From there it was on to Florence, a quick city tour which felt way too fast and only managing to see a replica of the fabulous David, before we were to be back on the bus again.
Saturday, 12 March 2016
Day 6
Onward! An early morning departure from the hotel as we made our way to Verona. We wandered there and saw "Casa de Giulietta" and enjoyed the quaint town before moving on to Lake Garda. Picturesque and sunny, we sat by the water and ate more yummy pizza for lunch. 
From there it was on to Florence, a quick city tour which felt way too fast and only managing to see a replica of the fabulous David, before we were to be back on the bus again.
From there it was on to Florence, a quick city tour which felt way too fast and only managing to see a replica of the fabulous David, before we were to be back on the bus again.
Day 5
Today was our free day in Venice. We were up and out the door early, and straight onto a vaparetto to the island of Murano. We watched some glassblowers in the factory and were amazed at how they worked together knowing one another's moves and moving lightly to make beautiful glass chandeliers. We shopped a lot in the showroom before boarding another Vaparetto to the island of Burano. This was one of my favourite parts of the trip. Beautiful little town full of colour!
The afternoon was spent wandering the streets of Venice again, buying masks and more souvenirs, and enjoying the best champagne strawberry spritzer I've ever had! We had a huge lunch of seafood at a restaurant recommended by a friend - fresh and delicious this was a stand out meal. Out for dinner that night and then drinks at the bar with new friends. Wonderful time.
The afternoon was spent wandering the streets of Venice again, buying masks and more souvenirs, and enjoying the best champagne strawberry spritzer I've ever had! We had a huge lunch of seafood at a restaurant recommended by a friend - fresh and delicious this was a stand out meal. Out for dinner that night and then drinks at the bar with new friends. Wonderful time.
Day 4
Today we set out on a long bus trip from Rome to Venice. Upon arrival in Venice, we had a walking tour of the city, followed by a gondola ride. How could we not?! The gondolier was deliberately rocking the boat to scare us (it worked), and the one nearby to us had a man singing opera along the way. Truly magical.
After this, we were on our own, and explored the beautiful city and Piazza San Marco stopping for a dinner of four cheese gnocchi that was to die for. We managed to find this gorgeous quaint bookstore our lovely guide Roma had told us about. Books were haphazardly piled everywhere with maps and cards and in boats and old baths in case of the canal flooding. I loved it there. Trying to find our wat back to the bus stop was a nightmare. The walls so tall in Venice and the alleys so small meant our google maps were not working and we were going in circles. "Get lost in Venice" everyone says, "its amazing" they say. Well, we did. It was alarming more than amazing though! We eventually found our way out and back to the hotel
After this, we were on our own, and explored the beautiful city and Piazza San Marco stopping for a dinner of four cheese gnocchi that was to die for. We managed to find this gorgeous quaint bookstore our lovely guide Roma had told us about. Books were haphazardly piled everywhere with maps and cards and in boats and old baths in case of the canal flooding. I loved it there. Trying to find our wat back to the bus stop was a nightmare. The walls so tall in Venice and the alleys so small meant our google maps were not working and we were going in circles. "Get lost in Venice" everyone says, "its amazing" they say. Well, we did. It was alarming more than amazing though! We eventually found our way out and back to the hotel
Day 3
We saw the Pantheon and skipped the group tour as we had already done much of it ourselves in the day prior. Instead we did the few items still left on our must see list - the Trevi Fountain - which sadly was under construction - no coin tossing for us! Then the Spanish Steps, the fancy shops of Via Condotti, back to Piazza Navona and a LOT of shopping was done! Souvenirs aplenty! We also wandered through Campo Di Fiori, another of my favourite spots. That night we ate near the motel, which was out in the suburbs of Rome. Pizza, beer and arancini for $8E. Bargain!
Day 2
Day 2 saw us awake early, around 530am. I suggested we go to the Hotel Roof cafe - although closed of course - the view at sunrise was breathtaking and we were glad we made the effort.
Then we were off on foot again, past more astonishingly beautiful churches, to the Colosseum. One of the highlights for me of the trip. Our guide was adorable, and he was a wealth of knowledge as we climbed up the massive stone steps in awe of what had been there so many years before. We then walked the forum and Palatine Hill filled with Francesco's amazing stories of Remus and Romulus and the creation of Rome.
Lunch afterwards at Osteri margherita was a taster of arancini, croquettes and fried veggies. Nom! The afternoon we spent making our way to our next hotel where we were due to meet the tour group that night for dinner. Not being overly social, I was nervous at meeting all these people and spending a week with them, but lifelong friendships were to be formed and good laughs were had before the week was over. I convinced Megan to try Limencello this evening. It burns all the way down... Yum!
Then we were off on foot again, past more astonishingly beautiful churches, to the Colosseum. One of the highlights for me of the trip. Our guide was adorable, and he was a wealth of knowledge as we climbed up the massive stone steps in awe of what had been there so many years before. We then walked the forum and Palatine Hill filled with Francesco's amazing stories of Remus and Romulus and the creation of Rome.
