Kiran Uttam Ghosh, designer

nStrangely, one of my finest holidays has been one I did alone, a trip to Rome. I stayed at this simple beautiful White Villa, Casalpalocco, outside Rome. The silence of the Italian countryside, a couple of ambling dogs, amazing aromas of fresh cappucino and acres of green gardens is the memory that stays with me. I had found nirvana. The Italians really do know how to appreciate the finer things in life, whether its the laid-back life, the fine cuisine or amazing ice cream.

It was destiny. I was tired, looking for some peace, while the lady who rented her villa, Dariya, an ex high-profile banker working in Tokyo, was taking a break from her career to bring up her two kids in her home town. Coming from my hectic life, we got along like a house on fire. We walked along the Via Della Conciliazione, the Trevy Fountain, the Spanish steps with chic men and women hanging all over ? nobody looked like they were in a hurry. We crashed a Valentino party and gaped as limousine after limousine drew up with exotic Italian women. I enjoyed the Italian Gelatos, it was only three days but they were moments out of time. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Dariya, we lost touch... I wonder if she managed to go back to Tokyo as planned, leaving Paradise behind..?