GrownUps New Zealand

Made it to Italy

We have made it to Italy.  We had an unexpected extra night in Hong Kong, due to the fact we misread our departure time for Rome.  All our onward tickets were canceled, and I received a panicked call from our travel agent asking where we were.  About four hours later, and a lot of toing and froing, new tickets were issued (at extra expense to us).  A mistake I won’t make in a hurry again!

I have to say the airline staff went out of their way to help my husband with his wheelchair, along with the ground staff in both Hong Kong and Rome.  The drivers we booked for our transfers were also excellent in helping us.  I can’t praise the service we have received enough.

Arriving in Lucca, was like coming home.  We have had a few slow days as we recover from the long flights, but even looking up from my bed I can see the bluest sky I’ve ever seen out my window.

The weather here is perfect, with not a cloud in the sky and lovely warm temperatures.  The food is just out of this world, even simple things like ham and cheese taste so delicious.  The variety here is vast and the prices are really reasonable.

I really don’t want to go back home!  The locals seem to have a very laidback, casual lifestyle with less stress.  They dress elegantly though, and I adore ‘people-watching’.

In a few days, the rest of my family will be arriving.  I am looking forward to that, and sharing this beautiful town with them.

My husband is looking a lot better, and I think the change in environment has done him good – and me as well.  I do still love my siestas though…

 

Ciao for now, Kay.

 

By Kay Rayner

Writer and film producer.

Read part one of Kay and her husband’s travels to Italy, ‘A special holiday’.

or

Read more from Kay here.