Could not feel more identified with her quote about wanderlust decreasing with age. When I first moved to Europe I tried to visit one new country per month, but lately I am hard-pressed to leave Spain at all. There's a culture here of everyone vacationing in the same beach town every year, so you coincide with the same groups and get to have those deeper meaningful connections. And it's so much less stress not have to investigate places to eat, how to get where, etc.
Those words really resonated with me, too. There is so much of the world I want to see, but I'm getting to the point where even when I'm traveling somewhere new and exciting, I long for other places I've visited that just felt more "me." And those relationships formed over years' worth of summers are so special!
It’s the same in France, it’s the norm to holiday within France and to go to the same spot, and lots of people have holiday homes too, and that’s definitely a factor for me too. It doesn’t feel weird to holiday in the country you live in the way it does in the UK – although that’s becoming less weird as both the climate and what we can do to save it, as well as the cost of living, become bigger considerations.
What a fascinating life! I’ve just returned from Italy, and waiters were very concerned indeed when we constantly broke the eating rules — often ordering everything, “con divi diamo” (for the table.) It was very stressful for them, but we all wanted to try everything. 🍝
I also have less desire to travel as I age. I live in the Castelli romani, the local lake is a holiday for me, maybe a beach day and trip to Ponza but if I never had to see FCO again I'd be happy.
Thanks for this. I subscribe to Gillian's stack and read every word. I'm not even an Italophile. I just appreciate quality travel content. I understand what she means about decreasing wanderlust. There are plenty of places that in principle I'd like to visit someday, but the thought of having to organize and execute the journeys makes me want to take to my bed.
Yes! As much as I love travel, I find that the older I get, the less I care to scrupulously plan trips, and the more I just want to go somewhere lovely and relax.
Great interview! Italy is one of my two favorite countries in the world and I was just in Rome for a few hours yesterday. I, too, consulted Gillian's Fine Rome guides!
I'm not sure my wanderlust has decreased, but it has changed. A bit like Lindsey, I want to get back to my original travel love, France. And how convenient as I already live here!
Great post thanks, what an interesting life! On wanderlust, I haven’t been the greatest of wanderers in any case but yes, not so much not wanting to wander but wanting to wander more locally, ie seeing more of Europe rather than taking long haul trips. It does seem to come with a change of attitude as I get older but then, for some, it’s the chance to finally do a bit of travelling!
I love this so much. Decreasing wanderlust really struck a chord and it’s something I feel almost guilty about, but this has reframed it beautifully. I live in France (and am not French) and for a combination of reasons, some personal, some climate-related, some circumstantial, I’ve found myself recently really wanting to just explore more of my adopted country. The exception to this is actually Italy, but it’s right next door so not too much of a leap.
We yearn to move, to see, to experience and to taste. We yearn to meet new people, witness new customs and cultures and be enveloped by them. Somehow, I believe that there is not a diminishment of wanderlust as we age. But on the flip side, its a satiable feeling…. almost a WanderFull. Being filled with curiosity, while at the same time having that deep desire filled through experience and immersion. And that, is a moment of bliss and deep thankfulness for the ability, for the experience and for the kindness of others that you meet along the way.
Thank you Samantha. It came to me as I was reading the interview. While working in Spain, I found myself traveling there every two weeks for the better part of a year from California. I noticed that while the initial Wanderlust feeling slowly dissipated, there was a feeling of familiarity and belonging that I felt. It was that "Wanderfull" feeling of being home, away from home and feeling full from my travel and experience.
Could not feel more identified with her quote about wanderlust decreasing with age. When I first moved to Europe I tried to visit one new country per month, but lately I am hard-pressed to leave Spain at all. There's a culture here of everyone vacationing in the same beach town every year, so you coincide with the same groups and get to have those deeper meaningful connections. And it's so much less stress not have to investigate places to eat, how to get where, etc.
Those words really resonated with me, too. There is so much of the world I want to see, but I'm getting to the point where even when I'm traveling somewhere new and exciting, I long for other places I've visited that just felt more "me." And those relationships formed over years' worth of summers are so special!
It’s the same in France, it’s the norm to holiday within France and to go to the same spot, and lots of people have holiday homes too, and that’s definitely a factor for me too. It doesn’t feel weird to holiday in the country you live in the way it does in the UK – although that’s becoming less weird as both the climate and what we can do to save it, as well as the cost of living, become bigger considerations.
This is so lovely. Thank you for your kind words & observations about this topsy-turvey life
Thank YOU for being here! Your answers absolutely charmed me!
What a fascinating life! I’ve just returned from Italy, and waiters were very concerned indeed when we constantly broke the eating rules — often ordering everything, “con divi diamo” (for the table.) It was very stressful for them, but we all wanted to try everything. 🍝
I also have less desire to travel as I age. I live in the Castelli romani, the local lake is a holiday for me, maybe a beach day and trip to Ponza but if I never had to see FCO again I'd be happy.
Thanks for this. I subscribe to Gillian's stack and read every word. I'm not even an Italophile. I just appreciate quality travel content. I understand what she means about decreasing wanderlust. There are plenty of places that in principle I'd like to visit someday, but the thought of having to organize and execute the journeys makes me want to take to my bed.
Yes! As much as I love travel, I find that the older I get, the less I care to scrupulously plan trips, and the more I just want to go somewhere lovely and relax.
Great interview! Italy is one of my two favorite countries in the world and I was just in Rome for a few hours yesterday. I, too, consulted Gillian's Fine Rome guides!
Her guides are the greatest!! I hope they led you to some amazing pastries/pizza/pasta during your pit stop!
I'm not sure my wanderlust has decreased, but it has changed. A bit like Lindsey, I want to get back to my original travel love, France. And how convenient as I already live here!
Great post thanks, what an interesting life! On wanderlust, I haven’t been the greatest of wanderers in any case but yes, not so much not wanting to wander but wanting to wander more locally, ie seeing more of Europe rather than taking long haul trips. It does seem to come with a change of attitude as I get older but then, for some, it’s the chance to finally do a bit of travelling!
I love this so much. Decreasing wanderlust really struck a chord and it’s something I feel almost guilty about, but this has reframed it beautifully. I live in France (and am not French) and for a combination of reasons, some personal, some climate-related, some circumstantial, I’ve found myself recently really wanting to just explore more of my adopted country. The exception to this is actually Italy, but it’s right next door so not too much of a leap.
This is exactly how I feel, Lindsey, and incidentally what my Substack project is about.
That sounds great, I’ll have to check it out for tips!
We yearn to move, to see, to experience and to taste. We yearn to meet new people, witness new customs and cultures and be enveloped by them. Somehow, I believe that there is not a diminishment of wanderlust as we age. But on the flip side, its a satiable feeling…. almost a WanderFull. Being filled with curiosity, while at the same time having that deep desire filled through experience and immersion. And that, is a moment of bliss and deep thankfulness for the ability, for the experience and for the kindness of others that you meet along the way.
I love the idea of "wanderfull." What a beautiful concept.
Thank you Samantha. It came to me as I was reading the interview. While working in Spain, I found myself traveling there every two weeks for the better part of a year from California. I noticed that while the initial Wanderlust feeling slowly dissipated, there was a feeling of familiarity and belonging that I felt. It was that "Wanderfull" feeling of being home, away from home and feeling full from my travel and experience.