{"id":16338,"date":"2023-04-09T16:49:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-09T15:49:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=16338"},"modified":"2026-11-01T11:17:42","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T11:17:42","slug":"guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco","title":{"rendered":"Guide Spotlight: LeAnne &#8211; San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block-editor-block-list__layout\">\n<div id=\"block-d9635131-0f8c-44b8-9a13-74eeaa068abf\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"d9635131-0f8c-44b8-9a13-74eeaa068abf\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">In this &#8220;Guide Spotlight&#8221; blog series, we get up close and personal with some of Walks&#8217; guides around the world. While this blog is usually dedicated to Italy, during this time we decided to open up the space a little, and showcase some of the amazing people who take Walks with us from Rome to New York.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-12598e97-8d8a-49c8-91af-eae4aa9ab55f\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"12598e97-8d8a-49c8-91af-eae4aa9ab55f\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">First up, we have LeAnne J. Smith &#8211; our bright and bubbly Operations Manager and Guide in San Francisco. Born and bred in San Francisco, our guide LeAnne has lots to say about her home city, and everything in general really! Ask her a question, you&#8217;re sure to get an honest answer &#8211; but one thing&#8217;s for sure, you will not be bored.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-f70c5a1b-c912-47ce-b07d-2b7c94292be9\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"f70c5a1b-c912-47ce-b07d-2b7c94292be9\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">We hope you enjoy LeAnne&#8217;s take on everything from art to the most underrated places to visit!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#Guide_Spotlight_LeAnne_J_Smith_from_San_Francisco\" >Guide Spotlight: LeAnne J. Smith from San Francisco<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#Tell_us_a_bit_about_yourself\" >Tell us a bit about yourself:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#What_is_your_favorite_story_to_tell_guests_on_your_tours\" >What is your favorite story to tell guests on your tours?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#Do_you_have_an_all-time_favourite_piece_of_art\" >Do you have an all-time favourite piece of art?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#As_a_tour_guide_what_is_your_biggest_challenge_during_this_period\" >As a tour guide, what is your biggest challenge during this period?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#How_do_you_see_the_travel_industry_evolving_during_and_after_this_time\" >How do you see the travel industry evolving during and after this time?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#Outside_of_your_home_city_what_is_your_favourite_place_in_the_world_to_visit\" >Outside of your home city, what is your favourite place in the world to visit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#Where_would_you_love_to_travel_to_next\" >Where would you love to travel to next?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#What_city_or_place_in_the_world_do_you_think_is_the_most_underrated_and_would_you_urge_people_to_visit\" >What city or place in the world do you think is the most underrated, and would you urge people to visit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-leanne-san-francisco\/#In_which_city_have_you_tried_the_best_food_and_what_was_it\" >In which city have you tried the best food and what was it?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guide_Spotlight_LeAnne_J_Smith_from_San_Francisco\"><\/span>Guide Spotlight: LeAnne J. Smith from San Francisco<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-1b446c77-7c91-40f3-aedb-ba4cb1e2039d\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"1b446c77-7c91-40f3-aedb-ba4cb1e2039d\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<div id=\"attachment_16344\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16344\" class=\"wp-image-16344 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/LeAnneProfile2.jpeg\" alt=\"Guide Spotlight : LeAnne J. Smith from San Francisco - one of the Walks Guides \" width=\"804\" height=\"1024\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16344\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Guide Spotlight : LeAnne J. Smith from San Francisco &#8211; Operations Manager and Walks Guide in San Francisco<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-1dae5a03-bbbb-4c2e-83e4-ca7e5bf5a1d2\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"1dae5a03-bbbb-4c2e-83e4-ca7e5bf5a1d2\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_us_a_bit_about_yourself\"><\/span>Tell us a bit about yourself:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">I grew up in San Francisco to Italian parents (best of both worlds!) I studied Classics and Humanities in Rome and San Francisco. I live, breathe, and work connecting people to history &#8211; why it matters, and culture &#8211; why it\u2019s important to who we are as a global community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-6e9ebe3d-0e75-415d-a03d-f29c6a061ff2\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"6e9ebe3d-0e75-415d-a03d-f29c6a061ff2\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_your_favorite_story_to_tell_guests_on_your_tours\"><\/span>What is your favorite story to tell guests on your tours?