Part of the holiday season usually involves travel, to family and friends or on a getaway, which makes this the perfect time for the fifth installment of this series by Beth Barany and I on Travel and Writing. Whatever you write, we offer information, tips, techniques and tools for writing while traveling or on retreat. Look for posts from us every other Wednesday. And get information on our destination retreats, Beth’s in Paris, mine near Delphi, Greece. This week, Beth and I share some of our favorite cafes and other places to write while traveling.
I live in the country, far from coffee shops and other gathering places for writers. So, when I travel, I enjoy the opportunity to write in places unlike my usual Catskill Mountains environment. Here are two of my favorite away-from-home writing places.
Cafes and Coffeehouses
These have grown in popularity in the US over the last 20 years. In Europe, they’ve always been a place for artists and writers to gather to talk about their work, to debate trends in literature and art, and to enjoy a break from creative isolation.
In fact, writers like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Ibsen, Simone de Beauvoir, and Gertrude Stein wrote in cafes from Paris to Rome, from Florence to Vienna, and elsewhere across the European continent.
Maybe it’s the caffeine stimulation or the bonhomie of people coming and going with their favorite beverage and perhaps a pastry or two, but cafes and coffeehouses encourage storytelling and writing.
A café I fell in love with when Bob and I toured 
Tuscany last May, was the Caffe’ Dei Costanti in Arrezo, Italy. There I was served a huge cup of hot chocolate along with the lightest and most decadent chocolate croissant. Though I didn’t get much writing done since our time there was short, I did manage to make some scene notes while licking the whipped cream from my lips. I would love to return with notebook and fountain pen someday.
In the US, one of my favorite cafes for writing is the Café Carmel Coffee House in Carmel-by-the-Sea in California where my aunt lives. I usually visit her at least once a year and this coffee house is the place I go early in the morning. There, I sip on my chai latte and get in some writing before a busy day of visiting with my aunt and helping her to accomplish tasks.
My other favorite café to write at is also in California but in Los Angeles. It’s my favorite because it is the one where my son, Chris often goes to write. Last winter, when I visited him, we went to Figaro, a French eatery and sidewalk café a couple of mornings for breakfast and to write. The food was delicious and the companioned writing with my son was special. I can’t wait to do it again.
On the Beach
As I said, I live in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. No sea here. So, one of my other favorite spots to write is the beach. For me, there is something so soothing and centering about sitting on a beach listening to the susurration of the waves. My mind often takes wing in the most amazing and energetic ways. I get inspired, find solutions to story problems and just enjoy the writing.
My favorite beach for writing is near Wailea, Maui. The sand is white, there is a lovely tree for shade, and if I get there early enough almost no one is there, so I can pick my favorite spot and write for a couple of hours before the beach gets crowded. And while I enjoy writing on other beaches, none for me compare to the experience of Maui.
What are your favorite places to write? Is one of them a café? Where is it?
And for more great writing spots, particularly in Paris, check out Beth’s post this week.
And, if you love writing on a beach or writing looking out over water or mountains, then check out my Greece writing retreat here.