as Italy. And, of course, Iceland. I need to see the Northern L ights. And Finland during Christmastime as well.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

A: When I was in high school, my parents took us to Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains of California. We stayed in a cabin and completely disconnected from all electronics. We read books and played cards and just enjoyed each other’s company. Easily my favorite vacation ever with the family.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: That there are people from all walks of life. I love people- watching, listening to conversations that don’t belong to me and immersing myself into other people’s lives because it’s fascinating. Everyone is so different in their own way and I love learning and observing so I can apply it to my stories.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: Chicago. I love everything about it from the food, to the people, to the architecture. London. I always say I could live there one day. Edinburgh [is] just so freaking dreamy. The weather is always perfect in San Diego. Avon, Colorado, [is a] smaller mountain town, but the family and I go every year in October. It’s so underrated. Mountain views, aspen trees everywhere, walking trails, a river to throw rocks in. Just gorgeous.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: Nuun electrolytes, Advil, my computer, my Addalock and something sweet – probably caramel M&Ms or sour gummy worms.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: I always like to find a bakery and try something new – a cookie, pastry, cake. Anything that sounds interesting to me. When I was taking a tour through the Highlands, we found a little bakery in a small town and purchased this jelly biscuit. I still think about it ‘til this day. So good.

Q: What is your worst vacation memory?

A: Losing my phone in a taxi cab in New York City at midnight after witnessing a fight break out at Gray’s Papaya and nearly getting punched in the head. Also, another worst vacation memory, getting Covid in Scotland and having to stay in London for 11 days in a hotel by myself until I was allowed back in the States.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)