Back from Viva Italia 5/27-6/4

[helenk]

Sorry I had no updates from Venice, but the internet at the hotel was not working at first and then we found out how expensive it was we just decided not to sign up.
Well all I can say is Wow, Wow Wow!!! What an absolutely fabulous vacation.
The Disney extras and attention to the details just made this trip above and beyond what I had expected.
Again I can not rave enough about our guides Marco and Cynthia, we just loved them. My daughter's hair straightener died mid trip and Cynthia let my daughter use hers.
Venice was beautiful, the gondola ride was an experience we will never forget and the mask making was so much fun.
I walked all over Venice, you can just walk and absorb all the culture and the beauty.
One thing I have to laugh about is that in each city my daughter and I managed to get lost. But we were always able to eventually find our way back on our own or get someone who spoke enough English to get us back on track
This trip was truly a dream come true, I would recommend it to anyone in a heart beat. I know that my next tour will definately be and ABD tour. Hopefully I can take another trip next year.

 

[tigger_ttfn]

Welcome home! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for all the updates.

We leave in 14 days! Did you bring back olive oil or anything else wonderful? I have already bought my bubble wrap.

 

[sayhello]

Welcome back! Glad you had such a fabulous trip! The Guides really to make the trips!

Sayhello

 

[2GirlsMama]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I think getting lost adds to the adventure. I am glad you have such great memories of your trip.

 

[helenk]

Welcome home! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for all the updates.

We leave in 14 days! Did you bring back olive oil or anything else wonderful? I have already bought my bubble wrap.

I brought back olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Tuscany, some leather goods from Florence, and a mask magnet from Venice. I bought myself a small snow globe and my grand daughter a t-shirt from the Disney store in Rome.

 

[Diskidatheart]

I brought back olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Tuscany, some leather goods from Florence, and a mask magnet from Venice. I bought myself a small snow globe and my grand daughter a t-shirt from the Disney store in Rome.

Welcome home Helen! So glad you and your daughter had a wonderful time, although I knew you would! This trip is so magical and I just loved Venice too. It's such a charming and unique place...like nowhere else in the world! I hope my suggestions on things to buy were right on...like the olive oil and balsamic in Tuscany along with the leather in Florence. I'm still amazed at how good the olive oil was.

Getting lost in Venice is so easy to do and I know the first time out on our own, we were so scared if we would get back, but once you got the lay of the land, it was actually pretty easy. Although, I don't think we ever went the same way twice due to all the little side streets. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't go the same way twice because there is just too much to see!

 

[helenk]

Welcome home Helen! So glad you and your daughter had a wonderful time, although I knew you would! This trip is so magical and I just loved Venice too. It's such a charming and unique place...like nowhere else in the world! I hope my suggestions on things to buy were right on...like the olive oil and balsamic in Tuscany along with the leather in Florence. I'm still amazed at how good the olive oil was.

Getting lost in Venice is so easy to do and I know the first time out on our own, we were so scared if we would get back, but once you got the lay of the land, it was actually pretty easy. Although, I don't think we ever went the same way twice due to all the little side streets. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't go the same way twice because there is just too much to see!

We did have a wonderful and magical time. I printed out your posts etc and reviewed them before we left. My daughter laughed at me, but was amazed at how much I knew before we even got to Italy.
In Venice we found about 3 different ways to get from the Rialto bridge back to the hotel.
We got lost in Rome walking back from a restaurant back to the hotel because we were too busy talking and missed our turn. We ended up at a church and finally had to ask the police how to get back to Bernini Plaza, fortunately they spoke English and come to find out we were only a few blocks from the hotel. In Florence we got lost after having lunch with the tour and we took so many turns that we forgot how to get back to the Duomo. We finally ended up close by but found an English speaking group that got us back on track. In Venice we just found our own way but took the looooong way from making the masks to getting back to the hotel, we went via the train station. We just decided it was a good way to walk off the extra calories,

 

[2tinksmom]

We're going on the Signature trip in a little less than a week. I want to make sure we are wearing appropriate clothes on the days we visit churches. From what I've read (and it's a little confusing ) different churches have slightly different dress codes. If you can tell me what is appropriate for men and women, I would reaaaaly appreciate it!
Thanks,
Michele aka "wardrobe challenged"

 

[james.moore]

Sounds like you had great fun! I can’t wait to set out too. Will be soon hopefully!

 

[Diskidatheart]

We're going on the Signature trip in a little less than a week. I want to make sure we are wearing appropriate clothes on the days we visit churches. From what I've read (and it's a little confusing ) different churches have slightly different dress codes. If you can tell me what is appropriate for men and women, I would reaaaaly appreciate it!
Thanks,
Michele aka "wardrobe challenged"

The only time we were told we had to wear something was on our day to the Vatican. The Sistine Chapel requires you to have your shoulders and knees covered (both men and women). With that being said, I did see a man in the Sistine Chapel with shorts on that didn't cover his knees, but I wouldn't take the chance. None of the other churches that we went to ever had any issues of clothing, but we really didn't go in any of the churches. Please ask if you have any other questions...it is a great trip and you are going to have a wonderful time!

 

[DSPTurtle]

My family just got back from the Signature Italy--you are going to LOVE it! As to clothing---In the Vatican and St. Marks (Venice you must have your knees covered. You will go into a couple of other churches during the second day in Rome, so bring a shawl to cover your shoulders. Also, if you have children in your group the rule applies to them as well. It was really really hot while we were there so pack lightweight clothes! The guides were amazing at handing out as much icy water as we could possibly drink. Have a wonderful vacation!! It was such a wonderful experience!

 

[helenk]

We're going on the Signature trip in a little less than a week. I want to make sure we are wearing appropriate clothes on the days we visit churches. From what I've read (and it's a little confusing ) different churches have slightly different dress codes. If you can tell me what is appropriate for men and women, I would reaaaaly appreciate it!
Thanks,
Michele aka "wardrobe challenged"

We just wore short sleeve shirts (polos or nice Tshirts) and capris and we had no problems.