Yeah I’m definitely not a man anymore, I just spent ten minutes crying because I wanted to book a holiday in Rome and couldn’t make up my mind about accommodation; if that’s not “crazy hormonal lady” back in the driving seat then maybe I’m just plain crazy at this stage.

The thing is, I love travelling yet I haven’t been anywhere outside of Ireland in over a year and it’s over four years since I went anywhere other than India.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a privilege and a joy to be able to visit India each year and most of 2015 I spent as a chilled out hippie roaming either the beaches of Kerala or the mighty foothills of the Himalayas.

At the same time, I’m a bit sick of Ireland and badly miss the rich cultural beauty of the European continent, cities like Rome, Paris or Barcelona or the gorgeous and exclusive French Cote d’Azure or Italian Amalfi coast.

I miss hearing and speaking French/Italian, where simply asking for a coffee and pastry sounds like you’re either seducing someone or starting a heated argument.

I miss strolling through narrow, cobbled streets with old crumbling buildings, past tiny cafes with cute tables and chairs outside because when you’ve got weather that good, everything is done outside.

I miss gorgeous Italian men blatantly staring, before greeting me with a self-assured “Ciao bella!” as they walk by.

I miss eating fresh baguettes straight from the local boulangerie.

I miss drinking a delicious cappuccino served by an equally delicious barrista in downtown Rome.

I miss wandering past magnificent monuments older than some Irish cities and buildings of beauty and elegance and pure artistry.

I miss being surrounded by people so stylish my best efforts look like I just crawled out of a dust-bin by comparison.

I miss Europe and the last time I went to any of my favourite spots was January 2014 when I treated myself to a weekend in Paris.

Maybe it’s time to treat myself again.   I think Italy is calling…  What do you reckon?

Ciao darlings!

Lizzie xxxx