There is something about this time of year that makes me long for Rome. For the warmth of her sun, the organized chaos of her roads, the vibrancy, ancient history and Roman architecture, the beautiful people, art, music and modestly guarded opulence that is the Vatican. Not to mention the food, espresso‘s, pastries, gelato and yummy pizza.

My time there in both 2010 and 2011 left me with a sense of belonging. As though I’d found my second home, or for a while even my first. Isn’t it interesting how a new place can creep into our hearts in that welcome way …

For those who haven’t had the pleasure and are considering a visit to Italy, I’d like to offer a few suggestions, tell you what worked best for me and offer some must-see ideas from my visits. If Italy isn’t on your wish list, it probably should be.

The must sees that everybody sees:

Take a tour of Vatican City and the Coliseum, visit the Pantheon and learn about the ghost of the Trevi Fountain. Sit on the Spanish Steps with lovers from around the world, admire the Victor Emmanuel Monument even if the locals don’t and introduce yourself to the she-wolf that raised Romulus and Remus. Honour the angels of Castel Sant Angelo and say a prayer at the Papal Alter.

The extra bits that make it special:

Eat loads of gelato. Don’t think about it, just do it, a different flavor every day until you know which your favourite is. After much experimenting and research, I can confirm that mine is pistachio.

Take in the detail; it’s where the beauty lies.

Take note of the street art, the signs, stencils and small marks of Rome that make it special. Like these I saw in Trastavere.

Eat on the go, fruit and sweets, smoothies and deliciousness.

Find Bernini’s Elephant! Especially if you are from Africa.

On my next visit I hope to: 

Walk my dog and park him just like this whilst I pop in for a quick shop.

Hire a bicycle to take to the local store.

Leave a love-lock on one of the bridges as a promise of my eternal love.

Secret spot: 

A best kept secret I must share with you is the Capuchin Crypt below the Capuchin Church, which contains the remains of about 4000 people. You can’t take photos here, but actually, you won’t want to. The experience itself is extraordinary, eerie and worthy of respect.

A note to myself for the next time:

Take more time to feel and see and breath-in, rather than rush around between attractions. Live Rome. Feel Italy.

How I got there:

Getting there from Cape Town was easy, both times I used the same routing flying with Emirates via Dubai to Rome. It’s my preferred airline, if I’m allowed such a thing, and seemed the natural choice.

I was even lucky enough to be given an upgrade to Business Class on the way home, simply for agreeing to take a later flight, overly generous for sure, yet it has left me even more in love and loyalty with their service. One day I dream of flying First Class, but anywhere on that plane heading to Rome – will make me happy.

Where I stayed:

On both visits I did quite a bit of travelling around the country with stays in lovely spots in Rome, Umbria, Tuscany, Florence, Carpi and the Island Monte Argentario. Of my best finds were Hotel Forte Braccio in Montane, Hotel Leon Bianco in San Gimignano  and the Alimani Hotel group in Rome. All highly recommended and I look forward to a return to all.

It is my great hope to return to Italy for a few months later this year, to revisit the areas I’ve left a part of my heart in, learn to speak Italian and possibly take a cooking class. I hope that this summary of favorites will encourage you to do the same. 

As I dream and plan I leave you with the following quote: 

What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else? I believe it is a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago.” — Erica Jong”

In the interim I head to Vietnam in June, and have opted for the same airline. Isn’t it wonderful that Emirates can take me just about anywhere. In the end it really is all about relationships, isn’t it.

See you in the air, see you in Roma.

One of the things I’m most proud to be involved in, is the BAKE A DIFFERENCE SAVE 7 LIVES, CUPCAKE DRIVE to be hosted at the Granger Bay Hotel School Restaurant on Monday 20 May. The initiative of the remarkable Gabrielle Le Roux, a Hospitality Management student there, who calls this wonderful project her ‘baby’. Thank you Gaby for including me!

Monday will have eight of Cape Town’s food infused lovelies - and I, each paired with a transplant recipient and given a Cupcake station from where we can decorate (and share!) our cupcakes with newly registered Organ Donors. We are to be joined by International Pastry Chef Eric Lanlard who will be giving us a live demo of his Red Velvet Cupcake recipe, to show his support for the cause! Can’t wait.

The purpose of the event is to create awareness for the Organ Donor Foundation and assist with their goal to reach 50 000 registrations by the end of 2013. I was amazed and saddened to learn that in the UK, about 65% of adults are on their registrar, whilst in South Africa it is just on 1%. We badly need to improve that stat.

Personally, I registered as an Organ Donor last year. Despite my great intention to live for as long as possible, I am very aware of my own mortality and do find comfort in the fact that I could potentially Save 7 Lives when my day comes. What a gift of life that would be, what a thing to leave for others. Actually I also donate blood and am on the Sunflower Fund registrar, in the hope that there too, I can have a small impact.

All involved gathered as a group at the Hotel School recently to meet our brave ‘Organ Donor Babies’ and their parents, and it real made this plight very real.

Fabulous friend and photographer Jon Meinking of I Shot Images took some photos on the day, which he shared on the Bake a Difference Cupcake Drive Facebook page. Here’s one of Gaby with a couple of the babies, aren’t they gorgeous!

My request is that you all consider being an Organ Donor and join us with our initiative to raise awareness for the Organ Donor Foundation! As Gaby says - It’s never too late to Save 7 Lives.