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-a89d413a-206e-4c4e-977e-8b52332d004c\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"a89d413a-206e-4c4e-977e-8b52332d004c\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">I love talking about the Golden Gate Bridge. That piece of orange steel just does all the heavy lifting on a tour. I love asking people as they are standing facing this modern wonder, \u201cWhat do you like about it?\u201d People have such incredible reactions to that bridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">And I enjoy exposing Walks guests to Gertrude Irving, the only woman to be a major contributor on the building of the GGB. As a seasoned architect her firm was hired to articulate the design details, particularly the aesthetic qualities of how it would look. More often than not this is credited to her husband, Irving.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Yet all the Art Deco elements that move this bridge from nice to incredible came from the talented vision of Gertrude. She even picked its famous color. I just think that it is so lovely to envision this woman, way ahead of her time in the 1930\u2019s sitting behind her desk making the Golden Gate Bridge what it is today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-72c8e79a-4964-4af2-8b79-b555762ea60b\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"72c8e79a-4964-4af2-8b79-b555762ea60b\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_you_have_an_all-time_favourite_piece_of_art\"><\/span>Do you have an all-time favourite piece of art?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-479ef253-f3aa-4ea8-bc98-357a2503259e\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"479ef253-f3aa-4ea8-bc98-357a2503259e\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Caravaggio. Not in San Francisco but in my second home, Rome. In San Francisco it would be this obscure triptych in the Legion of Honor called \u201cThe Damned in Hell\u201d by a Tyrolean master. Very Bosch. Monsters everywhere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-2faf079f-41da-4bc2-8b40-942a2ea80a02\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"2faf079f-41da-4bc2-8b40-942a2ea80a02\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"As_a_tour_guide_what_is_your_biggest_challenge_during_this_period\"><\/span>As a tour guide, what is your biggest challenge during this period?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-8c016a65-45d0-4e77-8b2d-19ffb420d659\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"8c016a65-45d0-4e77-8b2d-19ffb420d659\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">If you ask any guide around the world, our biggest challenge (professionally speaking) is not meeting the people we meet each day on our tours. A HUGE part of the allure of being a guide is making &#8220;instant friends&#8221; for the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">A captive audience, a way to learn your subject inside and out, the interesting people who come to you for only a few hours &#8211; they can, and do make a big impact on your life. But on the other side of it (the joy) is the chance to do research &#8211; I&#8217;ve been diving deeper than ever before on topics I just never had the time to get to.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Right now I am into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.poetryfoundation.org\/collections\/147552\/an-introduction-to-the-beat-poets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beat Poets of the late 1950&#8217;s<\/a>. Talk about a bunch of intellectuals! One part middle finger to &#8220;traditional American life&#8221;, one part conscious mind, one part fashion icons. Super interesting and the geographical focal point of this movement happened six blocks from where I grew up!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-8d656406-e24e-4461-89b1-ea971d4ba778\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"8d656406-e24e-4461-89b1-ea971d4ba778\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_see_the_travel_industry_evolving_during_and_after_this_time\"><\/span>How do you see the travel industry evolving during and after this time?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-c876e973-0395-40b5-a2f8-95cd86d7dc61\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"c876e973-0395-40b5-a2f8-95cd86d7dc61\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">This is a tough one because I don&#8217;t like to make assumptions &#8211; we can only predict how this goes and hope we are right. Travel is going to thrive. What&#8217;s that silly saying? &#8220;Travel is the one thing that you buy that makes you richer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">People will always dream of foreign lands. I anticipate the lesson learned in all this is that we can live with so much less and we can allocate those funds into experiences &#8211; into greeting places and learning from them and the people who know them,\u00a0love them, and want to share the best of them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Younger generations are so inspiring &#8211; they don&#8217;t need a mortgage, every household tech item, and a big SUV. They want to connect to people and places. They\u00a0see the value in travel as a means to explore, to learn, and to take a great Instagram photo (which I argue inspires others so I am happy to take that photo of you jumping under the Golden Gate Bridge).