Patricia Sands

Author

Barbara Conelli

A little taste of Italy continued …

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Last week author Barbara Conelli dropped by and wrote a fabulous post about being a travel writer. Today she’s taking a little time out from searching for Rome’s best secrets, to answer a few questions. She’s not staying here long and I don’t blame her … in fact I’m still working on beaming myself over to Italy to hang out there with her … Who else wants to come?

PS  –  Your new book, Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore, is filled with so many fantastic tips and secrets that only a native would know. How long did it take you to compile all of this delicious and delightful information?

Thank you very much, Patricia! It’s been an ongoing process. Milan has been my long-time companion and my home away from home. My grandma was born there, I lived, studied and worked there for years, and the city is full of memories of friends, loves and delicious adventures. I’ve been collecting those urban and gastronomic secrets for years, writing them down in my travel journals. I love becoming a part of the city and simply submerging myself in its vibe and magic. When I decided to write the books, it was actually hard to choose what to use and what to leave out. I could write five more book about Milan, and I’d probably still have lots of material left.

PS –  The people who own and run the establishments you mention, must be delighted with the lovely write-ups in your book. Do you receive much feedback from them?

Yes! It’s so wonderful, and it touches my heart each time it happens. They send me beautiful e-mails, they are my fans on Facebook and follow me on Twitter, and many of them have become my friends. They appreciate the fact I have written about them with genuine love and interest, and seeing their joy is a wonderful reward. It always surprises me to hear from them, and it makes me happy.

PS –  While this book focuses on Milan, your first book Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita, covered a wider range of places including Cinque Terre and Lake Como. Do you have a third book planned and is your summer stay in Rome giving us a hint as to the topic?

Yes! My next Chique Travel Book is going to be about Rome, and I have a feeling it will be even more delightful. I’ve been to Rome many times before, but this time I’m really exploring the city off the beaten track, and what I have found and discovered so far is just fantastic. I believe no book has ever shown Rome the way I’m going to show it to my readers.

PS – There are so many good things to talk about when the topic of visiting Italy arises and eating is very close to the top of the list. If you could only choose one dish to eat in an Italian restaurant, what would it be?

Oh, this is a really difficult question! I’m a gourmet, and food is my lifelong passion. I love eating out and I enjoy exploring new restaurants and dishes. Choosing just one is very hard, but right now I would say it is fish soup the way it’s made at a very special place in Rome. I’m not going to reveal it yet because it’s an upcoming topic for my blog, and maybe for my book as well, but it is absolutely one of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted, and one of the most amazing restaurants I’ve ever visited.

PS –  The blog post you wrote last week for us was filled with excellent information for aspiring travel writers … and travellers, for that matter. When you look back at your early days, is there anything you would have done differently in getting to where you are today?

Thank you for this question! You know, I totally believe that at each moment we are exactly where we are meant to be. Every single moment crafts our personality, helps us grow and become better. Looking back, I can see that I could have made different choices on many occasions, but at the same time, I understand the impact that particular choice had on my life, and I would never ever want to change that life experience. It hasn’t always been easy, as I seem to have a knack for drama ;), but it has always been delicious and very Chique; and I hope to keep it that way.

Grazie mille,Barb! Thanks so much for taking time from your very exciting stay in Rome to chat with us. I check into your blog regularly to see what adventures you have been having and I’m sure many of my dear readers will be doing the same. If we can’t actually be there right now, we can have some fun that way! I can’t wait until you move on to Venice in August! Safe travels, my friend.

Have you, dear readers, visited Italy? What is your favourite memory from there? If you haven’t made it over there yet, is there a fantastic Italian restaurant near you? Tell us about it and share your favourite Italian dish. Hmm, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it and we have a magnifico Italian bistro within walking distance. Ciao for now!

A touch of Italy with Barbara Conelli

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This week we’re going to take a short detour from the south of France and spend some time in Italy with my friend, travel writer Barb Conelli, whose book launch we are celebrating! Cue the fireworks, brass band, and bring on the vino! Va bene!

The author of Chique Secrets of La Dolce Vita, Barbara has just published the equally intriguing Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore. This new book focuses exclusively on the intimate and seductive knowledge of the magnificent city of Milan as only this author knows it. If you want to read about the main tourist attractions in Milan, buy an ordinary guidebook. But if you want to know about hidden alleyways where you will find special family-run shops and restaurants with fascinating histories and secrets known only to locals, read this author’s books.

You know how much of a travel junkie I am and I find her books absolutely delightful. The next time I have the chance to visit Milan, you can be sure her books will be with me. Just to make us even more excited for her, guess where she is spending the summer  …  Rome! You can follow along vicariously with her daily posts on her blog.

