• Overview
• Perillo Tours to best experience small town Italia
• The North
• The South & Sicily

In a country that boasts Rome, historically a center of the world, as well as Venice, Florence and Milan, one can easily lose sight of the rest of Italy. Just as a European who visits only New York will see but one view of America, an American who explores no further than the big cities of Italy will only experience a part of Italy.

For years, our guests have expressed an interest in seeing "the authentic Italy". Since Perillo Tours knows Italy from the inside, we are able to provide our guests with the opportunity to get to know the real Italy, whether in a big city or a small town. Most Perillo Tours offer a balance of venues, yet we do offer a few tours that truly specialize in this other, more relaxed, more rustic, "authentic Italy".

We'll give you the highlights below. If we've piqued your interest, read on!

While you won't go wrong with any or our tours, the following spend a bit more time out of the big cities exploring the Italian countryside:

• 14 Day South and Sicily

Top

In Abruzzo it is said that folks are down to earth, "strong and gentle" they say, the scenery is awesome, and the food - "magnifico". Legend has it that the town of L'Aquila (which means eagle) sprang up by a miracle with 99 "quarters", 99 squares, 99 fountains, and 99 churches.

This idyllic town is planted at the foothills of the mighty Gran Sasso mountain range. Built around a castle, bordered by medieval fortifications, blessed with a remarkable basilica - L'Aquila stands secure and serene. Its citizens are proud of the Basilica of San Bernardino and Santa Maria di Collenaggio.

Assisi - home of Saint Francis, the patron saint of Italy. Here the massive Basilica di San Francesco rises majestically on graceful arched supports.

Torgiano - a quaint village surrounded by vineyards, where time seems to stand still - is the home of a charming five star hotel, Le Tre Vaselle - tranquil, relaxed, comfortable and elegant.

Four miles south of Torgiano is Deruta - the medieval hilltown, world famous for its ceramics since the 16th century. Nearby is Perugia, one of the best-preserved hilltowns - and home of the famous painter Perugino and of Perugina candy as well.

Don't miss San Marino, the world's "oldest and smallest republic". More like a storybook fairytale Hollywood set than reality - you will never forget this incredible "Camelot", from the towers of which, on a clear day, you can see forever across the placid Adriatic. It's also a mecca for philatelists.

Ravenna, where Dante Alighieri came to die, is one of Italy's greatest art cities - but different from all the rest. It is the home of the greatest collections of mosaics in the Western World. Ravenna is also home to the spectacular blue and gold domed tomb of Galla Placidia and Dante's Tomb.

Bologna! The gastronomic capital of Italy and the home of the oldest university in Europe is the home of the Towers and "Campaniles", the Squares of Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Nettuno, the Basilica of San Petronius and Neptune's Fountain.

Parma was the home of the great artist Correggio Bodoni (inventor of the most famous printing typeface), Toscanini and Parmesan cheese. Not to mention - prosciutto! Parma is a captivating town, a favorite of art lovers. No tour of the city would be complete without visiting the Cathedral, frescoed by Correggio, the master of light and color, and the Baptistry, listed among the greatest Romanesque buildings in northern Italy.

Few buildings have captured the world's imagination as the Leaning Tower of Pisa - the single most recognizable building in the Western World. But there is more to see in Pisa. Visit the magnificent Cathedral and prepare to be enthralled by the echo inside the Baptistry shell.

In the walled city of Siena, we stand firmly planted in the Middle Ages. Siena preserved its original character more markedly than any other city in Italy. Don't miss the Duomo, Piazza del Campo and the Town Hall.

Nearby is "Chianti Country" where you find picturesque Montalcino, home of the finest Brunello wines in Italy, and Pienza, famous as the birthplace of Pope Pius II in 1458, as well as superlative "pecorino" cheese". Be sure to get into the spirit of Tuscany with a wine tasting.

Top

Palermo is Sicily's largest port and its capital.

