A European Escape: 18 Nights, 5 Countries, One Unforgettable Adventure
This July, my family and I embarked on a journey that we’ll cherish forever. Together with my husband, two teenage children, and my in-laws, we set out on an 18-night European Escape that took us through five incredible countries. From ancient ruins to breathtaking landscapes, our adventure was nothing short of extraordinary. 4 nights in Rome, a 10 night Ocean Cruise, then 3 nights in Barcelona (plus one night on the plane flying over)!
Day 1 - Departure and Arrival in Rome: A Warm Welcome
The journey began with a touch of luxury—Premium Economy seats for our long-haul flight to Rome. If there's one piece of advice I always give, it's to splurge on the best seats possible for those overnight flights. Rest is key, and though sleep was still on and off, we arrived in Rome feeling surprisingly refreshed.
Landing in the early afternoon, we navigated the airport quite easily, thanks to our pre-arranged private transfer. Arriving at our hotel, the Hotel Delle Nazioni, we were greeted with cool, clean rooms just steps away from the iconic Trevi Fountain. I can’t recommend this hotel enough—its prime location and charm made it the perfect base for a Roman adventure.
But oh, the heat! Rome welcomed us with a blazing 35°C. Despite the oven cooker, we ventured out to see the Trevi Fountain, which was as enchanting as I’d imagined, even amidst the crowds. A stop for our first gelato (gluten-free, of course! I'm celiac) was the perfect way to cool off and savor our first taste of Italy.
I always advise against booking anything on your first day in a new destination. Travel can be exhausting, and unexpected delays can happen. We kept it simple, wandering the streets, soaking in the atmosphere, and letting the city reveal itself to us.
Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner right at the on site restaurant —no need to venture far after a long day. It was the perfect end to our first night in Rome, setting the tone for the incredible days ahead.
Day 2 - Discovering Rome: From Ancient Wonders to Hidden Gems
Our second day started with a private tour of the Colosseum and the Forum, including Palatine Hill. Private tours are a game-changer, especially in a city as rich in history as Rome. With a knowledgeable guide, we moved at our own pace, avoiding long lines and diving deep into the stories that make these ancient sites come alive.
The Colosseum, with its grandeur and history, was amazing. The Forum, equally fascinating, was a step back in time, though the heat eventually got the better of us. My in-laws, who have some mobility challenges, found it particularly tough, so we made the wise decision to cut our tour short. Sometimes, you have to adapt, and that’s okay.
The highlight of our day, and perhaps our entire Roman stay, was an afternoon golf cart tour. Split into two carts, we zipped through the city, exploring places we might have missed otherwise. From the panoramic views at the Borghese Gardens to the bustling Piazza Navona and the elegant Spanish Steps, it was an experience we’ll never forget. And yes, we ended the day with more gelato—because, why not?
Dinner that night was at a cozy spot near the Trevi Fountain, a small place called Pizza in Trevi. The food was fantastic, and I’m so glad I made reservations in advance. High season, combined with the heat and our group size, meant that having a plan in place made everything so much smoother.
Day 3 - Vatican Splendor and Serendipity
We started our third day with a change of plans. Originally, we had an in-depth tour of the Pantheon scheduled, but after seeing it the day before, we decided to take a more relaxed approach. Sometimes, the best decision is to let go of plans and just enjoy the moment.
In the afternoon, we visited the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. The art and history within those walls are simply overwhelming. We were fortunate to be among the last allowed through a shorter, less crowded route, making the experience even more special. The Sistine Chapel, though beautiful, felt somewhat distant—the ceiling’s height made it hard to appreciate the intricate details up close. But St. Peter’s Basilica? Absolutely breathtaking. I could have spent hours exploring.
Dinner that night was at Ba’ghetto, a Kosher restaurant in the old Jewish Ghetto. It was a humbling experience, sitting outside on a slightly cooler evening, reflecting on the history of this part of the city. My husband still raves about the carbonara made with cured lamb—it was his favorite meal of the trip!
Day 4 - Rome at Our Own Pace
On our fourth day, we decided to explore on our own. Some of us visited Castel Sant’Angelo, others wandered the streets, while some indulged in a bit of shopping. I always recommend leaving a day free in any city you visit, to explore on your own and make unexpected discoveries.
One such discovery was the old Roman Aqueduct in the basement of Rinascente, a department store near our hotel. This ancient structure still functions today, supplying water to the fountains at the Spanish Steps. It’s these hidden gems that make travel so magical.
This evening, we had a fantastic supper at Mercato Hostaria on a beautiful patio at the Piazza Campo de' Fiori. Oh, the food here was fantastic! I was stuffed by the end of it. But we weren't quite ready to bid Rome farewell.
Our hotel was about a 15 min walk from the hotel and we decided to stroll back. What a glorious decision. This was maybe my favourite part of the entire trip. We wandered the streets slowly, taking in the beautiful Roman evening. While walking we came upon the Pantheon, lit up and beautiful in the evening. After seeing that, we continued on, and came upon Sant’Ignazio Church, and decided to go inside - what a treasure! This church has the most gorgeous ceiling. It's painted in such a way to make it appear that the roof is much taller than it is. Even though it was late evening, there were still many people in the church taking in this amazing site, and they have a great feature of a mirror to see the details without straining your neck. It costs 1 Euro and lights up the ceiling so you can see it (which we totally did). Finally, we stopped at the Trevi Foutain, and made sure to flip a coin in - I can't wait to return!
Day 5 - Farewell to Rome, Onward to New Adventures
Our final morning in Rome was leisurely, with time for one last look at the Trevi Fountain before packing up and heading to Civitavecchia port. We arrived right on time, with our private transfer, ready to embark on the next leg of our European Escape.
Stay tuned for more about the incredible journey that followed! And when you’re ready to plan your own European adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out. With my expertise in European travel and river cruising, I’m here to help make your dream trip a reality.
To book your next dream vacation - when the time is right to travel - reach out to me through email at Alicia@EveningStarTravel.ca, or by calling 587 772 2525. I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta (a suburb of Edmonton), and am a Travel Advisor specializing in River Cruising, Beach Escapes, and Custom Vacations. I am the owner/operator of Evening Star Travel, and I book travel for clients all across Canada.
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