<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Travel will thrive and we are ready to meet you when you are ready to visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-9ef026e4-9dc7-4467-9ff6-8663eefbc016\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"9ef026e4-9dc7-4467-9ff6-8663eefbc016\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Outside_of_your_home_city_what_is_your_favourite_place_in_the_world_to_visit\"><\/span>Outside of your home city, what is your favourite place in the world to visit?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-afdd936c-6e4a-4a02-866d-858d528bb95a\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"afdd936c-6e4a-4a02-866d-858d528bb95a\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">I am fairly lucky to have not only grown up in one great city &#8211; San Francisco, but to have a second home in another great city. I have two degrees in fields surrounding Rome. My entire home library is dominated with Italian history, art and architecture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">I have lived there on and off for over 10 years, and I have SPQR tattooed on my wrist &#8211; so I&#8217;d say my favorite place to visit is Paris. No really, there is no other city in the world that can compare to the Eternal City and nor should there be. She is the perfect balance of good and evil, beauty and more beauty. She&#8217;s interesting, she&#8217;ll break your heart over and over, and she does it with such elegance, you are proud to just be in association with her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-0363c25e-029a-4e33-8989-97fb7f5f0698\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"0363c25e-029a-4e33-8989-97fb7f5f0698\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">If you have any chance to visit, find the right company to show you her, (hint, it&#8217;s Walks) take some deep breaths, and walk out into the streets to explore. Learn how to &#8220;take&#8221; a coffee like an Italian. Wander through museums and ancient ruins during the day, have a glass of wine (or two) at lunch, eat in a crowded\u00a0<em>ristorante\u00a0<\/em>during the evening, then walk everywhere after nightfall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Take a mental snapshot of the way the lights at night illuminate the stones. It&#8217;s an essence and memory you will summon on your deathbed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-1698d276-f6c9-400a-b617-beba67bcc495\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"1698d276-f6c9-400a-b617-beba67bcc495\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_would_you_love_to_travel_to_next\"><\/span>Where would you love to travel to next?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-8c6962c9-50bd-4b85-85b4-83da99f2e820\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"8c6962c9-50bd-4b85-85b4-83da99f2e820\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">I&#8217;d love to just be able to travel across the bridge to see my Grandfather! Sorry, but I have a list. A traveler&#8217;s heart should never have just one place. Quebec City is at the top of my list right now. I have covered Europe for the most part so I&#8217;ve a growing interest in the Middle East &#8211; Armenia, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-07cc4bf6-2ea9-45e4-ba6d-e6cad236b110\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"07cc4bf6-2ea9-45e4-ba6d-e6cad236b110\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_city_or_place_in_the_world_do_you_think_is_the_most_underrated_and_would_you_urge_people_to_visit\"><\/span>What city or place in the world do you think is the most underrated, and would you urge people to visit?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-25a99caf-6f84-49ed-b349-9f272adcc79c\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"25a99caf-6f84-49ed-b349-9f272adcc79c\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><strong>I have two answers to this question. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">First and foremost, I cringe when I hear people say they fear or hated <a href=\"https:\/\/blogadmin.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/why-visit-naples-rome-day-trip-campania-italy\">Naples<\/a>. I think Naples just may be the perfect illustration of a maddening but beloved city. I say Naples\u00a0is culture with a capital &#8220;C&#8221;. It&#8217;s the soul of so many dichotomies &#8211; its history, as one of the oldest urban cities in the world, is fascinating. Its pagan superstition alongside\u00a0heavy Christian symbolism.<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Its architecture\u00a0is a mix of cramped spaces where absurdity just blends to form the perfect vision. There are\u00a0<em>motorini\u00a0<\/em>jumping the sidewalks to get around with kids kicking the soccer ball nearby. I got my heart broken in the worst way a few years ago and I ran away to Naples of all places. I stayed in a fancy hotel (yes, they have them) and in over a week&#8217;s time, I came out in love with someone else &#8211; Napoli.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-7bd6c25a-6c80-48e1-ad0d-1daf1e0f3198\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"7bd6c25a-6c80-48e1-ad0d-1daf1e0f3198\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><strong>Second answer.<\/strong> I implore people to visit places that they hold strong biases against &#8211; for Americans that may be somewhere like Iran, which, hands down, has the most generous, friendly, open people in the world. I ate the best food I have ever tasted, and the entire country is a kaleidoscope of colors spread across the environment that is joyful and healing. What we learn of others is largely shaped by the governments in place and not the everyday people who live, love, and lose just like you and I.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-3fc668bf-0742-4e5b-b16e-e4b312c64ebb\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"3fc668bf-0742-4e5b-b16e-e4b312c64ebb\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><strong>Case in point.<\/strong> My father\u00a0served in Vietnam and (as ashamed as I am to admit) once had some biases against the country and its people. A few years ago, my mother put him in charge of a trip. The day they arrived at their destination for their two-week-long trip, they entered the bus to find all the other travelers staring back at them were Vietnamese!<\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">My father had booked a Vietnamese group trip! We all had such a roar over it but I knew what was to come &#8211; within 24 hours, my mother was sending photos of my Dad, all smiles and joy at every historical site, embracing all his new Vietnamese friends! He brags now that it was the best trip of his life because of the friends he\u00a0made.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-fa7e91e0-2c23-4147-aef5-f7461c0296a8\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"fa7e91e0-2c23-4147-aef5-f7461c0296a8\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<h3 class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_which_city_have_you_tried_the_best_food_and_what_was_it\"><\/span>In which city have you tried the best food and what was it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-a4cc3b56-3d6e-4b91-baaf-eab00ce6d5a5\" class=\"wp-block block-editor-block-list__block has-selected-ui\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" data-block=\"a4cc3b56-3d6e-4b91-baaf-eab00ce6d5a5\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\">\n<p class=\"rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block-paragraph\" role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">Listen, I am not trying to be difficult or biased. But Italy has the best food, hands down. It is a traditional cycle of seasonal items, locally sourced dishes and recipes that have been perfected over millennia. What is it? It is\u00a0<em>everything<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\">F<strong>or more in our Guide Spotlight blog series, check the articles of other guides in the spotlight in different cities&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-lara-milan\">Guide Spotlight: Lara, Our Milan City Expert<\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-abel-madrid\">Guide Spotlight: Madrid tour guide Abel: 8 key pieces of advice<\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-linda-london\">Guide Spotlight: See The Best of London with Guide Linda<\/a><\/li>\n<li role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Paragraph block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/guide-spotlight-montse-barcelona\">Guide Spotlight: Meet Montse in Barcelona<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block-list-appender\" tabindex=\"-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this &#8220;Guide Spotlight&#8221; blog series, we get up close and personal with some of Walks&#8217; guides around the world. While this blog is usually dedicated to Italy, during this time we decided to open up the space a little, and showcase some of the amazing people who take Walks with us from Rome to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":16341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[157],"class_list":["post-16338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips"],"authors":[{"term_id":157,"user_id":58,"is_guest":0,"slug":"diana","display_name":"Diana","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/070e521a3b7abad007c7a0d668396a9c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"Diana","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16338"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16338"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26367,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16338\/revisions\/26367"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16338"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=16338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}