Thanks to everyone who participated in our Adventures by Disney Destination Poll this spring. The winning destination is ITALY!
Thanks to our friends at MouseFanTravel.com we have an exclusive adults-only Adventure planned for September 3, 2015!
Join Linda Eckwerth and me for an 8-night, 9-day journey through Italy!
Itinerary Highlights:
We begin our adventure in Rome.
Day 1
Check into our hotel — Gran Melia Rome Luxury Urban Resort
Welcome reception and dinner
Day 2
VIP Experience at The Colosseum
Tour some historic sites in Rome including the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain.
Day 3
VIP Private Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Private Tour of Castel Sant’ Angelo
Private After-Hours Tour of the Vatican City Museum, including the Sistine Chapel.
Day 4
After breakfast on Day 4 we travel by motor coach to the Umbrian and Tuscan countryside. On the way we visit Orvieto.
Check into our next hotel Borgo di Cortefreda
Day 5
While in Tuscany we make pasta, experience a wine-tasting and dine in the 13th century Certaldo Monastery with a Medieval-themed banquet from the time of Boccaccio.
Day 6
We depart after breakfast for Florence via motor coach.
We have reserved entry and access to Michelangelo’s David and a tour of the Duomo.
That afternoon, we have a private VIP tour of Palazzo Vecchio.
Day 7
Breakfast and then we take an ITALO high-speed bullet train to Venice.
We will enjoy a private gondola tour of the city.
Private tour of the Piazza San Marco and Basilica
Check into our final hotel, the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice hotel
Day 8
Guided Tour of the Doges Palace, Venetian Carnevale Mask-Making, and our Farewell Dinner is aboard the Jolly Roger schooner.
Day 9
After breakfast it’s time to depart 🙁
Whew! What an itinerary!
Accommodations
Our home in Rome is the Gran Melia Rome Luxury Urban Resort! Experience Old World elegance at this stunning hotel that is enveloped in the scenic beauty of ancient Rome, offering spectacular views of St. Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’ Angelo. Located on the banks of the River Tiber, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the cultural and entertainment attractions of the bustling city, just a short walk from the Vatican. With modern amenities, a magnificent pool and lush gardens, your stay at this urban resort will be truly unforgettable. 3 Nights
In Tuscany we stay at the Borgo di Cortefreda. One of the most exclusive hotels in Tuscany, it combines elegance and style with the true philosophy of wellness. All the comforts of a 4-star hotel: satellite TV, air conditioning, wi-fi and ADSL in room, minibar, hair dryer and telephone. 3 Nights
Our Venice home is the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice hotel. This hotel in Venice was once a flourishing flour mill Beautifully restored, it now houses a hotel unlike any other, offering a different view of Venice. A short, five-minute boat ride from the heart of Venice it offers breathtaking views over the city. 2 Nights
DINING
The Adventure includes 8 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 4 Dinners. The guides will assist you by providing recommendations for the “meals on your own.”
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Arrive: Rome FCO
Depart: Venice VCE
WHY ADVENTURES BY DISNEY
I absolutely love the Adventures by Disney product and each of my experiences on my three trips were equally wonderful. Every little detail is taken care of for you. Your pre-trip planning consists of learning the rich history about the areas you will visit, not trying to determine where to stay and exactly what to do!
Before my first AbD, I found the offerings intriguing, but so expensive. Everyone I spoke with who had done an Adventure raved about it and said it was worth every penny. I had never done an organized tour before, wasn’t sure what I’d think of it. I now stand with those folks and can only sing the praises about the incredible experience.
Here are some of the reasons I love Adventures by Disney:
A Disney representative meets you at the airport and a driver takes you to your hotel!
Every place we went, our rooms were ready and our luggage was already in them! No check-in lines, our guides had us all pre-registered and handed out the keys as we entered the lobby of each hotel.
