Greetings from Italy – What an adventure we are having!
It was with complete and utter excitement that Lauren and I boarded our flight to Italy on September 19. It seemed I was more nervous than Lauren – probably because she is so innocent and naive and it was I who had the “big plan” to sort in my head.
We were flying with Emirates who left no stone unturned in ensuring that Lauren was calm and supported. The biggest help was in letting us board first and getting us off first as this meant that the build up of crowds was avoided. What a huge difference this made! I cannot recommend Emirates when it comes to additional needs more highly!
Things got off to the best possible start by having a 9.35pm flight….Lauren is a very routine sleeper so this basically meant that she was ready to shut eye as soon as we boarded. One Melotonine tablet and off to sleep we both went.
It seemed a blink of the eye before we landed in Dubai, the stopover on the way to Rome. Here was our second example of support for Lauren. Where we got off the plane to where we had to board the next one was a huge distance so we got to ride on the airport caddy car and Lauren said “I am so glad I have autism”. It was a classic.
With the same great support getting on the plane, we were soon on our way to Rome. The flight definitely felt “shorter” than I expected and Lauren handled it all superbly.
We arrived at Rome Airport and somehow managed to find our way to the train station for the trip into Rome central. It wasn’t long before we were at the Rome Station and then we hit stumbling block number one as somehow we got disorientated and took a wrong term to our hotel which was supposed to be 400 metres away but as a result took much longer…..Poor Lauren was pulling her share of the luggage. It was hot and she was tired but without a single complaint she took it all in her stead.
Finally we got to our motel and before too long we ventured out into the street where Lauren got her first insight into Rome…..it was clear to her that there were Gelati shops everywhere. The smile on her face upon realising that this was Gelati heaven was unmistakable.
Since that first “landing” we have seen and experienced so many things. Coming to Rome, I had expected to see a number of WOW sights but in this amazing country it seems that there are a number of WOW sights on a daily basis! It has been a joy to hear Lauren express ‘WOW’ a number of times. To know that she is aware of the ‘extraodinary’ at times is quite enlightening as one often is left to guess what Lauren is thinking or processing.
There have been many highlights for me….a 48 year old traveller to Europe for the first time. The Basilica of San Francis (Assisi), the Borgese Gallery, Basilica di San Pietro, the Colosseum, the Amalfi Coast etc. But from Lauren’s point of view her highlights have been visiting the Baci Factory (where she got to eat as many Baci as she wanted as well as seeing the biggest Baci in the world), swimming at Taormina Beach and indulging in Gelato every day (her PB is 4 in one day).
We are only half way through our Italian Adventure and there is so much more to look forward to. She is very excited about our Gondola ride in Venice.
I will let the photos tell the story of how Lauren is experiencing her holiday. She is enjoying herself immensely and with full credit to the overwhelming majority of Italians who (it appears) seem to provide for disability more naturally than we have encountered in Australia. Admitedly the letter from Lauren’s pediatrician has helped immensely but the Italians have been most accomodating. This has made our journey so much easier than I anticipated.
We have just finished our tour with a wonderful group of people run by Allegeria Tours. The acceptance, support and encouragement of this group of Lauren has been nothing short of exceptional and Lauren feels their sincere warm interest in her and she has blossomed within the group. This has made this part of the four weeks the highlight as when Lauren is happy, then all is well with me. I am indebted to the efforts of Marisa, Allegeria Tours leader and each and every person on this tour for their patience and care with Lauren. It has been fantastic.
After the tour finished we moved onto 3 heavenly days in Venice. I am still scratching my head as to how this amazing city actually exists. It certainly runs well though. The highlight of course was the Gondola ride….Lauren beamed the whole way through. Like so many I spent a fortune there on the glassware although resisted a mask when I realised they aren’t really that unique being on every corner!
Today we arrived in Florence. Lauren had a tummy bug to make things a little interesting. Took her off to the doctors though just to be sure…..100 Euros later she has popped a bug tablet and seems fine (thank goodness). Off to the Galleria Dell’ Accademia and Uffizi tomorrow and will try to get in the Duomo (and the accompanying museum).
Day after we are off to Pisa to see you know what!
Back to Florence for our Cinque Terre tour and then it will be Siena and Rome. This time next week we will be on the flight home so am lapping it all up. Lauren has been marvellous….even today when a under the weather she lugged her suitcase around like a little trouper.
Each night we climb in bed and I have been reading to her Lauren’s Creed (at her request). Bringing back so many memories and yet given what we have experienced this last month it seems an eternity ago. Still, has been a while since I have read it again so is proving to be interesting.
Anyway, late here in Florence. I have been content to type away with the background music being played in Piazza della Signoria but now it is time to sleep, despite how peaceful it is.
I was going to attach some photos but am having a bit of trouble. Will add them when we get home.
Ciao!
Dianne and Lauren
One month down the track of being back in Melbourne and Lauren and I are still living off the excitement of our amazing time in Italy.
As promised, this update will be of some of the photos our our amazing adventure. In a nutshell our journey took us from Rome to Assisi to Perugia and then back to Rome to start our wonderful, amazing tour with Allegria Tours (who I would recommend completely). Then we started travelling south on our way to Sicily through all the most beautiful towns like Sorrento, Caserta, Messina, Pompeii, Positano, Prajano, Ravello and the most spectacular Amalfi Coast. We then arrived at Naples where we Ferried overnight to the most beautiful Lipari, Then we hydrofoiled to Milazzo and stayed in Taorima (one of my favorites). We travelled through Noto, marvelled at the ruins of the amphitheatre at Neopolis, then travelled to Siracusa and Agrigento to finally end our 12 day tour in Palermo. Then Lauren and I caught a flight to Venice (another place that left me speechless), Florence, Pisa and Siena before travelling back to Rome. So we were most fortunate and I can say that we saw a lot of Italy.
Hope you enjoy the photos and leave you to conclude what Lauren spent a good deal of her time doing in Italy! Enjoy@