Patricia Sands

Author

travel to Italy

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!

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!