UPDATED ONCE AGAIN!! 1-11-15: Trip review: Viva Italia, May 25- June 2nd, 2015

Rapunzellover · May 27, 2015

Here's my first trip review! No pics, unfortunately, because wi-fi isn't letting me download them from my camera.

A little background: I am 35, single, and from CA. I'm an English teacher who loves culture. I am currently making it my goal to travel more. Went on the London/Paris ABD 2 years ago and fell in love with ABD. I travel solo mostly, and I don't let the grass grow under my feet when traveling.

My ABD started on May 25th. I booked several pre-days, and my plan was to get in on May 22nd. I had a guide booked for a basilica tour (other than St. Peter's), as well as a Borghese museum tour, and I had booked a dinner cruise as well.

But guess what? That all fell apart. My vacation got off to a really bad start. I arrived at the airport to find out AirCanada had cancelled my 7:45 am flight. I was rebooked to leave at 11 on United. It was not good, but at least I'd only end up ultimately getting in 2 hrs later. No problem, right?

Problem. United sucks sometimes, while other times they are stellar. This was suck time. My 11 am flight was almost an 1.5 late leaving SFO due to mechanical issues.

Rapunzellover · May 27, 2015

So, lateness means I missed my connection. By 10 minutes. There were no more flights out to Rome! Ended up flying from Chicago to Newark. They had a flight that could get me out earlier the next day. So instead of 8:30 or10:30 even on May 22, I'd be arriving 7:45 on May 23. A whole day lost!

Rapunzellover · May 27, 2015

But don't worry! It gets better. Will post more later. This is just an intro. Ciao.

tufbuf · May 27, 2015

Oh great! A trip review/report!! Do they still give away the foldable duffel bag?

Cousin Orville · May 27, 2015

Thanks for posting! I'll enjoy following along. Sounds like a stressful start to your trip. I fly United a lot being from Houston, and it's sometimes painful. Flew to Hawaii (from Houston) nonstop with no meals. Flew from Hong Kong to SFO with no plug to charge an iPhone/iPad. Awful.

TXTransplant · May 27, 2015

Cousin Orville said:
Thanks for posting! I'll enjoy following along. Sounds like a stressful start to your trip. I fly United a lot being from Houston, and it's sometimes painful. Flew to Hawaii (from Houston) nonstop with no meals. Flew from Hong Kong to SFO with no plug to charge an iPhone/iPad. Awful.

Not to hijack, but we'll be flying United out of IAH to FRA in a couple of weeks on the flight that leaves at 6 pm-ish. Have you flown that route recently...how is it? The flight is currently a 787, but a few days before our trip it changes over to a 777. I am not looking forward to the flight.

carpenta · May 27, 2015

Every time we have flown United it has always SUCKED! I "feel your pain" and you have my deepest sympathy.

Cousin Orville · May 27, 2015

TXTransplant said:
Not to hijack, but we'll be flying United out of IAH to FRA in a couple of weeks on the flight that leaves at 6 pm-ish. Have you flown that route recently...how is it? The flight is currently a 787, but a few days before our trip it changes over to a 777. I am not looking forward to the flight.

I flew United in 2012 from IAH to CDG. I honestly don't remember much about it. I think it was fine. Since then I have flown Air France which has a very nice premium economy, but they recently stopped the nonstop Air France from IAH, so the next time I go I suspect I'll fly United. In my experience, foreign airlines flying transatlantic or transpacific are better than domestic airlines flying similar routes. However, I wouldn't stress over it. Usually I just pick the most convenient/cheapest flight, unless I'm flying on points. A nonstop flight to Paris on United is better than a connecting flight on any other airline.

TXTransplant · May 27, 2015

Thanks for the reply! FRA is actually Frankfurt, Germany, but I imagine a flight to Paris to Houston is about the same as a flight to Frankfurt. We could have also flown direct on Lufthansa, but that plane is an A380. I was told that the seats are crammed in really close together and are uncomfortable. We don't fly very often, so we are stuck in steerage (no upgrades for us)...LOL!

Cousin Orville · May 27, 2015

TXTransplant said:
Thanks for the reply! FRA is actually Frankfurt, Germany, but I imagine a flight to Paris to Houston is about the same as a flight to Frankfurt. We could have also flown direct on Lufthansa, but that plane is an A380. I was told that the seats are crammed in really close together and are uncomfortable. We don't fly very often, so we are stuck in steerage (no upgrades for us)...LOL!

