Seven days ago I was getting on a plane to fly to Italy. I was thrilled to be invited to Rome for a press event. I will tell you about the event later in the week, but I wanted to share some of my adventure with you.
I left home on Sunday evening and headed to the Hotel near the airport, as our flight was 8.30am. I met up with the lovely Briony, who I had met via Twitter when the guest list came out and the wonderful PR Ben, plus some others who were coming on the trip. I still had posts to write, so after dinner I retreated to my room to finish those which would go live while I was away.
We woke early and headed to the Airport. I had only been abroad three times before and never on my own (without family or a partner), but I was really looking forward to the experience and having a break from being ‘mummy’, just for a little while.
When we arrived in Rome, we went straight to the event and were there all afternoon; enjoying a yummy lunch, being shown around and trying to absorb as much info as possible.
Our first Italian hotel was Enea and there were views of mountains and the town from my room. Oh and it was VERY wet in Rome!
Next stop was a Vineyard for wine tasting! Don’t mind if I do! We had a tour, which would have been a little better had it not been throwing it down outside, but fabulous nevertheless.
We were treated like royalty and enjoyed appetizers with the vast selection of wines served to us. Then through to a fabulous dining room (with a wine boat in the middle!) for a really incedible meal. A different wine with every course and believe me, they wouldn’t stop filling our glasses up!
The food was beautiful and the service impeccable. We drank, we laughed and we tried some REALLY strong cheese; wow it was like a bush tucka challenge! Then it was back to the hotel to try to get some sleep before the excitement that awaited us the following day.
As Tuesday dawned we set off to the track to drive cars all day. As said, I will talk more about the specifics of the event in another post, but let’s just say the day was fabulous and I was a passenger in a Ferrari at 200 mph.
A day I will remember for a long time. I will remember the rain too! It was monsoon-like at times and in some pictures it looks like the cars are being driven on the sea.
At lunchtime I received a message from my lovely friend Katy, something along the lines of ‘Whaaaaa’, which was Katy speak for you have been shortlisted in the BiBs! So while trying to remain professional, I also started responding to all the lovely messages on my social media feeds. Such an exciting day.
We boarded another coach to take us to our final hotel, this time in the centre of Rome. La Griffe Luxury Hotel was an interesting hotel; very dark in the communal areas, but white and red in the rooms. I was lucky to have a jacuzzi bath in my room, so I quickly tested it out before rushing to the hotel bar, to meet the others.
Again the coach beckonded us, and we were taken into the old town to eat at L’Antico Moro, who have their own particular brand of customer service…
As we had come to expect, the courses were plentiful and the wine was flowing (although I think we had been totally spoiled by the first evening’s wine). We raised a couple of glasses to my celebrations. We were accosted as we were trying to call the lift in our hotel, by some members of our party who were heading to a local Irish bar. You know, when in Rome?!.. I just had one before retiring for the night.
Our final day arrived a little more wearily than the others had (see the HUGE bags under my eyes for proof of weariness!) and we set off with our amazing tour guide to see the sights of Rome. A quick tour on the coach, before he took us on foot to all the wonderful sights.
The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Palantine Hill, the Roman Forum and countless fountains and statues! It was totally breathtaking (sometimes literally on those stairs!).
My awesome friend Sally, who noticed that this Roman dude looked like he was taking a selfie!
Sally, Briony and I enjoying gelato in the sun!
We stopped to buy gelato and tat gifts for our kids, before heading to lunch, this time at a restaurant close to the airport. After posing for a group shot, we headed to the airport and started scouring the shops for suitable souvineers
The whole trip had been such an amazing adventure, but I was so keen to be reunited with Mr Hubby and Baby. The longest I have been away from her before is one night, so I couldn’t wait to see her little face.
I hope you enjoyed a snapshot of my Italian adventure? Do you love Rome?
Linking up with
Jaime at The Olivers’ Madhouse for #MagicMoments 
Comments 38
oooh lucky you, looks like you had an amazing time. My sister was in Rome last week too – I’m so jealous of all the lovely photos, it’s always been high on my ‘to visit’ list!
Wow so lucky, that sounds like an amazing trip away! I went to Rome on my honeymoon but it was just a day trip off a cruise so we didn’t get to see much. It’s definitely on my list of places to go back to!
