PTR: [Roamin' Through Italy for Gelato, then Dancing it off Through France & England] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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PTR: [Roamin' Through Italy for Gelato, then Dancing it off Through France & England]
Roamin' Through Italy for Gelato, then Dancing it off Through France & England
I guess Epcot’s World Showcase just wetted our appetite for a European Adventure. Or you might be able to blame it on the pizza at Via Napoli, the Sticky toffee pudding at Rose & Crown or maybe even the Grand Marnier slush in France, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imaged my family heading off to Europe, but when the opportunity arises you have to “Carpe diem.” So that is exactly what we are doing, seizing the moment and the opportunity this summer to travel to Europe with stops in Italy, France & England. We will spend 1 week just our family in Roamin' through Italy in search of the best gelato and pizza, before meeting up with our group and tagging along as the kids dance their way through Northern Italy, France and England for another 2 weeks.
Usually, I am a huge PLANNER when it comes to trips and this trip has been in the works officially 7 months and I have very little planned. In fact my dh is in bit of a shock, that I don’t have all the details planned yet…I think secretly he is happy because he made the comment “We are going to be planned to the last minute of every day are we?” I am not sure what the cause of my lack of planning is, but it is time to start nailing down plans since we are now less than 5 months away and hopefully this PTR will get me moving on it!
This is my family (from a few years ago...really need to get an updated picture that I like done)! I am Tammie and my dh is Jeff. We have been married for almost 19 years after being set up on a blind date by a mother of a student of mine 3 years prior to that. I am a curriculum specialist for my school district. It is my job to help teachers improve their classroom instruction in the area of elementary mathematics…most days I love my job but there are days when teachers are worse than the worst student in their classrooms. Outside of school my interests include following along after my children in all their adventures and activities (which you will find out soon caused this trip), reading, scrapbooking and dreaming of Disney trips. I am really looking forward on this trip to spending time together and getting a chance to go back to London to experience it as an adult (went when I was in 8th grade, which was a VERY LONG time ago) as well as seeing the Vatican. I am still in a bit of a shock that Jeff is going along on this trip, as he is not a huge traveler and would prefer to spend his vacation time at our cabin in the New Mexico mountains with his fishing pole. For some reason STILL unknown to me, he decided that he and our youngest would also tag along on this trip and we would make a family adventure in Italy prior to the dance tour. Jeff owns his own business, which makes is easier for him to break away when he wants but at the same time is causing him a lot of stress. He is extremely nervous about living his business for 3 weeks and having to figure out how to keep in touch with his crews and lead foremen in Europe. That will be a whole update I am sure, as I figure how to navigate phones in Europe. He is looking forward to visiting the Vatican and seeing Normandy (as well as trying to find an opportunity to fish which is yet another post). We have 3 children known in all my PTR & TR as Ab, Boo and Goo. Ab is a junior in high school and is EXTREMELY excited about going to Rome. Her favorite subject in school is Latin and she can’t wait to explore all the places that she has learned about while studying for her competitions in Roman Life. Boo is an 8th grader and Goo is a 2nd grader. They love all things Gladiator and are excited about getting to go Pompeii. We are all excited about the gelato and of course the possibility of taking a pizza making class while in Rome!
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Great start! I can't wait to hear more about it and exactly where you'll be going - having been to all the countries you'll be visiting, I know you'll have an absolute blast!
Great start! I can't wait to hear more about it and exactly where you'll be going - having been to all the countries you'll be visiting, I know you'll have an absolute blast!
Cheryl! I know I am going to be asking you lots of questions and for lots of advice!!!
Sounds exciting! Can't wait to hear all the details!!! As a navy brat I had the opportunity to live in Sardinia Italy for 2 years and would LOVE to go back!
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I mentioned that one of my hobbies is following my children around as they go about their many activities and interests. One of the activities that all 3 of my children are involved in is scouting. Ab recently earned her Gold Award (the equivalent of the Boy Scout Eagle Rank). Boo is an active scout and is about to earn the rank of Life (one step under Eagle), while Goo is a Wolf Cub and Jeff is his den leader. Our children belong to their own troops as well as a special performing troop of combined Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and Venture Crew from our area called the Kwahadi Dancers. The Kwahadi Dancers have been existence since 1944 and perform a pageant of stories and dance of the Native American Indians from our area, the Plains and Pueblo people. The dancers are not playing dress up or act like Native Americans, instead they learn about the Native American culture from Native Americans and have been given perimission by different tribes to interpret the dances in a style that is respectful and beautiful. Even the troops name, Kwahadi, was given in ceremonial fashion from the local Commanche tribe. The Kwahadi Dancers perform 2 show seasons each year (winter and summer) as well as a show on tour at the end of summer. Here is what they look like in their winter regalia.
I am happy to report that this is the last weekend of winter shows...I am worn out! LOL This summer the show tour heads to Europe. Ab is a Fancy Shawl dancer and assistant head maiden of the girls group.
Boo is a member of the Kiowa Clan or the Fancy Men’s Dancing style and assistant clan chief.
Goo is what is called a papoose (little brother or sister) and belongs to the Sioux tribe of Traditional Dancers (we are in the process of building his regalia since this will be his first summer season to dance). The families learn traditional Native American craftsmanship and build each dancer's dancing regalia. Both Ab & Boo are old enough to go on tour by themselves, but in the Kwahadi organization there is an emphasis on family so all of the family is invited to go along and help with the tour. When the tour was announced it was just going to be Ab, Boo and myself going on tour, but like I said Jeff decided that he and Goo would come along too.
Sounds exciting! Can't wait to hear all the details!!! As a navy brat I had the opportunity to live in Sardinia Italy for 2 years and would LOVE to go back!
How neat...I wish Sardinia was on your plans...all the fishing that I can find is from that area and we are going to be north and central Italy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great start! You have me hoping that when the TR begins I'll be seeing lots of great food.
Oh you know there will be food...my favorite part of the trip! LOL The kids actually want to take a pizza making class so I am trying to figure out where that will fit in the plans.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I'm here - just ask away and I'll do what I can to help.
Thanks...I am sure you are going to be very helpful
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Yay. I found your trip! I can't wait to follow along. Love the pictures of the kids. How cool it is for them to be doing this and learn some interesting information along the way.
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I can't wait to hear more about it and exactly where you'll be going - having been to all the countries you'll be visiting, I know you'll have an absolute blast! 
You have me hoping that when the TR begins I'll be seeing lots of great food. 
Deb
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