In 1998, my husband Jan and I gave up our business careers in the Netherlands and moved to the south of France to run a campsite. Five years later, our life path took yet another turn when we moved to Umbria, Italy.
There, amid forested hills and historic cities, I found not only my geographical destination, but also my spiritual destination. I described my faith journey in my book, "Destination Italy: A Life's Journey with Divine Guidance."
We now pastor a Christian community.
I love to spend time with Jan and our daughter and, other than writing, enjoy hiking in the woods with our three dogs.
My favorite season in Umbria is autumn, when the heat of the Italian summer gives way to more invigorating temperatures, wisps of fog rise from the valleys in the morning, and golden sunlight intensifies the vibrant fall colors of the forests.