Author: Maria

Rome, Italy 2019

June 2, 2019
Today we left our friends house and picked up a rental car and drove to Rome and checked into the Waldorf Astoria. Once we checked in we decided to take a stroll around Rome. We took a taxi to the city center walked around a bit and then went back to the hotel and got ready to meet up with our relatives for dinner. We always have a great time with them so we were looking forward to a fun night.
June 3, 2019
Today we walked around Rome again which we love to do and decided to have our relatives met us at our favorite lunch spot which is facing the pantheon. We love to imagine life as it was back then. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel to relax and get ready to have dinner once again with our relatives. Our aunt is 90 years old so we try and see her as much as we can. Family is really important to us.
June 4, 2019
Today w drove to Civitavecchia, Rome to board our ship for the 37-day cruise. We love to cruise because you unpack once and you get to see different parts of the world and it isn’t a hassle.
Follow us on our journey the next destination is Lucca, Italy.
If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Rome.
Alessandra, Gloria, Laura, Giovanina, John & Maria

Maria & John

Ritz Carlton Lobby

Florence, Italy 2019

May 30, 2019
Today we checked out of Eze and got a taxi to pick up our rental car in Nice so that we could drive to Florence.  Once we got settled in we walked to this cool spot with a bottle of wine and some appetizers to watch the sunset. It was such a great welcoming. Afterward, we walked to their favorite spot for some pasta and boy was it GREAT!!!
May 31, 2019
Today we did all the things tourists do. We visited the beautiful church and the bell tower and the palace. We walked up and down 2,524 steps in one day.  The Bell tower has 413 steps, The Dome has 469 steps and Palazzo Vecchio has 389 steps. We got a chance to see Michelangelo’s David again which was really cool and this time we were able to take a picture of the statue. Afterward, we all went out for dinner to this amazing steakhouse called Regina Bistecca.
June 1, 2019
Today John and I walked around and did some shopping. There’s nothing like retail therapy to soothe yourself. John wanted to purchase some new sports jackets to wear on the cruise we would be on in a few days. For dinner, we decided to lay low and Avin and Lindsey purchased some cold cuts and cheese and we had some nice sandwiches and wine. We got a chance to enjoy the last few hours with them and their amazing kids Lefa & Luca.

Maria, John & Avin

The crypt in the Santa Maria del Fiore

The Dome

Lefa in her eating chair
Lefa
Luca

Nice, France

May 29, 2019

Today we checked into our hotel in Nice. We got settled in and decided to take a walk along the pretty beach and have a glass of Rose by the beach.

Afterward, we went back to the hotel and got ready to have dinner with a couple we just happened to run into who was with us at the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. Kyle and Lindsey were a lot of fun so it was nice to get another chance to hang out and have a bunch of laughs.

Follow us on our journey the next destination is Florence, Italy.
If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Nice.

Kyle, Maria, John & Lindsey

Eze, France

May 27, 2019 – May 28, 2019
Today we checked out of Hotel de Paris and got a taxi to Eze once we checked into La Chevre D’Or Hotel I went straight to get a massage.
Afterward, John and I walked around the grounds of the hotel which are amazing. We found out that the hotel covers three-quarters of Eze Village. We got ready and went to eat dinner at this amazing restaurant called Le Mas Provencal which is basically a garden inside with real flowers that are tended to each day. Tell Hans we said hello while you are there.
Follow us on our journey the next destination is Nice, France.

The Exotic Garden – Jardin Exotique

Maria
Maria

The Church of Eze Village

Antibes, France

May 24, 2019
Today we met up with our friends Rodney and Donna who we met a few weeks ago at the Kentucky Derby. We went on a tour with a tour guide to Antibes.
After a nice walking tour of Antibes, we then drove to Hotel du Cap and grabbed lunch at Eden Roc.
Follow us on our journey the next destination is Eze, France.

Maria, Donna, Rodney & John

Grand Prix Extravaganza 2019 – Monte Carlo, Monaco

May 23, 2019
Today we flew into Nice and got a taxi ride to Monaco which is about 45 minutes away. Once we got to Monte Carlo we checked into the beautiful Hotel de Paris Hotel. After we got settled in we decided to have lunch at the hotel which was really expensive.
May 24, 2019
Today we met up with our friends Rodney and Donna and their tour guide and we drove to Antibes, France. After a leisure stroll around Antibes, we drove to Hotel du Cap to have lunch at Eden Roc.
May 25, 2019
Today we watched the qualifying race on the 140′ yacht name Soy Amor.
We had an amazing time and we met some really cool new people. Afterward, we went to Nobu for dinner and after dinner, we then met up with Lindsey, Kyle, Pepe, Carlos, Roula, Jim and Eddie for a nightcap in Le Bar Americain which was a blast!!!
May 26, 2019 – Race Day
Today we were lucky enough to be in Garnier suite with an unbelievable view of the track. We were right above one of the turns and there was space for cars to take the lead which was exciting. We had a wonderful time with the new friends that we met. After the race was over John and I went back to the room to get ready for Dinner. We had reservations to the fabulous restaurant in the Hotel de Paris called Louis XV. This was an amazing experience which I would recommend everyone try at least once. Every course had a unique layout and silverware and it was nicely done almost like art.

Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean

Our Grand Prix 2019 Swag

Hats signed by Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean

140′ Yacht where we watched the Pre-qualifying race

Race Day 2019

Ed, Amy, John, Maria, Jim, Lindsey, Roula, Kyle, Megan & Shane

Grand Prix after-party at Bar American – American Express opened up 30 bottles of Dom Perignon Champagne for 15 people.

Louisville, Ketucky – 2019 Kentucky Derby

May 2, 2019 

Today we checked into the Embassy Suites Hotel and we got ready and headed to Eddie Merlot’s for dinner afterward we went back to the hotel to settle in and get ready for the Kentucky Oaks tomorrow

May 3, 2019

Today we got ready for the Kentucky Oaks I wore a pink dress in honor of breast cancer survivors and a fascinator which was hand-painted ostrich feathers. After the Oaks race, we had an after-party where we saw Martina McBride perform a bunch of her hit songs.

May 4, 2019 – DERBY DAY!!!!!

Today was very exciting!  Going to the Kentucky Derby was on our bucket list and we are lucky enough to be able to check it off.

Oaks Day

Maria
Maria
Maria & John

DERBY DAY!!!

Maria
Maria & John
Maria & John
John figuring out our Derby bets

Maria
Maria, John, Adam, Sid, Brian, Rodney, Linda & Donna
Maria

After the Derby, our friends Donna & Rodney hired a shuttle to take us all back to the hotel. This is a video of our Irish friends having some fun singing.

Louisville Airport

We were on the plane with Bob Baffert – Legendary Horse Trainer. I asked him to sign our Trophy Room tickets.

Gifts from The Derby Experience