Perillo Tours

The Roman poet Statius stated, “The Appian Way is commonly said to be the queen of the long roads.” With the first section completed in 312 BC, it was vital to the success of the Roman empire in battle and in trade.

Our trip follows it in its entirety from Rome through Naples, across and south through Matera and into the ‘heel of the boot’ ending in Lecce.

• Great Hotels. Centrally-located, Deluxe & Superior First Class hotels, exclusively.
• Smaller Groups. 20 to 40 guests per tour.
• More Legroom. Deluxe, state-of-the-art motorcoaches with EXTRA legroom.
• Airport Transfers. Arrival and departure transfers in Italy.
• Buffet Breakfast Daily. A very hearty start to each day!
• 6 Dinners & 1 Lunch. Including pasta or soup, choice of entrees, vegetable, salad, dessert, coffee, wine, mineral water, beer or soft drink.
• Wireless Headsets to hear your guide clearly and distinctly in public places.
• 1 Tote Bag Per Person, baggage tags and travel documents included.
• Baggage Handling. Never touch your bag!(except at airports)
• Hotel Taxes, Hotel Service Charges and All Tips for hotel and restaurant personnel
• Professional Tour Directors and licensed local guides

At a Glance: 

• DAY 1 (Thursday) - USA, Rome
• DAY 2 (Friday) -  Rome, Dinner in Hotel
• DAY 3 (Saturday) -  Rome, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, Dinner Out Tonight
• DAY 4 (Sunday) -  Rome City Sightseeing
• DAY 5 (Monday) -  Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel
• DAY 6 (Tuesday) -  Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out Tonight
• DAY 7 (Wednesday) -  Sorrento, Matera, Lecce, Dinner in Hotel
• DAY 8 (Thursday) -  Lecce City Sightseeing, Dinner Out Tonight
• DAY 9 (Friday) -  Lecce, Bari, Trulli Area for included Lunch, Lecce
• DAY 10 (Saturday) -  Bari - USA

Full Itinerary:

DAY 1 (Thursday) - USA, Rome

Boarding our overnight flight, we’re off on an adventure, retracing the Ancient Roman highway known as the “Appian Way.”

DAY 2 (Friday) -  Rome, Dinner in Hotel

Arrive at Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci Airport. Transfer by private motorcoach to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. D

DAY 3 (Saturday) -  Rome, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, Dinner Out Tonight

This morning, it’s a 5 minute drive to another country – Vatican City! With our expert local guide we’ll tour the Vatican Museums, a treasure trove of ancient Greek sculptures, medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings.

Our visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel, the room where the Pope is elected. Next we visit St. Peter’s Basilica, by far the largest church in Christendom. We’ll see Michelangelo’s Pieta, sculpted when he was just 24, as well as Bernini’s seven-story bronze canopy located above the main altar.

You’ll have lunch on your own followed by a free afternoon in Rome. Tonight we’ll recount our explorations with good food, good wine and great friends at a fine local restaurant. BB, D

DAY 4 (Sunday) -  Rome City Sightseeing

Hail Caesar! All aboard our chariot for a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome including the Roman Forum, Largo Argentina (where Caesar was stabbed by Brutus), the Jewish Ghetto and the Circus Maximus. Then we’ll enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.

Tonight, your tour guide will recommend many delectable eateries for dinner on your own.
BB

DAY 5 (Monday) -  Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel

This morning, we motor to Naples. Have your cameras ready because we will arrive in Naples via Vomero Hill overlooking the sapphire Bay of Naples, Capri and proud Vesuvius. We descend to the heart of the city along the sea front promenade, seeing Castel dell’Ovo, San Carlo Opera House, Santa Lucia, Town Hall and the Angevin Castle where today’s date appears in flowers!

Then, it’s off to Pompeii. Imagine, a city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day 2,000 years ago, when ash and lava literally stopped it in its tracks. You’ll see the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape along with children and dogs.

We continue to Sorrento, which stands on the plateau overlooking the Gulf of Naples dominated by Mount Vesuvius. Tonight, dinner at our hotel with fine wines. BB, D

DAY 6 (Tuesday) -  Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out Tonight

This morning you’ll be taken to Capri, the world’s most enchanting island. You can explore to your hearts content on your own or your tour conductor may have other ideas. You’ll be as captivated by Capri as Emperor Tiberius who used the Blue Grotto as his personal swimming pool!