Roma – St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican – Patricia Sands Photography
Roma – The Coliseum – taken from the Forum – Patricia Sands Photography
Roma – Trevi Fountain – Patricia Sands Photography

Today she is going to share some of her thoughts on being a travel writer. In my next life, that’s definitely on my list of career choices! Take it away, Barb!

What Makes A Good Travel Writer?

People usually think that travel writers live a glamorous life: they enjoy wonderful trips, exciting experiences, exotic food, luxurious spas, and they have friends (and sometimes even lovers) all around the globe. Let me tell you the truth: It’s exactly what you think it is. It’s a dream come true and the most amazing lifestyle I can think of. Yes, basically it’s just gumdrops and unicorns.

However, most travel writers who make a living by writing about their adventures don’t work for National Geographic or another famous publication. Take me, for example. I’ve been a nomad since I was a toddler, thanks to my nomadic parents. (It’s not like we lived in a tent in the desert; we just loved to travel.) I spent years paying for my own trips, and occasionally writing about them, just because I loved it.

When I published my first Chique Travel Book (Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita), I thought it would be a great Christmas gift for my friends and family, and I had no idea what a whirlwind it would cause. I became a travel writer practically overnight, and only then did I realize that it had been my dream all along. Sometimes life needs to give you a major nudge so that you finally understand why you’re here on this beautiful planet and what you’re supposed to do with your precious life.

The morning I was leaving for Rome a couple of weeks ago, to start my annual Italian adventure, I got a lovely check from Amazon and realized that it would cover all my travel expenses and some more, for the first time in my life. I was sitting at the door on my red suitcase, with the check in my hand, thinking: “I have officially made it. I’m a travel writer.”

I’m often asked what makes a good travel writer, what you need to do and be like so that your writing is authentic, captivating, exciting and fun. Therefore, I have put together five tips for you today, my travel writer’s mantra. They may not work for everyone, but they’ve been the foundation of all my writing and I swear by them:

1. Speak the language

When people hear I’m fluent in eight languages and study two more, they tend to think I’m an alien. Of course, I’m not saying every travel writer must be a polyglot, but speaking at least some Italian, or French, or Chinese, can make a huge difference. Locals are more likely to open up to you when they see you try to speak their language, and it is so much easier to gather stories and anecdotes, and come across unexpected revelations and adventures.

2. Talk to the people

And I don’t mean just locals. For example, I love airports. Striking up a conversation with a stranger when you’re waiting for a connecting flight or enjoying a cup of coffee is very inspiring. Ordinary people are the source of fabulous stories, as life is the greatest writer of all. Don’t be shy – people love to talk about themselves and their life, and they enjoy sharing their experiences with fellow travelers. When you’re in your destination, talk to everyone. To waiters in restaurants, to store owners, people who walk their dogs in your favorite park in the morning. Good travel writing is not about places – places are only the stage where the real stories – people’s stories – unwind.

3. Write from the heart

Don’t be afraid to open up to your readers and share your emotions with them. Don’t try to be objective – allow yourself to be as subjective as you can. The purpose of travel writing, especially of narrative travel writing, is to take your readers with you and allow them to experience the same sensations, sights and smells that you are experiencing. Your writing is like a magic carpet and you are the weaver who is putting its threads together. Don’t be afraid of wild colors and lush ornaments, be bold, be vivid, be quirky, be fun, and always be yourself.

4. Slow down

If you want to tap into the energy and vibe of the place, you need to slow down. Sit on a bench or in a café, and observe. Feel the place, feel the people, watch their gestures, their moods, their faces. Become one with it, and take it in with all your senses. Don’t rush, don’t run around desperately trying to see all the sights. Again, it’s not about the sights – it’s about being able to find those hidden gems and delicate secrets that tourists don’t have a chance to see.

5. Be humble and don’t judge

Travel is the best school of life. It teaches you to be open-minded and respectful. When you travel or are getting ready to write about your travel experience, remember this: “It is what it is, and it is all good.” As an outsider, you will never be able to fully understand the motivation of people, their choices and their circumstances. This world is full of contrast and diversity, and we need to learn to accept, honor and love them.

About Barb:

Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author, seasoned travel writer & photojournalist specializing in Italy, and Chiquenist on the mission to bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women’s lives. In her charming, delightful and humorous Chique Travel Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world. Barb lives between New York and Milan, and as a real globetrotter, she’s always on the move, accompanied by her adorable and very spoiled beagle. To her, writing is like breathing, and she’s currently working on her new book.

