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11 Day Three City Aristocrat 2010
Overnight Stays: Venice (2 nights) Florence (4) Rome (3)
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While all of our tours feature fine First Class hotels, our “Aristocrat” hotels are a degree higher in quality. Also, this tour includes most dinners out at fine restaurants. Our tour starts in Venice with two memorable nights at a centrally-located hotel where we’ll enjoy our “get acquainted” dinner at a local restaurant with fine wines.
After Venice, we’re off to Florence to spend the next four nights. In addition to Florence sightseeing, including a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, we’ll visit Pisa, Siena and a Tuscan winery.
Finally, our journey takes us to Rome for the last three nights. While here we take in all the sights, including the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel and so much more; and, still have a full day of leisure to do as we please!
Feeling aristocratic? This is the tour for you!
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- 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!
- 7 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.
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At a Glance:
- DAY 1 (Monday) - Depart USA
- DAY 2 (Tuesday) - Benvenuti a Venezia! Arrive in Venice, Afternoon Free, Dinner Out
- DAY 3 (Wednesday) - Venice, City Sightseeing, Gondola Ride (Included), Dinner Out
- DAY 4 (Thursday) - Venice, Padua, Florence, Dinner in Hotel
- DAY 5 (Friday) - Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit, Dinner Out
- DAY 6 (Saturday) - Florence, Pisa, Afternoon at Leisure, Dinner Out
- DAY 7 (Sunday) - Florence, Siena, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence
- DAY 8 (Monday) - Morning Drive to Rome, Tour Imperial Rome & the Colosseum, Gala Dinner Dance
- DAY 9 (Tuesday) - Rome, The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Dinner Out
- DAY 10 (Wednesday) - Rome, Full Day of Leisure
- DAY 11 (Thursday) - Flight Home
Full Itinerary:
DAY 1 (Monday) - Depart USA
Boarding our overnight flight, we’re off to Italy on the adventure of a lifetime!
DAY 2 (Tuesday) - Benvenuti a Venezia! Arrive in Venice, Afternoon Free, Dinner Out
Benvenuti a Venezia! We are pleased to offer complimentary motorboat transfers from the Venice airport to your hotel at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you.
A surprise before dinner! Our hotel Barman will reveal his secret recipe for the Venetian’s favorite aperitif, “Spritz.” Of course, “Cicchetti” (finger foods) will accompany our drink. We’ll enjoy our “get acquainted” dinner at a local restaurant with fine wines. D
DAY 3 (Wednesday) - Venice, City Sightseeing, Gondola Ride (Included), Dinner Out
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, we’ll enjoy dinner out at one of our favorite Venetian restaurants with fine local wines. BB, D
DAY 4 (Thursday) - Venice, Padua, Florence, Dinner in Hotel
This morning it’s back to the mainland where we’ll meet our dependable driver for the ride to Florence. But on the way we’ll make a memorable stop.
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.
Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner at our hotel. A toast (brindisi) to Florence and our new traveling friends! BB, D
DAY 5 (Friday) - Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit, Dinner Out
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 we’ll enjoy dinner at one of our favorite Florentine restaurants with great local wines. BB, D
DAY 6 (Saturday) - Florence, Pisa, Afternoon at Leisure, 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 you’ll enjoy free time in Florence for shopping, relaxation or some adventurous exploration.
Tonight we’ll recount the day’s events with our friends at a great local restaurant with fine wines. BB, D
DAY 7 (Sunday) - Florence, Siena, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence
While the ambitious city of Florence was launching the Renaissance, Siena was her “laid-back” country cousin. Just 30 miles south of Florence, she is considered the best-preserved medieval city in Italy.
Our guided tour will include the elaborately carved Gothic cathedral, Town Hall and Piazza del Campo-site of the famous Palio horse race. You’ll have time for lunch on your own, shopping, and a little more exploration.
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 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 8 (Monday) - Morning Drive to Rome, Tour Imperial Rome & the Colosseum, Gala Dinner Dance
This morning we enjoy our drive south to Rome through Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio - the “green heart” of Italy.
This afternoon we enjoy a tour of “Imperial Rome” including Castel Sant’Angelo, 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.
Tonight, get ready for our Gala Party at the Casina di Macchia Madama overlooking all of Rome. It’s an extravagant evening with flowing wines and dancing to our own orchestra. Here’s a toast to our new friends, to our tour guide, to Italy! BB, D
DAY 9 (Tuesday) - Rome, The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Dinner Out
This morning, with our expert local guide, we’ll tour the Vatican Museums - a treasure trove of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, tapestries and Renaissance paintings. 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.
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 enjoy a great dinner out at a typical Roman restaurant. BB, D
DAY 10 (Wednesday) - Rome, Full Day of Leisure
A free day in Rome! But don’t sleep in too late – there’s much to do and see! Ask your tour guide for suggestions.
Why not start with an espresso in Piazza Navona, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return and stroll across the Tiber for another look at the Vatican. Rome is a great city for walking, shopping and people watching.
Tonight is all yours. Enjoy dinner on your own and bid farewell to Rome in your own way. But remember, that coin in the Trevi Fountain guarantees your return! BB
DAY 11 (Thursday) - 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.
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Prices below are land-only and do not include airfare.
