Italy Crew, September 2025! Part Two

Friday 19th

The Adderley’s drove us to Venice, pretty cool views from the BYD.

Hello Venice.

On our way to the Airbnb me and Becky strolled past where Marie and Cam were having breakfast. Such a delight to see Marie again and really nice to finally meet Cam!

Venice is so beautiful, it was really nice just wandering around and being in awe at its beauty!

what a crew!

Venice had been on my list to visit for a while, it’s so lovely - and yes busy. If you ever come here I recommend you do not bring a suitcase! Luckily Amy advised us this, so we just packed stuff in a backpack for the night and next day. If you park in a nearby car park, you can just leave your suitcases in the car and walk over into Venice. If you haven’t got a hire car to do that, I wish you luck…you’ll need it. (The cobble streets, the many bridges over the canals, the volume of people...trust me, don't bring a case!)

After me and Becky dropped our bags at the Airbnb we met Dusty, Lisha, Kendra, Tom, Sam & Hannah for lunch. I had a super tasty Spaghetti Bolognaise, followed by a tiramisu which Lisha and I shared, there’s no photo because it was too good. Finally, a decent tirimisu yayy! We took a trip on a Gondola, it was so relaxing and cute! It seems cute is the word for Venice, I’ve said it every 5 seconds.

Gondola Squad. Cute. Marie coming in hot with the photos

It's so nice to just walk around and explore, not knowing what will be around the next corner.

After strolling around Venice, later that evening we all met up at a rooftop bar for some drinks. I did not need three Marco Polo's at that price, but, when in Venice...right?

Saturday 20th

Becky and I woke up and made our way to explore again before leaving Venice for Tuscany. Venice at 8am, is the one!

We did a little bit of shopping before meeting Amy & Henry to head to Bologna. Most importantly, we had the three C's. It's not a thing, but I'm making it a thing - Coffee, Coke & Croissant. Yes, coke as in cola, come on guys.

I think the drive from Venice to Bologna was just under two hours. We had lunch at a cute little spot, which was super tasty. After lunch we had a wander, it was verrrry hot! Amy picked up a football for the Villa at a market and then we made our way back towards the Villa (aka home for the next week.)

We really appreciated Amy doing this driving because the roads are a little wild, especially the dirt road to the villa 🤣 (thanks to everyone that drove this trip & for all the laughs within each car)

The villa is epic, I don’t have a photo to give evidence of the scale of it, or a video tour good enough…so you’ll just have to stay here or check it out here. Or just go follow Marie, she'll probably have one! If I'm completely honest, I attempted a video tour and ended up getting lost and going in circles haha.

Look at this pool though...

Once we had a grand tour from the beautiful Kendra, we hung out and waited for Sarah, Sophie & Erika to arrive.

Now the crew is complete! Not sure there is a photo yet…there probably is somewhere (I'll post one at the end for sure)

My room is sooo cool, also looks like something out of a horror movie too which I kinda love. Always wanted to sleep in a four poster bed!

We spent the evening catching up, exchanging stories & a few card games were had. Then I headed to bed to catch up on much needed sleep, guarantee I wake up before 6am tomorrow…

Sunday 21st

It’s 5:50am 🤣 soooo I decided to close my eyes and see if my body allowed more sleep, wahoooo it let me have another hour and a half.

I made a coffee and went to sit by the pool to read, it’s so relaxing here, time needs to slow down!

Erika was the first to join me by the pool, we had a little chat as we sipped our coffees, then we went to put our swimsuits on.

The rest of the morning was spent in the pool, having a chat with Cam & getting to know him more. I love meeting new people and finding out more about them. As more people joined the pool, the games started, luckily for all it took place in the shallow end 🦀.

Around midday Amy took myself, Becky, Erika & Marie to the shop to grab some supplies for the week. My trolley was mainly pasta and booze, when in…Chianti.

Once we got back, I made lunch, did some laundry then headed back out to the pool. The day flew by and suddenly it was dinner time, Amy cooked up a super tasty speck risotto for a few of us (Henry, Ollie, Rachel and I). The rest of the crew went to a local Pizzeria, and I think Craig and Aimee had a bit of work to do, so they joined us shortly after we'd finished eating.

After dinner we sat and had some drinks and discussed the next days plan. I think a handful of us will head to Florence, I‘ll work a couple of hours somewhere and regroup with them once I finish up.

So much for my early night, it’s almost midnight so I think I’ll stop here.

See you tomorrow Florence.

Monday 22nd

Hello Florence, we meet again. We sat in a cafe, where I worked a few hours (sorry Jack, aware I didn't fully do everything I was supposed to...haha)

Florence is so pretty, the first time I came here was with my sister Angel as part of the cruise we did a few years ago. It was a lot quieter then but it's still a beautiful place to visit. Just look everywhere if you ever get a chance to go, and also always look up. We’re so fixated on our phones (the majority of us) that we forget to look around us. The buildings are beautiful and the shutters on them often have detailed illustrations/carvings. They all differ at each turn you make. I put my phone away for the most part and just tried to take it all in.

We went for lunch at a spot Amy had been to before (four times with her daughter Maggie on one trip before) it lived up to the hype!!

