2024 Italian Sojourn- ROME May 14

Tuesday, we got up at 6 and Francesco from Just Chilling Suites drove us to our meeting point for our Skip-the-Line Vatican tour with Viator. We had a small group of 10 with guide Lucia.  Knees and shoulders must be covered for this tour. Scarf vendors came around to accommodate those who did not prepare.  Our entry time was 8:30 a.m. We toured part of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. No pictures were allowed in the Sistine Chapel.  It was full of people looking up!  We felt rushed through all of this. We were done at 11:00.  All of the tour was very crowded except the Vatican Garden. 25,000 people a day go through.  It was a sunny, beautiful day, high 80F. 

Outside in St. Peter's Square

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Dome in St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's altar in Basilica

Tombs of popes under Vatican

Mosaic of Garden of Gethsemene

Swiss Guards at Vatican

St. Peter's Square

Ancient ruins in Rome

We had lunch before walking to the Pantheon which had very long lines, so we skipped it and went back to our rooms by taxi. After a brief rest we walked to the train station to buy tickets to Florence on Thursday.  We then walked to dinner where we had pasta, meat antipasti, beer and wine.  

We walked to Trevi Fountain at about 8:00 (almost dark) where we threw a coin over our shoulders to ensure we'd return to Rome.  It was quite crowded but beautiful.  We then walked to the Spanish steps which were also very crowded- we did not walk up.  After stopping for gelato, we walked back to our rooms by 10 p.m., very sore and tired! Over 25,000 steps.

Spanish steps at night-no sitting allowed

Column of Immaculate Conception

Trajan's Column

Statue of Trajan

Piazza Navona in Rome

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona

Back street of Rome

Mask shop in Rome

Narrow streets of Rome

2024 Italian Sojourn TRAVEL DAY May 12-13

Sunday May 12, we left home at 7:45 a.m. to drive to Minneapolis. Our flight left at 4:00 p.m. and stopped at Atlanta. Then at 7:30 p.m. we left for Rome. It was hard to sleep on the plane, even though we had a nice meal with wine and watched movies.  We arrived at Rome FCO airport around 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday May 13 (4:30 a.m. CST).  We met our Canadian friends Marilyn and Larry at the airport, and met Bruno from Just Chilling Suites who drove us to the lodging, pointing out various sites on the way.  

Very spacious rooms with private bathroom

We took a very old elevator (2 person max) to our third floor spacious rooms. We checked in, changed our clothes, and then walked around the neighborhood (near the Colosseum). We had a beer outside the Santa Maria de Maggiore cathedral which was close by and did go inside to see it. 

Druid's Den Irish bar

Streetside cafe outside cathedral

Cathedral exterior

High altar

Underground altar

Street outside hotel

We found pizza at Molina's, stopped at a few bars before turning in at 9:00 p.m.  Fell asleep easily! It was a long day.

2024 Cancun Mexico with Kelly and Billy’s Family

Sunday, March 24

We flew from McAllen, TX through Dallas, to Cancun.  We arrived around 1:30 pm, took a van to the resort, Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, in the hotel zone.  Beautiful place, we were greeted with smiles and champagne, and a short orientation before being shown to our beach view room.  

We met the kids in the pool and stayed until it was time for dinner.  Kelly had made dinner reservations for us each of the five nights. This first night we had dinner on the beach at Nah K'aax. Different kinds of tacos, including ribeye and brisket. YUM!   After dinner we had gelato at the gelato place inside, then watched the girls sing Karaoke. Lots of fun!  Will fell asleep in Kirk's arms.

Monday-  March 25

A beautiful calm morning but the wind picked up during the day.   We enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast and went to the pool soon after. Most of the chairs were already claimed.  There were huge waves in the ocean, the kids and adults had fun.  Kirk and I had lunch at Isla Contoy, overlooking the water- seafood and Indian food buffet which was very good.  We spent some time in the lobby playing cards with Emily, then back to the pool until 5.  

There was a Mexican fiesta on the pool deck- very nice decorations, as well as vendors selling jewelry and souvenirs.  Kids had their faces painted, before the huge buffet dinner and Mexican show by the pool.

Tuesday, March 26

We slept in, and went to buffet breakfast then to the pool by 9:30.  Played in the water, girls had fun snorkeling in the pool, Will and Bumpa threw the football around while I floated away... We played cards in the room for awhile with Emily and Will for a break.  Had dinner at LaJoya, a very nice Mexican restaurant, had sea bass and fish ceviche.  All was very good. We passed around all the desserts.  A mariachi band went around the restaurant playing music.  We went to the beach to watch the fire show, which was very impressive. Kids had fun playing in the waves while we waited for the show.

Wednesday, March 27

We got the hang of reserving pool chairs during Kirk's early morning walkabout.  After buffet breakfast we played cards in the room with Will and Emily.  In the pool by 9:45.  We had wonderful bar service from Alex, our waiter.  Spent all day playing in the pool and ocean.  Weather has been fabulous! Alex and Lindsey showed up as a surprise, just for one night.

We all went to Torii hibachi restaurant, which everyone enjoyed.  We took Emily and Will to our room to play and stay overnight. The rest of the group went to the magic show then karaoke.

Thursday March 28

Went to the Isla Contoy overlooking water for buffet breakfast- family joined us. We went back to room to check in for tomorrow's flight.  Windy again today- still no parasailing.  We took Anna across the street to the "mini-mall" to buy souvenirs and t-shirts. (best buys at the supermarket).  

Met the family at the pool, stayed until 4:00.  Adults went to LeBasilic French restaurant- 6 course set menu with wine pairings. We were the only group at the early seating.  We even had a ballet couple entertain us.  Fabulous food and service. I tried escargot.   Lovely venue too. 

Friday March 29

We had to get up at 3:25 to get a taxi to the airport. Surprisingly there were no airline workers at the counters until 5:00- we had to check our baggage, so we were in the front of the line!  Had breakfast in the food court while we waited for our 7:40 flight.  Very expensive!  At Dallas airport the flight attendant ordered me a wheelchair, because we had so far to go, and had to go through customs.  What a good idea! (I had twisted my knee on the flight to Cancun and could not walk far). We got to McAllen at 4:30 where Arlene picked us up.  What a nice trip with our kids and grandkids!!