Walking in a character's footsteps

So I've been a tad lax on my posts as of late, so I was told.  However, I've been on vacation which has actually afforded me an opportunity to finish quite a few books.  Currently on the kindle though is a classic, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.  I've decided to go back and re-read some of the classics.  This book, though reminds me of why I'm such a romance fan.  Probably for the same reason that I'm a Disney fan, it's the "Happily Ever After" part.  While Les Miserables is a great book, I don't need to be reminded about the pain and suffering in the world.  That's what the evening news is for.  Rather, books are my escape from reality.  Of course that's just my perspective and I know plenty of you like a little more realism in your books.  Which do you prefer?  Speaking of not stories that are not too realistic.  One of the books I've read while on vacation is a fantasy romance called "Suddenly a Bride" by Ruth Ann Nordin. It was a perfect vacation book in that it was short and sweet.  Coincidentally,  the story took place in the Florida pan handle which is where I went on vacation.  A book takes on a whole other dimension when you find yourself in the very places the story references.  I was in Pensacola which also happens to be where Ann Rice had a condo (she has since sold it) and wrote Blackwood Farm there.  Ever read a book in which you found yourself walking in the same places as the character?  I'll follow up with some of the other books I've read on this trip in the future, but for now the pool is calling!