My world-traveling friend, Gigi Griffis, just published a travel e-guide book about Italy -- and I'm in it! The book is called 100 Locals Tell You Where to Go, What to Eat, and How to Fit In. What Gigi has done is asked a series of questions to people living in Italy, some natives and some, like myself, expats who have a strong connection to one particular area, and the answers give a more focused, local view of certain popular towns and regions.

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Gigi explains in the preface of the book that she views this guide as a compliment to regular guidebooks. Like, let's say you read all about a particular place in a standard guidebook, and that's fine, but then, when you are in that particular place, you stop a local on the street and ask them some questions. That's this book. 

Read more about the book and Gigi here on her website.

I was so honored to be asked to be a part of this guide. Answering questions about Stresa is what I do each day -- either on this blog, to guests at our apartments, or to people on the street, who do indeed stop and ask questions. 

For all of the locations listed in the book, this guide gives you just enough of the local, 'secret' places to fill your time there. And for places not listed, I think it gives you an idea of what to ask and search for, wherever you may travel. The book is available in various e-book formats now, and will be published in paperback soon.

Thanks Gigi! It was great fun doing the interview, and thanks for all the great ideas on where, and how, to travel!