Viva Italia! - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter Universe: General Trip Planning and Discussion > Globetrotting: General Trip Reports
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-26-2011, 03:05 PM   #46
scrappyjae
Community Rank: Trekker
 
scrappyjae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 1,943

Post Thanks / Like
I have been waiting for the TR to start! I am so envious....Italy is high on my dream trips! I can't wait to hear about it from you. Hope you are having a great time and we get to see lots of pictures!
__________________

OMG!



My normal everyday computer routine!
My Previous TripsWDW May 1980, April 1988, June 2003, Nov 2005, Nov/Dec 2007, Disney Cruise Oct 2009
scrappyjae is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2011, 04:20 PM   #47
Disneybine
with Bailey & Jacky
PassPorter Guide Author

PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Disneybine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Germany
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 12,198

Post Thanks / Like
Yay, can't wait to read about your adventures in Italy! We've got a road trip to Northern Italy coming up in September so I'm especially curious about the Florence part of your trip Have fun!!!
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW: 04/2007 (ASMo), 04/2008 (AS, POR, WL), 05/2009 (BCV, AKV - Opening Day!!!, SSR), 03/2010 (BWV, GF Concierge!!!, BLT), 05/2013 (POFQ, POP), 04/2017 (Star Wars Half-Marathon); DCL: 04/2008 (Wonder, Bahamas), 04/2009 (Magic, Western Caribbean), 08/2010 (Magic, Dover to Barcelona), 05/2013 (Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean), 08/2015 (Magic, Mediterranean), 05/2017 (Wonder, Panama Canal); DVC Vero Beach: 04/2008, 04/2009; DVC Hilton Head Island: 05/2013; DL California: 09/2005, 09/2016; DLP: 03/1996 (Sequoia Lodge), 09/1996, 03/1997, 06/2002 (Hotel Santa Fe), 09/2007 (Hotel Santa Fe), 12/2008 (Sequoia Lodge), 03/2013 (Hotel New York), 09/2016 (Newport Bay Club; Inaugural Half-Marathon Weekend), 09/2017 (Sequoia Lodge; Half-Marathon Weekend); Tokyo DL: 04/1998 /// Non-Disney trips: Andorra, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark (Copenhagen), Finland (Helsinki), France (Paris, Côte d'Azur), Germany (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Neuschwanstein Castle, Zugspitze), Grand Cayman, Great Britain (London, Stonehenge, Gibraltar), Italy (Rome, Naples, Venice, Florence, Pisa), Japan (Tokyo), Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Mexico, Monaco (Monte Carlo), Morocco (Marrakesh), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Norway (Oslo, Bergen, North Cape), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona, Mallorca), Sweden (Stockholm), Switzerland (CERN, Zurich), Tunisia, Turkey, USA
Disneybine is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2011, 03:51 PM   #48
mommapants
Community Rank: Scout
 
mommapants's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Marlton, NJ
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 4,276

Post Thanks / Like
Safe Travels Sharon - have a magical vacation
__________________
Holly: Dark Cloud Silver Lining DL PTR
My Countdown Counting down to: Back to The Bubble
mommapants is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2011, 09:15 AM   #49
Mickeysgal
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Mickeysgal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southern Maine
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 1,552

Post Thanks / Like
Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to read all about it! Safe travels!!
__________________
Lori
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDecember 2013 POR, March 2013 POFQ, December 2011 POFQ, October 2010 POFQ, April 2009 CBR, April 2008 POP, April 2007 POFQ/AKL, April 2006 Coronado Springs, May 2005 POFQ, May 2004 POR/Disney Cruise, October 2001 ASMovies, October 2000 ASMusic, Numerous off-site stays
Mickeysgal is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2011, 10:50 PM   #50
elisa1006
Community Rank: Scout
 
elisa1006's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 4,657

Post Thanks / Like
i would love, love, love to visit Italy some day. I am anxiously awaiting your return so I can hear and see all about it! Have a GREAT time!
__________________
Elisa
My Countdown Counting down to: First Cruise - Disney Dream
Dreams do come true!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsFirst trip to WDW, May 1999 for senior trip. Worked at WDW college program Jan to May 2000. First family trip, June 10-18 2009, ASMO. Surprise trip May 31 - June 7, 2010, Wilderness Lodge. Oct 26-Nov3 POP. Aug 27 - Sept 7th Beach Club
elisa1006 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 08:22 AM   #51
disneydani
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
disneydani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,723

Post Thanks / Like
Wow, I almost missed this baby! Hope you arrived safely and are off exploring and finding plenty of gelato...

Danielle
__________________
~Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars~

disneydani - Co-Guide for the Touring the 'World' Forum, Passporter Challenge Forum
disneydani is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 04:47 PM   #52
PrincessSharon
Community Rank: Explorer
 
PrincessSharon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960

Post Thanks / Like
Hi everyone! I am having an AWESOME time! The weather has been terrific so far. Rome was fabulous, and I saw pretty much everything. Our hotel was in a great location with a great rooftop view.



I got to visit all the major stuff, including


Trevi Fountain


St. Peter's Basilica & the Vatican


The Colosseum

I also dropped in at the Disney Store in Rome (the picture's on my iPod, so it'll have to wait for the TR).

Today on our way from Rome to Tuscany, we stopped off in Orvieto. Orvieto is simply stunning! Their Duomo is breathtaking!



And the view's not bad either.