If you’d like to be there on Monday, here’s some info as to how it’ll work. You can also contact either Gabrielle or her right hand girl Desiree for more details.

Ukho and I are much looking forward to sharing our cupcakes with you.

Recently I started interacting with Freelance Writer Deevra Norling on twitter, a platform that continues to amaze me with its ability to connect people, grow friendships and build the warmth of a community. A perfect example of this was Deevra’s decision to nominate my blog for a Liebster Award recently.

I’m thrilled and saying yes - of course I am!

Liebster is German for ‘dearest’ or ‘sweetest’ and the award has been doing the rounds for the past years, offering bloggers an opportunity to spread the love, promote their favourite blogs and introduce the new ones that are making the internet a better place to linger on.

As a nominee I get to answer some questions posed by Deevra on her blog, as well as nominate my favourite bloggers and ask them to do the same. It really is a lovely idea - and exactly the ‘play it forward’ approach that the world needs more of.

Firstly I encourage you to learn more about Deevra, who put me here. A woman who I admire for following her dream, giving up a full time job and emerging herself in freelance writing. Something I constantly dream about doing. With a background in PR and a specific interest in non-profits, I see only success looming for her and look forward to reading and learning more. We’re planning a city date soon to catch up face to face, and I am beyond excited!

Secondly in keeping with the Liebster Award rules, I ask those I’ve nominated to do the following, should they wish to accept and participate:

Note:  You can nominate someone who has already been given this award, as long as they have less than 200 followers/subscribers. Well that’s the rule, but mine have plenty more than 200 and I want to shout their names from the top of the mountain irrespectively! They are:

1. Karisa Nicholls of My Love Affair with Cape Town for her sassy style and brilliant mind. @CTmylove

2. Fathima at Happiness Is for her sheer beauty and lightness, and for embracing what makes her happy. @noodlesndoodles

3. Kathryn Rossiter at Becoming You for making me want to do just that. I love everything she does and learn something new every time I visit her blog. @BecomingYouBlog

4. Sarah Duff for living my travel dreams, which includes seeing the Gorillas in the wild and all sorts of other wonderful adventures. @SarahDuff

5. Adel Groenewald who writes and shares her travel and Cape Town experiences at Cape Town Collectables. @AdelGreen

6. Lost is a Place too by Lauren Fowler who I have a bit of a crush on. Besides, the name of her blog is my mantra and I dream to have her illustrate a children’s book with me one day. @laurenxfowler

My questions from Deevra are answered as below:

1. What made you decide to start a blog? Having established a tour operating company and as a natural born traveller and beauty seeker, I was lucky enough to have enjoyed special experiences and was inspired to share them with other travellers, be they armchair or actual.

2. What’s your day job and do you enjoy it? My day job is a combination of making dream holidays for International clients wanting to experience Southern and East Africa, which I love and hope to return to full time. As well as part owner and director of our Craft Distillery Jorgensen’s Distillery. 

3. If you won a $1 million, what would do with it? Travel. Travel. Travel! And buy a sweet cottage near the Ocean. Maybe two. One in the Cape and one in Italy.

4. Do you support any charities, and if so, which ones? Yes numerous - The Ubombo Children’s Home, Chipembere Rhino Foundation, The Seals of Nam, a local school feeding scheme. I am often seen protesting for Animals’ Rights and talking out about Conservation issues. Oi to that drive that does get me into loads of trouble.

5. What is your passion and are you pursuing it? My passion is to love, live, travel and share and I pursue that always, consciously dismissing the norm in the hope of something far more meaningful. 

6. What has been your greatest accomplishment that made you feel truly proud? My children make me proud and are their own greatest accomplishments. Mine, I’m still working on … But I do love my blog, my friends and contacts around the world and creating dream holidays that linger in people’s heart forever.

7. What has been your biggest regret in life? I don’t believe in regret although I do see what I could have done differently and try to learn from that. I wish I was more educated. Had read more books. Had unfloundering health and clarity. But these are things I’m still working on.

8. If you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? In the Cape near the Ocean with my love and my pups. Although I do dream of spending a few years in Italy …

9. What’s the best advice anyone gave you? Stop being so hard on yourself. Follow your heart. Be true to yourself.

10. Charlie Brown or Bart Simpson? Charlie Brown!

11. Chocolate or vanilla? Both.

Random facts about me:

I grew up in the Free State. I speak, read and write Hebrew. I’m terrified of frogs. I need music and always have the volume too loud. I’m happiest barefoot. Don’t like talking on the phone. Fencing is my happy sport. Wish I had my pilots license. Collect maps and posters. I’m constantly in two minds as a result of a head injury. I really am trying to save the world.

Questions for my Nominees:

1. What made you decide to start your blog?  2. What do you most enjoy writing about? 3. Favorite International travel destination? 4. Favourite South African travel destination? 5. Beach or Bush? 6. New York or Barcelona 7. Canon or Nikon? 8. Your thoughts on Fur, Faux or Not? 9. The best advice anyone gave you? 10. Silver or Gold? 11. Biltong or Ice-cream? 

I am most grateful to Neevra for introducing me to the Liebster awards, for including me as one of hers and hope that we will go on spreading the Blog-Love always. My hope is that my nominees will continue to ‘play it forward’.