With a shared passion for travel and Italy always incredible, Victoria and I connected a few years ago. But it is only during my recent trip to the west coast that I could not only meet, but that I am welcomed at home to stay during my visit to Santa Barbara. There is one thing for sure about Victoria de Maio – not only is she charming, graceful and full of mind – she is my Go to girl for all that is Italian.
The writer on Wednesday would like to present Victoria de Maio
Please tell us a bit about you.
Born and raised in a small town; Napa, California, I am a second generation Italian (my maternal grandparents came from Tuscany and my father from Sicily). We were a tight family and after reflection, my very wonderful childhood seems very innocent and sweet.
I don’t remember when I didn’t want to be a writer. In fact, I was in fact “published” in my first elementary years. (I wrote a short story on my plush rabbit which appeared in the Sunday children’s section of the local newspaper.)
In high school and high school, my English teacher’s comments and encouragement had an indelible impact on my dream of being a journalist and traveling around the world. However, in a way, I turned away and I myself became a teacher. Fast advance after college, teaching, marriage, divorce, career transitions, corporate life and a few “life in mid-life” crises, I finally decided to leave the world of companies and to continue what I felt was my true vocation, teaching (not in class but teacher yoga).
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to be a part -time trip consultant. It was a natural adjustment and not only did I learned the travel trade, but it gave me the opportunity to make more trips.
All this time, I journal and wrote on the writing of a book! Three years ago, when I returned to travel to Italy for a month, I decided to create a blog and I realized that I needed to adopt technological / social media. As I left two months later, I had a new iPhone, a blog site and an used Apple laptop. When I returned, I submitted my first article to, Italian Notebook, and when it was published and well received, I was absolutely ecstatic!
About two years ago, thanks to wonderful connections on social networks, I met and associated with a local expert in Puglia tour and, after two successful trips in 2014, I became head of the tour. The organization and promotion of visits overshadowed the ebook … until last spring, when the idea of my ebook has become obvious and, of course, the main character would be Italy!
Where do you come from and why should people visit?
I am a native girl from California and I love it. It’s incredibly diverse and has something for everyone!
How many countries have you visited?
Not enough! To date, I have visited 14 countries (mainly in North America and Western / Eastern Europe).
What is your favorite place and why?
Italy is definitely my favorite place, but I like to be wherever I can be with close friends.
If you could describe your travel method in a word, what would it be?
Authentic (immersion).
What is your essential travel accessory?
By far, my iPhone which is my “line of life” and my camera when I travel.
What is your most memorable travel moment?
There are so many but I like pleasure and surprise when I greet someone in their language – even if it’s just “hello” or “thank you”. I also like to take photos of local people I meet – owners of stores, merchants, craftsmen, servers and servers, etc. I always ask for their permission and their names, and thank them. So often, they are treated as if they were invisible and I like to show my appreciation for what they do. Their smiles and pleasure are very special moments (which you will often see in my blog articles).
What is your dream destination?
Italy is still at the top of my list, but I still want to make more trips to France, Greece and Turkey. I have never been to Portugal, Spain or Egypt, so I guess I have a lot of dream destinations! Oh, did I mention the South Pacific? LOL
Do you have future trips? If so, where?
Next month (May 2015), I come back to Puglia and this fall to Puglia and Umbria with my tours in a small group. I will also make independent trips “before and after”. Back in Florence, Venice and Amalfi are on my spring route, as is a new destination, Matera in Basilicata.
How did travel changed you?
Undoubtedly! The trip gives me a new perspective, widens my world and helps me to reset my priorities. It strengthens my conviction that there is more who unites us that it separates us and that there are wonderful and good people everywhere.
Writing and sharing my experiences is another form of teaching for me and I can only hope to inspire others. I love the quote from Saint-Augustin: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
How long has it taken for this book to happen?
For more than a year, I played with the idea of writing a series of electronic books on travel advice. I had contours and ideas and there he was sitting while I was working on other projects.
In the spring of 2014, by preparing a 6 -week trip to Italy, I thought of the ideas on which I wanted to blog during my trips. An idea was to take notes (and photos) of what you want and will not find when you go to Italy. It became my “Aha!” Moment and the kernel of the concept to focus on strictly travel advice on Italy.
When I got home, the goal of publishing my ebook before the end of the year has become my top priority. This started as a few thousand words, in the next six months and hundreds of hours, finally expanded in 16,000 words. I counted more than 30 “editions” and drafts! Removing a professional to help the design of the cover, formatting, etc., and after more refining, editing and tests, the “finished product” was ready to download on Amazon.
Everything became real when I obtained my copy of evidence – it was incredibly exciting to see it “in paper”. On November 13, 2015, he was officially launched and I became a published author. This is an incredible step for me.
To date, Victoria’s Travel Tipz Italian Style received 30 5 -star reviews on Amazon. I am so happy and I now work on a multimedia presentation based on the book.
With what you hope that your readers go away ‘Victoria’s Travel Tipz Italian Style ‘?
Practical and honest advice and an appreciation, an understanding and deeper knowledge of Italian ways so that they have a more rewarding and enriching experience (and not to be disappointed or frustrated).
What is your best advice for first visitors in Italy?
What most people think they know of Italy – people, history, food, etc. -is generally the stereotypical version “Americanized” or filtered “Hollywood” (that is to say, it is not like “under the sun tuscan” or “the sopranos”!)
They really need to read my book before leaving so that they are armed with useful and realistic travel advice and information about how things are and will not be blinded by the cultural shock. Then, they will be ready to immerse themselves and appreciate the authentic Italy that I love so much.
Do you have new books on the horizon?
I have my idea / concept for my next book – now to find the time to write it! (I hope next year.)
What is your favorite travel book?
Besides mine; D? Regarding travel guides, I always turn to insufficient travel guides or local guides that I take in my travels. For the inspiration of travel, I love to read the historical fiction and the books that take place in my favorite places (for example, the novels of Sarah Dunant and the Brunetti mysteries of Donna Leon take place in Venice).
What is your favorite travel quote?
It’s difficult for someone who loves quotes, but Browning said everything for me:
“Open my heart and you will see inside, in Italy.”
To learn more about Victoria, her book or to join one of her next tours visits Victoria postcardz or follow it Facebook & Twitter And to buy his book Head to Amazon!