Sounds like a fab trip ! Lucky you indeed bet you loved it !
I really really want to visit Rome! It’s on my travel wish list. Can’t wait to read all about your experiences, the Ferrari sounds very exciting! Xx
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It was such a great adventure xx
Sounds like an utterly amazing adventure .. can’t wait to hear more!
Thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
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It was awesome honey xx
Just wow that is my idea of a great flying visit! #MagicMoments
I knew you would love it! Rome is such a magical place and wow oh wow! What an amazing trip. Wine, Ferraris, amazing food and historic sights? What a trip! So glad you loved it xxx
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It was incredible huni, I am very grateful to get invited along! 🙂 xxx
Wow, it sounds like a magical experience! I would love to go to Italy one day, it just looks stunning. #magicmoments
It was an amazing trip wasn’t it! I’m really confused how I missed the floating man though, how much wine had I drank?
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Fabulous huni! Well he was dressed in bright orange……! 🙂 x
I’ve never been to Rome, but it sounds wonderful, I’d have loved to be there for the track day!
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It was a really great experience xxx
What an exciting few days.Looks like lots of fun ! #MagicMoments
Haha Katy speak! Looks like such a fun trip- not loving the sound of the cheese, I am a cheddar girl myself xxxx
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Oh mate, it was rank! I like melted cheddar and this was painful it was so strong, but was like a challenge to eat it xxx
Fast cars and wine! I likes what I sees!
It looks Like you had an abolsutely wonderful time 🙂
Ps I love that maxi dress!
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Thanks, it is just from New Look x
What an amazing trip, my lovely! Rome is one of the few places Ihaven’t been to and really really want to visit, It looks like despite the rain, you all made the most of it.
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It was awesome and we were blessed with the weather on the sightseeing day x
Awww that looks like an awesome trip! I love the Architecture and thanks for sharing =) #magicmoments
Wows it looks like great fun was had by all. You look amazing lovely even with when you think you have bags under your eyes. Good food, good wine and an Irish bar, what’s not to love? Glad you had a fabulous time x
How fantastic, and lots of great photos =)
Rome is one of my favourite cities in the world, but we haven’t been for at least 10 years (i.e. pre-kids), although we’re regular visitors to Tuscany. I love the history, the style and the atmosphere of the city – it’s one of those citieis like London that exudes a combination of the ancient and the modern in a way that very few cities do.
Sounds amazing – like the look of the cars! And the wine … We are off to Rome too on Saturday and can’t wait 🙂 although don’t think we will be driving super cars and getting wined and dined 😉 x
What a great trip and that selfie pic is priceless! And congrats on your BiBs nomination, well deserved xx #brilliantblogposts
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Ah thanks hun x
Wow what amazing adventures you had! The wine tasting looks so lovely, and riding in a Ferrari must have been unreal. I’m looking forward to reading about the press event 🙂 x #brilliantblogposts
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Goes live in the morning! x
Looks like such a fab trip chick and you look so happy. I lived in Rome after uni and have holidayed there a lot, amazing atmosphere-the culture, food fashion, and most importantly the people. You’ll have to return with hubby and baby. Loved this post. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x
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Thanks you honey, it was a great trip x
It sounds like the itinerary was very busy!
I do love Italy and have been a few times now. We are lucky to have some friends in various locations, which makes the trips much cheaper.
And yes, the lovely wine….
#brilliantblogposts
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It was full on! x
Looks like you had an amazing trip, no wonder you were tired by the last day, hehe.
Rome looks great – I *nearly* went there a couple of years ago, but it was when I was on a cruise and it was quite a trek from port to city (and back again). We decided our idea of fun wasn’t sitting 4 hours on a bus when we only had 9-10 hours in port!
Especially as I couldn’t imagine we’d be satisfied with only 5 hours in Rome itself – I know I’d want longer than that to get a feel for the city.
Thanks for sharing all your fun photo’s. Look forward to catching up on the other posts of your trip 🙂
#brilliantblogposts
I’ve never been to Rome, but going back to Italy’s definitely on my wish list. Looks like it was an amazing trip, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about it.