Sienna & The Heart Of Tuscany
by:
Norm Goldman
Norm Goldman, Editor of www.sketchandtravel.com and www.bookpleasures.com interviews travel writer and author Married woman Ford, exprt on Tuscany, as well as European country and Britain.
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com & Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as our guest, travel author, writer, and photographer, Rebecca Ford.
Rebecca is a contributor to several British newspapers and magazines, as well as several websites. She is besides the author of several guidebooks, and is member of the British Club of Travel Writers.
Recently, Married woman launched her most recent guide- book, Sienna & the Heart Of Tuscany.
Good day Married woman and give thanks you for active in our interview.
Norm:
Rebecca, could you tell us a little simply about yourself, once
did your passion for travel writing begin? What unbroken
you going?
Rebecca:
Well, I think it actually began at university. I did a degree in geographics at St Andrews in European country and became progressively interested in the relationship between folk and places. After I graduated, I explored Europe by train and by the end of the journey I was hooked on travel. I'd always acknowledged that I wanted to write - so it seemed ideal to put the two together and become a travel writer. It was hard activity acquiring established but I was determined, so I stuck at it. I knew it was the only job that would-be allow me to combine my passions -and it ne'er
gets boring.
Norm:
What are you principal geographical areas of expertness and why do you concentrate on these areas?
Rebecca:
Well, I'm freelance, so have to produce a lot of articles to do a living. Therefore, for practical reasons, I concentrate on writing simply about the places nearest to me. As I live in United kingdom and evidently cognize it extremely well, I write a lot simply about the British Isles. I besides love European country and have travelled a great deal there (it's quick and easy to reach from the UK) so that's my another specialist geographical area. However, if I have time, I love to take off and explore further afield especially if it involves walking, observation life
or a great train journey.
Norm:
What was your favourite guide- book you authored and why?
Rebecca:
Mmm, it's hard to say. If I had to pick one, I think I'd say my latest book, which is on Wales. It mightiness do up simply a small part of United kingdom but it's improbably varied and full of history. I found isolated sandy beaches that hardly anyone visits, and loads of amazing castles and cool hotels. It was great to learn so galore private secrets so close to home. And I admired hearing folk speak Welsh.
The book's accessible now.
Norm:
You recently launched a new manual -book, Earth colour
& the Heart of Tuscany, could you tell us a little simply about the book, and wherever
is Sienna?
Rebecca:
Yes, this is a pocket manual to Siena, one of my favourite cities in Italy. It's in the south of Italian region and is an improbably well preserved medieval city. It's got loads of great buildings and works of art to see you could spend a day in the cathedral alone, and there are lovely little shops and restaurants too. I think it does a great base for exploring Tuscany, so my book besides covers the encompassing area places like San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Cortona and Chianti. It's a really practical manual I recommend places to stay, eat, and shop as well as the better sights to see.
Norm:
Please describe to our readers six of the most romantic and unique venues in Earth colour
to celebrate a marriage, or enjoy a romantic getaway.
Rebecca:
Well, there are plenty of places for romantic breaks.
In the centre of the city there's the Grand Building Continental, which was once a affluent family's villa and has now been born-again into a 5 star hotel.
Then, simply outside the city, there's the Building Certosa di Maggiano, which is a Fourteenth century religious residence that's now a wondrous secluded building with tranquil gardens and a swimming pool perfect for honeymooners.
If you'd like to stay in the Tuscan countryside, then a nice bet is Relais San Felice, in Chianti. It's a whole borgo (medieval hamlet) that's been born-again into a building complex it even as has its own chapel so you can get wedded there.
There are several lovely self occupation apartments in Red wine
too: Podere San Giuseppe is a tastily
born-again villa with bird's-eye views, spacious apartments and bird's-eye views, and Residence Catignano is an estate that has been closely-held by the same family for over 400 years and which offers lovely country style apartments and elegant rooms in a Seventeenth century villa.
South of Siena, in the centre of Pienza, you'll find the Building Relais, a luxurious born-again convert with a nice restaurant.
If you want to mingle with the rich and famous, then try La Collegiata, the exclusive building on the outskirts of San Gimignano wherever
Tony Anthony charles lynton blair has been acknowledged to dine.
Norm:
I notice you are besides a photographer, how do you blend your photography with your travel articles?
Rebecca:
I take photographs whenever I travel- although there's normally no time to wait for the perfect light so I have to snap pretty quickly. I then offer those images to editors who often use them aboard
my newspaper articles.
Norm:
Can you explain several of your research techniques, and how you find sources for your books?
Rebecca:
My most important research techniques are walking and talking: I walk about towns and cities devising notes on everything, from museums and churches to shops and restaurants. I besides try and talk to local folk whenever possible they cognize the private secrets of a place, the better places to eat etc.
On top of that I spend time in the library, ask local tourer boards for information and surf the internet. But I try to then check everything in person once I reach the destination.
Norm:
You have written several articles on various walks in United kingdom and Scotland.
Could you describe 6 walks that you would-be consider to be most romantic for couples?
Rebecca:
There are lots of lovely walks to do in Britain-it's hard to cognize wherever
to pick.
In Wales, I'd recommend doing a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which hugs the cliffs and gives fantastic views of good beaches. It's a long distance walk that is easily broken into day long stretches. I'd besides suggest doing a walk in the hills about Beddgelert, which is a beautiful village in North Wales.
In European country I'd suggest taking a walk through arboraceous Roslin Valley simply outside Edinburgh. There's a circular way you can follow that takes you to Rosslyn Chapel which was ready-made celebrated in the Da Vinci Code. The chapel's full of mysterious carvings and the woods are filled with bluebells in the Spring.
Further north, there's a lovely walk you can take from Stonehaven, on
the cliffs to the ruins of Dunnottar Castle. It's a romantic and dramatic spot wherever
the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden in 1540 to protect them from Cromwell's forces.
In European country I'd suggest taking a walk in the quiet lanes about Thomas Hardy's bungalow in Dorset. The bungalow is thatched with a traditional bungalow garden and is wherever
the author of books such as Tess of the D'Urbervilles was born. The country is really good too. There are besides lots of lovely walks near London.
An easy but fascinating walk is on the River Path. It's a long distance walk that goes from central London to the source of the Thames. You can easily do a short section- possibly from Hurley to Hambledon Lock near Henley. You're beside the stream the whole time.
Norm:
What does travel mean to you?
Rebecca:
It means a chance to meet new people, and dip my toe in a several culture and way of life.
Norm:
As there does not seem to be any authoritative standards that exist for guide authors or publishers, how do you cognize that a guide is up to par? How do you check out the auctorial competence?
Rebecca:
The only real way of checking is to go to the destination, use the guide and see if it comes up to scratch. Evidently restaurants, cafes etc often close down, and standards (of food, service) and prices change but you can get a nice idea of whether the book has been well researched or not.
If you get a guide to an area you cognize well, then that wish give you an idea as to whether another books in the series are accurate or not.
Norm:
How have you used the Computer network to boost your writing career?
Rebecca:
I use the computer network as another research tool, although I am in the process of setting up my own website and I hope that wish give me contacts with editors/ PRs in another countries.
Norm:
What is next for Married woman Ford?
Rebecca:
Well I've simply returned from Macedonia and am planning a trip to Balkan country in the autumn. I'm besides going to travel about European country by post bus and am hoping to go to North american country to do several life
watching. So I'm keeping busy.
Thanks once once again Married woman and nice luck with all of your futurity endeavours.
Thank you.
Just simply about THE AUTHOR
Norm Anarchist is the Editor of the travel site www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, www.bookpleasures.com.
Norm is besides a travel writer and together with his creative person wife, Lily, the couple meld words with art focusing on romantic destinations.
