Cindybelle's Bella Notte TR COMPLETE!! - UPDATED 10/19 With Prices! About This Page:

[cindybelle]

Those who know me -- and there are many of you -- won't be surprised to see I'm starting with a Pre-TR. I mean, "Patience" is definitely not my middle name!

Who: Cindy, 54 (but perpetually 5, as only a Disney freak can be)
Rick, 55 (structural engineer who has built furniture for my Disney room, "endured" three trips to WDW and one to DL with me, who has been my DBF for 23 years -- don't try to figure it out; it works for us)
Paul, 55 (structural engineer who worked with Rick almost 30 years ago and has remained good friends -- the two have helped each other reroof, added bathrooms, rewired their houses, you name it -- a couple of do-it-yourselfers)
Robbie, 55 (Paul's wife, mother of three, who shares my love for birds, musicals, and chocolate -- and she's developing nicely as a Disney fan)

Paul and Robbie are the nicest people on the planet, so we don't know why they put up with a couple of loud-mouthed, opinionated jerks like us. But Paul & Robbie think that they are boring and that we are a million laughs, and so they don't understand what WE see in THEM. The entire time their three kids were growing up, I kept saying to Rick, "Someday, I bet we'll vacation with Paul & Robbie, and that the four of us will travel well together."

Our first venture together was in 2005, when I was celebrating my 50th bday and Disney was celebrating DL's 50th as well. I knew WDW would be the perfect place for four people to "try out" vacationing together. Despite assurances that they should peel off from us whenever we were driving them nuts, Paul & Robbie stuck around. The four of us had the BEST TIME together. That trip was especially great for Robbie, who had been the young mother sitting on the park bench with the baby when Paul and she had taken their three kids -- many years ago. With us, Robbie did every thrill ride. And as Paul said, "It was like we were five years old for a whole week, just having fun." I know all you readers can relate to THAT statement.

So that was Trip #1 for Cindy-Rick-Paul-Robbie.

Trip #2 was one year ago -- at the beginning of September 2008. The four of us spent a week at my boss's incredible log home in western Colorado.

We drove down to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.


Left-to-right: Robbie, Paul, Cindy, Rick



We set up a tripod on the deck and had so much fun with the camera.










Well, you get the idea. The four of us have been sharing New Year's Eve since Paul & Robbie's children were -- well, children. (The "kids" are all over the age of 25 now -- where did the time go? ) We play cards (or, the last few years, we use the evening to plan our next big trip together). Robbie and I make enough food for an army. We also get together throughout the year, go out to dinner, play games, etc. We simply have a wonderful time whenever the four of us are together.

Which leads me to

What: Trip to Italy!!! Rick's been to Rome (and London and Paris and you-name-it, from when he worked on a project in Saudi Arabia and then another project in Germany many, many years ago -- long before he met ME, might I add ). The rest of us have never been to Italy, and it's been my dream for a long time.

When: September 1-12, 2009.

Where: Rome, then Florence, Pisa (did I mention that Robbie & I are stuck with a couple of structural engineers? ), and Venice.


So, dear Disney pals, I'm gonna need some pixie dust! I'd like to order safe and smooth travels, lovely weather, a great time had by all, and my ear plugs to do the trick against Rick's snoring!

That's not asking for too much, is it?

[jimmymac]

Have fun planning. I've been to Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice many times. You will have the time of your life. The artwork / architecture and above all the food are to die for. Florence has the best steaks in Italy

[MGW]

Yea! Another trip I've always wanted to take. You and Larry are going to keep me busy! Can't wait to read all about it!

[DouglasE]

How exciting! Your trip is only a few weeks away! It sounds like instead of a dessert sampler you are getting ready for an Italian sampler. Make sure you take LOTS and LOTS of pictures. How great is it that you get to share this experience with wonderful friends that you love.



Safe journey!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great trip that is going to be!

[goofysdtr]

Sounds like you will all have a blast! I'm sure Rick & Paul will figure out how to "fix" the leaning tower. Have a great time!

[cindybelle]

Originally Posted by goofysdtr

Sounds like you will all have a blast! I'm sure Rick & Paul will figure out how to "fix" the leaning tower. Have a great time!

That's exactly what I'm afraid of! Actually, Rick is famous for saying, "#&*$@&Y*@&$# architects!" So I'm fairly certain he'll be saying that at the Leaning Tower!

[chezp]

What an awesome trip you've got planned - you're going to love all the places you're visiting. I can't wait to read all about it.

[cindybelle]

Pinch me! I don't think I'll believe I'm going until we land in Rome.

Even though my co-workers have known for months that I'm going to Italy, since most of them are architects they waited until TODAY to start giving me advice on what to see and do. A couple of them lived in Rome for a semester or two during college. Now my mouth is watering from descriptions of crunchy rosetti with prosciutto stuffed into it. Since Rick has never met a pork product he didn't like, I have a feeling we'll be stopping by the bakery and market at the Campo de Fiori sometime next week!

Tuesday afternoon, we get on a plane. Wednesday morning, we arrive in Rome. Thursday morning, we have reservations for the Vatican Museum. Friday, we'll tour the ancient sites (Pantheon, Colosseum). As Mickey Mouse would say, "Oh, BOY!"

[chezp]

Wow - you're nearly there! You are going to love it - your plans sound awesome... so do you want any more suggestions for places to see? Only joking...

[cindybelle]

Originally Posted by chezp

Wow - you're nearly there! You are going to love it - your plans sound awesome... so do you want any more suggestions for places to see? Only joking...

No more! No more! Well, OK, if you have one or two suggestions. . . .

[LLaffinPlace]

Originally Posted by MGW

Yea! Another trip I've always wanted to take. You and Larry are going to keep me busy! Can't wait to read all about it!

It's all part of the service, Melissa!

I hope you have a wonderful time--safe travels [and everything else]! Do take tons of pictures. I have set foot in Italy (actually I guess I have spent the night) but it was in Northern Italy (near Cortina D'Ampezzo, I think it was), but never made it to the rest because it was an Alpine tour [also with Sue as it happens].

Your group sounds like a ton of fun. Hopefully we can all meet up at WDW sometime!

[Tawnya]

I absolutly LOVE Italy! You will have an amazing trip hope to hear all about it when you come back!

[lauriep]

It sounds great! Wishing you safe travels, good weather, and FUN!

[cindybelle]

Thanks for the good wishes, everybody! Larry, concerning your suggestion that we all meet up at WDW sometime -- that reminds me a co-worker asked me last week if I was more excited about going to Italy than I get about going to WDW. I got some strange looks when I paused and said, "I am delighted to finally go to Italy, but I'm not jumping up and down like I do when I know I'm going to Disney World."

The PassPorter community is a collection of people who can probably understand that sentiment -- everybody else things I'm nuts! (Well, probably at least half of YOU think I'm nuts, too, but it's a nuttiness you can relate to! )

Ciao!