John and Kevin's Big Christmas in Italy Adventure

[BriarRosie]

Everyone in Italy wears a scarf and they are all tied impeccably. I wrap mine around my neck. They must teach "scarf" in grade school.

I'm glad you and John are having a good time.

As for scarf tying, ask Christy H. for lessons. She taught me how to tie a scarf while we were on the boat to the Eiffel Tower. The employee at the fancy scarf store she went to showed her. I now find that I refuse to tie my scarf ANY other way. It's one of those "I learned that in Paris" things.

We call them Panzarotti.

Cathy's brother is a chef and once a year throws a party where he makes them fresh in his kitchen, stuffed with meats, chesses and sometimes tomatoes.

He uses the left over dough to deep fry and roll in sugar and cinnamon for dessert.

They are to die for, glad you had the chance to experience them Old World style.

Have fun!

Frank, how do I get an invite to Cathy's brother's party?

 

[Cyrano]

Hi John and Kevin. Your trip has got me into the Christmas spirit as I know this is your Christmas treat.
Sounds like you are both enjoying the idiosyncrasies of European culture.

Looking forward to following your further adventures

 

[skunkvette]

I'm glad you and John are having a good time.

As for scarf tying, ask Christy H. for lessons. She taught me how to tie a scarf while we were on the boat to the Eiffel Tower. The employee at the fancy scarf store she went to showed her. I now find that I refuse to tie my scarf ANY other way. It's one of those "I learned that in Paris" things.



Frank, how do I get an invite to Cathy's brother's party?

I don't know Lori, I had to marry into the family to get my invite......

 

[sayhello]

I don't know Lori, I had to marry into the family to get my invite......

Is Cathy's brother married?

Sayhello

 

[corky441]

Well the bus was a bust!!!

Not really, I just thought that would be funny to post...

It wasn't what we expected. It was more like a mass transit bus than a tour bus. A little dirty and very worn. There were plugs and volume controls for headsets (which they provided) but it was very crackly and hard to hear.

It was also very cold on the bus.

Livin' La Doce Vita....

Oh dear, and I told you how much fun it was....

I guess doing it on a beautiful warm day in early Fall and sitting on the upper deck with 6 other ABD adventurers' is a better way to do the Hop on-Hop off ride.
Also, as Kevin mentioned, it is hardly a replacement for the wonderful ABD guides and tour.

Glad you are having a wonderful time -
I so want to be there. . .

 

[sayhello]

The concessionaire (Tourmobile) that did the on/off tours around the national mall lost its contract earlier this year. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/tag/Tourmobile/

The reason is explained here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/07/28/the-never-ending-tourmobile/

The Park Service is looking at a new, non-exclusive contract, http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/...rvice-seeks-temporary-replacement-tourmobile/

and the D.C. Circulator (which is dirt cheap if you have a smart trip card) is wanting to add a national mall route and rumor is this will happen in 2013.

The Park Service is also looking at adding bikeshare stations: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.co...ing-five-bikeshare-stations-national-mall9093

Now back to Italy.

Ooo! Thanks for all the info, Jack. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.

Sayhello

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Soooo - how was the gelato??? My parents went to Italy a few years ago, and it's all they talked about when they got back.

Laurie

 

[happyj]

Hi John and Kevin we met In London. It is my Husband who comes from Florence. We are enjoying your up dates and hope you enjoy Florence as much as we do. We only came back a few weeks ago. Merry Christmas.
Janet and Gaetano

 

[disneynutz]

Una vacanza meravigliosa e un Buon Natale.

Bill

 

[twob4him]

Almost 7pm here and we are back at he hotel.

We had a busy day today.

We took the hop on - hop off bus for the entire route.

While this was a good idea in theory, the bus left something to be desired.

The cost is 21 euros if booked through a hotel and 25 euros if you pay on the bus. For that 21 ( or 25) euros you get a ride and ear buds. There is a narration in several different languages.

I sort of expected it to be a bit nicer than poorly maintained city bus. This is not a luxury ride....but it gets the job done. Also, the second level is open air and I imagine that is a much nicer experience. It's just far too chilly to ride in an open air bus.

After looking around a bit, we stopped and got lunch and came back to he hotel to take a nap. Yesterday's traveling caught up with us.

After our nap, we headed out to he Trevi Fountain, where we unexpectedly caught up with our group. From there, we walked to the Pantheon (just beautiful) and then to Piazza Navona ( where there is a HUGE Christmas market).

We stopped at Grom, which we are told is the best gelato in Italy (there is another one in Florence....and one in NYC and Malibu) and walked around some more.

We bought a Christmas witch for our tree and had some dinner at a sidewalk cafe (pizza, roasted veggie, meat and cheese appetizer) and then taxied back to our hotel.

We're back a bit early as tomorrow is a very early day. I'm told that we have the first appointment of the day to see the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.

Some things that have surprised me......

Everyone in Italy wears a scarf and they are all tied impeccably. I wrap mine around my neck. They must teach "scarf" in grade school.

