Day 1 Depart USA - Rome
SATURDAY: Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off to
Italy on the adventure of a lifetime!
Day 2 Arrive in Rome - Afternoon at Leisure - Dinner
in Hotel
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 dinner with fine local
vino at our hotel.
Day 3 Rome City Sightseeing - Colosseum - Dinner Out
Tonight
MONDAY: This morning, you’ll get to experience a
delicious Italian breakfast, complete with cappuccino, fresh juices,
croissants, fresh breads along with salami, cheeses and of course bacon and
eggs!
Next, we depart the hotel for a panoramic tour of
Imperial Rome including the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, and the Great
Synagogue build 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.
Tonight, we enjoy a fun dinner out.
*Colosseum entrance subject to ticket availability*
Day 4 Rome - Vatican Museums - Sistine Chapel - St.
Peter's Basilica
TUESDAY: This morning, after breakfast, it’s a 10-minute
bus ride over 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.
Our visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel, renowned for
its Renaissance art, especially the ceiling which was painted by Michelangelo
between 1508 and 1512. This room, which attracts more than five million
visitors each year, is also where the Pope is elected.
Next, we visit St. Peter’s Basilica, by far the largest
church in Christendom. We’ll see Michelangelo’s Pietà, sculpted when he was
just 24 years old, as well as Bernini’s seven story bronze canopy located above
the main altar.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy! Take a stroll
along the ancient streets of Rome, enjoy a gelato or go shopping!
Tonight, we thought you’d enjoy a dinner on your own. Ask
your tour guide for a recommendation or venture out and explore the local
restaurants in Rome! Be sure to try a “Supplì,” a Roman delicacy: A fried ball
of rice filled with tomato sauce, meat and melted mozzarella.
(Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is
subject to availability based on the events planned by the Pope.)
Day 5 Rome - Spoleto - Assisi - Dinner in Hotel
WEDNESDAY: This morning after breakfast, we check out of
our hotel and travel to the beautiful region of Umbria, also known as Italy’s
“Green Heart”. Our first stop will be Spoleto, a hidden gem. This ancient
hilltop town is one of the oldest cities in Italy – its history dates back more
than 2500 years. It was an important Roman colony and later capital of the
Longobard Duchy.
We’ll enjoy a walk through the narrow streets to see the
Cathedral, a most complex building with magnificent frescoes by Filippo Lippi
(15th century). We’ll come to the bridge called Ponte delle Torri (bridge of
the towers), the symbol of Spoleto and one of the city’s panoramic points. It
was originally an aqueduct, first built by the Romans then rebuilt in the 12th
century to ensure a reliable water supply to Spoleto.
For more than 50 years, Spoleto has been known worldwide
for hosting the Festival of the Two Worlds, featuring artists from all over the
world in concerts, dance and various exhibitions.
Next, we’ll drive to Assisi, the birthplace of St.
Francis, one of Italy’s most famous patron saints. We’ll check in to our
beautiful hotel and then head out on a walking tour with a local guide. We
visit the Pala Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, an important pilgrimage site
dedicated to St. Francis. We will also visit a crypt where the remains of St.
Francis are kept.
Of course, we’ll have to stop for an olive oil tasting at
a family-owned oil mill as the extra virgin olive oils from Umbria are some of
the finest in the country.
Tonight, we’ll relax in our hotel and enjoy dinner with
fine local wines.
Day 6 Assisi - Gubbio - Wine Tasting & Lunch -
Assisi
THURSDAY: This morning, we depart for Gubbio, a
well-preserved medieval town dating back to the Etruscan period. We’ll take a
guided walking tour of this wonderful medieval city, famous for the largest
Christmas tree in the world.
We’ll see the Palace of the Consuls, one of the most
popular tourist attractions in Spoleto, located in the main square: Piazza del
Duomo. The palace, which was built in the early 13th century by the city of
Spoleto to serve as the seat of the city’s government, is one of the most
important examples of medieval civic architecture in Italy.
Next, we’ll enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at Cantina
Semonte.
After lunch we’ll return to our hotel and the rest of the
day is yours to enjoy. Be sure to ask your tour leader for restaurant
suggestions.
Day 7 Assisi - Lake Trasimeno - Maggiore Island - Wine
Tasting & Lunch - Perugia - Assisi - Dinner Out
FRIDAY: This morning, we depart for Lake Trasimento. We
will arrive at the lakeside town of Tuoro where we will take a cruise (weather
permitting) to the islands and beautiful areas of the lake. We’ll navigate
towards Maggiore Island for a short break and a chance to admire the Castle of
Gugliemi, amongst other wonders.
Next, we’ll return to shore and will take a ride to the
“Carini Family Winery” to enjoy a wine tasting and lunch.
After lunch, we’ll return to Perugia for a walking tour
with your tour leader. Perugia, a popular destination for tourists who come to
explore its charming street, museums and art galleries is also a food lover’s
paradise! We’ll have some free time to shop or have ice cream.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner out at a local restaurant
with fine wines.
Day 8 Assisi - Lucignano - La Bagnaia Siena - Dinner
in Siena
SATURDAY: This morning, after breakfast, we’ll check out
of our hotel and enjoy a ride through the Tuscan countryside. On our way to
Florence, we’ll stop to visit Lucignano, one of the most fascinating but
lesser-known medieval destinations of Tuscany. Here we will discover a past
that’s still alive thanks to hidden treasures like the unique “Tree of Life,” a
masterpiece of Gothic jewelry in the shape of a tree.
You’ll have some free time to enjoy a quick lunch before
we depart for La Bagnaia Resort.
This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Siena. We’ll
stroll through this amazing city which looks like a fascinating maze of alleys
that rise and fall and intersect.
Our guided tour will include the elaborately carved
Duomo, one of the greatest examples of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture.
It is said 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.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner out in Siena with fine local
wines.
Day 9 La Bagnaia Siena - Florence City Sightseeing -
The David - La Bagnaia Siena - Dinner in Siena
SUNDAY: Florence – also known as the “Cradle of the
Renaissance,” awaits our inspection! Our sightseeing today 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, home of Santa Croce Church,
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
chisel!
You’ll have some free time in Florence to shop and wander
around.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner in our hotel with
fine local wines.
Day 10 La Bagnaia Siena - San Gimignano - Truffle Hunt
- Olive Oil & Wine Tasting - Cooking Class & Dinner
MONDAY: Today, we will drive through the beautiful
rolling hills of Chianti for a most unique winery visit but first we’ll stop
for a tour of San Gimignano along the way. This medieval town, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, is known for its 14th-century towers, which rise above the
town’s skyline.
Once at the winery, you’ll get to meet our dear friend,
Pierluigi Giachi, the world’s most enchanting and entertaining sommelier.
First, we’ll start with a truffle hunt: accompanied by a guide with his trained
dogs you’ll watch as they skillfully use their noses to find these delicacies.
Next, we’ll enjoy an olive oil and wine tasting while
taking a fun, hands-on cooking class with a chef. I hope this meal tastes good
because it will be served to you for dinner! This will be a truly fun,
memorable day!
Day 11 Flight Home - La Bagnaia Siena - Florence - USA
TUESDAY: This morning our bus will take us back to
Florence airport for our return flights 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....and maybe some wine too! Arrivederci Italia!
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operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material
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.
Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices
on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors,
omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 888-942-3301 to
confirm availability and pricing.