Visit Barb at http://www.barbaraconelli.com and please come on back here next Tuesday to read my interview with this bubbly, enthusiastic, true Italian Chiqueniste! We’ll be sitting on a terrace watching the action on the Piazza Di Spagna in Roma, sipping a soulful vino rosso or perhaps a lightly sparkling prosecco, and waiting for you to join us!

Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore

Fascinating, enthralling and seductive travel and life tales about unexpected encounters with the capricious, unpredictable and extravagant city of Milan, its glamorous feminine secrets, the everyday magic of its dreamy streets, the passionate romance of its elegant hideaways, and the sweet Italian art of delightfully falling in love with your life wherever you go.

Download the book at http://tinyurl.com/buydolceamore and enjoy the book trailer right here!

Have you been lucky enough to visit Italy? We would love to hear about some of your favourite memories so don’t be shy. Share them with us right here! Grazie mille!

Chocolate anyone?

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A few weeks ago I posted a recipe here for a super-scrumptious chocolate cake.( It was a lovely surprise for my launch party last November from cake-artiste-extraordinaire Nicole Lachapelle.)   I’ve had some great e-mails from several of you who took the time to make the cake. It was so much fun to hear you enjoyed it as much as we did … and yes, I agree, the icing bowl hardly needs to be washed when you are through with it!

I may have confessed before, but I’ll repeat it again: I am a lover of all things chocolate and rarely a day goes by that I don’t have a taste of it one way or the other.

My friend Barbara Conelli is the author of  Chique Secrets Of La Dolce Vita. It’s a great read at any time but if you are planning a trip to Italy it is a MUST READ. No question about it. A few weeks ago she had a most delicious post on her blog. I could almost taste the chocolate! I’m sharing it with you today so you can at least indulge yourself in a virtual way. Buon appetito!
A Chocolate Kiss From Tuscany
 I bought my very first box of Amadei chocolates a couple of years ago at Rinascente, the most famous department store in Milan. Rinascente means “newborn”, and on that day, I was truly newborn, in a very chocolate way.

Amadei Chocolate

The motto of Amadei is: “Amadei is a dream which takes the shape of chocolate,” and these words reflect the nature of this heavenly creation perfectly. Cecilia and Alessio Tessieri founded the company in 1990 in Tuscany, turning their love for chocolate into a magical masterpiece. These master chocolatiers know their chocolate, and they know how to ingeniously play with subtle flavors.

Cecilia says: “When a maitre chocolatier succeeds in making people smile by eating chocolate, he or she has reached the goal. Tasting means being carried away by sensations“.

Amadei Chocolate

Each Amadei chocolate is the result of a fascinating and skilled game which combines creativity and fantasy, tastes and flavors, to give you the real pleasure of chocolate. When you taste this Tuscan delight, you know for sure that Amadei chocolate is created with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a great passion and love for chocolate.

This is what the Tessieri’s say about indulging in the taste of chocolate, and let me borrow their words here, because no one could say it better than them: “Tasting chocolate is a global experience, a pleasure that involves all senses. Sweet like a caress, as soft as a hug in which the embraced one remains. A shiver that is born, then little by little becomes a waterfall, then carries you away without any possibilities of escape. The chocolate slowly melts between the lips, exhaling the aromas that stimulate memories…”

Amadei Chocolate

 I’m a passionate chocoholic and although I love all Amadei creations, these are my favorites:Desiderio (Desire) with pistachios and marzipan, Delizioso (Delicious) with hazelnut cream, Passione(Passion) with rum, and Solare (Solar) that tastes like zabaione, a famous Italian dessert. Yes, every piece of Amadei chocolate has a name that evokes its unique taste and flavor.

A friend of mine says that chocolate is a food group, and I agree with all my Chique heart. Let a piece of chocolate melt in your mouth right now, even if it’s not Amadei. Enjoy its smell, its texture and its flavor. Allow yourself to indulge in this heavenly treat with all your senses. And when you go to Tuscany, don’t forget to stop in Pontedera to discover the sweet secrets of Amadei.

Have a very dolce weekend 🙂

Take some time to enjoy the rest of Barbara’s always entertaining website. When it comes to the joys of Italy and la dolce vita, Barbara is definitely your go-to Bella Italiana! Click here to go to her website.

Are you a lover of chocolate or does a different sweet or savoury indulgence call to you? Leave a comment below and share it with us. Thanks!

La Dolce Vita with author Barbara Conelli

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Enjoy this interview with Barb Conelli who understands exactly how to help everyone experience la dolce vita.

