Why I Heart Italia!

My most recent ''get away from it all'' destinations have been primarily Europe bound (with the exception of both a spectacular New York and  Indonesia trip - but more on another day). My last holiday was in Italy, and the one before, and the one before that (are you seeing a pattern here).  Yes I love Italia.

It's not because I once stood at Lake Garda at sunset and was told I was someone else's everything.  Ok it is a little but it's not the only reason.  There is so much under one country flag and each region offers its own idea of what it is to be Italian.  Head to the Chianti Hills and experience red wine like it's meant to be enjoyed - with rustic bread and delicious hams.  Learn valuable life lessons about serving red wine at room temperature in a glass already washed out with the same wine (to remove any soap traces).  Forget all the valuable lessons by fourth glass and laugh like you have never laughed before. Sit with an ice cream in Sienna square and realise that no one does footwear like the Italians.  Feel slightly substandard in your flip-flops and buy hand made Italian leather shoes. Watch your friends excitement when you show off thee shoes back home.  Head to Maranello and pay homage to Ferrari;  a car like no other.  Hire said car in bright red form (obvs)  and feel like life couldn't get any better.  Because it really can't, at least not at that exact moment.

It’s true, I have left little bits of myself soul in many countries around the Globe, each visit to somewhere else excites and changes me into someone new.  But when it comes to Italy I think I really did leave my heart. Everyone should have a special place like that - where is your home away from home?