Italian Adventure April 5, 2012
Buongiorno! For years, I longed to travel to Europe! I heard stories, saw pictures and wondered when I’d ever get there. There were always bills, furniture to buy, or a first home, or bills, or little children, or some good reason why I had never been. I used to half-way joke that my goal was to get there before I needed a walker!
So, six years ago, I was introduced to a small group of women, who travel to someplace special every two years. And since Mr. Wonderful has no interest in such adventures, he totally supported my plans to join the group of “traveling girlfriends”.
Next week, I’ll embark on my very first trip to Italy! I am so excited!
We leave bright and early Wednesday morning and will travel with a layover in Washington D.C., for 22 hours! I already have a heavy duty sleep aid from my doctor, so I can sleep on the long, 16 hour leg of the flight. I even picked up some of those eye covers, at Target, so I can’t see the drool as it’s running down my chin! Very chic!
I’ll hopefully wake up, bright eyed and bushy-tailed, in Rome, around 8:30 Thursday morning! For the first five nights, my roomie, Dorothy and I will be traveling sans the group, so we can explore Rome and Florence, while they head off to Slovenia. Then, we’ll meet up with them outside of Venice, in Padova, and spend the next 8 nights, roaming the streets, museums and restaurants of northern Italy.
If you’d like to see Italy, through the eyes of a first-time visitor, I hope you’ll stay-tuned! There will be wi-fi access at the hotels, so I can share the adventure with you! How did travelers get by before cell phones and wi-fi?
In the mean time, I’ll be packing and taking care of last minute details.
On Easter Sunday, we’re doing another first, going to an outdoor sunrise service. Life is good! Thank you, God!
Ciao!,
Barbara
Don’t write one post! Take the fiber of Italy into your soul and share when you get back…don’t even look at a screen while you are there.
Oh Jane!, the iPad is part of my soul! Sad, but true!
How wonderful! My co-worker just came back from there and had wonderful stories to tell. Just hang on to your purse (and camera). They are notorious for pick pocketing in Rome!
That’s what I’ve heard! Wait until I give them my one-two karate chop!
Barbara, I am soooo excited for you! You are going to have such a great time. It is a great time of year to go, there shouldn’t be too many tourists but still warm enough to enjoy each day. I haven’t been to Italy so I will get to live this through your eyes! Have a great time!
Thanks Diana! I have to work to keep from getting anxious about all the “what if’s”. I’ll do fine once I get there. I’ll do a reconnaissance mission and scope out places you might want to check out when you go. 🙂
Awesome!! I hope you have a wonderful time!!! Take care & safe travels!
Thanks, Lendy!
Have fun. I have been twice to Italy. First time with a travel club through hubby’s employer and second time to go to my son’s Italian in-laws. You will have a blast travelling with ladies like that.
Barbara,
How wonderful of Mr. Wonderful and so excited for you and your traveling girlfriends! I will tune in to absorb and learn all about your adventures!
What a memory you will gain and it’s great to have a supportive husband left behind. I can’t wait for the details. Have a wonderful holiday! I guess it will be a “Roman Holiday”. (Most bloggers would be too young to know about this.)
Gretchen
Buongiorno Barbara,
what a great pleasure to see your blog. I also already very excited to finally start our adventure together and to travel with you through northern Italy. I wish you already great adventures in bella Italia and look forward to meet you in Padova.
Vive LA DOLCE VITA !!
Daniela