An Adventure In Italy, Disney-Style

I’ve never been much of a group player. In fact anything even remotely hinting of the word “group” makes me run in exactly the opposite direction: group sports, group therapy, groupons. But the most frightening two words for me are “group tours”.

As a travel agent for over thirty years I’ve always prided myself in arriving in a major European city with a stack of guidebooks, a great map, and a carefully prepared itinerary in hand with each day planned in minute detail. Seriously, who needs a guide? Never mind that I arrived exhausted from all that research, and came home exhausted from trying to maneuver myself around a strange and bewildering city.

But with the holidays looming and nothing presenting itself as even remotely exciting I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join up, along with my husband, with an Adventures By Disney Italy tour. I mean, running away to Venice, Florence, and Rome over Christmas, and escaping the craziness at home during the holidays? It just sounded too exciting.

So after four days in Paris on our own (I just couldn’t stand it; I had to experience at least a few days with map in hand) I landed in Rome a day before the rest of the group, over jetlag, and rar’n to go. I knew the drill. Go gather my luggage then wander around the airport until I found the taxi stand.

But wait, is that someone with a sign reading “Adventures By Disney”? Could it be? Yes! And that someone was ready and willing to help with the luggage and place us in a comfortable van that whisked us away to the Hotel Bernini Bristol. Way, way too easy.

The hotel, while touted as five-star, was nice enough although a bit worn around the edges in a few places. But it was also one of those places you knew you would come to love after a few days of pleasant service and easy sleep. Right on the Piazza Barberini and just a 10-minute walk to the Spanish Steps it was one of Rome’s best locations.

We enjoyed our first evening on our own with a hearty feast of rabbit ragu pasta at Ditirambo near the Campo De’ Fiori followed by grappa at our favorite spot overlooking the Parthenon and it’s piazza’s beautiful fountain.

After a perfect day wandering the oh-so-charming and intimate streets of Rome, a city with a fabulous place to eat, a beautiful piazza, and a bubbly fountain around every corner, we meet our other Adventure By Disney travelers at a cocktail reception and dinner at the hotel. Should be interesting. More to follow…..