Why Italy?

Italy and me…
My first experience of Italy was on a whirlwind train tour of Europe with a friend in 1993. That same year, at the age of 50, I had begun a journalism degree at university. I visited many places on that trip, but it was Italy that touched my heart.
Ten years later, I returned, spent four weeks exploring – and fell in love! With a beautiful, diverse country, with its people and its culture – and of course, the food and wine!
Before the 2003 trip, I had begun my studies of the Italian language. But now, a dream was born, to spend some real time in Italy, and truly live the life.
In 2009, the dream was realised. I left late in July, and spent the first month at the Università per Stranieri in Perugia, Umbria, studying Italian. When I finished my studies, I found a tiny apartment in San Feliciano – a small village on Lake Trasimeno, not far from Perugia. I lived there for almost four months, living the life, practising the language, getting to know the locals, and enjoying some amazing sunsets!
I have returned to Italy twice since then, revisiting favourite places, and discovering new ones.
I began teaching Italian with the University of the Third Age in 2010.
There is so much I love about Italy – the people, the culture and the lifestyle, and certainly the language. And I hope to be able to share some of that passion with you…