The romance of Italy can lead to marriage
THE place that’s clearly at the top of my list is Italy.
It’s both a country I love and the one where I found love.
I first went about five years ago, to Verona Opera House, and was totally captivated by the place.
Verona was too expensive for me, so I stayed in a B&B in Lazise, which is near Lake Garda.
I became very friendly with the owners and they came to Scotland to visit.
I started going back and forth whenever I could get cheap flights. It became almost like a second home to me.
The landscapes are stunning and, although it obviously has lovely summers, it’s hilly and gets plenty rain, so is green and lush.
I went on a wine tour down to Tuscany and – apart from the wine, which I adore – the scenery blew me away.
I made some more Italian friends when I stayed with a family in Florence.
It’s such a stunning city and I found out about a disorder called Stendhal syndrome.
Stendhal was a French writer who was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the place he would get an attack of the vapours and cry and faint.
That’s going a bit far, but the area really does grab you emotionally.
I love the Italian food, too. It seems so simple but is sensationally tasty.
I always try to add more garlic to dishes and they tell me to stop, that less is more.
The only thing I don’t like is the breakfasts will all the pastries, so I take my own porridge – I’ve taken so much, our friends there have stacks of it.
I went back last year and I was in touch via Facebook with a friend, Jeremy, I’d known 25 years ago.
He lived in Liverpool and while I hadn’t seen him in all that time, I suggested he come over and see the country.
Our first date was in Verona, we fell in love – and when we get married in two weeks’ time it’s no surprise where we’ve picked!