Greater Than a Tourist - Italy
I was delighted to get the opportunity to write “Greater Than A Tourist – Italy”. It is part of a series written by people living in the place they write about. The book is published by CZYK Publishing and available to purchase on their website and on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/author/elizabeth_cullen.2024
The book contains 50 things about Italy to assist tourists. I spent a long time deciding what to include and have covered various topics. I certainly used all my experiences in Italy to finalise my selection.
- My experiences as a tourist in Italy
I first visited Italy on a school tour when I was 15. We went to Rome and I fell in love with the city. I have visited Rome several times since and also Milan, Florence and Pisa. My book includes some things that seemed new and exciting to me as a tourist. They include my walking tour of Rome, Italian food new to me and the experience when purchasing a coffee !
- What I learnt when working in tourism in Italy
In 2019, I spent 6 months working as an Event Planner / Concierge at a luxury villa. My responsibilities included arranging trips and events for the guests and also some administration. I included some things in the book I learnt and also topics guests would ask me about. They include why hotels take copies of passports, use of cash / credit cards, transport, processes when renting cars and different places to visit.
- What I learn every day when living in Italy
I have now lived in Italy since 2018 (with a break during the COVID Pandemic) and I really enjoy living here. I learn something new all the time and I still feel like a tourist when I travel around the country. I included some things in the book, which I have learnt over the past few years. These include experiences driving (especially the tolls), information on less visited smaller cities and lots about the wonderful food and beverages.
I live in a small village on Lake Como. Number 16, in the book, is all about the Lake. I also took the photograph on the front. It’s Villa del Balbianello, which is a beautiful villa on the lake. I can see it from my balcony – with good binoculars !
If you know someone who is planning to visit Italy, please suggest my book to them. Or if like me, you collect guide books, please purchase it for your collection.