sell10 Day Heart of Italy Tour 2026

SATURDAY - Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on a journey that will remain etched in your memory forever!

SUNDAY - Benvenuti a Roma, the Eternal City! 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 a dinner out at a local restaurant.

MONDAY - This morning, after breakfast in your hotel, you’ll be on your way to the Colosseum. You’ll step back in time as you enter this magnificent Amphitheater, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.

You’ll have some free time this afternoon to get some shopping done or perhaps one last gelato!

Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner in the characteristic district of Trastevere, one of the centers of the Roman night life. This lively area of tiny winding streets gives a taste of what one imagines Italy to be like, with cobbled streets and music-filled trattorias on every corner.

TUESDAY - This morning, you'll make the short journey to the world’s smallest country: Vatican City. Accompanied by your knowledgeable local guide, you'll explore the vast collections of the Vatican Museums, home to centuries of priceless art and history. Your tour culminates in the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's masterwork adorns the ceiling and where the conclave gathers to elect a new Pope.

From there, continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest and most iconic church in Christendom. Inside, marvel at Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, sculpted when he was just 24 years old, and Bernini’s towering bronze baldachin, which rises above the main altar.

The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure. Don’t forget to ask your tour leader for dinner recommendations—Rome is full of culinary treasures waiting to be discovered!!

(Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on the events planned by the Pope.)

WEDNESDAY - After breakfast, you'll journey to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis—one of Italy’s most beloved patron saints. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walking tour through this charming hilltop town, known for its medieval beauty and spiritual heritage.

Your visit begins at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes the Upper Church, adorned with frescoes of St. Francis’s life, and the Lower Church, where his tomb rests in a crypt.

In the afternoon, enjoy an olive oil tasting at a family-owned mill. Umbria is famous for its high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and you'll sample local varieties while learning traditional production methods passed down through generations.

Tonight’s dinner will be in your hotel.

THURSDAY - This morning, you’ll head to Todi, a medieval gem in the heart of Umbria dating back to 1300 BC. Wander its cobblestone alleys and enjoy sweeping views where history and landscape meet. Highlights include the Church of Saint Mary of Consolation—known for miraculous healings—the Gothic-Renaissance Church of San Fortunato, and the Cathedral of Todi, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

Then, continue to Perugia, Italy’s “city of chocolate” and home of Baci Perugina. Explore landmarks from the medieval, Renaissance, and Etruscan eras, including the Rocca Paolina fortress and the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence. Stroll along the lively, pedestrian-only Corso Vannucci.

Next, you’ll have a Willy Wonka-esque experience - a Chocolate Tour and Tasting!

Tonight, you’re free to enjoy dinner out on your own.

FRIDAY - This morning, you’ll head to Gubbio, a beautifully preserved medieval town with Etruscan roots, famous for hosting the world’s largest Christmas tree. Enjoy a guided walking tour, including the impressive Palace of the Consuls in Piazza del Duomo—an iconic example of medieval civic architecture.

Then, enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at Cantina Semonte. Afterward, return to the hotel with time to relax before dinner out at a local restaurant.

SATURDAY - This morning you’ll depart for your next destination – Florence. But along the way you’ll stop for a visit of Siena. You’ll stroll through this amazing city which looks like a fascinating maze of alleys that rise and fall and intersect. Your guided tour will include the elaborately carved Duomo, one of the greatest examples of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture. It is sad that the great composer Richard Wagner, upon seeing the Cathedral of Siena for the first time, was moved to tears. You’ll be amazed at the art and beauty as well as its wonderful marble floor which is a unique example in the history of art.

Next, you’ll visit a typical Tuscan winery to learn about the grape, the nose, food pairings and, most importantly — which glass to use! You’ll enjoy a wine tasting with these special wines along with an early dinner. Cin-Cin! than proceed to Florence and overnight.

SUNDAY - Florence—the fountainhead of the Renaissance, awaits us! Your day of sightseeing includes the majestic Duomo Complex built in 1296, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned Gates of Paradise doors.

Follow the medieval streets to the most striking square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria.

“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!

You’ll have some free time this afternoon to relax or explore on your own before dinner in your hotel tonight.

MONDAY - This morning you board your flight home, arriving in the USA the same day. Unless, of course, you have decided to extend your stay and let this unforgettable journey continue a little longer! While you say arrivederci to Italy, you’ll realize you’re taking a little piece of it back home with you.

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