For more information on airfares check out the "Air Information" section of this page.
| Per Person Double/triple room | Single Supplement | ||
| Red Dates | $4450 | $1450 | |
| Black Dates | $4750 | $1450 | |
| Green Dates | $4850 | $1450 | |
TO VENICE, RETURN FROM ROME Depart USA Monday- Return Thursday |
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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.
| Zone 1 |
Newark, NJ New York City, NY |
| Zone 2 | |||
Akron, OH Albany, NY Allentown, PA Baltimore, MD Bangor, ME Boston, MA Buffalo, NY Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Hartford, CT Manchester, NH | Norfolk, VA Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Portland, ME Providence, RI Richmond, VA | Roanoke, VA Rochester, NY Syracuse, NY Toledo, OH Washington, D.C. WilkesBarre/Scranton, PA |
| Zone 3 | |||
Asheville, NC Atlanta, GA Austin, TX Birmingham, AL Charleston, SC Chattanooga, TN Charlotte, NC Columbia, SC Columbus, GA Dallas, TX Des Moines, IA Detroit, MI Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Ft. Myers, FL Ft. Wayne, IN Grand Rapids, MI Greensboro, NC Greenville/Spartan, SC Houston, TX Huntsville, AL Indianapolis, IN Jackson, MS Jacksonville, FL Kalamazoo, MI Kansas City, MO Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI Lexington, KY Little Rock, AR Louisville, KY Memphis, TN Miami, FL Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis, MN Mobile, AL Montgomery, AL Myrtle Beach, SC Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA Oklahoma City, OK | Omaha, NE Orlando, FL Raleigh/Durham, NC San Antonio, TX Sarasota, FL Savannah, GA Shreveport, LA South Bend, IN St. Louis, MO Tampa, FL Tulsa, OK W. Palm Beach, FL |
| Zone 4 | |||
Albuquerque, NM Billings, MT Boise, ID Bozeman, MT Butte, MT Casper, WY Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO | Great Falls, MT Helena, MT Idaho Falls, ID Jackson, WY Kalispell, MT Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Missoula, MT | Palm Springs, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR Rapid City, SD Reno, NV Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Santa Ana, CA Seattle, WA Spokane,WA Tucson, AZ Wichita, KS |
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
| Airline Zone | Apr - May 2010 Aug 31 - Oct 25, 2010 | May - Aug 30, 2010 |
| ZONE 1 | $640 | $1100 |
| ZONE 2 | $740 | $1200 |
| ZONE 3 | $840 | $1300 |
| ZONE 4 | $940 | $1400 |
Airfares include your airport transfers at scheduled times, provided you arrive and depart on the scheduled tour dates and times. Airfares are subject to change, without notice. |
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!
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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
Westin Hotel Europa e Regina
The magnificently-restored historical building complex that is the present-day 5-Star Westin Europa Regina hotel actually dates back to the 17th century. Guests can marvel over the opulent Murano glass chandeliers, antique mirrors and ornate ceilings in the public rooms, enjoy regional cuisine at the water-side Restaurant La Cusina accompanied by wines produced by local vintners or just simply relax with a coffee in the courtyard garden.
Grand Hotel Villa Medici
An historical residence located in the center of Florence at walking distance from all major art sites and shopping locations.
The Grand Hotel Villa Medici is located in the center of Florence, the 5 star hotel Villa Medici was the residence of one of the most important Italian families.
Now the charm of past ages still survives in the splendid rooms and the extremely elegant furnishings of the hotel in Florence.
Each room is decorated with antique ornaments, which enrich the magical atmosphere of this 5 star hotel in Florence.
Villa Medici is one of the best 5 stars hotels in Florence and it is the favorite destination of artists and important persons.
A refined restaurant and a garden with a swimming pool, complete the charm of this 5 star hotel in Florence.
Rose Garden Palace
Experience a new level of hospitality as well as a most stylish design, blending classical and modern traditions. We enthusiastically recommend this brand new hotel in the heart of Rome.
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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.
Florence
Pompeii and Naples
Rome's Piazzas and Fountains
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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.
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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!
Barry and Barbara B.
From Baltimore MD
The afternoon that we arrived in Rome on our Perillo Tour, we settled into our lovely room at our Hotel Cicerone and then went off to explore the city. We were to meet some friends later on at St. Peter's Basilica. They told us to meet them at 5 PM at the "big door on the right as you are facing the church". When we arrived, there were hundreds of people straining to get through that door, but no one was using the door on the left.
"Why not just go through this door?" we asked our friends. "Then we won't have to crowd through the other one." It was then that they pointed to the sign above the door: Sacra Puerta, it said-the sacred door. We had arrived in Rome during the Jubilee celebration, the one year in twenty-five when the Sacred Door is opened and all who go through it are blessed.
Even though we are not Catholic, we are also not people to pass up a blessing whenever we can get one! We lined up along with the rest of the pilgrims to receive ours.
Jim and Diane V.
From Kingwood, TX
We just returned from the 3-City Aristocrat 11 day Tour in April, 2008. Our friends, Lynne & David went with us and this was our first time to Italy! Perillo made it a wonderful trip. We were not disappointed. We want to say how wonderful our tour guide was. We understand he has been with Perillo many years and he did a great job.
The tour itself was first class, well done and so much fun. The weather was wonderful. The hotels were exceptional and well located in each city. The individual guides in each city were very knowledgeable and entertaining. We will certainly look to Perillo for our next tour and recommend it highly to all our friends.
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