We chose this escape so that we could pack in as much of Rome in as little time as possible before boarding the Disney Dream to Greece. And boy did this part of the trip deliver! There is NO way we could have possible seen and done all of this on our own.
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
We had another early start, but still managed to take our time in enjoying the delicious included breakfast on the rooftop terrace of the hotel.
Privately Guided Walking Tour of Rome
This morning we took to the streets and ancient byways of Rome to visit the spectacular destinations we’ve always dreamed of seeing. With the knowledge and expertise of our guides, we explored the city center, starting with the famed Spanish Steps.
Our next stop was the Trevi Fountain. We had time for coffee and a snack in the cafe. And yes, of course we tossed our coins into the fountain to ensure our return to Rome!
Our visit to the Pantheon was another spectacular experience. With the knowledge of our guides, we were able to truly take in the most preserved monument of ancient Rome. Completed in 125 AD as a temple dedicated to the Gods, it has been a Catholic Church since 609. Walking through 2,000 year old original doors is not something you get to do every day.
Gelateria Della Palma Roma
After the Pantheon, we saw a few more sites on our walk to GELATO! Our guides treated us to a cup or cone of our choice at Gelateria Della Palma Rome. I chose my two faves from last summer – nutella and amarena cherry. Divine. The boys also ran into a cafe for breakfast #2. :-)
Basilica of SantโAgostino
Next in Campo Marzio we visited the Basilica of Sant’Agostino (1483) with our guides. The history around this church was simply fascinating and the inside was stunning. I especially loved the 1606 painting Madonna of Loreto by Caravaggio and the Statue Madonna del Parto (Our Lady of Childbirth).
Piazza Navona & Stadiums
Our final landmark of the Escape was the Piazza Navona. Defined as a public space in the last years of 15th century, Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture and art.
We learned that Rome is a city of layers. With the passing of time, with reconstructions, with debris from fires and all too frequent flooding, the Romans would raise their city upward, building anew on top of the old. The space currently occupied by the Piazza Navona was originally the Stadium of Domitian, built by Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus in 80 AD. Following the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, the stadium fell into ruin, being quarried for building materials. There are just a few remains of that today, which we toured with our guide! In the second photo you can see Rome of 80 versus Rome of 2024.
Mosaics Class
One thing I adore about Adventures by Disney is how they weave together an itinerary with culture, landmarks, experiences, adventure, art, history and food. There are always parts of the itinerary that I never would have thought to plan on my own – either for lack of interest or lack of knowing it exists. It never fails that I walk away from that SO glad I did it!
In this experience, located in the Stadium of 80 AD, we pieced together our own masterpieces in a hands-on class on the art of mosaic-making. I was thrilled at how my boys embraced this activity and we cannot wait to bring home our very own mosaic souvenirs.
La Campana Lunch
We were on our own for lunch and the rest of the afternoon! On a whim, I googled “oldest restaurant in Rome”. I was delighted to not only find it a short walk from the Stadium, but also that it had great reviews. A constant theme of this trip has been how old everything is, and dining in the 500 year old family run La Campana restaurant was a WIN with my crew! Afterwards we decided to make the mile walk home, soaking in more sights and scenes along the way. (Also “soaked in” the 136 Spanish Steps that were not as easy to ascend this afternoon as they were to descend this morning. LOL)
Farewell Dinner
The farewell dinner is always bittersweet, and this one was no exception. It’s amazing how well we got to know our fellow adventurers and guides in such a short time. We dined at our hotel’s stunning rooftop restaurant and enjoyed a spectacular sunset, delicious food, copious amounts of wine and the best company a girl could ask for. The best part?! Our Adventure crew singing “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” to John in honor of his graduation. <3
It’s been a bucket-list few days. Tomorrow we board the Disney Dream!
All About Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney are expertly planned and guided group tours visiting over 40 destinations across 7 continents. You can visit the worldโs most iconic locations with Disney as your guide and your storyteller, and enjoy experiences, activities, dining and adventures in a way that only Disney can do. This is not a theme park tour with Mickey Mouse and popcorn buckets. These are trips around the world where you experience the service and VIP treatment that Disney is known for.
Now Booking through 2025! Here are just a few of the destinations you can visit with Disney:
- AFRICA โ Egypt & South Africa
- ASIA PACIFIC – Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia
- CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA – Costa Rica, Galรกpagos Islands, Peru
- EUROPE โ British Isles, Poland / Austria / Czech Republic, England and France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Sicily (NEW!), Spain
- NORTH AMERICA โ Alaska, Canadian Rockies, Disneylandยฎ Resort and Southern California, Wyoming, Arizona / Utah
There are so many ways to follow along on our trip and see why I am so passionate about Adventures by Disney!
- What Makes AbD SO Special – blog post here
- Dixie Travels Business Page on Facebook – like it here
- Dixie Travels Instagram – follow here
- My Germany AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Montana & Wyoming AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My New England AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Italy & Switzerland AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Scotland Adult Exclusive AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Rome Escape AbD Trip Report – read on here
If you’re ready to learn more, I’d LOVE to talk your ear off about YOUR adventure! :-) My job is to handle all of the details so you can enjoy the anticipation of your trip without the stress and time commitment of โfiguring everything outโ. I am one of very few travel advisors that personally travels with Adventures by Disney โ having taken SIX different trips in just 7 years – and can guide you every step of the way. On top of that, family vacations are expensive and my experience and attention to detail make it possible to get the most out of your vacation dollars. Best of all, booking through me does not cost one cent more than doing it on your own.