Difference between я хочу and мне хочется

Did you know that we have 2 different Russian expressions that mean “I want”, я хочу and мне хочется?

Я хочу is used to express a strong desire for something concrete and real, which will most probably be fulfilled in the near future.  Я хочу поехать за город. I want to go to the country side (and I will go there, I am sure).

Мне хочется is used to express a wish, something that one would like to happen but not necessarily in the near future. Мне хочется поехать за город. I would like to go to the country side (but it is only a wish, it is not real). Мне хочется is often used with physiological needs, мне хочется есть (I am hungry), мне хочется спать (I am sleepy), мне хочется пить (I am thirsty).