Day 1
DEPART USA – ROME
Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on a journey that will remain etched in your memory forever!
Day 2ARRIVE IN ROME - AFTERNOON AT LEISURE - DINNER IN HOTELBenvenuti
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.
Enjoy some free time this afternoon—take a walk on Via Veneto, have a
gelato or maybe do some shopping.
In the evening, you will meet your tour leader
for a brief orientation and welcome drink, followed by dinner in your
hotel.
This morning, we travel ten-minutes to another country—Vatican City. With our expert local guide we’ll tour the Vatican Museums, a massive collection of ancient Greek sculptures, medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings.
Your visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel, renowned for its Renaissance art, especially the ceiling which was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. The Chapel, which attracts more than five million visitors each year, is also where the Pope is elected.
Next you will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, by far the largest church in Christendom. We’ll see Michelangelo’s Pietà, sculpted when he was just 24, as well as Bernini’s seven-story bronze canopy located above the main altar. (Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on any events planned by the Pope.)
In the evening, you will enjoy a dinner on your own. Ask your guide for a recommendation or venture out and explore. Be sure to try Spaghetti alla Carbonara made with eggs, guanciale (bacon from pig’s cheek), black pepper and pecorino cheese.
Day 4ROME - GELATO TASTING - BOLOGNA - DINNER OUTAfter breakfast, you will enjoy a Gelato tasting! It’s never too early for gelato!
After, you will travel to Bologna, the gastronomic capital of Italy. To Italians, Bologna is known as the city of “Two Towers”; worldwide it’s known as the city of lasagna, tagliatelle, tortellini and Bolognese sauce. Bologna is also home to the oldest university in Europe!
The afternoon is yours to enjoy on your own. Why not visit the market stalls selling beans, tomatoes, and cheese. Have lunch at a trattoria serving fresh pasta with their signature ragù sauce.
The city is a food lover’s paradise!
In the evening, you will enjoy a fabulous dinner out with typical local specialties in a local restaurant.
In the morning, you will travel to Parma, a city in the region of Emilia Romagna famous for its prosciutto, parmigiano cheese, architecture, and gorgeous countryside.
On the way, you’ll stop to visit a cheese factory for a taste of genuine parmigiano cheese— our favorite!
In Parma, you will enjoy a visit to a prosciutto (ham) factory followed by a light lunch.
In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own. Be sure to try one of Bologna’s signature dishes: tortellini, which take their shape from Venus’ navel!
Day 6BOLOGNA - EXCURSION TO VENICE - SPECIAL VENETIAN LUNCH – BOLOGNAAndiamo a Venezia! You are off to one of the most unique cities in the world, Venice!
In Venice, everything and everyone “floats”. One floats luxuriously with such a sense of freedom, never tormented by traffic or even the sounds of honking horns. Your guide will show you all the sights—St. Mark’s Square, the Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs.
Just around the corner from St. Mark’s Square, you will enjoy a special Venetian lunch in a city renowned for its seafood delicacies.
In the evening, you will return to Bologna for dinner on our own.
Day 7
BOLOGNA - SESTRI - BOAT TRIP TO PORTOFINO - CAMOGLI - RAPALLO - DINNER IN HOTEL
Today,
we will discover Emilia Romagna, one of the most fertile and productive
regions of Italy. We are whisked along the northern Italian
countryside, arriving along the famous coast of Liguria.
We will take a
short boat ride to Portofino, a picturesque seaside village with
brightly colored houses lining the shore. Portofino is also known as the
resort of the rich and famous...a perfect place for our guests! Designer
boutiques and dozens of cafes and restaurants line the main square,
giving guests the chance to experience the real Italian “bella vita.”
*Weather permitting.
You’ll have some free time to visit the main square, the church of
San Giorgio, which is said to have relics of St. George. You can also
visit the Brown Castle, built in the fifteenth-century and used for
harbor defense over the centuries.
Next, we visit Camogli, another charming fishing village and resort.
This town has a small harbor with shops and restaurants. You’ll have
free time to sightsee, have a gelato or just sit back and people watch.
We continue on to Rapallo, a pretty seaside resort town on the
Italian Riviera. After a short visit of the city center, we check into
our beautiful hotel and enjoy dinner with fine local wines.
Excitement
awaits! Today we visit Cinque Terre, the ruggedly beautiful stretch of
coastline inset with five tiny villages perched along the Italian
Riviera. These 5 picturesque fishing villages are often the “top places
to visit” for most travel magazines.
First, we travel to Sestri Levante to board our train to tiny
Vernazza, the jewel of the Cinque Terre. Here the way of life remains
simple, unspoiled and without cars. Ah... Tranquility!
Later today, we return to our hotel in Rapallo to enjoy the evening on our own.
Day 9
RAPALLO - DAY AT LEISURE
Today is yours to enjoy as you please! Sightsee, shop and have some gelato!
In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own. Ask your tour leader for some suggestions – there are many choices in this beautiful town!
In the morning, you will enjoy an excursion to Lugano to explore the Italian section of Switzerland. Its proximity to Italy makes the city a wonderful blend of Italian charm and Swiss sophistication. Stroll along the charming arcades, admire breathtaking lake views and, most importantly, shop for Swiss chocolate!
Next, you will enjoy a boat ride around Lake Como, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Many celebrities have homes on the shores of Lake Como—George Clooney, Gianni Versace, Sylvester Stallone and Madonna. Real estate offices will be open for your curiosity!
After checking into your beautiful hotel in Stresa, enjoy one of your last dinners in Italy on your own.
Time to really indulge!
Day 11STRESA - LAKE NAGGIORE - ISOLA BELLA Today
you will travel to Stresa on beautiful Lake Maggiore. For centuries,
Stresa has been a popular retreat for Europe’s aristocrats who have
endowed the town with many villas.
Next, you will visit Isola Bella,
“beautiful island,” one of the Borromean islands of Lake Maggiore. With
its wonderful gardens and impressive palace, this lovely island will
remain in your memory forever. Tonight, you will have a final dinner in
the hotel with your new travel friends. Don’t forget to exchange email
addresses and make plans for future Perillo tours!
Day 12FLIGHT HOME - MILAN – USATransfer to Milan Airport in time for your return flight to USA.
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provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates
are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
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