Perillo Tours

Enjoy the best of Italy on this dine-on-your-own version of our most popular fully-escorted tour.  This tour is exactly the same as the 14-Day North Classic, Milan to Rome, except dinners are not included.  Your tour guide will have a multitude of dining suggestions and, of course, a full buffet breakfast is included daily.

We fly into the Milan Airport, where your Perillo representative is on hand to greet you.  We transfer to our hotel in Lugano where we spend our first two nights, the start of a beautifully orchestrated journey.  Lugano lies in a bay on the north side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by the majestic Alps.  It’s beauty at its best.

After Lugano, we’re off to Venice arriving at our hotel, our home for two unbelievable nights.  Venice defies description.  Venice has to be seen, felt and wandered through to be believed.

Before we arrive at our next destination of Florence for three whole nights, we will make a stop in Padua to visit the Basilica where St. Anthony is interred.  In addition to a fantastic Florence sightseeing, we’ll take a trip to Pisa to view the Leaning Tower and a trip to Siena.

Next we journey through the rolling hills and scenic vistas of Tuscany and Umbria before reaching Sorrento where we spend the next two nights.  While there, we’ll visit Capri, Pompeii and Naples.

Finally, our journey takes us to Rome for our last three nights where we take in all the sights including the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel and so much more.
 

• 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!
• 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 (Sunday) - Depart USA
• Day 2 (Monday) - Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Lugano, Switzerland, Afternoon at Leisure
• Day 3 (Tuesday) - Lugano, Panoramic Lake Cruise
• Day 4 (Wednesday) - Lugano, Verona, Venice
• Day 5 (Thursday) - Venice, City Sightseeing, Gondola Ride (Included)
• Day 6 (Friday) - Venice, Padua, Florence
• Day 7 (Saturday) - Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit
• Day 8 (Sunday) - Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence
• Day 9 (Monday) - Florence, Sorrento
• Day 10 (Tuesday) - Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento
• Day 11 (Wednesday) - Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, Rome
• Day 12 (Thursday) - Rome, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Afternoon at Leisure
• Day 13 (Friday) - Rome City Sightseeing, Afternoon at Leisure
• Day 14 (Saturday) - Flight Home

Full Itinerary:

DAY 1 (Sunday) - Depart USA

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

DAY 2 (Monday) - Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Lugano, Switzerland, Afternoon at Leisure

Benvenuti in Italia! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Milan airport to your hotel in Lugano at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you.

This afternoon we’ll meet our guide for an orientation and welcome drink. Your guide will have plenty of dining suggestions for your first evening in Italy. BB

DAY 3 (Tuesday) - Lugano, Panoramic Lake Cruise

While Lugano is firmly in Switzerland, this 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. This morning we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour through the traffic-free historic center; and weather permitting, enjoy a panoramic cruise on stunning Lake Lugano.

Tonight is yours to relax in this town known as “the Monaco of the Alps!” BB

DAY 4 (Wednesday) - Lugano, Verona, Venice

This morning we’re off to Venice! But on the way, we’ll enjoy a quick stop in romantic Verona. We’ll stand in the courtyard below Juliet’s balcony where Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers professed their love.

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, as you happen upon a charming Venetian eatery, you’ll see just why this tour is so popular. BB

DAY 5 (Thursday) - 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?” Maybe this would be the ideal evening for a traditional Venetian seafood feast! BB

DAY 6 (Friday) - Venice, Padua, Florence

We’re off to Florence today with an inspiring stop along the way. 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.

Next to Florence! Home of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli, da Vinci, and some say, the best gelato in Italy!

Once settled in our hotel, our tour director is happy to offer this evening’s restaurant suggestions. BB

DAY 7 (Saturday) - Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit

Florence is known to be the fountainhead of the Renaissance.

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.

You’ll be sure to find a perfect Florentine dinner spot tonight. BB

DAY 8 (Sunday) - 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! We’ll return to Florence for some free time.

Tonight, ask your tour director for a nearby spot to enjoy fresh Tuscan fare. BB

DAY 9 (Monday) - Florence, Sorrento

Our journey to Sorrento takes us through the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and postcard perfect vistas of Tuscany and Umbria.

Along the way, we’ll comfortably travel by the beautiful Tiber River Valley and the medieval villages of Orte and Orvieto. Soon, we are in Sorrento, high on a beautiful plateau, greeted by the sapphire blue Gulf of Naples and majestic Mount Vesuvius.

When most Americans think of Italian food, they’re usually thinking of the dishes of Naples and Sorrento - spaghetti with tomato and basil, mozzarella and pizza are all from this area. Here’s your chance to try the “real thing!” BB

DAY 10 (Tuesday) - Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento

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, it’s dinner on your own in Sorrento. BB

DAY 11 (Wednesday) - Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, Rome

Pompeii - an entire city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day almost 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 their children and dogs.

Late this morning, we continue on to Naples. We enjoy a brief panoramic tour of this beautiful city.

A few hours later, we enter the gates of Rome and settle into our hotel. BB

DAY 12 (Thursday) - Rome, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Afternoon at Leisure

This morning we visit Vatican City, “headquarters” for more than a billion Catholics worldwide. We begin at the Vatican Museum, a treasure trove of sculptures, paintings and tapestries. Our visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel, the room where the pope is elected. We enter in total silence, not wanting to disturb Michelangelo’s famed frescoes, depicting stories from the Bible and the “End of Times.” You’ll be fascinated by which of Michelangelo’s contemporaries he assigned to heaven and which to hell.

We’ll also visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ll see Michelangelo’s Pieta, sculpted when he was just 24, and Bernini’s seven-story bronze canopy soaring high above the main altar.

This afternoon, Rome is all yours! Shop, fountain hop, explore to your heart’s content. Tonight, treat yourself to one of Rome’s fine restaurants for a fabulous dinner. BB

DAY 13 (Friday) - 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, 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. Your tour director will be happy to offer suggestions for your final Roman dinner this evening. Be sure to ask. BB

DAY 14 (Saturday) - Flight Home

This morning we board our flight home. 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 or Israel! BB

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 (October 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 and seasonal dates are subject to change and do not include government imposed departure taxes or fuel surcharges.

Your exact airfare 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!

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!

Below are the hotels you will experience on this Perillo Tour. If unexpected change of hotels occur, the hotel substituted will be of a similar category

Our tours have been crafted to balance abundant activity with plenty of free time. Some folks will enjoy the time on their own, others will be happy to know that we offer 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 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!