Norm Goldman, Editor of www.sketchandtravel.com and www.bookpleasures.com interviews travel writer and author Rebecca Ford, exprt on Tuscany, as well as Scotland and Britain. Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com & Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as our guest, travel author, writer, and photographer, Rebecca Ford. Rebecca is a contributor to several British newspapers and magazines, as well as some websites. She is also the author of several guidebooks, and is member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. Recently, Rebecca launched her most recent guide- book, Sienna & the Heart Of Tuscany. Good day Rebecca and thank you for participating in our interview. Norm: Rebecca, could you tell us a little about yourself, when did your passion for travel writing begin? What kept you going? Rebecca: Well, I think it really began at university. I did a degree in geography at St Andrews in Scotland and became increasingly interested in the relationship between people and places. After I graduated, I explored Europe by train and by the end of the journey I was hooked on travel. I'd always known that I wanted to write - so it seemed ideal to put the two together and become a travel writer. It was hard work getting established but I was determined, so I stuck at it. I knew it was the only job that would allow me to combine my passions -and it never gets boring. Norm: What are you principal geographical areas of expertise and why do you concentrate on these areas? Rebecca: Well, I'm freelance, so have to produce a lot of articles to make a living. Therefore, for practical reasons, I concentrate on writing about the places closest to me. As I live in Britain and obviously know it extremely well, I write a lot about the British Isles. I also love Italy and have travelled a great deal there (it's quick and easy to reach from the UK) so that's my other specialist geographical area. However, if I have time, I love to take off and explore further afield especially if it involves walking, watching wildlife or a great train journey. Norm: What was your favourite guide- book you authored and why? Rebecca: Mmm, it's hard to say. If I had to pick one, I think I'd say my latest book, which is on Wales. It might make up just a small part of Britain but it's incredibly varied and full of history. I found isolated sandy beaches that hardly anyone visits, and loads of amazing castles and cool hotels. It was great to discover so many secrets so close to home. And I loved hearing people speak Welsh. The book's available now. Norm: You recently launched a new guide -book, Sienna & the Heart of Tuscany, could you tell us a little about the book, and where is Sienna? Rebecca: Yes, this is a pocket guide to Siena, one of my favourite cities in Italy. It's in the south of Tuscany and is an incredibly well preserved medieval city. It's got loads of great buildings and works of art to see you could spend a day in the cathedral alone, and there are lovely little shops and restaurants too. I think it makes a great base for exploring Tuscany, so my book also covers the surrounding area places like San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Cortona and Chianti. It's a very practical guide I recommend places to stay, eat, and shop as well as the best sights to see. Norm: Please describe to our readers six of the most romantic and unique venues in Sienna to celebrate a marriage, or enjoy a romantic getaway. Rebecca: Well, there are plenty of places for romantic breaks. Norm: I notice you are also a photographer, how do you blend your photography with your travel articles? Rebecca: I take photographs whenever I travel- though there's usually no time to wait for the perfect light so I have to snap pretty quickly. I then offer those pictures to editors who often use them alongside my newspaper articles. Norm: Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you find sources for your books? Rebecca: My most important research techniques are walking and talking: I walk around towns and cities making notes on everything, from museums and churches to shops and restaurants. I also try and talk to local people whenever possible they know the secrets of a place, the best places to eat etc. On top of that I spend time in the library, ask local tourist boards for information and surf the internet. But I try to then check everything in person once I reach the destination. Norm: You have written several articles on various walks in Britain and Scotland. Could you describe 6 walks that you would consider to be most romantic for couples? Rebecca: There are lots of lovely walks to do in Britain-it's hard to know where to pick. Norm: What does travel mean to you? Rebecca: It means a chance to meet new people, and dip my toe in a different culture and way of life. Norm: As there does not seem to be any authoritative standards that exist for guidebook authors or publishers, how do you know that a guidebook is up to par? How do you check out the authorial competence? Rebecca: The only real way of checking is to go to the destination, use the guidebook and see if it comes up to scratch. Obviously restaurants, cafes etc often close down, and standards (of food, service) and prices change but you can get a good idea of whether the book has been well researched or not. If you get a guidebook to an area you know well, then that will give you an idea as to whether other books in the series are accurate or not. Norm: How have you used the Internet to boost your writing career? Rebecca: I use the internet as another research tool, though I am in the process of setting up my own website and I hope that will give me contacts with editors/ PRs in other countries. Norm: What is next for Rebecca Ford? Rebecca: Well I've just returned from Macedonia and am planning a trip to Albania in the autumn. I'm also going to travel around Switzerland by post bus and am hoping to go to Canada to do some wildlife watching. So I'm keeping busy. Thanks once again Rebecca and good luck with all of your future endeavours. Thank you. Article Tags: Guide Book, Rebecca:  Well Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com Norm Goldman is the Editor of the travel site www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, www.bookpleasures.com. Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld words with art focusing on romantic destinations.