I talked to you before about pursuing your best year ever.
But how can you do that? What does it involve?
Not such an easy question to answer. Perhaps one month in Rome is a good start.
The idea I came up with is that I’d like to have a year (perhaps multiple?) of experiences. I’d like to meet new interesting people, experience new (and old favourite) places. I’d like to explore as much as possible but at a low speed.
Although I’ve really enjoyed the many road trips I’ve been doing in the past, the speed at which you travel is usually high. We hardly ever stay at one place more than a few days.
That’s great if you’re just interested in seeing the major tourist destinations but you also miss out on the all the special, more intimate details, that a new place has to offer.
One month in rome – Travelling slowly
When I visited New York for a whole month (and then again another time) I saw a whole new side of New York. I joined the locals for yoga class. I watched the people go by in Washington Park. I walked for hours like a New Yorker and visited local concerts. I truly got to experience what it was like to live like a new-worker. By the end of my stay I wanted to live there!
I repeated this experience again for London where I had a similar experience. I got to discover all the hidden streets and the small special boutiques. I was able to wonder around the beautiful parks.
That’s the kind of magic that happens when you travel slow.
Video: what I packed for Rome
Is one month slow enough? I’m not sure. I remember reading the 4 hour workweek when it was first published in 2009. Tim Ferriss would travel and stay 3 months at one place. During that time, he would usually master one skill like dancing the tango in Buenos Aires or kickboxing in Thailand.
Paige jeans (similar) – Stella Carakasi shirt – Zara Jacket – Lowa walking boots (similar)
More buying options below
So perhaps 1 month is not enough and some places deserve even more time. Something I may consider for future trips. Inspired by that same book, I created an online business (the site you’re reading now!) that I can basically run from anywhere with only a few hours each week. The world is literally my oyster.
I’ve now also set up my home as an air B&B, so my travels can be partially funded through renting out my own house as well.
As for my outfit I went for casual chic on the day. At this time in Rome, you need to dress in layers as it can be all kinds of weather in one day. This day it was quite sunny, so I opted for a blouse with a lighter shirt jacket and jeans. As I was going to a park, I opted for my most comfortable walking shoes. Not the most stylish option perhaps, but certainly the most comfortable and safest (considering my fall 4 months ago).
Paige jeans (similar) – Stella Carakasi shirt – Zara Jacket – Lowa walking boots (similar)
More buying options below
will travelling and getting those experiences lead to your best year ever?
I’ve come to enjoy the little village of Luz in Portugal which is now my base. I mentioned to my husband that I will miss it. He suggested that he wouldn’t so much as he knows that he’ll return.
But I had just made a few friends, found a great yoga practise and even started a hip-hop class recently. And setting up new activities in a new town does take time. By the time, you’ve figured everything out, you need to leave again.
So we’ll see how it goes.
one month in rome – (Re)discovering Rome
At the moment, I’m definitely looking forward to discovering Rome. It’s a city I’ve visited a few times before as a tourist, but I’ve never stayed longer than one week. Since then I read a lot about Roman history (I highly recommend Colleen McCollough’s series: Masters of Rome) and am so much more knowledgeable of all the events that occurred here in the past, that I’d love to revisit all these places.
I’d like to experience what’s it’s like to sit on the Spanish steps regularly, to live like a Roman and to eat pasta on an almost daily basis.
Admiring Italian style
I want to experience the Italian style again. I remember from my time in Bologna, some 30 years ago that I was so impressed with Italian style. In Bologna at the time, all the shops used to be closed on a Sunday but the shopping streets would be busier than ever.
The whole town came out to enjoy a REALLY slow stroll along these streets in their best clothes. The purpose was to see and be seen. It was a feast to eyes, and soon we would join the crowds as well. It’s called the Passeggiata and according to this article, this still happens.
Times have changed for sure and shops may now be open on Sunday. But I’m sure I’ll still experience lots of typical Italian style.
Will I fall in with Italy all over again? Or is Rome too different from Bologna?
I’ll do my best to record some of the style I spot here and report back to you. I’ll also show you what I packed in an upcoming article.
I hope to keep a record of both the good and the bad and want to record a few more videos on Instagram. Easier said than done as I usually prefer to just BE in the moment and recording a video for others takes you out of that.
But I’d also like a record for my own pleasure so I can remember what it feels like to embark on this new adventure and to capture these moments. If you’d like to follow along, follow me on Instagram.
I’ll keep your posted.
Shop my look
Here are some more choices, inspired by my travel look above. If you want to see some of my other outfits and what I brought to Rome, check out my article how to pack for Rome in November.
