Victoria Benchley's Blog

Congratulations to Sharon K. Connell!

This sharp cookie managed to name 29 out of 30 locations during our April virtual vacation.  Even her guesses were spot on!  She actually had all 30 correct, but was a little late with one of her answers.  Thanks to everyone for playing along.  Our other top finishers were K. Nichols, Amy Reade, and Catherine Conn who all displayed their superior knowledge of the globe.  As we say farewell, enjoy this photo of a bouquet I spotted in a gelato shop in Rome.

Arrivederci!

~Yesterday we visited Edinburg, Scotland. Sharon K. Connell, Catherine Conn, K. Nichols, & Amy Reade recognized the location.~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

It’s the last day of our International trip.  I’m sad to see it come to a close, but have enjoyed our virtual time together!  Some of you are very well-traveled and recognized almost everywhere we visited.  Thank you all for playing along.  I’ll anounce our winner tomorrow.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint:  A capital city built on hills, this place consists of an “old” town and a “new” town (dating from the 1700s).  It sits on an estuary created by several rivers, and from high points, one can view the sea.  With a latitude similar to Moscow, it can be quite cool here even in summer.  Its earliest residents settled here thousands of years before Christ.  Where are we?

~Yesterday we visited Bath, England. Sharon K. Connell, Catherine Conn, K. Nichols, & Amy Reade recognized the location.~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

Only one day left after today! Yesterday stumped almost everyone. Since we’re still staying home, let’s keep pretending we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: Jane Austen lived here for 5 years and featured the town in two of her novels.  Today a popular tourist spot, it is primarily known for its Roman and Georgian ties, although in the Middle Ages it was famous for milling and wool (it’s mentioned by way of a character in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales). A spa town, one can still “take the waters” here.  I have!  Where are we?

~Yesterday we visited London, England.  Sharon K. Connell was the only tourist to recognize the city!~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

Since everyone’s staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: I took the bird’s eye shot of this capital city high above the sky line, but if you look closely you can see a well-known landmark.  It’s one of the priciest places in the world for real estate, and it’s the largest city in this country.  Known as a center for banking and insurance, its roots stretch to thousands of years before Christ.  Can you name this city?

~Yesterday we visited Lucerne, Switzerland. Amy Reade, K. Nichols, Catherine Conn, & Sharon K. Connell recognized the location.~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

Happy Monday!  Since everyone’s staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: Located in the central region of this country, this city had the oldest wooden bridge in Europe before it burned in 1993 (it has been since rebuilt).  The town is located on a river and a well-known large lake.  A second surviving bridge (shown below) features paintings that are a tad morbid from the 1600s.  On the other bridge, all but two of the original paintings from the same period were lost or severely damaged in the fire.  Can you name the city & country?

~Yesterday we visited Oxford, England. Catherine Conn, Sharon K. Connell, K. Nichols, & Amy Reade knew where we were!~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

Happy Sunday, everyone!  Since we are all staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: This spot is located approximately 50 miles north of the nation’s capital.  Writings from the 12th century mention it as a seat of learning.  Even prior to this early date, a monastic community here cemented the town’s reputation as one of the country’s earliest places for formal education.  It is believed the area was first settled around 900 AD because it was a convenient spot for oxen to cross a river.  Its library system contains 11 million books on 120 miles of shelving!  Where are we? 

~Yesterday we visited Innsbruck, Austria. Catherine Conn, Sharon K. Connell, & K. Nichols recognized the Golden Roof!~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

I hope you are all having a great Saturday. Since everyone’s staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: Below is a picture of this city’s most famous symbol which was originally gilded to honor an emperor’s wedding.  Populated continuously since the Stone Age, this location is a gateway to the easiest route over nearby mountains.  In modern times, the city has hosted many diverse Olympic games and is known for its winter sports and mountain climbing.  Can you name this stunning city and its country?  

~Yesterday we visited Versailles, France. Katherine Conn, Sharon K. Connell, K. Nichols, & Amy Reade knew the answer!~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

We are heading down the home stretch with only a few days left in April! I’ve enjoyed our travels. Since everyone’s staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: This palace has been undergoing a renovation, so if you visit certain areas may be off-limits.  Originally a hunting lodge, it was later expanded and became the primary home of this country’s royal family, court, & government.  Some of its furniture was made of solid silver, but later melted down to help pay for the cost of war.  It remains one of the most-visited sites in the country.  Can you name it?   

~Yesterday we visited Florence, Italy. Catherine Conn, K. Nichols, Amy Reade, and Sharon K. Connell recognized the location. ~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

Since everyone’s staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: Known for art and museums, Forbes Magazine ranks this city as one of the world’s most beautiful. Its cathedral’s dome is the largest brick dome on earth. The birthplace of Michelangelo, it was also the seat of power for the powerful Medici family. In addition, Leonardo Da Vinci was born in the region and received his early education here. It is believed that the subject of the Mona Lisa posed in this place for the famous portrait. There’s much to see here, but it’s uncomfortably hot in the summer! Below is the city’s cathedral & the bottom picture shows the details of the building’s top pediment. Name the city.

~Yesterday we visited the Jungfrau in Switzerland. K. Nichols and Sharon K. Connell recognized the location. ~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.

Ready to play?

Since everyone’s staying home, let’s pretend we’re off on an International trip.  My books are set in places I’ve visited, and I’m sharing some of my photos this month.

Identify the location of the picture below.  Remember to register your answer by clicking “Leave a comment” at the top of this page and then write your reply (I’ll approve comments at the end of each day and reveal the locale in the following blog). 

Correct answer receives a point.  If you’re not certain, go ahead and guess! I’ll be posting a different photo, along with a hint, every day this month.  Whoever has the most points on April 30th will receive a prize (you’re not winning the lotto, dear people, but I will mail you a small gift which will include a modest Amazon card).  In the event of a tie, a randomly generated number will decide the winner. So, be sure to check back here each day, & let’s see who can . . .

Name That Location:

Hint: Known as “The Top of Europe” this place is a peak but also considered a region.  The peak, along with the Eiger and Mönch, forms an easily recognizable wall of mountains.  You’ll need to take at least three different railways to reach this spot, but it’s worth the trip to see Europe’s highest train station, the ice palace, year-round snow (this photo was snapped in July) and incredible views of the Bernese Oberland.  The hit films On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and The Eiger Sanction were filmed in the area.

~Yesterday we visited Portsmouth, England. K Nichols recognized the location.~

Copyright 2020. Victoria Benchley all rights reserved.