From Katie:

When I was in my early twenties, I spent about a year and a half living in Rome, Italy.  During the Christmas holiday, my mom came to visit and we traveled to Venice to meet up with my stepdad for one of the most magical holidays I’ve ever had.  I spent happy days completely lost and wandering the foggy, empty streets along the canals.  On Christmas evening, after an amazing dinner with my parents, I climbed aboard a traghetto (a water bus) and just drifted along, disembarking to drink hot punch or listen to music in a church.  My journal entries from that night are awesomely (awkwardly) sentimental, and to this day I think of Venice as the most romantic, haunting place on earth.  This winter I’m longing to go back!

From Mera:

I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but apart from a brief foray in college (during which, oddly, I never ventured out of South Street Seaport) I have never been to New York City.  I would love to go, and especially this time of year when the city is decked out for the holidays.

Have a great weekend everyone!