Our guides were like the Energizer bunnies. No matter what time of day, where we were, or what the situation, they consistently went over and above. They made the Disney Difference.
We were treated like VIPs at almost every place we went. The Disney name goes a long way! We only had to mention at any of the hotels we were with the “Disney” group and folks couldn’t do enough to make us happy.
Not every single moment is planned — free time is built in for your own explorations.
At each stop we had local guides on the tour sharing their knowledge and expertise. They were able to answer just about any question asked and knew the special things to point out to us, things you wouldn’t necessarily find in a printed guide.
It was wonderful to be able to look out the bus windows and see the scenery along the way. Since we weren’t driving, one person wasn’t missing the highlights.
All gratuities are included except for the Disney Guides.
Want to join the fun?
Download this PDF file and contact [email protected]
Here is a 2012 Adventures by Disney Video of this trip. It provides a brief overview, but since it is a couple years old, things could very well have changed.
FIRST-HAND REPORTS ABOUT ADVENTURES BY DISNEY
Read all about my Southwest Splendors Adventure by Disney!
Here’s my trip report from the Backstage Magic Adventure!
Beci shared her Adventure by Disney to Ireland!
Colleen went to South Africa!
Erin enjoyed the Costa Rica Adventures with her family!
WOW!! This Italy trip sounds perfect. Seriously will discuss this with wife for 2015 trip. Disney has not disappointed us yet and expect nothing but greatness.
DEB: Hope you are able to join us. It promises to be amazing!
I am a solo traveler and I hate having to pay a penalty because of it. It seems so unfair but this trip hits all the places on my bucket list for Italy. I would love to do an Adventures by Disney. Is there anyway of getting around the single supplement??? Anyone out there have a suggestion?
Very tempted by this. Just worried how Andrew would cope. Is this feasible with a wheelchair at all?
DEB: Mikki, Here is the info from Adventures by Disney:
Adventures by Disney Special Services.
Adventures by Disney is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our Guests. We hope that the Guest will find this information helpful in planning his trip. The Italy itinerary is not recommended for Guests who cannot transfer as the Motorcoaches and transportation are not lift-equipped.
Activities such as the Castel Sant’Angelo, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Accademia with Michelangelo’s David, Duomo in Florence, tour of the Palazzo Vecchio, gondola tour of Venice, walking tour of Venice, and Venetian Carnevale mask making are not accessible.
Other activities (including the panoramic bus tour of Rome, Roman Forum, walking tour of the historic city center in Rome, walking tour of Orvieto, Fattoria Poggio Alloro pasta making, walking tour of Florence, and guided tour of Doge’s Palace) are partially accessible but may require the Guest to transfer from their wheelchair and/or walk short distances over rough, uneven terrain.
Guests with the ability to transfer, walk short distances over rough, uneven terrain and climb stairs may be able to navigate some of the included activities, but the vast majority of the activities are not accessible. Please be aware that this is an active tour with a lot of walking and physical activity. While this tour is not recommended for Guests with limited mobility, we strongly encourage Guests with limited mobility wishing to participate in this adventure to travel with a companion who will be able to physically assist them as necessary.
For renting a wheelchair in Italy and in order to make an informed decision, Adventures by Disney encourages Guests to check with their own medical supplier company for service and recommendations. Adventures by Disney is not affiliated with, recommending, or responsible for the medical supply company listed here.
Scootaround
Fax – General: 204-478-1172
Phone – International: 204-982-0657
Phone – Toll-Free: 888-441-7575
Website: http://www.scootaround.com
Email: [email protected]
Equipment company for scooters, power chairs, wheelchairs that rents, delivers and picks-up.
This is a wonderful trip. My daughter and I went with Adventures by Disney in 2010, it was amazing!! I would recommend this trip in a heart beat.
Wow this sounds like a wonderful trip. It would be so amazing to visit the country where my dad was born. I have to really think about this one. Hopefully I will be able to join Deb and Linda for this amazing trip.