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 
