“Those who want to find parts of themselves they didn’t know existed, take risks, have an adventure . . . and discover another culture altogether, with its different rhythms, tastes, smells, and ways of being human—those readers will find in Mayes a kindly, eager, tough-spirited guide.”
—Houston Chronicle

“Mayes is a master at capturing a solid sense of place through her lush, poetic narratives.”
—Orlando Sentinel

“It’s easy to understand why Mayes has become a kind of cult figure for seekers of The Good Life. She not only inspires us to seize the moment, sip the wine, and smell the roses, she also makes us feel it is quite possible to transform our lives, just as she did.”
—Lexington Herald-Leader

“Mayes displays a gift for conveying everyday life through her writing . . . and presents a simpler, less frantic version of how to live one’s life.”
—USA Today

“Frances Mayes is, before all else, a wonderful writer.” —Chicago Tribune

“Armchair travel is rarely this astute and fun.”
—Scripps-Howard News Service

“Nobody is better than Frances Mayes at giving the sharp sensory details that take you immediately into a place: colors, sounds, smells, tastes…Her writing captures the whole experience…This is travel writing of high quality, focused on beauty.”
—Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Befitting her gifts as a poet, Mayes's prose shines with evocative imagery, bringing life to every subject she encounters across her peripatetic year."
-Booklist