John and Kevin's Big Christmas in Italy Adventure

[cdotla]

Sounds like a magnificent vacation, and such a refreshing and original way to spend the holidays.

So glad to hear that you had a great trip...can't wait to hear more on the podcast in the new year!

 

[Rozz]

I have fallen in love with Italy all over again! Your writing is so well rounded, not just descriptive. Thanks for sharing! I will be checking for photos daily.

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I absolutely loved your TR!

Thank you so much for taking us on your trip! It sounds like a fabulous time!

 

[Happydog]

Just stumbled over here and was caught by your Christmas in Italy thread! I love listening to the podcast, and I love listening to you all chat, and I can't wait to hear about this trip! Welcome back and happy new year, and I LOVE ITALY! Murano is nice for the glass, but go to Burano if you can ... much more picturesque.. Not sure if you had already been or went this trip. Just caught you didn't make it to Murano. You visited all of my favorite cities, Roma, Firenze, and Venezia. Isn't San Marco's Square amazing??!! Venice is such a charming city, all of them are, and the water taxi to the airport is a riot, right?! To see Italy at Christmas... How cool.

Glad your travels were safe, and looking forward to next week!

 

[twob4him]

All caught up now! What a fabulous trip....sounded so relaxing and that you had a chance to do a lot without overdoing it! Can't wait to hear more on the podcast and thanks so much for all of the updates! I know it wasn't easy!

 

[basketlacey]

Just caught up on this. Sounds like an amazing trip. Some day when my kids are paid for ( ha) then maybe dh and I can take this kind of trip!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

[tn4mickey]

Thanks for taking time to post. I'm glad you had a wonderful Christmas vacation! Happy New Year!

 

[3girlsfun]

I am so glad I finally decided to come to this board after listening to the podcast for about 6 months. Wow! What a fantastic report, can't wait to hear all about it on the podcast. Glad the trip was fantastic!

 

[novafan]

I'm not a big poster here, but I wanted to let you know that I loved following along on this adventure. We live in Germany (US military) and have been to Italy a handful of times, to many of the places you visited. It sounds like Italy was very good to you. I absolutely love Orvietto and was so happy to hear that ABD stops there. We usually travel on our own (and prefer it that way), but it sounds like ABD does a great job running a group trip.

I'd be curious if you end up in Germany. I'd love to finally be able to make it to a Podcast meet and could make one if you were in Germany. I'll have to take a look at the ABD Germany itinerary.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Can't wait to hear the podcast review of the trip.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Sorry these are late - been a little busy

These are from Part 1 of our Adventure.....Rome:

Our Hotel in Rome

The Trevi Fountain

On our way to the Pantheon from the Trevi Fountain we walked through a small mall. This Christmas decoration seemed to catch everyone's eye.

The Pantheon

Christmas Market in Rome

Disney is everywhere!!!!

St. Peter's Square.....empty.

Inside St. Peter's

The Pieta

 

[pxlbarrel]

Wow ... look at all that empty space. When we went in June, it was wall to wall hoards of humanity. Must remember that December is a good time to visit Rome.

 

[Disney Khi]

Gorgeous shots! Thanks for sharing them. I love that Christmas tree snow globe!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

More pictures. Day 2 - Tuscanny (Orvieto & Florence).

The Tuscan countryside on our way out of Rome.

A random street in Orvieto. I was enchanted.....

Our 'major' purchase this trip - a vase in Orvieto. It stands about 3 feet tall and is gorgeous!!!

Piazza di Signoria - steps from our hotel in Florence.

Florence in the rain on Christmas Eve.

An almost empty Academia. You're not supposed to take pictures in here so I have no idea how this one got in with ours

A wonderful cafe we found right next to the Florence leather market. I want to live here!!! It was called Trattoria San Lorenzo.

 

[Tink rules]

the Vase is beautiful!!! I hope they shipped it for you!

 

[Tink rules]

& can you please share the name of your favorite pottery place?

 

[DisneyKevin]

The store offered free shipping, if you spent over 200 euros.

As you can imagine......we had no problem reaching that price point.

This vase and all of the other pieces we purchased were shipped and insured free of charge.

 

[DisneyKevin]

& can you please share the name of your favorite pottery place?

Ceramiche Giacomini
de Chiara Leonardi
Piazza Duomo
Orvieto 34-05018

+39.0763.343970

email: ceramichegiacomini@virgilio.it

 

[Tink rules]

thanks Kevin! My nephew leaves for Rome in 2 weeks (for a semester) and he will be traveling through that area...

 

[sayhello]

Wow! Lovely vase, guys. Have you received it yet? Where you going to put it?

Sayhello

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Loved following your trip report and love love love seeing your photos....brings back memories from when I went to Italia (Venice, Florence & Rome) Thanks again and Happy New Year to both of you!!