I had the carbonara and it was yummy! We continued to wander around the streets, dipping in and out of shops….then the thunderstorm arrived where we took shelter in a gelato shop and I got ripped off, £18 for two scoops of ice cream?! It wasn’t even gelato (yes I’ll stop going on about it now Amy 😂)

Anyone else absolutely love standing in the rain?

The rain eased off, we wandered some more before heading towards the bus stop. The bus was tiny! It was like someone’s mini van lol. Once off the bus we got a tram to our hire car. We then made our way back home to the villa. Games of mafia were played late into the night, then we all made our way to our rooms to sleep ready for the next days adventure.

Tuesday 23rd

This morning I went for a run with Rachel, Erika, Dusty and Tom. Well Tom was basically done by the time we’d set off, mountain goat. This was a lot harder than the lake run in the Dolomites but I did a little shuffle with Rachel and got time to speak to her a bit more. She is adorable, a lot of love for her. Go, Dusty, go!

~

It’s Amy’s 50th birthday!!! I’m a little tipsy writing this so no idea what’s going to become of this section 🤣. WOOOOOOO.

Around midday a few of us decided to head to a local vineyard for some wine tasting. They said we could just show up and try some wine, turns out that wasn’t the case - so we booked a tasting and tour for tomorrow at 11am (which is in ten hours…I should sleep soon). We all headed to different places for lunch to explore and also because there are quite a lot of us to seat in one place last minute.

Amy, Henry, Cam, Marie and I made our way to Castellina in Chianti for lunch and a wander. It was adorable and probably one of the best meals I’ve had during this entire stay, well a close top spot to the cooking class in Rome.

Lobster Linguine

Collectively the villa gang were working hard to keep Amy's 50th surprise, well, a surprise. I think we did a pretty decent job dudes.

Whilst me, Amy, Henry, Marie and Cam explored and made ourselves run a bit late, it seemed the entire villa needed to push back the original meet up time too. Oops.

The guys back at the villa were decorating one of the rooms and we had to make sure Amy went through a certain way once at the villa so she didn't see anything. We also had to make sure she wasn't aware of the chefs arriving and cooking in the kitchen - military operation.

"The Eagle has landed" - Henry Adderley

So much fun was had and my face hurts from the laughing, smiling and talking. It was so nice to be able to celebrate with Amy in this way. Huge thanks to Kendra and Dusty for arranging the chefs to come to the villa and make us dinner!

I feel really lucky to have so many amazing friends and people in my life. This group of friends - new ones included, just make my heart feel whole. Nothing beats this feeling, I know I still have until Saturday but it’s going to feel sad when it ends because I hate goodbyes! Embracing and cherishing all those moments and memories until then.

But for now it’s 1:15am and I should sleep and rehydrate.

Tomorrow we wine and dine, see you then.

Wednesday 24th

I woke up around 8am then made my way to have a little breakfast and get ready for the wine tour. It was a great start to the day, I loved it! Really glad we managed to fit in a vineyard tour, it would’ve been a sin not to (I mean if you don't drink or care for wine, that's still totally cool) Castello di Verrazzano

After a really interesting tour of the grounds we made our way to the tasting room, I think everyone enjoyed it…not a drop of wine left. The food pairings were incredible too!

A lot of wine was consumed, don’t let me near the shops after drinking next time all 🤣 a bottle of wine was purchased and two little bottles of olive oil.

After consuming all the wine we made our way back to the villa, a few of us got in the pool whilst others napped. I definitely should’ve chosen a nap and not to continue drinking - oops 🫣.

Later that eve we made our way to Dusty and Kendra’s favourite restaurant, Ristoro di Lamole I rode in the car with Becky, Sophie and Sarah. As we parked up near the restaurant the sun started to set, the photo is awful and does it no justice, but trust me when I say it was beautiful.

Also trust when Dusty and Kendra recommend something or somewhere, they've never let me down and I don't think they ever could. Thanks for sharing this beautiful spot with us!

I wanted to try everything on the menu, so I think I need to go back and work my way through it.

Once we got back to the villa, I think I was pretty wiped out so didn't stay up too late. I think most people hung out and spoke a while before heading to bed.

Thursday 25th

Nicola Bulgari's Car Collection Rachel's dad helped restore some of the cars in Bulgari's collection and so she managed to get us an invite to visit them! My dad's always been into cars and growing up I think he really wanted me to be interested in them - looking back, I wish I was! I really enjoyed it, and loved sending the pics to my dad and he would come back with the year and facts about them. Epic day, thank you for organising this Rachel! There are three locations for his collections - Allentown, Pennsylvania, Sarteano, Tuscany (where we were lucky enough to visit) & Rome (which Ollie and Rachel visited earlier in the trip!)

After seeing the cars, we made our way to a cute little castle town. First stop, gelato.

We had a little wander around, popped in and out of shops before making our way back to the villa. Henry & Amy were setting off early the next morning, so the goodbyes were soon to begin, noooo. Friday 26th

Most of the gang went to hire some Vespa's. Some stayed at the villa, and a handful of us stayed in Greve to check out the area. It was super cute! We got the tyre sorted on Lisha and Tom's car, so that it would be able to handle four passengers & cases on the way back to the airport the following day. We all got a few gifts from the shops and then sat amongst the square for a coffee and a chat.

