Day 1
DEPART USA – VENICE
Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off to Italy on the adventure of a lifetime!
Day 2ARRIVE IN VENICE - AFTERNOON AT LEISUREBenvenuti in Italia! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Venice airport to your hotel at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you.
Venice is breathtaking with its misty lagoon and palaces seemingly floating on water. You can enjoy this afternoon sightseeing and getting lost. No one wants to get lost while visiting a city, but Venice is an exception! Amaze of narrow alleys and canals, the best way to discover it is by wandering around with no predefined route.
This evening, at 6 o’clock, we’ll meet our tour leader for a brief orientation and welcome drink in our hotel. After that, you can enjoy dinner on your own; nothing beats dining in a cozy Venetian restaurant enjoying local specialties and fine wines.Whichever place you choose, be sure to try the Squid Ink Risotto or Pasta!
Day 3VENICE - CITY SIGHTSEEING - ISLE OF MURANOThis 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.
Next, we’ll board our mostoscafi to the beautiful island of Murano, where we will visit one of the oldest glass-blowing factories. Our glass masters will show us two different glass-blowing techniques: the hand-blown glass technique, creating a small vase, and the carved glass technique, creating a small sculpture like a glass horse or fish.
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’è’ Piazza San Marco?
Tonight, instead of a traditional dinner, do as the Venetians do! Enjoy cicchetti, Venetian-style tapas, served in various pubs all over Venice.
Day 4VENICE - PADUA – FLORENCEWe’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 1200s. Next on to Florence! Home of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli, Da Vinci, and some say, the best gelato in Italy! Speaking of gelato... back at the hotel we’ll get to enjoy a gourmet ice cream tasting!
Our tour director is happy to offer this evening’s restaurant suggestions. Perhaps, world-famous Florentine steak - Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Day 5FLORENCE - CITY SIGHTSEEING INCLUDING THE DAVIDOur day of sightseeing includes 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, Michelangelo’s final resting place.
“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 a chisel!
You’ll be sure to find a perfect Florentine dinner spot tonight.
Day 6FLORENCE - PISA - OIL & WINE TASTING & EARLY DINNER IN TUSCANY – FLORENCEThe 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 Tenuta Torciano winery in Tuscany and meet our dear friend, Pierluigi Giachi, the world’s most enchanting sommelier. You’ll learn about the grape, the nose, food pairings and most importantly—which glass to use with each wine!
You’ll also get to experience an olive oil and truffle oil tasting...and of course have some fresh bread with it! This will all be followed by a fabulous dinner and wine tasting. Cin-Cin!
We’ll return to Florence for a free evening on your own to explore or perhaps go shopping for some souvenirs.
Day 7FLORENCE – NAPLESThis morning, we’re off to Naples, birthplace of the Neapolitan pizza.
This beautiful city is famous for its mix of Old- World character and modern charm. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Naples historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is filled with art, architecture, and archaeology, but the best part may be the wood-fired pizza! You’ll be staying at one of the best hotels in Naples – a well-known 4 star hotel on Naples seafront promenade, a lively spot right in front of Castel dell’Ovo – the Hotel Royal Continental.
Day 8
NAPLES - CAPRI – NAPLES
This morning you’ll be taken to Capri, the world’s most enchanting, breathtaking island. Upon arrival, we take a private boat ride for a tour of the island. We cruise around the magnificent Faraglioni, Capri’s most iconic sight. These mythical towering rock formations, which jut out from the Mediterranean just off the island’s coast, were formed over the years by erosion from ocean waves.
Next, we visit one of the lesser-known but equally beautiful sea caves, the Grotta Bianca. Once we arrive back on Capri, we have free time to explore the island on our own or take advantage of a special optional excursion with your tour leader.
Tonight, still glowing from the sun, it’s time to enjoy another fine gastronomic experience.
Day 9
NAPLES - POMPEII – ROME
POMPEII - Imagine.... a city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day, 2000 years ago when ash and lava literally stopped in its tracks. You’ll see the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape, along with children and dogs.
Later this morning, we continue on to Rome, viewing the Bay of Naples along the way.
A few hours later, we’ll enter the gates of Rome and settle into our hotel.
Day 10
ROME - VATICAN MUSEUM & SISTINE CHAPEL - ST. PETER'S BASILICA - AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
This morning, we visit Vatican City, the headquarters for more than a billion Catholics worldwide. We begin at the Vatican Museum, a massive collection 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 Pietà, sculpted when he was just 24, and Bernini’s seven-story bronze canopy soaring high above the main altar.
(Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on the events planned by the Pope.)
This afternoon, Rome is all yours to explore!
Tonight, treat yourself to one of Rome’s fine restaurants for a fabulous dinner. May we suggest some Roman specialties Bucatini all’Amatriciana; Spaghetti alla Carbonara; Roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary; stuffed artichokes ...is your appetite whet yet?
Day 11
ROME - SIGHTSEEING - AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
Hail Caesar! All aboard our chariot for a relaxing, panoramic driving tour of Imperial Rome, including the Roman Forum, downtown ancient Rome, the Circus Maximus, and the Great Synagogue, built in the heart of the Jewish quarter.
Then we’ll enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.
This afternoon, Rome is all yours! Shop, fountain hop, and explore to your heart’s content.
Tonight, treat yourself to one of Rome’s fine restaurants for a delizioso dinner.
*Colosseum entrance subject to ticket availability*
Day 12
FLIGHT HOME - ROME – USA
This morning you board your flight home.
No tears! You’ll exchange emails with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on a Perillo tour—to Hawaii!
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