WJ Tested: Insight Vacations – Day 1: Meet and Greet in Rome, Italy
WJ Tested: Insight Vacations – Day 1: Meet and Greet in Rome, Italy
WJ Tested: Insight Vacations – Day 1: Meet and Greet in Rome, Italy
Insight Vacations Italian Escapade 12-Night Motor Coach Tour – Our Italian Adventure Begins in Rome!
After flying out of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the early hours of the morning and spending a few hours waiting in Copenhagen’s fabulous airport for our onward flight to Rome, we arrived on time at Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport where we patiently awaited the Insight Vacations included transfer to our downtown hotel.
At 3:30 pm we were met by the rep for Insight, Lilli Ricci, in the airport arrivals area and escorted with two other passengers to the Insight Vacations coach. Lilli explained that our tour director, Mark, would be meeting us at the hotel, that there should be a total of 27 passengers on our tour and to buckle up for the 45-minute drive across Rome.
Kolbe Hotel Rome Courtyard
By 4:15 pm we arrived at the 4-star Hotel Kolbe Rome (conveniently located next to The Forum) and were warmly greeted by Mark as we stepped off the coach. The four of us were guided into the reception area where Mark spent a couple of minutes briefing us while he handed out room keys (we were in ground floor room 121). Once in our room we had just enough time to take a shower and change before meeting Mark and fellow passengers at 5:30 pm in the hotel for an included welcome reception and light dinner.
Hotel Kolbe Rome Guest Room
Travel Tip: Ask the reception for 2 room keys in order to leave power/lights on in the room. As the electricity in many European hotel rooms only works when the room key is inserted into the card holder inside the room, it is difficult to charge electronics if you go out and take the key with you (or you end up leaving your travel companion in the dark).
Prosecco Welcome Drink at Hotel Kolbe Rome
The welcome reception with dinner was situated in a cozy corner of the restaurant in the Hotel Kolbe Rome, a former convent from the 17th century. Tour Director Mark looked quite dapper wearing his Panama-style hat and summer jacket, and made sure we all had a glass of Prosecco or tangerine juice to sip on while he gave a 45-minute briefing about the hotel, Rome and highlights of the Italian Escapade itinerary. We were also given a glimpse of the Italian culture as Mark spoke about food, drink, languages, the countryside, etc… We found him to have a very nice and calm manner, incredibly interesting, humorous and passionate about his work and the places we would visit.
Mark also explained that the next day of our tour just happened to be May Day, a big holiday in Italy and a day when most of the major historic sights would be closed. This also meant the beginning of summer season and holiday season in Italy, therefore, we could expect large crowds of people throughout Rome. Also, the Vatican would be closed on May Day so our scheduled visit would be postponed until the day after (before leaving for Tuscany).
Hotel Tip: Wake-up calls – this is Italy, so there might be a wake-up call or there might not! Hotels do not have alarm clocks in the room, so bring your own and do not rely on a call.
Italy – Did You Know?
- Pineapple on pizza is a capital sin in Italy
- You won’t find oil and balsamic vinegar on tables in restaurants for dipping bread into
- Spaghetti and meatballs – this is not an Italian dish!
- Go to Salvatore’s in Rome for the best Puttanesca
By 6:30 pm we were enjoying a delicious 3-course meal complemented with bread and butter, and red or white wine. The first course was a delectable and large dish of Genova trofie (short, twisted pasta) with pesto. Next we were served a main course of sliced pork, gravy, roasted baby potatoes and salad (lettuce, green olives, roasted corn, tomatoes). For dessert we devoured a wonderful tiramisu (which we learned means “pick me up”) and then helped ourselves to coffee, tea or espresso drinks from a machine in the restaurant.
Genova Trofie Pasta with Pesto
Welcome Dinner Dessert – Tiramisu
Our lively and tasty welcome dinner had given most in our group the energy to venture out into the evening on the optional Rome Illuminations Drive with Mark and driver, Alberto. So by 8:15 pm we were seated on the coach and sat back for a 70-minute driving tour. As the sun set and the lights started to illuminate the dozens of ancient monuments we passed, Mark enchanted us with his narration of the highlights of Rome. Such a magical way to end our first day on Insight Vacations Italian Escapade tour!
Insight Vacations – Rome By Night Illuminations Drive
Optional Excursion: Rome by Night – Illuminations Drive = €18 per passenger
Next: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade – Tour Overview | Rome Guided Tour |
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Note: WAVEJourney were guests of Insight Vacations for their April 30 – May 12, 2013 Italian Escapade tour. Read our full disclosure statement to see that this has no effect on our reviews.
