GET YOUR  QUOTE TODAY  -  CALL US 817-821-2344 

Blog Post

Thoughts on Rome and Amalfi Coast Cruise

  • By Bette Johnson
  • 04 Aug, 2014
 Buy cheap and genuine Windows 7 product key  |  Windows 7 Ultimate ISO download  |  Windows 7 Product Key Generator For 32&64 Bits  |  Windows 7 Product Key Online Store  |  Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 Product Key Sale  |  Windows 7 Key  |  Get Free Newest Windows 7 Product Key  |  Windows 7 Product Key for 32bit/64bit Updated 2016  |  Microsoft Office 2010 […] The post Thoughts on Rome and Amalfi Coast Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
We at Special Moments Travel based in the Keller area have a saying about destinations “See it, feel it, taste it, touch it, sell it!”
That’s why it’s so important for us to experience these different destinations, so we can have a better understanding of places to recommend, excursions to do, and hotels to use.  Sometimes, we just get a feel of who would appreciate a particular experience such as our recent trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
We flew into Rome the day before we were to sail on the Azamara Quest bound for Corsica, Sicily, and Sorrento.  We arrived in Rome at rush hour, wouldn’t you know!  But then we realized practically every hour on Roman streets is considered a rush hour and lane stripes are a mere suggestion.  The little scooters and motorcycles frequently zipped between cars and busses, causing me to gasp and squeal in fear for everyone’s lives!  David suggested I just not look any more.  I then chose to direct my attention to the true sites.
Some information we took away from this trip:
The Coliseum is the most visited site in Rome.  1500 years ago David and I could have been lion fodder!  Another point about the Coliseum is everyone had to have tickets to attend the games, much like our baseball and football games today.  Also like current times, there are numbers above the gates you are to enter.  The difference being at the Coliseum, their numbers are Roman numerals, go figure!
The streets in Rome are cobblestone and very uneven.  Walk with care, but do get out and walk so  you can see everything.  Another interesting point, there are few street signs.  The names of the streets are on the sides of the buildings at an intersection.  That can be a bit tricky.  Maps are helpful, but not superb.  Trial and error is perfectly acceptable and don’t be surprised if you end up on an alternate street.  Backtracking can be your friend.
Trevi Fountain was jam-packed with people!  Go ahead and fight the crowds and throw your coins in the fountain so you can, according to legend, return to the Eternal City.
Check out the Spanish Steps and climb them, all 130 of them!  We did it almost at dusk.  Definitely worth the view from the top.
Vatican City, a country in and of itself.  Check it out and maybe catch a peep of the Pope like we did.
Many Italians are passionate and speak with their hands waving to emphasize their point.  Others are stoic, watching, studying all that goes around them.  It’s fun watching their conversations, though!
Our Azamara Cruise (upper end of the Royal Caribbean chain) was truly amazing!  668 passengers on this intimate vessel with all the amenities of a mass-cruise line.  This is a destination-oriented cruise line which can practically port in the center of cities such as Porto Vecchio Corsica (France) and Siracusa Sicily.
Interesting factoid: Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica.  This island had been inhabited by not only the French, but the Genoese, the Bourbons, the Spanish, and the Italians.  In fact if Napolean had been born 3 months earlier, he would have been Italian.  If that had been the case,, then how do you think history would have been affected?
There is no way to see all of Rome in 2 days, we highly recommend you plan to send more days.
What is there to do in Rome other than to see historical buidlings and art?  Shop, shop, shop
Experience Lemoncello
Sorrento was the crown jewel of our cruise, we loved the city and the area enjoying homemade mozzarella cheese, olive oil, and breads as well as gracious people!
This was our trip of the Volcanos as we saw Stromboli erup as we sailed up to it; Mt Etna had an eruption at the first part of April, so we were able to see different ages of lava rock.  Our last one to see was mighty Mt. Vesuvius, dormant, beautiful, and daunting hovering over Naples.
We loved this trip and met some incredibly fun people to share our experiences with, Dawn and Adrian, from England.  They were the icing on the cake.
We highly recommend this trip to all who want a very destination-oriented journey.  Call us today for even more details!
 
 
By Bette Johnson 24 Jan, 2018

A very dear and special client sent the following story to me and I had to share it with the world so you too can have goosebumps and tears!

“This is kind of a long story but bear with me….

In October 1985 (I was 21) I was asked to go on a trip to Galveston by a man name Philip Hawker (he was 38). I had never been anywhere but Tennessee, on vacations as a child, to see my grandmother so I said yes I would go.

He flew us to Houston and then we rented a car and drove to Galveston. It was late at night but I still took it all in….going over the causeway made it seem as if I was traveling to another place…no longer Texas.