Lunch afterwards at Osteri margherita was a taster of arancini, croquettes and fried veggies. Nom! The afternoon we spent making our way to our next hotel where we were due to meet the tour group that night for dinner. Not being overly social, I was nervous at meeting all these people and spending a week with them, but lifelong friendships were to be formed and good laughs were had before the week was over. I convinced Megan to try Limencello this evening. It burns all the way down... Yum!
Day 1
Though worn from our journey, we were excited to explore the magical city of Rome so off we went. We walked across the Tiber and around to the Vatican. St Peters square was enormous, and people had already formed an enormous queue for both the Vatican Museums and St Peters Basilica - I was relived we had bought skip the line tickets ahead of time. We were a little early for our entry time, so we found a small restaurant over the road and had our first Italian meal. Pizza for me and pasta for Megan - bellissimo!
The museums were amazing. They were packed and the crowds were jostling, but it was really cool to see the amount of artwork and gold leaf on display. They could cure world hunger with that money... :/
The highlight for me was the Sistine Chapel. This was always going to be 'my moment' and it was. I teared up at the dream coming true as we stood in the hushed chapel, staring at that phenomenal roof. Blown away. I had remembered reading a tip on a blog and instead of exiting with others to the left, persuaded Megan to exist with the tour groups on the right - no one would know we were not on a tour! This way, we went directly around and into the Basilica, no lining up for us! Score!!! The basilica was hard to describe, photos did not do justice to its size or beauty. The Pieta was beautiful. On the way home, we stopped for our first true gelato - it did not disappoint! So good!
We headed back to the hotel for a relax before once again heading out and exploring Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. An early dinner of antipasto and the traditional Italian Aperol Spritz was perfect before we crashed out early, exhausted.
I was alarmed and flew awake when housekeeping came in at about 6pm to turn down our beds not realising we were already in them! She ran out apologising then called the room again making me get up to answer the phone for another apology. Megan snored through the lot!
The museums were amazing. They were packed and the crowds were jostling, but it was really cool to see the amount of artwork and gold leaf on display. They could cure world hunger with that money... :/
The highlight for me was the Sistine Chapel. This was always going to be 'my moment' and it was. I teared up at the dream coming true as we stood in the hushed chapel, staring at that phenomenal roof. Blown away. I had remembered reading a tip on a blog and instead of exiting with others to the left, persuaded Megan to exist with the tour groups on the right - no one would know we were not on a tour! This way, we went directly around and into the Basilica, no lining up for us! Score!!! The basilica was hard to describe, photos did not do justice to its size or beauty. The Pieta was beautiful. On the way home, we stopped for our first true gelato - it did not disappoint! So good!
We headed back to the hotel for a relax before once again heading out and exploring Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. An early dinner of antipasto and the traditional Italian Aperol Spritz was perfect before we crashed out early, exhausted.
I was alarmed and flew awake when housekeeping came in at about 6pm to turn down our beds not realising we were already in them! She ran out apologising then called the room again making me get up to answer the phone for another apology. Megan snored through the lot!
The journey
So terrible that I never returned to talk about my trip. It was more amazing than I ever dared to dream it would be. I returned with an affinity for Italy that finally went right to my core. I've always felt but having never been, could never be sure how true it was. Now I know. il mio cuore è italiano! My heart is Italian!
Me ready to fly!
So, that September 20, 2015, I met my bestie Megan at the airport in Melbourne, and the trip was underway. We'd both farewelled our children for the duration and were feeling a little teary, but excitement soon overtook us and we checked through our bags and confirmed our seats. We ate a late lunch and wandered the airport before doing our big check in/security rigmarole and making our way to our gate. The flight left at 3pm, and we settled in for the long haul, watching movies and trying to sleep when we could. Far too many hours later we landed safely in Abu Dhabi. It was 11pm at night, and the humidity and heat were amazing. It was still over 30c. We had a few hours between flights and had (wisely) booked some time in the lounge so that we could shower and change and feel a bit more human after the long trip over. Then onward to Rome!!!
That touch down was special and a jolt of electricity shot through me. So excited. My lifelong dream was in motion! We grabbed our bags and found our driver bearing my name on a card in the arrivals area. He drove us directly to our Hotel Raphael, where we checked in, though our room was not yet ready, because we were early. We were able to leave our bags at reception for the day, so we transferred what we needed to our backpacks, and left the suitcases behind as we headed out for the day.
Me ready to fly!
So, that September 20, 2015, I met my bestie Megan at the airport in Melbourne, and the trip was underway. We'd both farewelled our children for the duration and were feeling a little teary, but excitement soon overtook us and we checked through our bags and confirmed our seats. We ate a late lunch and wandered the airport before doing our big check in/security rigmarole and making our way to our gate. The flight left at 3pm, and we settled in for the long haul, watching movies and trying to sleep when we could. Far too many hours later we landed safely in Abu Dhabi. It was 11pm at night, and the humidity and heat were amazing. It was still over 30c. We had a few hours between flights and had (wisely) booked some time in the lounge so that we could shower and change and feel a bit more human after the long trip over. Then onward to Rome!!!
Me at Abu Dhabi
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