Jeans
Paige is my favorite jeans. Excellent quality, soft, flexible and long-lasting.
Tops
Stella Carakasi is my go-to for asymmetrical shirts and tops. This Stella Carakasi shirt is timeless and it’s now back in stock. Other tops I own and love are the New Mood top and the One to Watch sweater (I have it in the grey white version).
Walking shoes
If you’ll be walking a lot, I recommend bringing some dedicated walking shoes that can handle anything. I’m loving my Lowa walking boots.
Shirt Jackets
Shirtjackets are THE trend this season and they are ideal for transitional weather and packing for a holiday. I’ve brought several on my trip. I’ve got mine at Zara, but here are a few good ones I found at Nordstrom.
Have you visited Rome? What places would you like to visit? How do you envision your best year ever?
You may also like:
- Pursuing your best year ever
- How to pack for Rome in November
- What to pack for Portugal
- Why you should pack your bags and go travelling
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Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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Oh, you do lead a life to envy. Ron and I were talking about staying a month in Paris but that is rather impossible with a dog that needs to run a couple of hours a day. Oh well.
Have lots of fun Sylvia.
I like your jeans and shirt. Not too keen on the jacket but we are all different, so that doesn’t really matter.
Greetje
Not impossible if you do something like a home exchange. Lots of people with dogs there and some have bigger houses with garden…. Also fabulous parks for the dog to run around in.
hi,
I used to be told that in Europe, people don’t wear jeans out and about and it marks me as an American instantly.
Has this changed? I notice that you are wearing and featuring Jeans. I love them, but used to wear black, blue, or tan pants in Europe.
carole
This is certainly not the rule for the whole of Europe. In Italy women wear them less but for me that’s not a reason not to wear them. Jeans can be incredibly stylish and for travel, they’re just extremely practical.
Here in Germany jeans are the everyday outfit. Dress them up or down and you can certainly wear trainers with them. They have become a normal choice of footwear thanks to fashion over the last years. And you can wear every sort of clothing that you can think of. It´s your choice and comfort has become key during the pandemic. Only for certain kinds of restaurants people are dressing a bit more refined. Or maybe higher level shops. I live in a touristy area and jeans and even pretty funky outfits are seen everywhere, because people from all over the world are visiting. You can´t identify where they are exactly coming from only because of their clothes.
Pardon my english as it is not my mother tongue.
Visit the Jewish ghetto for fabulous fried artichokes plated like giant sunflowers and while there stop in Antico Forno Boccione. It’s no bigger than a walk in closet but is always mobbed with those wanting Pizza Ebraica, a fruit and nut studded pastry bar!
Thanks for the tips. I already visited that area and it’s a fabulous neighborhood.
Several years ago I was able to spend a year traveling. But, like you, I am a slow traveler. I bought an around-the-world plane ticket, traveling from west to east. I live in California in the Bay Area, so first arrived in San Diego. I slipped across the border and spent two weeks with a friend in Mexico. Then off to Costa Rica, where I spent two months. Then to Toronto, where I could again cross the border to be with family in Buffalo NY. I picked up my brother and we went to Italy. I spent three months living in Siena. I took a few quick trips to Morocco, Barcelona and Istanbul while I was there. Then off to Thailand! Again, it was easy enough to pack a small bag and go to Cambodia and Laos for short visits. Then on to New Zealand. I had only planned for a two week trip there, but was sorry I gave it such short shrift. NZ is definitely a place to return to. Then the last leg of the journey – a week in Hawaii, then home.
Slow travel is the way to go!
Sounds like a great trip. Will you be (slow) travelling again?
Interesting life and very similiar to what we have been doing the last ten years. Italy is a favorite! Portugal too.
We are currently in Spain for two months visiting many cities.
The packing can be challenging for long periods with weather changes but so far I think we have it handled.
The other aspect we have to think about is healthcare. We make sure we have enough of the few medications we take to cover 3 months. And we are fully vaccinated but in the USA I would be able to get my booster shot last month. Despite the US state department saying US citizens can get vaccinations in Spain, you must follow whatever the country you are visiting is doing.
Right now those boosters are only be given to 70 plus. And we found little help explaining any of this. I have to wait to return to the States.. Thankfully Spain is doing very well & 80% vaccinated.
My husband speaks spanish and it is most helpful whenever we travel.
Just some thoughts and any tips appreciated. We love this life and feel very blessed to travel this way.
Great to read that you like this life of (slow) travelling. Yes packing can be a challenge, certainly for this season, but you also learn how to do a lot more with less 🙂 More on that next week.