In my next life I want to come back.......as an Italian

What has prompted this wish I hear you ask. A recent quick break to Florence that's what.

This particular city has long been regarded as one of the world's finest, and it certainly didn't disappoint.

But it isn't just the beauty of the buildings, and the art, and the surrounding countryside, and the views. Oh no, it's the whole attitude of the Italians who live and visit it.

Everything is at a MUCH slower and more languid pace.

Be that seating people waiting at your restaurant, walking, eating, drinking, pretty much everything and anything.

In fact, the only thing, from the short time I spent there, that I could see Italians do quickly, is talk.

This, admittedly is always at a million miles an hour, with a lot of hand waving. It was absolutely wonderful to watch.

And this more relaxed view to life means Italy is one amazing place to visit.

The Italians are famous the world over for their food. And this was the first thing I noticed they REALLY don't like to rush.

Each meal takes hours, it's a very leisurely and social affair.

Nothing is rushed – and it's a much nicer way to eat your tea than wolfing it down and then dashing off to do something else, which is how my life normally works.

They savour each course, and believe me, they eat A LOT of courses. I fear if I am lucky enough to come back as an Italian (obviously I'm joking about this, I don't believe in reincarnation, this is our one and only shot at life) I think I can confidently say I would be the size of a house.

Not only that, the ice-cream. Wow, I really have NEVER tasted anything so delicious.

Even the very finest us Brits could offer comes nowhere close. If I could have had it for breakfast I would, but I do have some standards.

I'm a fan of a city break and try to squeeze a couple in every year. But normally I come back absolutely wreaked, having raced from 'must-see' sight to 'must-see' sight.

Not so after four days in Florence. You can't but help soak up the dolce vita. We strolled everywhere at a leisurely pace, not least because temperatures were in the 30 C and to do anything any quicker would have been simply far too hot. But I suspect Italians do this all year round.

And this lovely care-free attitude to life meant Italians could regularly be seen sitting on the steps of Florence's stunning cathedral, or amongst the amazing statues littered about the main square, sipping wine and chatting, often until very late in the evening.

Can you imagine this happening in Bolton town centre? I know the town hall isn't quite Florence's Duomo and we don't have Michaelangelo's David, but Victoria Square us beautiful.

However, were people to sit about drinking until all hours of the day and night we all know it would be covered in graffiti, sick and fights.

So, from now (because I don't think I can come back as an Italian) I'm going to try to adopt a little bit of their dolce vita – and make sure I enjoy the good life at my own pace.