Later this afternoon, we sail back to Sorrento in time for dinner at a great Neapolitan restaurant with the fine wines of the Campania Region. BB, D

DAY 7 (Wednesday) -  Sorrento, Matera, Lecce, Dinner in Hotel

A USA Today article says it best: “Puglia has it all, except the tourists!” Crystal clear, aquamarine waters. Powder-sand beaches. Mouthwatering peasant cuisine and the nicest people in all of Italy!

But along the way, let’s stop in fascinating Matera. When you see the ancient homes built into the rocks, you’ll understand why ‘The Passion of The Christ’ was filmed here. And when we say ‘ancient,’ we mean it! Inhabitants can boast that they’re living in the same dwellings as their ancestors from 9,000 years ago!

We continue on to the 5-Star Patria Palace Hotel in the very heart of Lecce – “the Florence of the South.” We’ll enjoy dinner and overnight in this historic hotel. BB, D

DAY 8 (Thursday) -  Lecce City Sightseeing, Dinner Out Tonight

The Old Appian Way ends around the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce. In the main square, you’ll see the impressive statue of St. Oronzo erected as thanks for ending the plague of 1666.

We will also visit the impressive Basilica of the Holy Cross, and the Bishop’s Palace. This afternoon you’ll have time to explore on your own, shop, or just relax.

Tonight we’ll dine at a great local restaurant featuring the foods and wines of the Puglia region. BB, D

DAY 9 (Friday) -  Lecce, Bari, Trulli Area for included Lunch, Lecce

Our last full day in Italy will include a visit to the seaside capital of Puglia – Bari. We’ll visit the old town including St. Nicholas’ Basilica, the Cathedral and the imposing castle.

You might need to remind yourself that you haven’t entered a fairy tale land of miniature castles. Indeed, you’ve entered the Trulli area, famous for the unique circular buildings with conical roofs and domed interiors.

We’ll enjoy a great lunch with local wines at a typical Trulli restaurant.

Tonight, it’s dinner on your own. Why not join you tour-friends at a local eatery, exchange email addresses and plan your next Perillo Tour! BB, L

DAY 10 (Saturday) -  Bari - USA

No tears, just great memories of your journey along the ancient Roman Appian Way. Today we fly home to the States, arriving on the same day. Arrivederci! BB

Note: Please be advised that circumstances may change the day and/or sequence of scheduled activities, as well as the substitution of hotels, events, shows, sightseeing, itinerary, restaurants, hosts, etc. 

B=Breakfast D=Dinner

Why book your flights with Perillo Tours?

1. For a seamless travel experience from start to finish.
2. Big savings in both Coach and Business Class.
3. Reserve your flights now but pay later with your final payment.
4. No fees for air ticket change or cancellation until ticketing at 60 days prior to your departure.
5. Earn Frequent Flyer mileage.

Step 1: Choose the zone of your departing city.

Step 2: Match your zone to find the sample airfare which depends on your exact departure date.

Choose the zone of your departure city and match it with the tour departure date to find airfare examples.

SAMPLE AIRFARES

Sample Airfares

Since airfares are unpredictable the above ‘sample airfares’ are shown in order for you to estimate the complete cost of your tour. You must add estimated departure tax and a fuel surcharge of $450 per person to the above ‘sample airfares’ to estimate your full airfare. Your exact airfare will be advised within 2 business days of booking your tour.

Airfares DO include your roundtrip airport transfers in Italy at scheduled times, provided you arrive and depart on scheduled tour dates. If you wish to arrive earlier or extend you stay, airport transfers are not included.

Book Early!

We strongly recommend you BOOK EARLY as lowest airfares are on a first-come first-serve basis. Plus more availability on most convenient flights and best seats.

Air Upgrade At Affordable Prices

When you purchase your coach ticket through Perillo Tours, you can upgrade to Business/First Class for a surcharge of as little as $2799 per person. Live it up a little!

Below are the hotels you will experience on this Perillo Tour.

NOTE: If a change in hotels becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be equivalent of those shown.

Want to start your vacation early or extend your stay in Italy?  A Perillo Tour’s representative will be happy to help with the arrangements.  Along with extra night hotel accommodations, your air tickets may be booked to arrive before your tour begins or remain after your tour ends.  

Many customers prefer to arrive early to unwind and relax prior to the tour’s start date. Others like to extend their stay to visit with friends or relatives or explore on their own.

Whatever you desire Perillo’s team will help you plan and coordinate your entire journey.

Memories are the most magical part of any Perillo experience. Here are a few memorable moments from our clients.

Have an interesting or inspiring story of your own? Tell us your story and it may be published on our website for others to enjoy!