Our journey started when Tara’s Travels asked us what we wanted to do in Italy….I can’t believe I’m putting this in print, but I said I wanted to see the Vatican City and Rome and I’d be happy with anything else we could get done in a week….I did not know that the Vatican City was in Rome. I decided that I needed to get out my book, “Catholicism for Dummies” and re-read the chapter on the Vatican City. Bob’s mom Jan recommended we see Cinque Terre. Since we didn’t give Tara’s Travels too much direction, we are very lucky she took the initiatative to make our 7 days in Italy amazing.
After wishing Dan well that morning (he’d be staying with Amy and JP Fassbender for the week) and taking Rachel and Brock to Mary Ann’s (our in home daycare provider whom was watching the kids that day until Jan picked them up for the rest of the week and then my parents were watching them), our adventure began. Our friend Beau was nice enough to take us to the airport. It was very, very, very boring flying without children. I kept looking around for someone to take care of. We flew from Madison to Chicago and then Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany. I slept most the flight off and on. Bob watched movies. Arriving in Frankfurt, we both entered a European country for the first time in which English was the not the main language (I had been to England in high school). Going into customs, we were told bluntly by the German passport guy that our passports were not valid….we had not signed them yet. Oops.
Flying from Frankfurt to Milan, we passed over the amazing Alps. We were excited to see Tara, and re-read her instructions. Something about a bus, train, and how to ask for tickets in Italian. Yeah, there was no way I could even attempt to say that. We got onto a bus to the city central….a bus that did not have its air conditioning on. In fact, I think I was sitting on top of the heater. At least that is my excuse on why I could not stay awake during the bus trip. Bob was getting nervous on whether we were going the right way. We arrived at the city central station and as soon as I got off the bus a gentleman came to get my luggage and wanted to help us. I thought what a nice guy, but Bob said he did not want to pay someone to take our luggage. When Bob realized no one around us was speaking English, he caved in. Not that our guy really spoke English, but I showed him what Tara had written for us to get tickets and he helped us. We bought our tickets and waited for the train. Bob had to go to the bathroom…..it took him a little while, but he figured out that he needed to pay to go. We got on the train and 1 hour and 45 minutes we met Tara! Yeah!
Being in Italy was bringing back my memories of London….everything is so old and beautiful. The streets are quaint.
Our dinner with Tara’s co-workers was great. We figured out quickly that Italians eat 2 main courses. There was not one obese person in this country, so I guess they must burn all that food off walking everywhere! Tara also told us that since they didn’t have preservatives in their foods that is why they feel they are thin. Again, pretty sure it is the walking and their way of life. No one seemed stressed. Everything you read about Italians….how passionate they are, happy….it is ALL true. Everyone made us feel so welcomed and we did not deal with one single rude person the entire time (besides some crazy drivers in Rome). I felt we received a true authentic experience dining with Tara’s co-workers….we were sad that we were SOOO sleepy for the end. After dessert and coffee, we ended with good-byes and even received the European kisses on the cheeks. Torino was where we heard the least amount of English spoken and felt the least touristy. I had given up chocolate for Lent, so needless to say the chocolate from Torino was heavenly.
Since Tara did such a great job with a synapse of the trip, we’ll just add our brief thoughts. Our favorite thing on the trip was Cinque Terra. Perhaps we felt like we were living in a postcard or the fact that I’m biased about being near water made this so, but it felt “Italian.”. There were parts of the hike I did not like, since I am a poor swimmer and the sea was crashing into rocks one slip away. I actually told Bob and Tara if we fell for them to save themselves, as I was pretty sure I wouldn’t last long.
Our trip seemed blessed…we’d randomly find streets we were looking for and practically have our hotels plop onto our laps. I guess we’re lucky travelers.
I can’t describe the feeling walking into St. Peters. I vividly remember walking into St Pauls in London, but the way my breath was taken away when I walked into St. Peters will forever be etched into my memory. As for Rome, the beauty is everywhere. For those whom have done the Road to Hana in Maui and after 20 waterfalls you stop even noticing them…..the artwork, sculptures, history is at every turn in Rome (and Italy for that matter), but for some reason I never stopped noticing it. The ceilings of their buildings are more beautiful than our artwork.
Other “American” things….it was interesting how there were beautiful marble staircases in the hotels, yet the shower could barely fit Bob. The only other negative was that there was so much graffiti in Rome too. Tara told us that most of it is political, but it was still sad to see this historic city covered with it.
As much as I love to travel, I also love to go home…..most often because I get so sick of eating out. However, in Italy, every meal felt like a home-cooked meal! Bob and I both love Italian food and it certainly lived up to our expectations. I also love seafood and it was awesome.
I was very concerned about missing the kids too much to enjoy myself, but Tara’s Travels kept us so busy, I did not miss them too much. It helped that every time we called they were having a blast with their grandparents. We are SOOO lucky to have parents that would watch our kids while we vacationed. There were also many moments of confusion where we weren’t sure where we were going, etc. (i.e. the Cinque Terra 2 hour sneak route and then 15 minute hike to our room) that were not kid friendly. Also, a 4 year old and 1 year old can’t appreciate how old and amazing this country was. We know that Dan would have loved it, but we told him that he can backpack across Europe after he graduates from college.
Torino, Alba, Cinque Terre, Rome, Florence, Milan….wow!
We’ll go back someday for Venice and Sicily. WE LOVED ITALY! A huge thanks to Tara’s Travels….we are so lucky to have a great friend that has international connections. Those tears you saw in her pictures at the train sending her home were genuine. We loved every second of the trip and didn’t have one instance when we didn’t get along….actually, both Bob and I agreed that we don’t think we would have had nearly as much fun without Tara. I guess we’re going to have to invite her to all our trips from now on! Disney is in 6 days TJ, so better get your bags packed!
