Travel Book Review: Every Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes
I can’t travel every day of the year (gasp). I’m a Traveling Mama and that job comes with a big responsibility – being a mama first and foremost. When I can’t travel, I’m dreaming of travel by planning my next trip or taking a mental journey through travel blogs and a good travel book.
Yes, I do hold a full time job, in addition to travel writing. So what do I do during my breaks at work? Read travel books! The latest tome that I’ve devoured is Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life by author and traveler extraordinaire Frances Mayes. I’ve had a crush on Frances ever since I got my hands on Under the Tuscan Sun. She’s such an adventuress!
Italy is a destination that’s still on my list (I don’t tell too many people, but I’m 1/4 Italian). You know you have your own list too. Well, I’ve always wanted to enjoy a good meal with a bottle of vino followed by a sip of lemoncello, all while enjoying an afternoon overlooking a vineyard (or someplace similar). Frances Mayes brought me into moments just like this in Every Day in Tuscany.
Frances’ latest book not only illustrates snippets of life in her Tuscan town, but she provides recipes of her more memorable meals shared in the stories. She also ventures outside of her town and introduces readers to experiences in Umbria, trips to the sea and even a story of a Vespa and grenade left on her doorstep!
I could go on and on about this latest title by Frances Mayes, but I’ve become intrigued and want to replicate some of the dishes mentioned. The sun is shining in my backyard and I’m thinking of making one of those antipasto platters she described. I’m going to sit on my back patio with a glass of wine and will start at the beginning of the Bramasole story by reading Under the Tuscan Sun once again, followed by Bella Tuscany and then finish my mental journey with Every Day in Tuscany.
Would you like to escape to Tuscany with Frances Mayes? Every Day in Tuscany was just released in bookstores and is also available online at Amazon (Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life
affiliate link). Readers of TravelingMamas.com can enter a random drawing to win a copy of this title. Just leave a comment stating your favorite moment in Italy (if you’ve been) or where you’d go in Italy if given the chance. Be sure to check out FrancesMayesBooks.com for more information on Frances and her Tuscan life.
Contest open to North American residents ages 18 and older. Ends Monday, March 15 at 11:59 pm CST. One entry per email address. Bonus entry for tweeting contest and leaving separate comment. Review and giveaway copies provided by publisher.
Winner Update: Congrats to Anne D!
I would go to Rome if I had the chance, and go shopping in all the little boutiques, and eat gelato, pizza margherita, and drink Espresso served in little demitasse cups.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
I would love to go to Rome or Venice or Sicily.
I’m touristy and have always wanted to go to Venice and ride in the gondolas.
My favorite time in Italy was going on my first wine tasting at Villa Grassina!
I went to Italy with my school. We had an audience with the Pope. It was so interesting and fascinating to hear him talk. To see the Vatican. Just awe- inspiring.
I would visit Rome if I had the chance and I would go crazy on all the yummy food.
The drive from The Bologna airport to Montecatini Terme is beautiful. Tuscanos are amazing, very warm, very welcoming, very helpful. There are too many beautiful and cultural sites to list. All of Florence, Luca, and Sienna are magnificent. In Florence, the gelato alone is worth the trip. The views of the countryside from the big tower in San Giamangano are beyond compare. I NEED to go back.
I have never been, but would love to go to the Dolomites and Pompeii.
Italy has always been my son’s dream so I’d love to take him there some day and enjoy with him!
I would go to Rome. I want to try all their cuisine.
DebP
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
My favorite moment in Italy was having an authentic Italian pizza in Torino!
I’d love to go to the Amalfi Coast for sure.
would go to Rome
Rome and Venice are tops in my list for Italy.
venice it looks just beautiful
My favorite moment in Italy was going to the Palio Horse Race in Siena. The race was amazing, and at dinner that night I met Al Gore and Tipper…a weird encounter for sure!
I’ve never been to Italy but I think I would like to visit the Tuscany region first.
My favorite moment in Italy was touring The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome; a very close second was the interaction that takes place on a sunny day on The Spanish Steps. When we went it rained almost the whole time, but towards the end, the sun came out and the SS just reformed and came alive. It was really nice.
I loved all the statues in Rome. So amazed…never seen anything like it.
rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca
My partner and I are considering a trip to Rome for our honeymoon. Is there anyplace more romantic??
My only time in Italy: Spent 12 hours in Venice when I was traveling Europe on a Eurail pass and we decided to take an overnight train there so we could say we went to Italy. Crazy. And awesome. Can’t wait to go back!
It’s so hard to choose a favorite, but one was definitely when we were wandering through Florence in the evening and happened upon a street festival and a gorgeous carousel all lit up with hundreds of lights!
I would like to visit Rome!
I’ve always wanted to go to Rome.
I think it would just be fun to wander the back roads and see what you see in Italy. Ive had my best adventures, turning off the highway and following an interesting road.
I would revisit Florence. Last saw it when I was much younger and still in college. I would like to recapture that moment of awe when I saw The David, in the Plaza.
I have not yet been able to visit Italy. I dream of visiting Rome and Florence. I would love to go there. For now, I will live vicariously through Frances Mayes books. 😀
I would love to go to Rome. Thanks.
i’d love to go to venice
I’d want to go to Venice – I’ve watched so many travel shows about the city and would love to see it now, while I still can. I’ve heard that it may become flooded or otherwise deteriorate and tourists may not be able to go there anymore.
I would love to see Rome! I have always wanted to go there
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I have never been but would love to see if the sunsets are truly prettier there
My favorite moment…Rome.Vatican.Singing.Childrens Choir.Pope.
I’ve always wanted to go to Firenze.
I’d like to go to Sardinia!
I would love to travel to the Aeolian Islands off Sicily
I would go to Rome. I want my daughter to see the Colosseum.
I rode on a gondola in Venice with my parents when I was in 9th grade – awesome!
there is a lot of Italy I’d like to see, Venice especially
Finding a pizza place that made such good pizza that we went there several times a week. Everyone stood outside to eat the pizza because it was such a tiny little place. I wish I could duplicate it here because I still think of it often.
looks like a very interesting read…I’ll check it out next I go to the bookstore
As a young girl my father was in Sicily for four years on a start up for Exxon. We had the luxury of visiting Sicily, Venice, Rome and Europe for the summer. I am dying to go back with my husband and take a culinary trip Rome, Parma m-m-m-m the food. I want to go there.