Perillo Tours

Perillo’s ‘Italy North Classic’ is the largest selling Italy tour in history. Developed in 1975 by Mario Perillo and Lucio Massari, it remains our most popular itinerary today. The ‘Continental’ delivers the identical itinerary but without dinners.

• Great Hotels. Centrally-located, First-Class & Deluxe 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!
• 9 Dinners. Including pasta or soup, choice of entrees, vegetable, salad, dessert, coffee, wine, mineral water, beer or soft drink.
• Wine Tasting. Vineyard tour and wine tasting.
• 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 Sightseeing, Afternoon at Leisure
• Day 4 - Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Dinner Out Tonight
• 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, Full Day City Sightseeing including "the David", Dinner Out
• Day 9 - Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence
• Day 10 - Florence, Padua, Venice, Dinner Out
• Day 11 - Venice, City Sightseeing
• Day 12 - Venice, Verona, Milan City Sightseeing, Dinner In Hotel
• Day 13 - Milan, Lugano, Lake Como, Milan, Dinner Out
• Day 14 - 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 dinner with fine local wines at our hotel. D

DAY 3 - Rome 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 4 - 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 fine local restaurant. BB, D

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

Sorrento 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.

This evening’s dinner features fine local wines at our hotel. BB, D

DAY 8 - Florence, Full Day City Sightseeing including "The David", Dinner Out

Florence - the fountainhead of the Renaissance, awaits our inspection! Our day of sightseeing includes 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, home of Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo’s final resting place.

“Breathtaking” is the only word to describe one’s first view of Michelangelo’s David. Yes, it’s quite large and detailed. But the real magic is in how Michelangelo transformed a lifeless rock into a man - full of pride, wary of his adversary, yet quietly confident. All with just a hammer and chisel!

Tonight we’ll recount our explorations at a great local restaurant. BB, D

DAY 9 - Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence

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!

Tonight, we return to Florence for dinner on your own. BB

DAY 10 - Florence, Padua, Venice, Dinner Out

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 1200s.

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 we’ll recount our explorations at a great local restaurant. Good food, good wine and great friends. Now that’s Italian! BB, D

DAY 11 - Venice, City Sightseeing

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.

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?”

Dinner is on your own tonight. BB

DAY 12 - Venice, Verona, Milan City Sightseeing, Dinner in Hotel

This morning we bid farewell to Venice and our drive to Milan 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.

Soon we’re in fashionable Milan, where we begin with a panoramic drive around the city and a visit to the impressive, gothic Duomo. We’ll stroll through the spectacular glass topped Galleria, the world’s first shopping mall and onto the famed La Scala Opera House.

Tonight, it’s dinner at our Hotel! BB, D

DAY 13 - Milan, Lugano, Lake Como, Milan, Dinner Out

This morning’s visit to Lugano is actually in Switzerland, but this Alpine paradise clings to its Italian roots. The natural beauty is accompanied by great shops filled with Swiss specialties – like clocks, watches and, of course, chocolate!

Next we visit Como, the charming town and pristine lake of the same name, lined with lovely villas.

Our last night together will be at a fine Milanese eatery. No tears! You’ll exchange email addresses with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on another Perillo Tour to Hawaii or Israel! BB, D

DAY 14 - 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

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.

Why book your flights with Perillo Tours?

1. Big savings in both Coach and Business Class.
2. Reserve your flight now but pay later with your “final payment.”
3. Much more lenient cancellation and change fees!
4. You can still earn your Frequent Flyer Mileage.
5. Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times.

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

The “sample” airfares shown do not include departure taxes or fuel surcharges now in the $420 - $450 range. 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 your stay, airport transfers are not included. Airfare seasons are subject to change.

The “Early Bird!”

The early booker usually gets the lowest fares, the most convenient flights and best seats. So a word to the wise - BOOK EARLY!

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 $2199 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.

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 are approximate. Please note that on Italy tours, payment can only be made in Euros, no credit cards can be accepted.

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!