4 Days in Italy // the bargeron explorers.

In late 2019, we opened our first travel rewards card because we had a lofty goal: visit Greece for our upcoming 10th wedding anniversary. By the middle of the 2020, we had enough points to make it happen -- yay! But unfortunately the world shut down for the foreseeable future in the middle of earning those points, and we had to pivot our plans -- boo! We still had a great anniversary trip on points the next year to Florida, and we tabled our dream trip for a later date.

This June, five years after having to postpone the dream, was that later date!

*insert happy cry emoji here*

And to make our original plans even better by waiting five more years, we...

1) got to bring our kiddos with us,

2) added on a few days in Italy before visiting Greece, and

3) explored Greece by way of a luxury cruise.

(Yes, luxury, because nobody does it like Disney!)

These were some of the most memorable days of our whole lives!

First up: Italy!

Getting There

We flew overnight from Atlanta to Rome with a short layover in Paris, which was long enough for us to enjoy some coveted macarons while we waited (yum!). On the way back to Atlanta, we flew from Rome with another short layover but this time in Amsterdam. Both travel days were long and required a lot out of us, but we learned a lot last year on our first true long-haul flights and felt more prepared this year. Long flights in economy definitely aren't the most comfortable experience, but they get us where we are giddy to do so we manage just fine. Maybe one day we'll get to fly business class to somewhere special, but we'll just have to wait and see! Something new about these flights were that we all got to share a middle row both ways, and everyone loved that element.

We'd heard and read horror stories of the new EES system, too, but we had great experiences both flights with short lines and wait times.

After we checked into our suite at the stunning NH Palazzo Cinquencento Roma, there was only one thing to do -- start exploring!

Three Perfect Days in Rome:
History, Pasta, and a Dreamy Day Trip to the Amalfi Coast

The first part of our European adventure was in Rome, Italy! We weren't sure how we would like this Eternal City based on what others had said, but we did what we always do and made room to make our own decision. The verdict was easy -- we LOVED Rome! We walked all over and left after four days with achy bodies and full hearts. What an amazing city bursting with history and charm. I got weepy several times as we wandered around. There are cities you visit, and then there are cities that stay with you forever. Rome is undoubtedly the latter for us now.

Day 1: First Impressions of the Eternal City

Instead trying to cram sightseeing into our arrival day, we wandered the nearby streets, soaked in our first views of the city, immediately found pizza and gelato, and let ourselves adjust to the new time zone. Rome had a way of making even an ordinary walk feel magical, with charming cafés, centuries-old buildings, and hidden piazzas around every corner. Sometimes the best travel memories happen when there’s no agenda at all, in my opinion, especially when traveling with kiddos.

Our instant favorite feature of the city, though? Easy! The water fountains. Yes, I said water fountains! The aquaduct system in Rome is unlike anything we'd ever seen before, and my water-loving family was THRILLED to almost always have access to water while exploring. My kiddos said that this reason alone was enough for them to come back to Rome again (LOL).

Day 2: Rome’s Most Iconic Landmarks
(and Homemade Pasta!)

Our first full day started early with some of Rome’s most famous sights.

We began at the breathtaking Trevi Fountain, where tradition says tossing a coin over your shoulder guarantees a return trip to Rome. From there, we walked to the remarkable Pantheon before strolling through the lively Piazza Navona, one of the city’s most beautiful squares.

And because no Roman (or European??) adventure is complete without gelato, we stopped at Giolitti, one of Rome’s oldest and most beloved gelato shops. Then with cones in hand, we continued to the famous Spanish Steps, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere that makes this part of the city so memorable (and for me, pretending to be Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday).

In the afternoon, we headed towards dinner, passing Vatican City on the way. We didn't get to experience the Vatican and all of its glory this trip, which only means that we'll just have to come back. We did admire the walls and the outside of the museum on the way to our grand finale of the day -- a cooking class where we learned to create fresh Italian pasta from scratch! We made tiramisu, as well, and both of our chefs were amazing. I now know that cooking in Italy is more fun than cooking at home -- maybe because it was paired with Italian wine (wink, wink). Truthfully, though, this was such a memorable experience and our kids especially loved it!

Day 3: Positano & Pompeii Day Trip

One of the highlights of our trip was venturing beyond Rome. When planning this trip, I asked myself the question I always ask when planning a trip: If this is the only time I get to visit here, what would be my biggest regret if I don't do it? And my answer: the Amalfi Coast.

We met up with our City Wonders tour group bright and early at Piazza del Popolo before setting off for an unforgettable day exploring southern Italy. Our destination was Positano, and it was everything I hoped it would be. *insert more happy cry emojis here*

Colorful cliffside homes, turquoise water, charming boutiques, and winding streets made Positano every bit as magical as we’d imagined. Only being able to spend two hours there immediately became the biggest tease of my life, and I pray I get to return to that beautiful village. A taste of magnificence was not enough, but I feel so grateful I got to experience it with my husband and children. What blessedness.

Our final stop of the day was Pompeii as we headed back to Rome, where ancient streets and remarkably preserved ruins offered a fascinating glimpse into life before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. This was another place of awe and wonder, only this time more somber in nature.

As we walked the streets of these two very different places, all I could think was that life is so very precious.

It was a long and costly day, but it was absolutely worth it. An unforgettable adventure!

Day 4: Trastevere & Ancient Rome

Our final day focused on Rome’s ancient past. We started by exploring Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods. Its cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and local cafés felt wonderfully different from the city’s bustling tourist areas. We stopped for apertivos at an alley-way osteria, which was divine. I had an aperol spritz and a caprese salad, TJ ate delicious Italian meatballs and potatoes, and the kids enjoyed sodas in glass bottles while nibbling on our food. I think we'll always remember our time in Travestere, at least TJ and I will. Such a charming area of the city.

When we finally peeled ourselves away from the osteria, we stopped in at the Church of St. Mary of the Garden to sit and marvel before heading towards the famous Knights of Malta Keyhole, where a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica. You can, also, see three sovereign entities at one time: the Order of Malta, Italy, and Vatican City. We had a wait in line to look through the keyhole, but I thought it was definitely worth it!

That evening, we did our own tour of the Colosseum. Walking along these ancient streets while learning the stories behind them made history come alive in a way no textbook ever could.

Rome is a city where every street really does tell a story, where people have walked for thousands of years. Whether you’re marveling at ancient ruins, enjoying world-famous gelato, learning to make fresh pasta, or taking a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, every experience adds another layer to the adventure. It certainly did for us.

Three days barely scratched the surface, but we gratefully left with no regrets. Plus, three days were enough to make us fall completely in love with Italy and want to explore more of it.

And because we made sure to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, we’ll definitely be back.
*wink*

Then, just like that, it was time for the next part of our adventure:
A cruise through the Greek Isles on the Disney Dream!

Watch this video for a glimpse at what we saw in Rome.