Italy: Viva Italia Meets Thread

[2-pointdoe]

Just got back from ours on June 29th. We arrived 2 days early and just stayed at the beginning hotel. Our transportation was included from the airport to the hotel; somebody was waiting for us at baggage claim and escorted us all the way. After 14 hours in the air and some layovers it was nice not to have to worry about anything!

FYI - our trip far exceeded our expectations!

Viva Italia would be our first ABD. After traveling on our own, doing all the planning, we decided we would like a trip where someone else handles everything. If we do a pre-trip day, don't we miss out on the ABD transportation from the airport to the hotel? How much did that cost those who didn't use the ABD transportation?

 

[RebelHawk]

Following this thread as we are thinking about doing this trip in the future.

 

[jackienut]

Our family was also on the trip with 2-pointdoe and her family. This was an incredible trip. Do NOT underestimate the importance of the historical guides provided by ABD for each city. Stefano in Rome, Ricardo in Florence, and Marco in Venice. We can also not say enough about our live-in ABD guides, Natalia and Alexa. They are complete professionals who think of everything. On one stop at a gas-convenience shop on our way to Orvieto, I asked Alexa, "so, they really do not care if we use their restrooms without making a purchase?". She said, "don't worry, we take care of that". Little things like this just make traveling so much easier. How would I know where to find 'water closets'.

 

[2-pointdoe]

Natalia and Alexa were the best; pointing out the best 'fancy rooms' (aka water closets), where to shop for the best deals, best places to eat including a hot dog stand for my husband. From the start of the trip to the very end where they stood waving goodbye with their Mickey hands on until we could not longer see them. And Jackienut is so right about the local guides! Fantastico. The most surprising part of the trip was the bonds created with the other families.

Our family was also on the trip with 2-pointdoe and her family. This was an incredible trip. Do NOT underestimate the importance of the historical guides provided by ABD for each city. Stefano in Rome, Ricardo in Florence, and Marco in Venice. We can also not say enough about our live-in ABD guides, Natalia and Alexa. They are complete professionals who think of everything. On one stop at a gas-convenience shop on our way to Orvieto, I asked Alexa, "so, they really do not care if we use their restrooms without making a purchase?". She said, "don't worry, we take care of that". Little things like this just make traveling so much easier. How would I know where to find 'water closets'.

 

[2-pointdoe]

It was amazing!!!

Following this thread as we are thinking about doing this trip in the future.

 

[gmc824]

I am following this thread also, as my 19yo daughter and I are signed up for the adult exclusive trip next May (14th through 21st). It will be our 3rd ABD trip (SoCal Backstage Magic, Costa Rica), but our 1st adult exclusive one. So if anyone is signed up for this trip next year, please introduce yourself! Would love to find others who are going with us. Also, if anyone can give some insight on adult exclusive trips or the Italy trip in general, any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sayhello]

I am following this thread also, as my 19yo daughter and I are signed up for the adult exclusive trip next May (14th through 21st). It will be our 3rd ABD trip (SoCal Backstage Magic, Costa Rica), but our 1st adult exclusive one. So if anyone is signed up for this trip next year, please introduce yourself! Would love to find others who are going with us. Also, if anyone can give some insight on adult exclusive trips or the Italy trip in general, any information would be greatly appreciated.

What kind of info are you looking for on Adult Only trips?

Sayhello

 

[2-pointdoe]

Can't comment about the adult exclusive part but we just got back from Italy.

I wish I had been more prepared to spend money and luggage space on more leather and gold in Florence and more murano glass in venice!!

Lots of walking and make sure you meet the shoulder and knee coverage requirements for the churches. We did a pre trip to Vesuvius and Pompeii and are so glad we took the time for it.

If you have any specific questions, just ask.

I am following this thread also, as my 19yo daughter and I are signed up for the adult exclusive trip next May (14th through 21st). It will be our 3rd ABD trip (SoCal Backstage Magic, Costa Rica), but our 1st adult exclusive one. So if anyone is signed up for this trip next year, please introduce yourself! Would love to find others who are going with us. Also, if anyone can give some insight on adult exclusive trips or the Italy trip in general, any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RebelHawk]

I wish I had been more prepared to spend money and luggage space on more leather and gold in Florence and more murano glass in venice!!

If you have any specific questions, just ask.

Did the vendors offer shipping back to the US? We've transported fragile purchases back from Europe in the past and think we're going to start looking at shipping options in the future.

 

[2-pointdoe]

Did the vendors offer shipping back to the US? We've transported fragile purchases back from Europe in the past and think we're going to start looking at shipping options in the future.

Yes most of them did, some free and some with a charge, and our guides were able to tell who did what. The farm with the pasta making offered shipped wine with the cost going down by the amount purchased.

