Perillo Tours

Begin your tour with three nights in Rome, the Eternal City where we visit St. Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and on and on. Next, we motor south to Sorrento for two nights. We’ll stop for a visit to Pompeii, the city of ruins dug out from the ashes rained on it by Mt. Vesuvius and now, perfectly preserved as it was 2,000 years ago! Sorrento is advantageously located over steep cliffs offering fantastic views over the Bay of Naples. Sheer pleasure. We’ll also enjoy a visit to the world’s most enchanting island, Capri.

The next three nights' accommodations will be in the romantic city of Florence, the fountainhead of the Renaissance. From Florence we’ll visit Pisa - the most instantly recognizable structure on earth.

On to Venice, where we’ll spend two storybook nights exploring the canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. And a romantic gondola ride is included.

Last stop – two nights in Lugano, Switzerland. We interrupt our trip from Venice to Lugano with a short stop in Verona to see Shakespeare’s Juliet’s balcony. You’ll delight in a guided walking tour of Lugano’s traffic-free historic center and Switzerland’s natural beauty.

• Great Hotels. Centrally-located, First-Class & Deluxe hotels, exclusively.
• NEW 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!
• 9 Dinners. Including pasta or soup, choice of entrees, vegetable, salad, dessert, coffee, wine, mineral water, beer or soft drink.
• NEW Gondola Ride Included! For years an “optional,” now included at no extra charge.
• NEW Wine Tasting. Vineyard tour and wine tasting.
• NEW Uffizi Gallery Included. Visit the most famous museum in Florence.
• 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 - Depart USA
• Day 2 - Arrive in Rome, Afternoon at Leisure, Dinner in Hotel
• Day 3 - Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Dinner Out Tonight
• Day 4 - Rome City Sightseeing, Afternoon at Leisure
• Day 5 - Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel
• Day 6 - Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out
• Day 7 - Sorrento, Drive to Florence, Dinner in Hotel
• Day 8 - Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence, Dinner Out
• Day 9 - Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit
• Day 10 - Florence, Padua, Venice, Dinner in Hotel
• Day 11 - Venice, City Sightseeing, Gondola Ride (Included)
• Day 12 - Venice, Verona, Lugano, Dinner in Hotel
• Day 13 - Lugano, Panoramic Lake Cruise, Dinner Out
• Day 14 - Lugano, Milan, Flight Home

Full Itinerary:

DAY 1 Depart USA

Boarding our overnight flight, we’re off on the adventure of a lifetime.

DAY 2 Arrive in Rome, Afternoon at Leisure, Dinner in Hotel

Benvenuti a Roma! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Rome airport to your hotel at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you.

There will be time to relax this afternoon before our evening’s welcome drink and dinner with fine local wines at our hotel. BB, D

DAY 3 Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, 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. Tonight we’ll recount our explorations with good food, good wine and great friends at a great local restaurant. BB, D

DAY 4 Rome City Sightseeing, Afternoon at Leisure

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 we thought you’d enjoy a dinner on your own. Ask your tour guide for a recommendation, or simply relax and enjoy your hotel restaurant. BB

DAY 5 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.

Tonight, dinner at our hotel with fine wines. BB, D

DAY 6 Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out

Naples at our stern, Capri at our bow, this morning we cross the Bay of Naples to the world’s most enchanting island. The vacation spot of emperors and movie stars, you’ll be equally captivated by the charms of Capri.

Tonight, still glowing from the sun, we’re off to a Sorrento eatery for fine food and wine. BB, D

DAY 7 Sorrento, Drive to Florence, Dinner in Hotel

Departing Sorrento, our deluxe motorcoach navigates the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and postcard-perfect vistas of Umbria and Tuscany. Along the way, we’ll travel by the beautiful Tiber River Valley and the medieval villages of Orvieto and Orte, reaching Florence in time for a relaxing dinner at our hotel. BB, D

DAY 8 Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence, Dinner Out

The bell tower of Pisa is among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. Architects say it would be world famous even if it were perfectly straight. This morning we’ll see for ourselves, along with the beautiful Cathedral and Baptistery.

This afternoon we’ll visit a typical Tuscan winery to learn about the grape, the “nose,” food pairings and most importantly – which glass to use! Cin-Cin!

We’ll enjoy our Florentine dinner out at a great local eatery. BB, D

DAY 9 Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit

Florence - the fountainhead of the Renaissance; city of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli and da Vinci!

Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city atop Piazzale Michelangelo, followed by an extensive tour of the Uffizi gallery, one of the oldest and most important art museums in the world, including Botticelli’s famed Primavera and The Birth of Venus.

Next we visit the majestic Duomo built in 1296, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned “Gates of Paradise” doors. We follow the medieval streets to the most striking square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria and an external view of Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo’s final resting place.