Whilst sipping on coffee we spotted Rachel & Ollie, they joined us for a drink and then we made our way to a spot for lunch where the Vespa crew joined us. After sitting in the restaurant a little longer, we made our way back to the villa to pack up our cases and have one final evening together, sad times, hate goodbyes! Dusty went out and took this sick shot though

I wanted to pack slowly to delay the goodbye, then I also wanted to get it done quickly so I had more time before the final goodbye, the last day on a trip always sucks. We played a few final games of mafia, then made our way to bed. Saturday 27th In the morning we said goodbye to each other, myself, Becky, Sam, Hannah, Lisha and Tom were all on the same flight back to Gatwick from Pisa so we still had a day together which was fun

We sat down for a bit as the heat was a little too much. I was just people watching and saw a man start falling to the floor so I ran over and caught his head before it whacked the ground. Lisha joined me and held an umbrella over him for shade until the ambulance arrived.

After fooling around in Pisa, we made our way to the airport around 6pm ish.

Of course Lisha grabbed her last Aperol spritz in the airport, lil legend.

Tom, Sam & Hannah had a row to themselves, myself and Becky were a few rows ahead...and then Lisha was at the front of the plane - no doubt with a few gins in hand.

Needless to say it was a sad flight home. Not too sure why Sam & Tom look happy...

Once we had landed, Lisha made her way to her London Airbnb to stay for a few nights. Hannah, Sam & Tom made their way to Portsmouth, whilst me and Becky stayed in a nearby hotel, ready to head to our coaches back home the next morning. Well that's wrap guys, queue the soppy ending...

Thanks to each of you for the greatest holiday I could have asked for. So many great memories were made and my face still hurts from smiling. I still continue to piece together all that we did and saw! It’s still pretty surreal if I’m honest.

Dusty, Kendra & I

Kendra & Dusty, thank you for getting the ball moving and for all the things you planned and organised throughout. I love you guys so much, and am so grateful for our friendship. I miss you both already, even though I should hopefully see you when you’re UK bound next week - let’s make it happen. I need my Utah crew.

Craig & Aimee, the reason I’m even part of this group and have made the friends I have made is due to you guys. Thank you for finding so many incredible people throughout the world and bringing us together. Can’t wait for the wigs & whiskey parties to continue.

Me & Becky

Becky, thanks for looking after me and my little fin. Always a pleasure to travel with you. Thanks for the laughs along the way, possibly usually laughs at me, but I’ll take it haha. Definitely get a fringe, that wig is your calling for the next hairstyle dude!

Hannah & Sam

Sannah, you two crack me up. My favourite moment has to be you guys on the rowing boat. Never a dull moment around the pair of you. Thanks for the new memories, and keeping us alive on the boat.

Me, Tom, Ollie & Rachel

Tom, I always thought I was a marvel geek until I met Sam…then I met you, so now I’m outnumbered. Thanks for all the laughs on the trip, and the crazy amount of banter - I loved it. It was great to meet you, enjoy Australia dude!

Ollie & Rachel, Ollieee you know I love you, the mafia king…but I think I love you even more with Rachel. You are badass girl, and I loved meeting you. Grateful to have gone on a morning shuffle (run) with you and get a chance to talk to you more. Definitely wasn’t enough time so I’ll be seeing you soon I hope!

Me, Marie, Henry, Amy & Cam

Cam & Marie, CAMMMM dude you are hilarious, was really great meeting you and opening up to each other about stuff in our lives. Thanks for trusting me and being so honest. Marie, I’ve missed you so much and it’s never enough time! Thanks for being you, and for all the laughs (also thanks for the photos because they’re always my favourite!) Henry & Amy, boop. Thanks for the travels, the company and dealing with my irritating personality, I hope I grew on you haha. I loved finally getting to meet Henry - can’t believe he’s real! Thanks for always sharing your wine with me, I'm pretty sure next time I need to share about ten bottles with you both.

Sophie & Sarah

Sophie & Sarah, the mafia queens. So glad I got some time with you in your car to get to know Sophie more! You are both awesome, let’s sort a little Scotland trip soon. Thanks for the emo and Disney tunes! Also can't believe we didn't get a photo together this entire time?

Erika is front right, never mind the rest they've had their time to shine.

Erika, whenever I see wool I’ll think of you. Your vibe is on point, loved getting to know you - looking forward to seeing what you’ve made on the next trip! Also, can't believe we never got a photo either! haha

Lisha & I

Lisha, I feel like you didn’t shop that much!? Haha, you always make me feel so at ease and at home. Always the best being in your company. I already cannot wait to give you a huge hug when I next see you. Tatiana and Elena, it was great to meet you if ever so briefly!

Thanks to everyone for driving and getting us from A, to B, through to Z (Zee, not Zed...)

Well, that got emotional and long, maybe I should have saved this for my second book.

Until next time.

See you all again when Cam buys lunch.

Peace out xx