John and Kevin's Big Christmas in Italy Adventure

[Cyrano]

ABD gave everyone 5 euros in order to buy a "white elephant" Christmas gift and we are having a gift swap on Christmas day.

That's what's going on at the moment.

More later.........

Hope you enjoy your "Secret Santa"

 

[sjsjbrook]

How exciting a gift exchange What a great Christmas you guys are having. Thanks for bringing us along for the journey.

Merry Christmas

 

[Michele]

This sounds like so much fun!!! Enjoy!!

Thanks for sharing with us!

 

[JWren1234]

I am really enjoying the updates, I can't wait to go to Italy

Jason

 

[limace]

What a Christmas treat reading this has been! Thanks so much, John and Kevin. Trying not to be totally consumed with envy here.

What's the best thing you've had to eat so far?

 

[jcarter29]

love reading the updates, gents. sounds like a great time so far!

Kim

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Christmas Eve in Florence!!!

Well, technically it's 8am here now.....we are about to start our day. First is breakfast, then we go to see the David, followed by a walking tour of Florence then the afternoon and evening is ours to do what we like.

The group is going to learn to paint a fresco this afternoon but Kevin and I going to skip that to shop.

From what we saw so far last night the city is beautiful. We took a short walk to the square last evening (it was too dark to go much further and everything was closed or closing). There were lights, Christmas music playing in the distance and church bells ringing. On one of the buildings they were projecting images and as we passed, Ave Maria was playing and it looked like it was gently snowing on the building.

Kevin got a gelato to bring back to the room and I grabbed a few waters. We read for a while and crashed.

Heading down to meet the gang for breakfast.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

What a Christmas treat reading this has been! Thanks so much, John and Kevin. Trying not to be totally consumed with envy here.

What's the best thing you've had to eat so far?

This is a tough question to answer. So far there hasn't been one bad meal. I could live on prosciutto and cheese.

Last night when we arrived at the hotel our dinner was a Buffett with tons of choices - meats, cheeses, salad, veggie pie, meat pie - but my favorite was the pork on their version of a kebab - it was incredible.

Breakfasts are great - again prosciutto and cheese, pastries, cereal, bacon, sausage and much more. The only 'issue' seems to be the eggs - they are scrambled and then cream is added - we found the same thing in London and Paris. I like them but some people are put off by them and I know Walter will hate them.

Gotta run - we have an appointment to see the David

 

[Cyrano]

Good morning.
Glad that the food is not spoiling the trip.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Christmas Eve in Florence!!!

From what we saw so far last night the city is beautiful. We took a short walk to the square last evening (it was too dark to go much further and everything was closed or closing). There were lights, Christmas music playing in the distance and church bells ringing. On one of the buildings they were projecting images and as we passed, Ave Maria was playing and it looked like it was gently snowing on the building.

This just sounds....I don't know.....without digging out my thesauras....amazing, but that doesn't even begin to cover it.

Say hello to David for me!

 

[wdwscout]

Hi Guys! Merry Christmas Eve to you both. Hope it was a magical day!

Thanks for sending updates. It's almost like we are there with you!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Back from an incredible, wonderful, magical day in Florence!!!

It was rainy and cold and grey and absolutely perfect.

Took a brisk walk to see the David (everything is just a 10 minute walk - or so they say). It was a long walk and our group was so great waiting for us to keep up. The museum was empty. It was an incredible gift to see him with almost no one around. The David is also in the same museum as 4 unfinished Michelangelo sculptures - these fascinate me as much as the David.

After that we took a walking tour of Florence, hitting all of the highlights.

We ended our day with the group at lunch. Once again great food!

Kevin and I then went off exploring on our own. Went to the market at San Lorenza and was kind of chilly so we popped into a small Trattoria for coffee, a drink and a snack - the owner came out and wanted to tell us of all of the places in the United States he's been to. He was very cute.

We shopped some more and met up with some folks from the trip at the market closest to the hotel.

We're going to be joining several of the other families for Christmas eve dinner.

Will report back if anyone gets drunk and embarrassed themselves.

 

[NitroStitch]

That would be so amazing to see the David with almost no one around! I LOVE Florence! It would be so special to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas there. Enjoy!

 

[CJK]

Loving every minute of it!! Thanks a million for posting all about your adventures. We're definitely living vicariously! Hope to do an ABD trip to Italy in 2013. Hope Kevin & John (and the rest of the podcast team) will join us. Merry Christmas!

 

[SamSam]

Merry Christmas to you both. Thank you soooo much for taking time out to post your adventures. It's been a real treat to read your updates.

 

[sayhello]

Isn't the David just the most spectacular thing ever? That's so amazing that you were the only ones there. (How many folks are on your ABD?)

Merriest of Christmases (and a Happy Hanukkah!) to you both.

Sayhello

 

[happyj]

I find it so exciting knowing so well where you are. I wish you both a very merry Christmas. You feel so close.

 

[disprincessatheart]

It sounds like an amazing trip at every turn!

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Buon Natale! Sounds like you are having a wonderful trip! I'm curious how the 7 year old is handling the pace of the adventure and the travel. I've got Brian talking about doing either Viva Italia or Esprit de France in 2013 with the kids, and Joe will be 7 then. Of course, maybe there will be another DIS trip in 2013 and we will ditch the kids and join you!

Laurie

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Isn't the David just the most spectacular thing ever? That's so amazing that you were the only ones there. (How many folks are on your ABD?)

Merriest of Christmases (and a Happy Hanukkah!) to you both.

Sayhello

27 total Toby.

We have several families with little ones and even a couple of travel agents.