

We’re still riding high in Apple Podcasts places and travel charts all around the world, including several days at number 1 in the UK and as high as number 16 in the US so I want to thank you once again for all our loyal listeners and welcome all new listeners.
My guest today is someone I’ve ALWAYS wanted to get on the podcast. This interview was my last trip into the centre of London before lockdown and I went to the stunning The London Library in the beautiful St James Square in Westminster to meet her.
With her best-selling and impeccably researched historical novels, Victoria Hislop has the power to transport you through both place and time. Her books have sold millions around the world and been translated into over 35 languages. A former travel writer she divides her time between Athens, Crete and England and the inspiration for her stories come from anything from a leprosy colony in the Greek Islands to Garcia Lorca’s family home in Granada. I’ve been a fan of her work for a long time so I’m delighted to have Victoria Hislop on The Big Travel Podcast.
On this episode we cover:
Her latest book Those Who Are Loved about the Greek Civil War (out now in hardback and paperback by August 2020)
Her first book The Island selling over 2 million copies around the world and
Travelling and writing books (a charmed life!)
Starting as a travel journalist
The Greek leprosy colony Spinalonga that inspired The Island
How the story incredibly ‘emerged’ in the first hour of visiting the island
People leaving something of their story behind in a way
Feeling like she was almost ‘channelling’ the energy left behind
Her second book The Return based in Spain during the Spanish Civil War
Being just outside Granada when the idea come to her
Garcia Lorca’s Granada family home being spine-tingling
The lack of acknowledgment of the Civil War since Franco
The mausoleum to General Franco in the Valley of the Fallen
The definite sense that people were visiting to pay homage to a fascist
Spain’s quietly divided society under Franco
People now being brave enough to track family members
Lisa’s dissertation (yes really!) on Spanish design reflecting culture
The shadow Franco cast over Spain
A population in mourning but shops selling out of champagne
Being very moved by watching Franco’s recent exhumation to unmarked grave
Kitsch souvenirs in homage to Franco
Lisa previously meeting Victoria and her husband Ian Hislop on a flight with Martin Lewis the Money Saving Expert
Victoria loving Malaga city and its regeneration
Malaga previously having a heroin problem
Flamenco and gypsy culture encapsulating Andalucían spirit
Being almost nostalgic about the Brexit argument now Coronavirus has replaced it!
How suppressed cultures can thrive underground in times of adversity
The Greek Civil War being a very vicious period in Greece
Hundreds of thousand of Greek’s dying from starvation after the Nazis
Nazis destroying roads, railways and bridges on their way out
The big resistance movement in Greece
The communist resistance fighters expecting roles in Government
British sending troops to fight the communists in Greece
The differences between post-civil war in Greece and Spain
Lisa meeting the tourism minister in Athens
Loving travel but being slightly conflicted about travel
Her children being cross with her for taking unnecessary flights
Off-setting flights when possible
Feeling if she lived in Greece she would be too tied down in daily life
Sunshine being incredibly good for us
How the sunshine can make you feel happy
The excitement of London
But the lure of a laid back lifestyle in the sunshine
Travelling frequently to Colombia
Long-haul trips at Christmas
Working on the TV set when The Island was turned into a TV drama
Her poem being turned into a hit song by Greek popstar Eleonora Zouganeli
Winning a Sony Gold award for the song