About Us
Novel Passages is based out of
Whitefish, Montana, an outdoor adventure-land nestled among
lakes and streams, surrounded by prominent mountain ranges, and in
close proximity to
Whitefish
Mountain Resort and
Glacier
National Park, the "crown of the continent".
It was in the geographic context of Whitefish that Cindy Weaver, an
avid enthusiast for both reading and outdoor adventure, created
Novel Passages. Her prior participation in the Vancouver BC
Cruise-a-Thon, along with valuable guidance and encouragement from
Main Connection
Travel, crystallized her vision for the adventurous
possibilities of luxury voyages.
When she learned of an exciting new company,
Stowaway Books, which
scours the world for the best novels of place and awards the
Destination Fiction Prize, she embraced the opportunity to bring
fiction and travel-adventure together.
Cindy says, "Novel Passages puts readers into the world of their
books, literally. There’s nothing like reading the description of a
character climbing a glacier as you look up and see a wall of blue ice,
and feel the cold wind on your face."
Questions for Cindy ...
Who comes on a Novel Passages
Lit-Adventure?
With a Novel Passages cruise, you not only get that amazing
experience, but you get to share it with like-minded folks. Some
people like to bring their whole book club as an extra bonding
experience. Others like to go solo, or with one friend, for a chance
to meet other booklovers and discuss literature with new folks.
Why a luxury cruise line?
A line like
Regent Seven Seas
Cruises has a very unique feel in comparison to other cruise
lines. When booklovers cruise, they tend to shun the razzle-dazzle,
herd mentality of the mainstream cruise lines. A line like Regent,
while providing all the extra entertainment and spas and so forth,
has a much more elegant, thoughtful, independent vibe that’s just
more conducive to the kind of adventure Novel Passages provides.
There’s more flexibility for individual taste, intimate groups, and
the unexpected magic that sometimes occurs when like-minded folks
have a space in which they can express themselves.
And then there’s the practical side, with luxury lines like Regent
all my guests get suites and balconies, their drinks are included in
the base price, lots of little extras are just daily fare, and the
return air ticket is included. All this adds up to a greater value
for the experience.
Why Alaska?
Two reasons: One, I fell in love with Destination Fiction Prize
winning novels. And two, I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, and I
frequently hear friends express the same desire.
Alaska is so close by, and yet it has this mystique and grandeur.
This is true in its literature too. Also, I’d met the author I’m
bringing onboard and knew she’d be wonderful with book clubs. She’s
from Alaska, and has such a rich reservoir of stories and
information that you don’t often find in guidebooks and traditional
lectures.
I’m looking at adding a Mexico Novel Passages Lit-Adventure in 2009,
for much the same reasons.
Is there anyone who should not go on a Novel Passages Lit-Adventure?
I would say readers who don’t enjoy the communal aspect of
literature, who don’t enjoy sharing the world they create when they
read a book, or folks who simply want to be entertained and not
participate in their adventure. We provide a participatory
experience, not one in which you simply listen and watch.
Why does Novel Passages encourage a donation to a related destination
charity?
Both readers and travelers long to support the indigenous cultures
into which they venture. We look for charities that support literacy,
especially in the places we explore. I like to ask our guest author to
recommend a charity so that we get as close as possible to benefiting
the people about which we read, or folks for which the authors have a
special heart. For example, the guest author of the upcoming Alaska
Lit-Adventure has recommended that the University of Alaska Foundation
Story Scholarship be the suggested recipient of charitable
outreach from Destination Alaska cruise guests, which you can learn
more about by clicking on the following link:
Destination Alaska >
Reach Out.