Congratulations on the publication of your delightful novel Chique Secrets Of Dolce Vita! I think a lot of readers are going to be making plans to visit Italy once they read it. Tell us what you have been doing in the past two months.
First of all, I’d like to thank you, Patricia, for inviting me to your wonderful blog! The past two months have been beautifully, amazingly hectic. The Kindle edition of my book has become an Amazon.com bestseller in the travel category (#8, but I hope to get to #1 during the book tour thanks to the support of my fans), and I’ve been receiving wonderful feedback from my readers. I’ve been humbled by their encouraging words. Also, I’ve been working on this book tour, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity to get closer to my readers.

How did you first begin writing about la dolce vita and all things Italian? Obviously you have a family history.

Yes, my grandma was Italian, born in Milan, and the Italian influence has been big in our multicultural family. My Grandma made sure I knew and loved everything about Italy – the culture, the architecture, the nature, the history, the people, and of course the food! I keep and treasure Grandma Lily’s book of family recipes and each time my friends come to visit me, we have a real Italian feast! I’ve been writing short stories, essays and articles about Italy for as long as I can remember, and last year I decided to write a book where I could share my personal, intimate, passionate encounters with Milan.

Have you spent much time in Italy?

Yes, my Dad did lots of business with Italy, I spent there a large portion of my teenage years, I studied there later on, and I’ve always loved coming back to see my friends and family. Of course, I also had my heart broken in Italy a couple of times – in a very Dolce Vita way (wink). Those lost loves belong to my favorite memories.

There are some wonderful characters in your book. Are they real?

Yes, the characters are very important because they create the stories, the atmosphere, the zest and the vibe of the book. They are real – I just changed a couple of names to protect the privacy of my friends and relatives. I wanted to bring Italy into the homes of my readers through the hearts of real people, especially women, who have been creating the face of Milan without being famous or living in the spotlight. I love talking to people when I travel, and for some reason strangers love chatting with me! Which is a great asset when you’re writing a book – it makes research very easy and fun!

And the restaurants? Can they in fact be found by visitors to the areas?

Yes, the restaurants are actually my favorite restaurants that I visit each time I find myself in Milan. I love the people and the food and the atmosphere… And of course, the personal memories that come with them. But honestly, I think Italy is the only country in the world that has no bad restaurants. Whether it’s a family trattoria or a Michelin restaurant, you’ll eat like a Chique queen. So whenever you’re hungry, just open the door of the nearest ristorante, and you won’t be disappointed.

I was surprised to discover that Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is a book to be enjoyed by everyone but particularly anyone planning a trip to the areas on which you focus. It’s a “must” to take along on travels as you share so much great information that most people would never discover on their own. Were you aiming at any particular reading audience?

Thank you, Patricia! I was definitely aiming at women who love to travel and explore the world, but also at those who dream of traveling the world and who are in love with everything Italian. I didn’t want to write a travel book, and I don’t consider myself a travel writer. Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is not a travel guide, it’s a book that reveals the secrets of Italy and allows you to indulge in your own Dolce Vita no matter where you are in the world. It’s a book about sunny days, kind people, values that we sometimes seem to forget in today’s hectic world, and the art of finding pleasure in little everyday things.

Your blog is such fun and informative and leaves readers in a very upbeat frame of mind. Has this always been your approach to life?

Absolutely! You know, I believe that life is too short to worry about what may happen, and to be blue about what has already happened. I’ve had a fair share of disasters in my life but I always try to look at the sunny side of everything and look forward to the future with optimism and expectancy. I’m an adventurer, and I’m also very spiritual. I believe we are the creators of our own life, and everything that happens is here to teach us something. Life is beautiful, and I dare to say I’m happy even when I cry. And I know that when life feels like too much to handle, I can always catch the first plane to Italy.

What are some future plans you might share with us?

Lots and lots of travels, of course. I’m working on my new book that’s going to be published in October – my readers can look forward to another passionate dose of Dolce Vita. To me, writing is like breathing, and Italy is a place I can’t live without. Put these two together and you have a very Chique life purpose. I love my life, and I hope my joy and passion shines through the pages of my books and turns my writing into a highly contagious happiness bug! Patricia, thank you very much for this interview. You are a very Chique woman, and I’m honored to know you. I love The Bridge Club and I look forward to your new novel!

My thanks to you, Barbara. Your bright outlook and philosophy on life shine through in everything you do! It’s a pleasure to know you. Keep those blogs coming so we can continue to enjoy all the fantastico information you share. Can’t wait for your next book!