Soda in Italy is a controlled substance and it must be measured by the government. We stopped in a cafe yesterday and the menu read.....1 liter of water 3 euros, 1 liter of wine 5 euros, 1 can Coke Light 10 euros.

There are less Christmas decorations in Rome than in the US. There are some, but all told, my neighborhood in St Cloud has more Christmas lights than the entire city of Rome.

More later.

I believe with that microchip, soda is even a more controlled substance at the Disney resorts!!!!

I so loved the broken armrest response...lol. Sounds like a great time so far!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to update us!!!! Have a super day tomorrow

Cathy

 

[The Running Ann]

This is making me incredibly excited since we are leaving for Rome next week. I had planned to rely on wifi for my ipad while there, but I think I may check into the vodaphone sim card. Thanks for passing along the tip. In the meantime, I think I will do a google search or two so that I can learn to tie my scarf in an impressive fashion when I get there! Looking forward to reading all of the details of your trip in the days to come.

 

[Michele]

I'm so happy for you guys. Love reading about all the fun.

What a nice Christmas adventure.

 

[Brit_Jude]

Almost 7pm here and we are back at he hotel.

Soda in Italy is a controlled substance and it must be measured by the government. We stopped in a cafe yesterday and the menu read.....1 liter of water 3 euros, 1 liter of wine 5 euros, 1 can Coke Light 10 euros.

There are less Christmas decorations in Rome than in the US. There are some, but all told, my neighborhood in St Cloud has more Christmas lights than the entire city of Rome.

More later.

Sorry the bus was not great. I lived in Italy for 7 years and I love that wine is much cheaper than soda Wine is so much better for you! Plus more wine is made in Italy than soda so it would be cheaper.

As for the Christmas lights and decorations, the over the top decorating really is an American thing - I don't know why the expectation is for other countries to be the same, that is what traveling is all about seeing how other countries celebrate. They have different Christmas traditions. It is much more understated in Italy, I love the lack of crass commercialism.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Oh dear, and I told you how much fun it was....

I guess doing it on a beautiful warm day in early Fall and sitting on the upper deck with 6 other ABD adventurers' is a better way to do the Hop on-Hop off ride.
Also, as Kevin mentioned, it is hardly a replacement for the wonderful ABD guides and tour.

Glad you are having a wonderful time -
I so want to be there. . .

No worries Marlee - we had fun doing it and we looked at it like a learning experience. We'll probably do it again in May and try the upper deck - that sounds much better!!!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Soooo - how was the gelato??? My parents went to Italy a few years ago, and it's all they talked about when they got back.

Laurie

The gelato was amazing!!

I didn't really like gelato (I know - I'm weird) and this was incredible.

Our guide had told us that it was the best gelato around so we had to try it. It was great!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Sorry the bus was not great. I lived in Italy for 7 years and I love that wine is much cheaper than soda Wine is so much better for you! Plus more wine is made in Italy than soda so it would be cheaper.

As for the Christmas lights and decorations, the over the top decorating really is an American thing - I don't know why the expectation is for other countries to be the same, that is what traveling is all about seeing how other countries celebrate. They have different Christmas traditions. It is much more understated in Italy, I love the lack of crass commercialism.

I think as Americans we are always shocked when others don't do things "our way". I agree, one of the best parts of traveling is learning about other cultures - and then judging them against your own

All joking aside Rome is absolutely beautiful this time of year. It actually sparkles!!

 

[Joshua_me]

The armrest of my seat was held on with duct tape that came loose during the flight. The flight attendant asked if had broken it. I told her yes....and brought my duct tape repair kit which I used when you weren't looking.

Ha !

Shades of,

"Did you order that crab cake here ?"

"No, I brought it into the park with me this morning and this looked like a lovely place to eat it..."



Glad to hear the two of you are balancing fun and exhaustion in equal measure.

 

[Brit_Jude]

I think as Americans we are always shocked when others don't do things "our way". I agree, one of the best parts of traveling is learning about other cultures - and then judging them against your own

All joking aside Rome is absolutely beautiful this time of year. It actually sparkles!!

LoL

I also forgot to mention that Christmas trees and Santa Claus are Northern European traditions and until recently not seen in Italy....if you get a chance check out La Befana......

 

[stenogoddess]

I wonder if they exist in the US? Would be great. Enjoy! I look forward to hearing what you guys thought about it.

Sayhello

Hi Sayhello! It was great meeting you for a second after the Podcast taping at DAP. We have a hop on hop off trolly in Savannah. Way cooler than a bus!

No worries Marlee - we had fun doing it and we looked at it like a learning experience. We'll probably do it again in May and try the upper deck - that sounds much better!!!

Shotgun!

 

[sayhello]

Hi Sayhello! It was great meeting you for a second after the Podcast taping at DAP. We have a hop on hop off trolly in Savannah. Way cooler than a bus!

Nice meeting you, too! The Hop On Hop Off trolley sounds very cool! Savannah is definitely on my list of places I need to visit!

Sayhello