 We stayed at a hotel on the Seawall. The name of the hotel was the Key Largo. It was so pretty and almost magical to me. I remember the lobby smelled like flowers it was the most amazing smell! There were waiters at the pool and they wore black shorts and white button down shirts. They carried white towels on their arms and they would take my drink order and my drink always came back on a tray.   It had a swim up bar and a waterfall. Inside the lobby was a black piano and I loved sitting and listening to someone play at night. It had glass elevators on the outside of the building. It was a magical place for me.

Prior to this the only place I had ever stayed was a Days Inn or Motel 6 while traveling to Tennessee.

 Philip and I went back several times and stayed at Key Largo. I married him in 1986 and Steven was born in 1989 and we divorced in 1998 but we remain friends.   I have gone back to Galveston several times since Philip and I divorced but I never stay at the old Key Largo.

 Now the reason for my long story…you just booked my son a room for his honeymoon at what use to be the Key Largo hotel. What a COINCIDENCE!!!!! When he sent me the link I laughed so hard. I told him this story and he said this makes even more special to stay there. I also told him to look around his Dad’s as there are probably tons of pictures of us there.

 AND….this is why I think you are such an awesome person …you are the person that can make magic happen

 Have an AWESOME day pretty lady!

  Sheila”


By Bette Johnson 03 Jul, 2016
As a travel professional and owner of Special Moments Travel in Northeast Tarrant County, it is my responsibility to learn as much as possible of a destination that I sell frequently.  I have been to the 4 major Hawaiian Islands on a cruise, I’ve done my Hawaii Destination Specialist courses, and I have to admit, […] The post Destination: Hawaii! appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 11 Apr, 2016
We had a wonderful time, thanks for everything.  We also thank you for the surprise gift after we got home. I can’t think of anything you could have done to make it a better trip, except to let the days be longer…… alas. Thanks again for the help with the airline tickets at the end. […] The post Couple Returns Sandals Halcyon Beach in St. Lucia appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 28 Mar, 2016
    Amazing Jamaica! Words can’t explain how amazing Jamaica was to us! It was beautiful and we loved every second of it! I definitely wasn’t ready to come home to this nasty weather we are having. Jewel Paradise Cove was picture perfect. The staff was amazing, everyone was super nice, we felt welcome wherever […] The post Amazing Jamaica! appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 14 Mar, 2016
  Cozumel Trip Fun with Added Adventure Kudos to my clients, Mike and Ashley, who had more adventure than they planned. See what happened to them:Even with the rain every day, and the flooded hotel room, getting sick on the ferry and check out incident… we still had a BLAST! The room was great, service […] The post Cozumel Trip Fun with Added Adventure appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 29 Feb, 2016
Family Sails Mediterranean on Princess Cruise Line It was lovely! Not relaxing, very very busy and fast paced but awesome- we saw ALLLLLLL the things :). I’d have liked another day or two in Rome. Malta was unexpectedly lovely and Messina was kind of so-so. The boat was wonderful, service impeccable. We will be doing […] The post Family Sails Mediterranean on Princess Cruise Line appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 15 Feb, 2016
Multi-Generational Family Has Fun on Cruise Our trip was amazing after we unloaded the family at the terminal we made it to the lot early the shuttle came straight to our cars and picked us up right at our driver-side doors. Once the shuttles took us to the terminal I explained the wheelchair assistance and […] The post Multi-Generational Family Has Fun on Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 01 Feb, 2016
Hi Bette, Thanks for everything– we had a marvelous trip. EVERYTHING was perfect. Our flight from DFW to Fairbanks was long but great. The train trip from Fairbanks to Denali was the best— our group had a glass covered coach and only about 1/2 full. We could walk around, visit with folks, eat and enjoy […] The post Four Great Travelers Return from Princess Alaskan Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 05 Jan, 2016
Our trip was amazing! We loved everything about Jamaica, from the beautiful beaches to the amazing food. The accommodations were wonderful, the staff was very sweet and helpful. The resort was gorgeous and very quiet and relaxing. We loved the fact that it wasn’t crowded and it was easy to get drinks and food. The […] The post Couple celebrates their anniversary at Secrets St. James, Montego Bay, Jamaica appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 14 Dec, 2015
  Cabo San Lucas Hidden Treasures As I sat next to a beautiful infinity pool overlooking a golf course in front of the ocean, I was in awe of this amazing destination.  This is Secrets Puerto Los Cabos (all-inclusive, couples resort), and I was there for destination wedding training with AMResorts.  Last night, after our […] The post Cabo San Lucas Hidden Treasures appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
Show More
Share by: