Two links
May 16th, 2010
Here’s a link to a conversation I had with the molto famoso guidebook writer, Rick Steves. Like his books, the interview took interesting turns. I was happy that the music of my friend and neighbor, Lorenzo Cherubini–known all over Italy and way beyond as Jovanotti–was included. Check out the lovely lyrics to his song, “Per Te.” Just search his name and lots of sites come up. Also, at the beginning of the interview, you hear part of the wonderful soundtrack by Christophe Beck from the film Under the Tuscan Sun.
| Frances Mayes: 20 Years Under the Tuscan Sun Podcast Episode Watch the Frances Mayes: 20 Years Under the Tuscan Sun Podcast Episode from Travel with Rick Steves onmefeedia.com. www.mefeedia.com/watch/31147845 |
Speaking of guidebooks, I did a review on Amazon of Fodor’s new guide to Italy, a compact and packed little tome:
I loved the interview–thank you for sharing. And I thoroughly loved your new book, as I loved all the others. Personally, I would love to see another Southern-themed novel by you…I sense an undertone of wistfulness for the South in your last Tuscany book. Maybe I’m looking for it…but I really do sense that you are loving your new life in NC, too, and miss it when you are not there. And…can’t wait for your cookbook!!
All best and thanks for keeping us informed of what’s going on–hope to head to Nancy’s at Montrose soon to see the roses! If I can slip away from my busy spring season, I’m there!
Jeff
Rick Steves has been such a great source of information ever since we took his advice and packed with only our carry-ons. He helped us choose wonderful places to stay in Italy and with the help of his forms you can fill out and fax we were able to reserve our own accommodations directly with the owners. He knows how to help travelers have as personal an experience as you can get. I can’t wait to check out these links regarding Mr. Steves and Fodors.
I just read you latest book “Everyday in Tuscany” and well as all your other books and I look forward to the next one you write about the American South where you grew up. I love Italy so much I didn’t realize I would feel that pull of going to some of the other places you wrote about in “A Year in The World” the way I do now. It’s because of your vivid writing that I can visualize what you saw and want to know more about these places. I’ve traveled to other countries and liked them, some I loved, but always go back to dreams of being in Italy once again. However, thanks to your writing, I can see myself throwing my lot in with other seekers who want to see the world so thoroughly. Italy will always be my first love though. I look forward to your continued writings about your life in Tuscany! Thank you so very much.
I just got to listen to your podcast with Rick Steves and it was a wonderful interview! I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed hearing you speak. I knew you were from the South, but for some reason I wasn’t expecting the accent! You sound just like my grandmother and it was a true pleasure to listen to.
I also just finished Every Day in Tuscany and loved every page. I look forward to visiting Italy one of these days and thank you for the beauty of your words.
Courtney
Frances & Rick…the two dreamers who lured me to Italy the first time…and now I can’t get enough. I very much enjoyed your conversation ! You should collaborate on something video-wise for a PBS special. I’m sure it would be spectacular !
Best regards,
Ken
good to hear the interview – hearing the voices makes it more personal for the listener – I’m a big fan of both Rick and Frances and I’m so pleased to have discovered this interview on-line. Loved Frances’ latest book.
your books are very interesting and gave us nice and useful tips on our two weeks in Tuscuny. Better then any guidebook. we lived this time near Arezzo up up on the hills in a vineyard and 3000 olivetrees. It was already our 4th time in Tuscany and certain not the last one.
We also found Bramasole and took some pictures from “Maria” and the stonewall. Hope you don’t mind! Lovely place and somebody told us you have a nother hide a way near by, enviable. Have a nice summer in Tuscany!
Kind regards, Martina
I just read you latest book “Everyday in Tuscany” and well as all your other books and I look forward to the next one you write about the American South where you grew up. I love Italy so much I didn’t realize I would feel that pull of going to some of the other places you wrote about in “A Year in The World” the way I do now. It’s because of your vivid writing that I can visualize what you saw and want to know more about these places. I’ve traveled to other countries and liked them, some I loved, but always go back to dreams of being in Italy once again. However, thanks to your writing, I can see myself throwing my lot in with other seekers who want to see the world so thoroughly. Italy will always be my first love though. I look forward to your continued writings about your life in Tuscany! Thank you so very much.
+1
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
Alvin Jame’s comment got mixed up with mine. I read in one of your blogs you were having some technical issues with the blog so I thought you’d like to know.
Although I have bought all of your other books I borrowed Everyday in Tuscany from the local library. As I retire soon I thought I should stop acquiring mountains of books and use the library. However, I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed the book so much that after I finished it I went out and bought it as I find that I want to go back and refer to your thoughts on Luca Signorelli and Piero and all of the places you muse upon. I read Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany before my first trip to Italy with friends and I have not looked back. I have been back to Italy every year since and am trying to learn to speak Italian. You have succeeded in installing in me a love of Italy and its people and environment. The food goes with,out saying. Always loved that. Thank you for giving me so many reasons to return to such a lovely country. And thank you for writing such a wonderful, thoughtful tribute to a place that you obviously love. Good on you! Cheers
Sherry
Hi Frances,
I really enjoyed the interview with Rick. It was nice to hear your voice again. Your comments about the difference in the celebrity factor between the US ad Italy was especially interesting since, on September 17th, 2003 my wife and I were among several hundred people waiting to hear you speak and sign “up to two books” at the Tuscan Furniture launch at W.E. Smithe store in Oak Brook, IL.
While waiting, we were enjoying the food and drink when I noticed a lady milling around the perimeter of the store with a blanket over her shoulders. I walked up and said “Aren’t you Frances?” We then had a nice chat about your books and about the just previewed movie based on “Under the Tuscan Sun” and how the movie husband didn’t have to do any of the restoration work.
Later, while signing books you inscribed our copy of “In Tuscany” with “Ciao Jeff & Barb, Hope you find your Bramasole!” You then noticed that Barb was holding the promotional copy of “Under the Tuscan Sun” that had been given out at the event and said something along the lines of, let me sign that one as well, at which point Barb said “You are only supposed to sign two books.” You replied that rules are like Italian traffic laws, advisory. You then took and signed the book and said “I can do whatever I want!”
It is hard to believe that that was almost seven years ago. I am looking forward to reading your new book.
Hi Frances, Jeff again (sorry not sure where to post this. I really just wanted to write to you to see if I could use the comment from page 223).
After you signed my book with “Hope you find your Bramasole!” I remarked that Bramasole might be as much a state of mind as a physical place. Six weeks after meeting you in 2003 the company I worked for went out of business so I started turned my genealogy hobby into a lecture and writing business.
On page 223 of your book “A Year in the World” you tell about visiting Loughborough the home of your great & great-great grandparents. I really appreciated your comment about “I wish I’d asked more genealogy questions before my relatives died.”
Unfortunately that is the case of most people. One of my lectures “Give Your Family A Gift That Money Can’t Buy” encourages people to record what facts they know and pass it on to the next generation along with the family stories, including their own.
That lecture has become a book by the same name, see http://www.Alenjes.com. My mother who is turning 90 and still works one day a week “helping old people” said that the only way the average senior citizen would listed to a lecture about family history was if it was given on the bus while they were heading to a casino. Fortunately I have been able to prove her at least a little wrong.
A recording of the lecture is available at http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=41127, in case you have insomnia some evening.
Email if you are ever going to be in the western suburbs of Chicago and want a glass of wine, or two.