I put in an offer on the castle in the background. I'd gladly move if I could live there!

We're at our home in Tuscany for the next three days (free internet here, so I might post another update).


The villa where we're staying (you can see part of it in the background) used to be one of the homes of the Medici family

Tomorrow is actually a low-key day for us. We don't have to meet until 11:00 which is practically unheard of on ABD trips! But we're spending the whole day at the villa (which, after yesterday's walking tour of Rome, sounds really nice). We'll be making pasta (which had better be good, because we have to eat it for lunch ). Then we'll have a tour of the winery here, which I'm really looking forward to. In the evening, there'll be a traditional Tuscan barbecue. It should be fun!
__________________


Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!

I'm going to China! And doing a Trip Report!!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
PrincessSharon is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 05:06 PM   #53
lexiemom
Community Rank: Explorer
 
lexiemom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kansas
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,718

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like you are having a fabulous time!
__________________
Aimee

lexiemom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 05:49 PM   #54
Big Baloo
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Big Baloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,178

Post Thanks / Like
Beautiful weather and ever better views! Can't wait to hear all about it in your TR. Have fun with the pasta making (as if it would be anything but!!)
__________________
Disney Magic Western Feb. 21st, 2009
Big Baloo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 05:49 PM   #55
Ciavobella
Community Rank: Traveler
 
Ciavobella's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 402

Post Thanks / Like
Looks like a fun day ahead!
__________________
My Countdown Counting down to: Happily Ever After in Contra Costa County
My Previous TripsOffsite Jan 1987, Movies Sept 2001, Poly Oct 2003, Beach Club Sept 2004, Cabin at FW Sept 2005, Poly May 2007, Poly Sept 2008, Poly Sept 2009, Kidani May 2014
Ciavobella is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 07:03 PM   #56
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
It all looks wonderful! Hope the pasta you make tomorrow is yummy!
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 07:41 PM   #57
mpwife153
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
mpwife153's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Delaware
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 2,737

Post Thanks / Like
I am already in love with Italy from your pics! Spending the day at the villa sounds so nice! Hope the pasta turns out
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW 1992, ASMOV May 2005, POR Dec 2006, ASMOV Jan 2009, POP Oct 2009, OKW April 2010, POR Oct 2013
mpwife153 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 08:44 PM   #58
sc507
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
sc507's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,096

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon View Post



This picture is unbelievable!! It really looks like a backdrop - I love, love, love it! And all your others too! Can't wait for your TR (not to rush you back or anything...)
__________________
Stacey

Why do these kids look so pathetic?

Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise! Final Thoughts 01/30


My Previous TripsWDW Trips: Nov 1987 (off site); July 2007 ASMo; July 2008 POR; July 2009 ASMo; August 2010 CS; Disney Dream August 2011; August 2012 WL
sc507 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 09:03 PM   #59
cubfancolleen
Community Rank: Explorer
 
cubfancolleen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reston, Virginia
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 11,858

Post Thanks / Like
Glad you're having a great trip! So are you giving up the cottage in Canada for the castle in Italy? Your pasta making sounds yummy!
__________________
<img src=http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h427/cmclain823/Vancouver%20and%20Alaska%202015/45127cbc-0ef5-4915-8c6d-5809f3bb6afe.jpg border=0 alt= />[
Check out my NEW Trip Report: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...d.php?t=300278
My Countdown Counting down to: Melekalikimaka - our Hawaiian Christmas
Aloha....back to reality, and a new countdown
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDisneyLand too many times to count; DisneyWorld: ('82; '94; '00; '04; '05; '08 - twice!; '10;'11 - twice; '13; '14, '15, '17); DCL (all 4 ships): ('00, '05, '06, '10, '11, '13, '15, '17); DVC Hilton Head Resort :D ('06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13 - twice, '15, '16, '17, ‘18)
cubfancolleen is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2011, 11:30 PM   #60
dsteiny23
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
dsteiny23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Jersey!
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 3,204

Post Thanks / Like
Wow!!! The places you've seen!! And that view in Tuscany. That is exactly what I picture the Italy I want to see someday looking. Can't wait to hear all the details. (Oh, and I like the short haircut too!)
__________________

Dawn
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW, Nov. 2014, WDW Aug-Sept. 2013, WDW Nov. 2102 (BC), WDW Nov. 2011 (BC), WDW Nov. 2009 (BC), WDW Sept. 2009 (AKL), WDW Nov. 2008 (Poly), WDW April 2006, WDW, Nov. 2003, WDW July 2002, WDW May 2000, WDW May 1997, WDW June 1996, WDW Sept. 1995, WDW May 1995, WDW Spring Break 1992, WDW April 1991, WDW (Brother performed at WDW) 1989, WDW SR. Trip 1986, WDW April 1985...some more inbetween and WDW Oct 1972 (the first of many)
dsteiny23 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Feature Article: Viva Italia! Part 1 - Adventures by Disney PassPorter News PassPorter News 0 01-25-2010 07:38 PM
Feature Article: Viva Italia! Part 2 - Adventures by Disney PassPorter News PassPorter News 0 01-25-2010 07:38 PM
Feature Article: Viva Italia! - Adventures by Disney PassPorter News PassPorter News 0 01-25-2010 06:40 PM
Adventures by Disney: Viva Italia! PassPorter News PassPorter News 3 11-29-2006 04:08 PM














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:56 AM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger