Today, Norm Goldman, editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures welcomes Francisca Matteoli as a guest.

Francisca has written several books related to hotels around the world:

*Hotel Stories: Legendary Hideouts of the World:

*Adventure Guide Hotel Stories:

*Stories of hotels on the island:

After living in Brazil, Francisca now lives in Paris. In addition to her books, she has also contributed articles to National Geographic France, Condé Nast Traveller, Air France Hommes, and The Tribune of San Luis Obispo.

Hello Francisca and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.
Hi Norma! It’s a pleasure.

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Francisca, could you tell us a little about yourself and when did your passion for traveling begin? What keeps you going?

Francisco:

I guess it all started when I left Chile for France aboard Le Pasteur. I was very young but I remember it well. It was quite an adventure! Such an adventure, in fact, that I begin my latest book Adventure Hotel Stories with this incredible story. Also, my mother, who is Scottish, and my father, who is Chilean, traveled a lot and told me fabulous stories. I always wanted to travel like them.

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Why did you decide to write about hotels?

Francisco:

Since my life in France began at the Hotel du Louvre in Paris, opposite the Comedie Francaise, it was natural for me to write about hotels. It was my destiny!

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Could you recommend to our readers six of the most romantic and unique hotels in the world and why do you consider them so unique and romantic?

Francisca: ok!

**The Soneva Fushi Resort in the Maldives. For the sun, the white beaches, the fabulous food and the divine sunsets.

**The Hameau Albert 1er in Chamonix-France. Part of the famous Relais & Château chain. It’s nice to spend the day outdoors, walking or skiing, and finally enjoying a warm log fire and a good glass of wine. And here, the wine and everything else is perfect! They have 20,000 bottles in their cellar!

**The Dorchester-London. A must in London. British style and elegance to the end.

** The Mission Ranch, Carmel. I love the cozy atmosphere, the soup of the day!, the unpretentious style and the charming town of Carmel. It reminds me of Chile.

**Janelas Verdes Hotel-Lisbon. A literary haven. A well kept secret. I fell in love with the place the first time I climbed the stone steps hidden among plants and flowers.

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What does traveling mean to you?

Francisco:

Freedom, curiosity, open mind, adaptability and& Anything can happen!

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How much time do you travel each year? How do you choose the hotels you want to write about? What challenges and obstacles have you encountered when covering these hotels?

Francisco:

I travel more or less 4 or 5 months every year, then I write my stories, I prepare my books, I work on other projects.
I choose places that I really want to see before I die! It can be in France or in the Amazon. And the Amazon means trouble, believe me, but that’s part of the fun too!

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What country and city have you enjoyed the most and why?

Francisco:

I’ve been home in Patagonia lately, and it was great riding like crazy in a wild landscape. I was surprised by the harmony between man and nature.

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How do you come up with ideas for what you write? What methods do you use to develop your idea and determine if it is salty?

Francisco:

I always think: what do I want to see? Who do I want to meet? People are very important to me. They are the soul of a country or place. I also like to mix past and present. The salad has to be interesting, human and fun.

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How have you used the Internet to further your writing career?

Francisco:

I have my own website: http://www.franciscamateoli.com.

I think the internet is great. Save time. It is totally international. People all over the world have access to the Internet.

Standard:

Is there anything you’d like to add that we haven’t covered?

Francisco:

How about: how do you do your hair in the jungle? In another interview maybe?

It would be great Francisca see you soon and thanks for your participation.
Good luck with all your future endeavors.