Sorry about that. Of course. I've flown from FRA once on United Flight 47 back in 2013. Again, nothing stands out in my mind about it except our flight time from Barcelona to FRA was changed (not our choice) and we had a really short connection in FRA and the United gate attendants gave away our seats because they figured we wouldn't make the connection. When we showed up with plenty of time to spare they somehow found some seats but not together. My 8 yo at the time had to sit off by himself. Our middle child and me were together and my wife and the baby were together. It was kind of a mess.

TXTransplant · May 27, 2015

Cousin Orville said:
Sorry about that. Of course. I've flown from FRA once on United Flight 47 back in 2013. Again, nothing stands out in my mind about it except our flight time from Barcelona to FRA was changed (not our choice) and we had a really short connection in FRA and the United gate attendants gave away our seats because they figured we wouldn't make the connection. When we showed up with plenty of time to spare they somehow found some seats but not together. My 8 yo at the time had to sit off by himself. Our middle child and me were together and my wife and the baby were together. It was kind of a mess.

Yikes! I can't imagine an 8 year old (or even my 10 year old) sitting by himself on a 10 hour flight! And I can't imagine the flight attendants wanting an 8 year old to sit by himself! And I can't imagine being a passenger sitting next to an 8 year old who is separated from his family on a 10 hour flight! Southwest gave me free drink tickets one time when they asked my son my son to sit directly across the aisle from me on a flight. I don't suppose the staff on your flight were that generous...LOL!

Rapunzellover · May 28, 2015

United was fab when I flew to London and New York. This time, not so much. But, after being put up in the Newark Crowne Plaza, which is NOT the Grand Melia, I managed to get out on time and even arrive in Rome 20 minutes early. Crazy.

And yes, they still give away the duffel.

Tozzie · May 28, 2015

Rapunzellover, I am sorry or your troubles living 6 miles from JFK I am spoiled by the choice of flights I have hope you enjoy the rest of your trip the viva italia was one of my favorites

fosterkittymom · May 28, 2015

Can't wait for more updates! I will be on the same tour July 2. Sorry to hear about your flight troubles. We are also traveling on United. It's non-stop so hopefully there will be no problems.

Rapunzellover · May 28, 2015

I couldn't believe Chicago and Newark both only have one flight a day to Rome! Thanks for the sympathy, all!

Quick question: do you want my review in one thread? Or multiple?

tgeorge · May 28, 2015

I say post your review however it is easiest for you!! You're taking the time to do it and those of us that are eager to read it will be happy with however you post

thanks for taking the time! This Italy trip is another on my list. I'm sure I'll be doing it solo since my DH doesn't like to travel too much. He has agreed to the San Fran trip and the Australia trip, ironically enough. Can't wait to read about your adventure!

ddof3 · May 28, 2015

sounds stressful

Rapunzellover · May 28, 2015

Stressful but worth it

Rapunzellover · May 28, 2015

PART 1-- Pre-day 1 (should've been 2)

Arrived around 7:25 to FCO in Rome. Be prepared for a sea of humanity at passport control. It moves fast though.

Got to baggage claim where an ABD rep was there to help me get my bags, and get to my driver. She came with me into the city and after about 45 minutes, arrived at the Grand Melia. Warning: it's on a hill. Be prepared for a climb, but the guides have shortcuts. I didn't know this though, since my tour started a few days later.

After checking in, I walked from the hotel to the vatican museum. I had a necropolis tour I missed due to my flight troubles, but I was in time for my tour of the gardens at 11 am.

Now, the vatican is huge and while the hotel is about 10 minutes to St. Peter's, the actual museum entrance is further. It was about 45 minutes for me to walk there, with frequent pic-taking stops, of course.

Rapunzellover · May 28, 2015

I must say, the gardens are spectacular. Well worth visiting. Once finished, I wondered around the museum for a while. This was good, cause the ABD doesn't do a very thorough tour, although it's still awesome.

UPDATED ONCE AGAIN!! 1-11-15: Trip review: Viva Italia, May 25- June 2nd, 2015

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