Italy Crew, September 2025! Part One

leenaphoto .
Sep 19
5 min read

Saturday 13th

Well that was the worst sleep ever…anyone else get that the day before they fly? Nerves? Excitement? Both?

4hrs sleep…that’ll do I guess! I got on a coach to Gatwick from Bristol around 9am. My parents and dog dropped me off around 745am before they made their way to look after my niece in Wales, just so I didn’t have lug my suitcase on the bus or pay for a taxi - grateful.

I started talking to this super cute couple in the station and then they sat in front of me on the coach and we spoke a little then too. Absolutely loved them, hope they have a nice time in Sicily!

I’m now sat with my Pumpkin Spiced Latte & reading my book whilst I wait for Becky! Looks like our flight might be delayed into Rome later so it’s going to be a late night but I am so buzzed to see everyone and meet some new faces!

Stephen King’s The Long Walk came out in cinemas yesterday and so I figured I’d read it and catch it in cinemas once I’m back.

Becky has arrived! We had a lil hug, went to bag drop & then made our way through security to the departures. It’s so much easier going through security now! You don’t have to remove your liquids or laptop! Of course my bag was pulled aside and swabbed but it was super quick and they were very friendly - they just had to check that it was water in my metal water bottle with a fancy little machine they have.

Me and Becky headed to Shake Shack for a bite to eat, then we grabbed a meal deal to bring onto the flight for later.

We have 2hrs left on the flight! It might be pretty late by the time we get in so we might not see the whole gang until tomorrow, Lisha however is in the same air bnb as us and I cannot wait to give her the biggest hug!

It was a struggle walking through with that suitcase on the cobble stones, it’s no joke…don’t get me started on the stairs up to our place (thanks for the help with the case Lisha, appreciate it!!) 🤣

Me and Becky ended up speaking to Lisha until about 1am and then by the time we’d showered and got into bed it was after 2am…oopsie.

Excited to see more people tomorrow!!

Sunday 14th

We woke up and made our way to meet Dusty, Kendra, Sam, Hannah and a new face - Tom French. After a lil catch up we set off to explore the sights of Rome, grabbing coffee on the way - essential.

Safe to say that after 20,000 steps, we covered a lot of Rome. Such a beautiful place. Busy, but beautiful none the less. It's my third time in Rome and I still think there is so much to see...I'll be back.

Highlight of the day (apart from being reunited with my friends) was the cooking class! Sooo much fun! Dusty and Kendra had previously done this class before, the last time they came to Rome, and it was so much fun, dare I say we may have peaked too soon 🤣.

Guanciale is the greatest pork of all time!!!! Making pasta was epic and so easy. It was a really cool experience, and even more fun because we’d all made dinner together!

Honestly, it was so much fun I don’t think I can describe in words how incredible it was. Shout out to Dusty & Kendra for arranging it.

Grab a bunch of your friends, head to Italy and book a pasta cooking class!

Yes, wine was involved…

After being very full, we made our way to a bar, on route we grabbed some tiramisu, and it was sadly the worst tiramisu I’ve ever had.

Amy & her husband Henry joined us - the cutest couple. A lot of love for them. Also with them was Ollie and his girlfriend Rachel, super cute. After a little catch up, we headed back to pass out in the air bnb.

Monday 15th

Wahooo today we travel towards the Dolomites, and we’re travelling first class! It’s a 5hr journey and then we’ll collect our hire cars and head to the Linder Cycling Hotel.

Just over an hour left on the train! We’re all starving so grabbed a light bite to eat on the train to keep us going until lunchtime.

Wahoo we are in Bolzano, bit of a confusion with the Ubers and getting to our car rental…turns out Craig & Aimee had one just around the corner from the station and ended up going all the way to the one where everyone else was picking up from…which was a little further - sorry guys!

After the car chaos, we had a bite to eat then made our way to the hotel, oh my god. What a beautiful view from the pool it hasssss, epic!

Becky and I joined Craig & Aimee in the pool, then afterwards we made our way to meet the rest of the gang in the bar before heading to bed.

Buona notte.

Tues 16th

I made my way down to breakfast around 8am with some of the gang now we’re making our way to Secada! Ohhhh myyyy days it’s beautiful....LOOOOK

After a few hours exploring we made our way back to explore the area near the hotel. Me and Becky popped out to look in the shops & have a bite to eat. I found a super cute bag but I don't think I'd use it enough to justify 19 euros.

Wahoo, Ollie & Rachel have rejoined us! A few of us headed to the pool & sauna for a little bit before getting ready for dinner in the eve.

I can’t remember the name of the place we had dinner…but safe to say we were the loudest table in there 🤣

Thank you Aimee for cutting my food! 💜

After a few hours in the restaurant we walked back to the hotel, a few of us had a night cap and a little chat before heading to bed.

Wednesday 17th

It’s 630am and I’m just waiting in the hotel lounge to go for a run with Dusty & Kendra, I have been awake annoyingly since 530am so we’ll see how far I get 🤣.

Lovely run! I mean Dusty did most of the running, the hills here are killer but it was so good to get out early. After the run we had breakfast together and then packed up ready to check out and head towards our next destination.

…The Skyview Chalets, wow. This has got to be the best place I’ve ever stayed?!

Thursday 18th

I slept badly despite being so comfortable, butttt I’m up for a run! Going to meet Dusty, Kendra, Henry, Tom & maybe Craig? For a run around the lake! 7am is the best time to go for a run, especially when it’s this beautiful. Okay excuse the shock in my face but I'd had minimal sleep and it was cold haha

Soooo beautiful running around the lake, me and Kendra may have stopped to take a few photos...

Once we finished our run, breakfast had been delivered to the chalet, HOW CUTE:

After breakfast myself and Becky hopped into a car with Lisha and Tom and made our way to Lago di Braies. We rented some rowing boats, which was hilarious. I was in one with Sam, Hannah & Tom and then Dusty, Kendra, Becky and Lisha were in another.

The water was SO blue. Thanks for letting me have a little row guys, also thanks for doing most of the rowing because it’s not easy 🤣