My love of convivial company and delectable food are among the top reasons I became a travel writer—and were the inspiration for my newest book, "The Great Mediterranean Comfort Food Tour." This foodie memoir chronicles my five months on the road through ten countries discovering Europe’s most mouthwatering indulgences. It's “a rollicking culinary adventure seasoned with a dash of history, a sprinkling of heart-warming characters, and a liberal shot of humor,” as one reviewer put it. Seville, Spain has been my home for the better part of two decades. How did I wind up there? I tell all in "Dancing in the Fountain: How to Enjoy Living Abroad." My next memoir,"Adventures of a Railway Nomad," I describes my three-month train trip through Eastern Europe. Both became Amazon bestsellers, as did my little guides, "Pack Light" and "Seville’s New Normal." Before moving to Seville I worked as a journalist, copywriter, editor, and marketing director in California, Cleveland, and Boston. So far my travels have taken me to more than 60 countries. I've done volunteer work assignments assisting struggling micro-enterprises in Europe, Africa, the Caucasus, and Central America. These days I divide my time between Seville and my native California—when I'm not on the road in pursuit of another great story or more comfort food.