I didn't think to budget for the leather and gold shopping though, guess the whole Italian leather thing never crossed my mind.

 

[gmc824]

What kind of info are you looking for on Adult Only trips?

Sayhello

Nothing in particular or specific. Neither of our ABD trips have been the adult only variety, so they've had a "family" feel. Just curious to hear from anyone that's done both if there's any different vibe with the group.

 

[sayhello]

Nothing in particular or specific. Neither of our ABD trips have been the adult only variety, so they've had a "family" feel. Just curious to hear from anyone that's done both if there's any different vibe with the group.

There is definitely a different vibe. And I like it. On the Adults-Only trips, folks seem to feel a bit more able to be child-like, because they don't have to worry about Adulting for the kids. The Adults get to do a lot of things that only the kids do on normal family departures (the race at the Olympic Stadium in Greece for example) and the Guides can feel free to substitute activities that involve Adult beverages, too. I've enjoyed my trips that weren't Adults Only, too, but I just, overall, like Adults Only better.

Sayhello

 

[elat27]

Natalia and Alexa were the best; pointing out the best 'fancy rooms' (aka water closets), where to shop for the best deals, best places to eat including a hot dog stand for my husband. From the start of the trip to the very end where they stood waving goodbye with their Mickey hands on until we could not longer see them. And Jackienut is so right about the local guides! Fantastico. The most surprising part of the trip was the bonds created with the other families.

I was on the trip right after yours and we were lucky enough to have Natalia and Alexa. I can't believe how incredible our adventure was. If the guides for the other trips are even half as fantastic as those two ladies, I would be thrilled. What an amazing experience!

 

[OhanaCuz]

I was on the trip right after yours and we were lucky enough to have Natalia and Alexa. I can't believe how incredible our adventure was. If the guides for the other trips are even half as fantastic as those two ladies, I would be thrilled. What an amazing experience!View attachment 336876

I love this picture but have to ask, can you fly?

 

[elat27]

I love this picture but have to ask, can you fly?

But of course! That was our amazing guide, Alexa waving to my son in the window above.

 

[Donalyn]

I'm so looking forward to this trip, next June. We are less than 11 months out! (So excited to do the international thing with the kids and not to have to worry about logistics!)

 

[SonnyEclipseFan]

Thanks for providing all this great information. We are scheduled for this adventure on July 16th 2019. Our travelling party will be my wife and I, our two twin boy Nephews (15 years old when we travel, and their two grandparents. We are beyond excited about this trip.

 

[Grifdog22]

Want to do a positive shout out for our Adventure Guides Casey and Alexa in Italy. This was a September 2018 adults only Italy trip and we "deviated from the script" for a few hours outside of Florence. Alexa advised that because we had been so good at being timely, we were ahead of schedule and we made a surprise stop (maybe it is a regular stop, I don't know - they did have bathrooms...) at the Florence Italy American WWII Cemetery and Memorial. There are about 4400 US Soldiers buried here. The cemetery and grounds are operated by the USA Battle Monuments Commission. This was a very moving and spiritual visit honoring our fallen Americans from WWII. At the conclusion, veterans in our group were invited to retire the colors for the evening.

 

[sayhello]

Want to do a positive shout out for our Adventure Guides Casey and Alexa in Italy. This was a September 2018 adults only Italy trip and we "deviated from the script" for a few hours outside of Florence. Alexa advised that because we had been so good at being timely, we were ahead of schedule and we made a surprise stop (maybe it is a regular stop, I don't know - they did have bathrooms...) at the Florence Italy American WWII Cemetery and Memorial. There are about 4400 US Soldiers buried here. The cemetery and grounds are operated by the USA Battle Monuments Commission. This was a very moving and spiritual visit honoring our fallen Americans from WWII. At the conclusion, veterans in our group were invited to retire the colors for the evening.
View attachment 354033

How very cool!!

Sayhello

 

[floridadream]

Want to do a positive shout out for our Adventure Guides Casey and Alexa in Italy. This was a September 2018 adults only Italy trip and we "deviated from the script" for a few hours outside of Florence. Alexa advised that because we had been so good at being timely, we were ahead of schedule and we made a surprise stop (maybe it is a regular stop, I don't know - they did have bathrooms...) at the Florence Italy American WWII Cemetery and Memorial. There are about 4400 US Soldiers buried here. The cemetery and grounds are operated by the USA Battle Monuments Commission. This was a very moving and spiritual visit honoring our fallen Americans from WWII. At the conclusion, veterans in our group were invited to retire the colors for the evening.
View attachment 354033

Beautiful- thanks for sharing!