Italy adults only August 2017 trip report

calypso726

Escaping reality one Disney vacation at a time
Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Hellllooooooo ABD peeps! We are on our way and looking forward to a fabulous time. Never been to Italy but am ready with Disney/Italy themed nails LOL I am currently on the flight from LHR to Rome. This will be ABD number 9 for us. My mom is with us this trip and we are also traveling with @DizDragonfly and her DH.

We managed to travel hack our way to first class seats and a travel together ticket too. I think I was playing the role of walking billboard for Disney on the flight. Our flight attendants were asking tons of questions about ABD which they'd never heard of and Disney cruises too. I went a little Disney fan girl but they seemed to enjoy it.

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This was my trip choice but Spain Adult Only this past May was the majority vote winner. lol (Spain ABD was wonderful!!) I will follow along so that I'm ready for our NEXT European ABD!!! (I think Backstage Magic may be in February!) Have a wonderful trip!!!
 


Thanks everyone!

We were met at the airport and driven to the Gran Melia which is about 30 minutes away. Check in was a breeze and the staff was wonderful. The accommodations are lovely too. I was concerned about space since there are 3 of us and we are on the same reservation. So far, so good there is room for all of our luggage.

After getting settled in and unpacked we headed towards Trastevere via Uber and walked around. It was a blink away from the hotel. There is a charming place called La Proscuitteria. The decor is really neat and the service and food were great. We ordered a medium sized meat and cheese board plus a bottle of wine. The meat and cheese board was kinda like the first course of dinner at DCL's Palo but on steroids. After dinner we had some gelato and then decided to walk back to the hotel. Cobblestone streets and I are not on the greatest terms so it looks like Uber and I will be good friends moving forward.

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I am following along. Italy was our first international trip (not ABD, though). Love the nails! And the meat and cheese platter. Wowzers!
 
Yay another Calypso trip report! So excited to be following along. Have a fantastic trip! Your nails are adorable
 
You definitely did the right way. I travel hacked my way with economy seats. Looking forward to reading your report.
 
Thanks everyone! Already having fun and I'm sure it will be a great trip!

After breakfast we met our guides Giselle and Miki. They were simply delightful and got us even more excited about the adventure which I didn't think was possible. @DizDragonfly and I have a tradition of eating hot dogs around the world. Neither of us likes hot dogs and I don't even remember how it got started. Today's challenge was to find a hot dog in Rome and visit somewhere that would not be on the ABD itinerary. Miki found us a place that sells hot dogs and had good reviews!

Despite an Uber mishap whereby the designated Uber driver and passengers didn't match, we got to Altare della Patria aka The typewriter/ wedding cake building. We took the elevator which was 7 euros pp to the top and had spectacular views of the city! Official ABD starts in a few minutes so I'll be back with more later.

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@OKW Lover - yes it is her. I will do that tomorrow morning!

We kicked off the official ABD with a guided tour of the Colosseum. Our local guide is Stephan, he is a wealth of knowledge and history and super nice!

It was amazing to be standing in a structure that is centuries old. It was also pretty cool to realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Seeing the arena as the foundation of entertainment for Ancient Rome and really understanding that the arena is still the way we hold entertainment today in stadiums, amphitheaters etc. was kind of neat. The nobility sat in the the front and the peasants sat up in the nosebleed section and that is no different then than it is today. The expensive seats are still up front and the cheap seats still require altitude acclimation adjustments.

Of course, when I realized we were headed to the arena where gladiators fought and died, I immediately thought of Spartacus. I loved that show on HBO years ago. Therefore, I had to find some swords to play with in the arena. Yes, I have the mind of a 12 year old.


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Today was our visit to St. Peter's Basilica. There aren't words to describe the incredible mastery, talent and artistry that surrounds you while inside. We have visited many incredibly beautiful churches in our travels but none compare to the vast beauty of this one.

Later on, we visited the Pantheon which is an architectural marvel in and of itself. Trevi Fountain was awesome to see in person. Waking the streets of Rome during our guided tour, listening to Stephan describe some of the symbolism in the architecture had me wanting to re-read Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books and begin studying cryptography.

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Looking forward to following along....just like Jeff and Val we had Miki on the Alpine Magic trip last August and she was a fantastic guide. Please say hi from Chuck and Chris.
 
Have you been to Sagrada Familia yet? Each city we visit I find a cathedral/church that I love even more than the next! St. Vitus was my favorite in Prague, but this past May I had tears streaming down my face at Sagrada Familia, and was very moved by the Mosque/Cathedral in Cordava. I can't WAIT to see St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum!!!!
 
Assuming that Miki is Michela Lombardi, you got a great guide there. She was one of our guides last year on the Alpine Magic ABD. Really sweet. Please tell her Jeff & Val say hello.

Miki sends hugs to you guys!

Looking forward to following along....just like Jeff and Val we had Miki on the Alpine Magic trip last August and she was a fantastic guide. Please say hi from Chuck and Chris.

Will do, in the morning!

Have you been to Sagrada Familia yet? Each city we visit I find a cathedral/church that I love even more than the next! St. Vitus was my favorite in Prague, but this past May I had tears streaming down my face at Sagrada Familia, and was very moved by the Mosque/Cathedral in Cordava. I can't WAIT to see St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum!!!!

Not yet. St. Peter's was amazing and the Vatican museum was just breathtaking. I was left speechless at the Sistene Chapel. I have heard the tales about the hoards of sweaty, stressed out people in need of an anger management class, crowding around each other, trying to sneak a picture in the Sistine Chapel and getting yelled at and wanted no parts of that. To have a completely private, guided after hours tour was just phenomenal. Then, to be lucky enough that we were allowed to snap a few pictures which, is totally not a guarantee, was the best icing on the cake ever!

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