Day 1 Depart USA - Rome
THURSDAY: Boarding your overnight flights, you’re off to
Italy on the adventure of a lifetime!
Day 2 Arrive in Rome - Afternoon Free - Dinner Out
FRIDAY: 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 waiting for you at the
airport to greet you.
There will be time to relax this afternoon before a
welcome drink/orientation in the hotel, followed by a dinner out at a local
restaurant.
Day 3 Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel - St.
Peter's Basilica
SATURDAY: 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 4 Rome - Afternoon Renaissance Walking Tour of
Rome - Dinner Out
SUNDAY: This morning you’ll be free to enjoy some time on
your own in this amazing city.
Later this afternoon, we’ll set out on a WALKING Tour of
Rome – be sure to wear comfy shoes! We’ll visit the famous Trevi Fountain (be
sure to throw a coin over your shoulder to ensure your return to Italy); next
we’ll see the Pantheon – a true architectural wonder! Built between 25 and 27
B.C, it was originally a small temple dedicated to all Roman gods.
We’ll visit San Luigi dei Francesi, home to three
Caravaggio paintings (entry subject to availability).
We’ll also visit Piazza Navona a large, historical square
in the center of Rome, famous for several art masterpieces by well-known
artists such as Bernini and Borromini. Also included in today’s walking tour
will be Campo dei Fiori – a Piazza with the most famous market in the old
center of Rome.
Finally, we will stop to see the grand Palazzo Farnese,
one of the most important High Renaissance palaces in Rome. Owned by the
Italian Republic, it was given to the French government in 1936 and currently
serves as the French embassy in Italy. (No entry.)
After all this walking, we’ll be exhausted! Luckily our
bus will pick us up and dop us off close to the hotel. You’ll have some free
time to freshen up before dinner out at a local restaurant.
Day 5 Rome - Siena City Tour - Florence - Dinner in
Hotel
MONDAY: After a hearty breakfast, we’ll enjoy a ride
through the Tuscan countryside. We will arrive in Siena for guided tour
accompanied by your private guide, you will stroll through the old city which
looks like a fascinating maze of alleys that rise and fall and intersect with
super picturesque squares allowing you to experience something truly unique.
The guide will show you the oldest bank in the world, the
network of medieval alleys and many hidden treasures and will enchant you with
an unforgettable visit to the Duomo with its refined Gothic architecture,
treasures, and masterpieces.
The Cathedral of Siena is one of the greatest examples of
Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture and it is said that the great composer
Richard Wagner, seeing the Cathedral of Siena for the first time, was moved to
tears.
Once inside, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of art
and beauty hidden within this treasure chest as well as its wonderful marble
floor which is a unique example in the history of art. Than we will proceed for
Florence known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” and for good reason. The
city was home to some of the most important artists, thinkers, and patrons of
the Renaissance, including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner in our hotel. A toast (un
brindisi) to Florence and new friends!
Day 6 Florence - City Tour - Greve in Chianti - Olive
Oil Tasting
TUESDAY: This morning, we’ll head out on a city tour of
Florence. We will visit the famed Accademia Gallery, best known as the home of
Michelangelo’s sculpture: the David, but also home to other sculptures by
Michelangelo. 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.
This afternoon, we take a ride to Greve in Chianti, a medieval
town with a famous triangular-shape piazza which for centuries, has been the
location for the Saturday market. Just a few minutes from the center, this
countryside is full of vineyards and olive groves lined with small medieval
villages and castles.
Next, we’ll visit one of Tuscany’s top producers of olive
oil, Pruneti. Five generations of the Pruneti family have been farming in these
hills for over 150 years and today their focus is olive oil production. We’ll
enjoy an olive oil tasting and learn about the process of producing olive oil.
Tonight, you’ll be able to enjoy dinner on your own. Make
sure to try “Pappa al Pomodoro”, a rustic Tuscan soup made with tomatoes,
garlic, onions, and of course Tuscan bread.
Day 7 Florence - San Gimignano - Truffle Hunt - Olive
Oil & Wine Tasting - Cooking Class & Dinner
WEDNESDAY: Today, we will drive through the beautiful
rolling hills of Chianti for a most unique winery visit. 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 day.
Florence - Renaissance Walking Tour - Dinner Out
Day 8 THURSDAY: RENNAISSANCE WALKING TOUR - DINNER OUT
We’ll be transported back in time as we learn about one
of the most powerful dynasties of all times, the Medici family. We’ll see
Piazza di San Lorenzo where you can see the distinct mixture of Renaissance and
Romanesque architecture. Your local guide will share fun facts about how
Florence gave birth to the Renaissance.
We’ll visit Piazza Ognissanti, originally built in the
13th century to accommodate the large crowds that would gather for sermons and
was remodeled in the 19th century and now has a neo-Renaissance style. We’ll
also see the Palazzo Strozzi, a Renaissance palace built between 1489 and 1538
and is one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in
Florence and considered to be one of the most beautiful palaces in the world.
Also included in our tour is the Ponte Vecchio – a medieval stone bridge that
crosses the Arno River, and Piazza San Firenze, a small square in the historic
center of Florence, located behind the Palazzo Vecchio.
This afternoon you’ll have free time to enjoy on your
own...perhaps some last-minute shopping?
Tonight, we’ll enjoy our final dinner together in a
restaurant with a special “Renaissance menu.” Be sure to exchange contact info
with your new friends! Maybe you’ll all meet again on another Perillo Tour one
day!
Day 9 Flight Home - Florence - USA
FRIDAY: This morning you board your flight home arriving
in the USA the same day. Grazie mille for traveling with the Perillo family!
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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
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