Reflecting on a life’s amazing journeys
Joan Benedict Steiger lived a glamorous life during Hollywood’s golden era. The resilient actress has survived the deaths of two husbands, including Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger. Still, she has fond memories of her life that she reflects upon in her memoir, “Brooklyn Baby: A Hollywood Star’s Amazing Journey through Love, Loss and Laughter” (BearManor Media, $24.95). The Malibu resident will next be seen in “Hidden Valley the Awakening,” which is slated for release in 2017. An edited version of our conversation follows. Did you travel a lot as a child?
I’ve been traveling since I was 7. My mother was ahead of the times. She sent me to Rome then and again when I was 11. I went to visit one of her cousins and wound up staying for a couple of years. I’m Italian back to the 14th century on both sides and learned to speak Italian and can still speak it. And then I lived in Paris, which was also wonderful. Can you tell me about the first trip you took with Rod?
We traveled a lot. But the first was to Manila, because he was doing a film there. He was shooting at the bottom of this church, which had been devastated by an earthquake a few years earlier. So what looked like the first floor was actually the top floor of the church. It was my first time to Manila and we went there right before we were married. We were staying at the Manila Hotel, where (Gen. Douglas) MacArthur stayed. The hotel was lovely and beautiful, but when you walked out, you were surrounded by so much poverty. The people were so lovely. Where did the two of you enjoy visiting?
I’m a European traveler. I love Paris and London and Rome. Every time we traveled, he would love to try out all the different hotels. I love the Savoy in London. He would always get the finest suites at the finest hotels and would ask me every time, “Does this suit you? Is this to your liking?” He always wanted the best for me. I’d hate to admire anything when we were out, because he would want to buy it for me right away. He was very sweet that way. This is silly, but one day, I mentioned that I never had a teddy bear. Well, of course, he ran out and got me one. I still have a couple of them on the a vanity tower higher than the old City Hall’s 170 feet. So the Salvuccis built two 130-foot towers — totaling 260 feet of stony ego trip. Local guides claim that Minoru Yamasaki, the architect of New York City’s World Trade Center, was inspired by these twin towers. (I have no idea if that’s true, but they sure look like they could have.)
Of the 14 towers, visitors are allowed to climb the one at the newer City Hall — at 200 feet, the city’s tallest tower. A visit here also includes access to a small museum with festive frescoes that provide a peek at how people dressed, lived, worked, and warred in the 14th century.
Although San Gimignano is gorgeous, it is quite crowded, and during the middle of the day, it comes off as a pretty greedy place, with vendors everywhere vying for the tourist dollar. I find the charm of San Gimignano is easiest to enjoy after hours, when tourists have gone back to their
Qchaise lounge. What is left on your travel bucket list?
St. Petersburg. Everyone says it’s wonderful. I hear it’s just incredible. When you are going on a trip, do you travel light or check a few bags?
I used to travel with tons of luggage before getting it down. Now I always travel with one suitcase. If you knew me, you’d say, “How is that possible? You’re a clotheshorse!” I’m a big makeup and vitamin person. But I’ve got it down to a science where I’m never without anything and am always dressed great. If you’re going to different places, nobody’s going to see that you’re wearing the same outfit. The main thing is to bring interchangeable small pieces. After a beautiful trip where you’re tired from traveling, the last thing you want to do is wait around for your luggage. For more from the reporter, visit www.jaehakim.com. buses, vendors have made their money and the town recaptures its magic. Smart travelers go there late in the day and stay overnight.
Though San Gimignano has perfectly good accommodations, if you want to get the full dose of that salt-ofthe-earth Tuscan magic, stay in the countryside surrounding the town, either at a bed-and-breakfast or an “agriturismo” (a small, working farm that rents out rooms). At many of these places, visitors can enjoy fine food, a swimming pool, a serene setting and the company of other travelers — just good Tuscan living.
No matter where you stay, eating dinner at one of San Gimignano’s restaurants provides a fine opportunity to sample typical Tuscan home cooking. “Cinghiale” (wild boar) is made into stews, soups, and — my favorite — salami. The area is well-known for producing some of the best saffron in Italy; you’ll find the spice for sale in shops and as a flavoring in meals at finer restaurants.
If you visit
Sleeping: www.palazzoaltorrione.com). gimignano.com). Eating: Getting around: www.accommodation-san Tourist information: www.sangimignano.com. Although Tuscany is normally a red-wine region, the most famous Tuscan white wine comes from here: the inexpensive, light, and fruity Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
After dinner, the empty streets are yours to savor. Enjoying San Gimignano at night gives you a chance to experience the romantic Tuscan town you’ve been dreaming about. Rick Steves (ricksteves .com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at and follow his blog on Facebook.