Our first full day in the Eternal City was full of wow moments. We were skipped lines, had incredible private guides with us all day, were constantly being kept hydrated and had an absolutely unbelievable day as stepped into Rome’s most iconic places.
Adventures by Disney Rome Escape
- Day 1: Benvenuto – Arrival, Welcome Dinner
- Day 2: All Roads Lead to Rome – Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum
- Day 3: Let’s Be Civilized – Walking Tour, Mosaics Class, Farewell Dinner
- Day 4: Arrivederci
- Pin Set
Disney Cruise Line Mediterranean Cruise
- Day 4: Boarding the Disney Dream, Suite Tour, Concierge Lounge, Prima Notte
- Day 5: Port Day in Naples, Italy
- Day 6: At Sea
- Day 7: Port Day in Mykonos, Greece
- Day 8: Port Day in Santorini, Greece
- Day 9: Port Day in Chania, Greece
- Day 10: At Sea
- Day 11: Traveling Home
Breakfast
On all adventures, most of your meals are included, with breakfast served daily. We made our way up to the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop terrace for a divine al fresco breakfast overlooking the ancient city of Rome. I savored every moment of this picturesque start to our day and, of course, every sip of the finest Italian cappuccino.
Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
After breakfast we met our two local guides that would be joining us for the day. A quick bus ride brought us to Vatican City where we disembarked in pure awe of what we were about to experience. Of course, in true Adventures by Disney fashion, we skipped all of the lines :-)
In a huge burst of pixie dust, we were the first Adventures by Disney group to ever have access to the Vatican Gardens! The stunning gardens were tranquil and beautiful and spiritual and I loved that we were given time to soak all of this in. The guides offered priceless knowledge and expertise and we were truly able to enjoy this spectacular place in a way that only Disney could offer.
The Vatican Gardens date back to medieval times when orchards and vineyards extended north of the Papal Apostolic Palace. Pope Nicholas III in 1279 moved his residence to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace, closing this area with walls. He created an orchard, a meadow and a garden.
At the beginning of the 16th century, during the papacy of Julius II, a remodeling of the landscape was carried out and under the original design of Donato Bramante was divided into three new courtyards: the Cortile del Belvedere, the Library Courtyard and the Cortile della Pigna with the landscape design of the Renaissance. Also in Renaissance style a rectangular labyrinth was created made in boxwood (shrubs and small evergreen trees) and framed with pinewood and Lebanon cedar. In the place where Nicholas III built a wall, Bramante built a great defensive rectilinear wall.
The Vatican Gardens of today have numerous fountains, sculptures and artificial caves, generally dedicated to the Virgin Mary and other saints.
Our guide shared many landmarks and the significance of the countless statues, fountains and buildings from our vantage point high inside of Vatican City. We also loved seeing where the smoke comes from on top of the Sistine Chapel when the papal conclave elects a new pope.
Next, our guides took us inside the Vatican Museum—home to masterpieces by the greatest artists in history in a collection spanning 4,000 years. Our step on guide Christina was once again invaluable to our experience. We learned so much about the paintings, statues and tapestries in the second floor galleries.
With every beautiful step, we were more and more excited knowing our journey would culminate in the Sistine Chapel. Our guides gave us plenty of time to sit and soak it all in.
Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
Next, we were off to marvel at the Basilica via St. Peter’s Square—one of the largest churches in the world and a renowned example of Renaissance architecture. The iconic dome dominates Rome’s skyline, and is another stop we’ve very much been looking forward to after marveling at it from the gardens. Initially constructed by Constantine in the early 4th century, it was rebuilt in the 16th century by Bernini, Bramante and Michelangelo. It stands on the site where the apostle Peter was crucified. Considered the first pope, he is buried under the main altar along with other popes who followed. The mosaics were absolutely breathtaking – we could hardly believe they were not paintings.
Mass occurs inside the Basilica every hour at one of the 44 altars, which was magnificent to experience. We also saw a wedding and a baptism! It was just spectacular.
Next year brings Jubilee 25 – a Holy Year of grace, in which the Catholic Church offers the faithful the possibility of asking for a plenary indulgence, that is, the remission of sins for themselves or for deceased relatives. There is much restoration going on around the city, but also so much to learn about how Rome prepares for such an occasion.
St. Peter’s turned out to be our unanimous favorite stop of the day!
St. Peter’s Square
Our morning tour ended in Piazza San Pietro which Bernini designed to embrace visitors in “the maternal arms of Mother Church”. Our guide showed us the third-floor window of the Apostolic Palace from which Pope Francis prays the Angelus on Sundays (second from right, 3rd floor), as well as the basilica’s library balcony from which the pope periodically appears and where each new pope is announced.
Afterwards, we were taken to a Vatican shop on the square, where I chose a cross. It was blessed by Pope Francis Sunday and delivered back to me at the hotel! I cannot think of a better way to remember this day. At the back of the shop we were able to watch a mosaic artist in action. This was a neat little precursor to an activity to come on Sunday!
We were all wowed by the history, spirituality and beauty of this entire morning and I am so grateful I could give our Catholic boys this experience.
Pizza Tasting Lunch
We were absolutely beat from the morning and all we saw, learned and experienced. We took a walk to a local pizzeria for a divine tasting lunch! The pies just kept coming, and the air conditioning and seats felt heavenly.
Colosseum Tour
Our day with the guides concluded in a privately guided tour of the Colosseum. Built by Emperor Vespasian around A.D. 70-72, the Colosseum was a gift to the people of Rome and soon housed spectacles and games as well as wild animal and gladiator combats. We particularly enjoyed the context our guide was able to offer around who the gladiators were (mostly criminals), where they lived and trained, the way the colosseum was designed to fill in 20 minutes with over 50,000 people, the number of latrines built into the stadium and so much more. This was another truly spectacular experience, an engineering marvel, and a pinch me now moment. It is nearly inconceivable that we were standing inside a building built in the year 80.
Evening on Our Own
After a couple hours to rest in the room, we were out for the evening. Exhausted from walking, we asked our guides for dinner reservations close by. Our night started just around the corner from our hotel at dinner. Spoiler alert: We had more pasta! We can’t help ourselves!
After dinner we enjoyed live music and a cocktail at Harry’s Bar, just across the street from our hotel and a place our local step on guide recommended. We must have been the first guests to arrive, but it was bustling by the time we left! Romans start their evenings late. :-)
The Legendary Harry’s Bar the only place that evokes the “Dolce Vita” as if it were an image from the film, creating a flashback in the era of Via Veneto, when Frank Sinatra was playing the piano and the stars made their appearance in this American Bar full of glamor and style. As in the roaring sixties, you can still have a drink, enjoy the piano bar every night and soak in the magic of Via Veneto in the exclusive and fascinating Harry’s Bar.
And, finally, the sweetest ending to a fantastic day!
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