• Trip: Rome and Cruise through Italy and Greece (Norwegian Breakaway)
• Dates: September 1 – 15, 2023
• Who: Me (Jess), Emily (one of my best friends), Beverly (my mom), Jeff (my stepdad), Jen (my aunt), and Megan (my sister).

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The day began with a gentle 6:15 a.m. wake-up call courtesy of the ship’s loudspeaker system, which I hadn’t asked for, but sure, thanks. I officially got up at 7. After a quick shower and some last-minute packing, I stuffed the rest of my things into my backpack and headed to Savor for breakfast. It was our final meal aboard before disembarking.

We got off the ship at 9, and our driver scooped us up around 9:20 to head into Rome. Again, I can’t say enough good things about our experiences with IterItaly. All was going well until we arrived at the luggage storage. We had booked three lockers based on what I now believe were fictional measurements. Long story short: we ended up needing four more. If luggage Tetris were an Olympic sport, we’d be bronze medalists—points deducted for visible panic and passive-aggressive locker slamming.

Once the luggage situation was somewhat sorted, we found a charming restaurant just around the corner. It wasn’t open yet, so we wandered a few blocks to locate our AirBnb. It was there, it was real, and that felt like a small win.Once back at the restaurant, we were seated at a nice patio table. I ordered the lasagna—and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the best I’ve ever had. Like, I’m still thinking about it. The arancini was also next-level. 

With full stomachs, we hailed a taxi to the Vatican for our 1:30 p.m. tour with Take Walks. Jen decided to skip it and stayed in St. Peter’s Square. The rest of us dove headfirst into Vatican City with a tour guide who literally never stopped talking. I think he may still be talking somewhere. He was extremely knowledgable about the maze of art, relics, and chapels. However, it was hot, crowded, and a bit overwhelming. I definitely tried to appreciate everything while slowly melting into the marble floors.

My best tip? Every restroom has a tap that has clean, COLD water. Fill up the bottle you should remember to bring. That was the only thing that saved me.

Truly, it was majestic. Emily is an Art History Major and was in Heaven. The significance of the art, as well as the religious importance, was not lost on me. That said, when you’re in a former Pope’s chambers (that may be the size of a large walk-in closet) and they’re ushering four times the amount of people that should fit in the area, all while your tour guide is in your ear (literally – we were wearing headsets)….. it can somewhat damper the wonder.

At one point, Mom was struggling. She has back issues that can flare. Our tour guide told her how to take a “short cut” and meet us at the Sistine Chapel. He was very explicit that they would need to wait and exit with our group. If not, they would be forced to go a different exit and not be let in the tour guide entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Once we actually got to the Sistine Chapel, Mom and Jeff were nowhere to be found. We kept going, trying to get a hold of them to no avail. 

We ended the tour in St. Peter’s Basilica. This is where I almost cussed. I stopped myself, but it almost happened. See, our tour guide had warned us about a certain set of tourists. I won’t name them here, as to not cause an international dispute. However, he warned that they were pushy and inconsiderate. I’m sorry to say, but he wasn’t wrong. There were several tour groups made up of this nationality and they were unbearable. They did NOT care that everyone else also wanted to see the Vatican. Anyway, we were trying to get pictures of a particular statue when an entire group just took us over. Pushing ahead and blocking our view.

We took our final photos, said Ciao to our tour guide, and left. From there, we finally got a hold of Mom and Jeff. We spent a good chunk of time playing “Find the Parents” in the Holy City, which I’m pretty sure isn’t what Michelangelo had in mind. Eventually, we gave up and told them to head back to Jen, promising we’d find them—hopefully before nightfall.

Remember in Malta when I had my “say nothing and keep your cool” moment? That’s where I was, again. We were all hot, thirsty, and hangry. I paid 8 euros for a Gatorade and a Snickers because sometimes, self-care is wildly overpriced. 

On our trek back to meet the trio, I declared, “I want water, a shower, my PJs, and my bed. In that exact order.” 

Em goes, “You aren’t going out to dinner?”

“Nope. I’m done.”……. I promise, I’m actually great to travel with. I just know my limits and when to put myself in timeout.

After finally reconvening, we ordered an Uber to take us back to the luggage storage and then to the AirBnb. Predictably, it was another mess. Megan, Em, and I ended up walking to the AirBnb and actually beat the Uber there. Once inside, I realized—of course—my backpack was missing. So back to luggage storage I went.

After a few confusing moments and a phone call to the storage attendant, I finally found my backpack hiding in one of the lockers. It matched the interior, so it had completely blended in. Crisis averted. I stopped for water on the way back (hydration = essential), and finally made it back to settle in.

Megan and Em went out for dinner while I showered and changed into pajamas. They returned with food, which we enjoyed together before they headed back out for the night. I stayed behind, read for a bit, and drifted off to sleep in what turned out to be an incredibly comfortable bed.

After a whirlwind of transportation hiccups, Vatican crowds, and locker dramas, it ended in the best way possible: full, clean, and cozy in the heart of Rome.

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Italy/Greece 2023 Trip Report (September 1 – 15, 2023)
– The Beginning (Vivi Alla Giornata!)
– The Planning Process (Rome)
– The Planning Process (Greece Ports)
– The Planning Process (Italy Ports)
– Flight Confusion
– Day 0: Leave for Rome (September 1, 2023)
– Day 1: Rome Arrival and City Tour (September 2, 2023)
– Day 2: Board the Breakaway (September 3, 2023)
– Day 3: Sea Day (September 4, 2023)
– Day 4: Santorini, Greece (September 5, 2023)
– Day 5: Athens (Piraeus), Greece (September 6, 2023)
– Day 6: Mykonos, Greece (September 7, 2023)
– Day 7: Olympia (Katakolon), Greece (September 8, 2023)
– Day 8: Valletta, Malta (September 9, 2023)
– Day 9: Messina (Sicily), Italy (September 10, 2023)
– Day 10: Naples, Italy (September 11, 2023)
– Day 11: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy (September 12, 2023)
– Day 12: Disembark and Vatican City (September 13, 2023)
– Day 13: Rome (September 14, 2023)
– Day 14: Leaving Rome (September 15, 2023) and Some Final Thoughts

Related Reviews
– IterItaly (Private Tour: Rome 3-Hour Orientation Tour)
– Shore Excursions Group (Exclusive Santorini, Oia, and Winery Tour)
– Shore Excursions Group (Hop-On, Hop-Off Athens Highlights Tour)
– Shore Excursions Group (Exclusive Mykonos Old and New)
– Shore Excursions Group (Spirit of Olympia and Magna Grecia Farm)
– Shore Excursions Group (Taormina and the Blue Grotto)
– Amalfi Driver (Private Tour: Sorrento, Positano, and Limoncello Tour)
– Bella Italia Tours (Private Tour: Florence, Pisa, and Chianti Wine Tour)