We’re off!

Here we go! Our European Disney Cruise 2025 has officially begun. On Tuesday, we flew Madison to Rome via Chicago. Our flights were uneventful. The kids got to sit wherever they wanted on the first flight and then we sat by family group on the long flight. Most people got some sleep except for Mom, Dad and Lillian but we all agreed that it wasn’t the most comfortable flight.

Keely arranged transportation so we collected our luggage (15 carryons and just 2 checked bags plus the strollers - good work team!), made it through customs and found our drivers. The most important rule of the trip? All kids go in the vehicle with their parents so no one is left behind! We piled into the three vans and headed into the city. Rome drivers are crazy and the streets are so narrow but we safely arrived near our apartment building and unloaded our stuff.

We met our host and she showed us the building. We are split between two large apartments on the second and third floor. After orientation, some people changed and we headed out for some exploring. Our first stop was at a butcher and sandwich shop in Piazza della Rotunda near the Pantheon. We ate as we walked the 20 minutes to Monumento a Vittorio. Here we climbed many many steps to get a great view of the city.

From here, we split up. Peter’s family along with Dad, Ainsley and Whitaker went back to the apartment while Keely, Mom, Liam, Odin and I walked another 30 minutes past the Colosium and Roman Forum to Basilica di San Clemente. This 11th century church was built on top of a 4th century church which was built on top of a 1st century space and the history was only discovered about 150 years ago! It was also very cool way down below the church as we walked through the old spaces.

We took a Uber back to the hotel so the five of us could freshen up before dinner at Saltimbocca Ristorante. We enjoyed some pasta and pizzas. By the end of dinner everyone was pretty wiped out (except Griffin and Whitaker who fell asleep before the food arrived) but we saved enough room to get gelato at Frigidarium. The sun wasn’t nearly as hot at this point so we took a nice walk through Piazza Navona enjoying the street performers and fountains.

All in all a pretty good first day! The kids were all in bed by 7:30 and most of the adults were out by 9:30. Tomorrow we tour the Coliseum and a few other areas. Can’t wait!