Tonight your tour guide will have some great suggestions for dinner on your own in Florence. BB, D

DAY 10 Florence, Padua, Venice, Dinner in Hotel

Visitors to Padua are often surprised by a sense of deep spirituality. St. Anthony (patron Saint of lost objects) is interred here in the serene Basilica which dates back to the 1200’s. Venice arrives to us as in a dream. Gondolas drift along, not just for show, but to deliver the staples of everyday life. Our arrival is also by boat, as we’re eager to start exploring.

Tonight’s dinner is easy and relaxed, right in our hotel. BB, D

DAY 11 Venice, City Sightseeing, Gondola Ride (Included)

This morning we’ll meet our expert local guide for a walking tour of St. Mark’s Square, the great Byzantine Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and an inside visit of the Doge’s Palace.

New this year, we’re happy to include a free Gondola ride (weather permitting). You’ll explore the romantic canals of Venice, serenaded by your gondolier!

This afternoon you’ll have a chance to “get lost” in the city’s labyrinth of canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. Being a small island, it’s impossible to stray very far. But it won’t hurt to master the phrase “Dov’e’ Piazza San Marco?”

Tonight your tour guide will have some great suggestions for dinner on your own in Venice. BB, D

DAY 12 Venice, Verona, Lugano, Dinner in Hotel

This morning we’re off to Switzerland! But our drive to Lugano is delightfully interrupted by a visit to romantic Verona. We’ll stand in the courtyard below Juliet’s balcony where Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers professed their love. While Lugano is firmly in Switzerland, the beautiful alpine town still clings to its Italian roots. Her pristine lake, surrounded by the majestic Alps, have made Lugano a magnet for the rich and famous of Europe.

Upon arrival we’ll check-in and enjoy an easy dinner, right in our hotel. BB, D

DAY 13 Lugano, Panoramic Lake Cruise, Dinner Out

This morning we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour through the traffic-free historic center. You’ll see that Lugano’s natural beauty is accompanied by great shops filled with Swiss specialties – like clocks, watches and, of course, chocolate.

Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy a panoramic cruise on Lake Lugano.

Tonight is our last dinner together. No tears. You’ll exchange e-mails with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on a Perillo Tour to Hawaii! BB, D

DAY 14 Lugano, Milan, Flight Home

This morning we board our flight home, arriving in the USA the same day. While we say “arrivederci” to Italy, we realize we’re taking a little piece of it back home with us.

Thanks for traveling with the Perillo family, and please return soon. BB

B=Breakfast D=Dinner

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.

Let Perillo book your flights.

We will be happy to arrange your roundtrip flights to Italy. The following ‘sample airfares’ are based on current airfares (June 2009).

Airfares 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 your stay, airport transfers are not included.

To extend your air, a $50 each direction, air deviation charge, per person will apply. Airfares are subject to change and do not include government imposed departure taxes or fuel surcharges.

Your exact airfare and flight information will be advised within 48 hours of booking your tour.

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

Book Early

Airfares and airfare seasons are subject to change. Fares are capacity controlled and limited. If service from your departure city is cancelled by the airlines, it is the passenger’s responsibility to arrange transportation to the nearest available international gateway city at the passenger’s own expense. Again, a word to the wise — BOOK EARLY!

The departure cities shown may be added to or deleted at any time. If a city is deleted after booking, it is the passenger’s responsibility to arrange transportation to the nearest available international gateway city at the passenger’s own expense. Again, a word to the wise. BOOK EARLY!

Air Upgrade

Did you know that the normal cost of a Business/First Class upgrade to Europe is now around $6000 per person from New York? Now, if you buy your coach ticket through Perillo Tours, you can upgrade for a surcharge of as little as $2199 per person. Here’s a chance to spend a little of your children’s inheritance and travel in the lap of luxury!

On a Perillo Tour, all hotel arrangements are taken care of for you; you don't need to lift a finger! Rest assured that to become a part of a Perillo Tour, a hotel must demonstrate consistently fine quality and an uncompromised level of service.

Below are some examples of the first-class and deluxe hotels you will experience on this Perillo Tour. Depending on your departure date, every Perillo hotel, whether or not pictured here, will offer comparable quality.

Our tours have been crafted to balance abundant activity with plenty of free time. Some folks will enjoy the time on their own, and others will be happy to know that weoffer several ‘optional excursions’ at a reasonable cost. They can be purchased directly from your tour guide in Italy.

All optional tours and rates can and do frequently change. Prices noted above are approximate. Payment in EUROS or DOLLARS ONLY, no Travelers Checks or Credit Cards accepted.

Want to start your vacation early or extend your stay in Italy? A Perillo Tours Representative will be happy to help with the arrangements.

Many of our customers prefer to arrive early before a tour starts to unwind and relax. Others like to extend their stay and visit with friends or relatives on their own.

Whatever you desire, Perillo’s team can 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 our website for others to enjoy!