Sicily - the ancient land of myth and legend... horses with plumes and bells pulling gaily decorated carts... old villas evoking scenes from "The Leopard"... Greek temples... the scent of almonds in the air... vineyards and citrus groves... coastal plains... theaters of antiquity... the aromatic fragrance of a glass of marsala after downing the famous Sicilian dessert, "cassata".

This is a land of dramatic intensity, like a drama by native son Luigi Pirandello. For centuries, its beauty and charm have attracted the greedy eye of invaders: the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, and the Houses of Bourbons and Aragon...

One must-see sight in Palermo is the Royal Palace, which so impressed General George Patton that he made his quarters here in July 1943. Also, don't miss Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral of Palermo or Monreale. The famous archeological site of Selinunte is renowned for the majestic remnants of its temples and Acropolis.

In Agrigento you will stand in awe of the famous long reaches of the Valley of the Temples containing some of the greatest Greek ruins in the world.

It's not proper to consider Agrigento without a word about its illustrious native son - Luigi Pirandello - who in 1943 was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. You may have read his "Six Characters in Search of an Author".

Along the drive to Taormina rests the immense Roman Villa of Casale near Piazza Armerina. Some of the best mosaics of the Roman world can be seen here, covering more than 12,000 sq. feet. In the bathhouse are mosaic nymphs, a Neptune and slaves massaging bathers. Of considerable surprise are figures of ladies in "bikinis"... Seems there's nothing new!

Taormina is "The Jewel of Italy", is replete with runaway bougainvillea, cacti adorning the hills like modern sculpture, pastel plastered walls, garden terraces of geraniums, trees laden with oranges and lemons, ancient ruins. Small wonder that Sir Winston Churchill made this his favorite vacation spot. And why it is said to be the most beautiful place in the world!

Don't miss the Greek and Roman outdoor theater, offering a view of rare beauty, a panorama of Mt. Etna and the seacoast. Hugging a slope of Mt. Tauro, the Greeks hewed the theater out of rock.

Stroll through the Giardino Pubblico! Taormina abounds with interesting little shops! Everybody loves Taormina.

Of all the Greek cities of antiquity that flourished on the coast of Sicily, Syracuse was the most important. A formidable competitor of Athens, Archimedes, the Greek mathematician - was slain here by the Romans. Plato taught here. The "archaeological garden" is peppered with attractions: the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater and the "Ear of Dionysus". But what an ear! Nearly 200 feet long, you can enter the inner chamber of the "ear" where a tearing piece of paper sounds like a gunshot. A forerunner to modern day "bugging" - the tyrant Dionysus eavesdropped on prisoners tossed in the "ear".

A short drive from Taormina is Messina. Here you can board a steamer to cross the Straits of Messina to the mainland. Reggio at the bow - the golden sun above - the blue water below - it's great to be alive!

Nestled at the tip of Calabria is Reggio - with her homes climbing up the serene slopes, hugging the hills, their faces to the sun and sea - expressing in a gaze the warmth of her people.

North from Reggio, up the rugged Calabrian spine and across the Apennines is the Lucania Region (or Basilicata as it's often called), home to Sorrento.

High on a beautiful plateau, Sorrento commands the sapphire blue bay. Not far away are two sister beauties: Positano and Amalfi.

The scenic Amalfi Coast, along the beautiful Bay of Salerno, affords in the distance, a splendid view of the picturesque village of Positano, like a rare pearl embedded in the cliffs. It is generally claimed that the Amalfi Coast is the most beautiful stretch of scenery in the entire Mediterranean.

Amalfi is charming, but hardly preparation for Pompeii. A visit to the ruined city dug out from the ashes rained on it by proud Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D. is truly a memorable experience. At the excavations, the life of 20 centuries ago comes alive.

Sorrento is a vast perfumed garden on a natural terrace high above the Bay of Naples - with Capri to the left and towering Vesuvius to the right. Emperors and kings, popes, the greatest musicians, writers and artists have made Sorrento their preferred abode for more than 2500 years. And one look at the view will tell you why.

Capri is the lush little isle that has entranced the world. Get there by hydrofoil or catamaran-making getting there part of the fun!-- and explore to your heart's content!