Highlights:
- Fully
Escorted
- Includes all
Breakfasts, 7 Dinners, 1 Lunch
- First Class
Hotels
- All
Gratuities (hotel & restaurant)
Itinerary:
Day 1 Cities
Visited: DEPART USA
Boarding our overnight flight, we're off on the adventure of a
lifetime.
Day 2 Cities Visited: Rome - AWAKEN IN ROME
Benvenuti a Roma! We are pleased to offer complimentary
transfers from the Rome airport to your hotel at 8:45am, 11:30am
and 12:30pm. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport
to greet you.
This afternoon is yours to explore, shop or just relax. This
evening we'll have a welcome drink followed by dinner with fine
local wines
Day 3 Cities Visited: Rome - IMPERIAL ROME & THE FAMOUS
COLOSSEUM
Today we'll relive the days of the Roman Empire. Our panoramic
tour includes Castel Sant'Angelo, the Roman Forum, Largo
Argentina (where Caesar was stabbed by Brutus), the Jewish
Ghetto and the Circus Maximus.
Next we enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment
of gladiators versus lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.
Back on our coach, we see the Roman Forum, Trajan's Column and
the astonishing "Wedding Cake" monument to Victor Emmanuel.
Tonight, we thought you'd enjoy a dinner on your own. Your tour
guide will have dining suggestions for every taste and budget.
Day 4 Cities Visited: Rome and L'Aquila - VATICAN CITY & THE
REGION OF ABRUZZO
This morning we visit Vatican City, "headquarters" for more than
a billion Catholics worldwide. We begin at the Vatican Museum, a
treasure trove 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 the 'End of Times'.
Next we visit colossal St. Peter's Basilica. Home to
Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's seven-story bronze altar canopy,
astonishing mosaics and priceless sculptures.
Arrivederci Roma... This afternoon we're headed "off the beaten
path". First stop, L'Aquila, the capital of the region of
Abruzzo (formerly Abruzzi). Legend says the town of L'Aquila
sprang up by a miracle, with 99 quarters, 99 squares, 99
fountains and 99 churches.
Today we'll start counting in this charming town planted at the
foothills of the mighty Gran Sasso mountain range. We'll visit
the Basilica of San Bernardino and Santa Maria di Collemaggio,
the only church besides St. Peter's with a "Holy Door."
Tonight we'll enjoy some great Abruzzese cooking and wines at a
fine local restaurant.
Day 5 Cities Visited: Montereale - ABRUZZO COUNTRYSIDE &
LUNCH IN MONTEREALE
With the Gran Sasso mountains towering above Europe's largest
artificial Lake Campotosto below, today we tour the beautiful
countryside of Abruzzo.
It happens that Perillo's "Man in Italy", Lucio Massari, was
born in the idyllic village of Montereale. But best of all,
Lucio has invited us to lunch!
The baying of sheep, clinking of cow bells, the neighing of a
horse - lunch with local wine in Montereale takes us back to the
Italy of old. After lunch we'll slowly wind our way back to
L'Aquila for a night on our own.
Day 6 Cities Visited: Assisi and Torgiano - ASSISI & TORGIANO
This morning we head for Torgiano in Umbria, the "green heart of
Italy." But on the way, we must stop in Assisi, home of St.
Francis, the patron saint of Italy. Here we visit the massive
Basilica di San Francesco, rising majestically on graceful
arched supports.
Next, Torgiano - a quaint village surrounded by vineyards, where
time seems to stand still. Our home will be the charming
five-star deluxe, Le Tre Vaselle - tranquil, relaxed,
comfortable and elegant.
Tonight we'll enjoy dinner with great Tuscan wines at our hotel.
Day 7 Cities Visited: Perugia - COOKING CLASS, WINE TASTING &
PERUGIA VISIT
This morning we'll have a cooking class in the fabulous
kitchens of our hotel, Le Tre Vaselle. After the class we'll
tour the wine museum and, of course, have a taste.
If you prefer other activities, you can take a dip in the pool,
cycle along the banks of the Tiber River or just relax.
This afternoon we motor to Perugia, one of the best preserved
hill towns and home of the famous painter Perugino, and of the
well-known Perugina candy.
We'll enjoy dinner out at a typical Umbrian restaurant with the
great wines of the region.
Day 8 Cities Visited: Siena - THE BEAUTIFUL DRIVE TO SIENA
Today we'll enjoy a quiet, easy drive to our new home in Tuscany
- Siena. The rolling countryside between Umbria and Tuscany is
the most beautiful in Italy.
We'll have a tour of Siena before checking into our hotel. We'll
see the Town hall, the medieval Duomo and the Piazza del Campo,
site of the famous horse race - the Palio!
Tonight we'll have a nice dinner in our hotel with great friends
and lots to talk about.
Day 9 Cities Visited: Montalcino and Pienza - MONTALCINO &
PIENZA
For most of us, today's visit to Montalcino will be a treat. For
wine enthusiasts, it will be closer to a religious experience!
The Brunello di Montalcino is considered Italy's highest
achievement in wine making. We'll tour a vineyard and enjoy a
taste of the famous grape.
We'll then visit the charming town of Pienza. It's considered a
"utopian city" because it was built by Pope Pius II
incorporating the latest Renaissance ideals at the time of man,
nature and architecture.
We'll return to Siena for you to enjoy dinner on your own. Siena
is so easy to get around on foot, and the restaurants are as
numerous as they as delicious.
Day 10 Cities Visited: Florence - A DAY IN FLORENCE & THE
UFFIZI GALLERY
This morning we make the short drive from Siena to Florence.
We'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the town atop Piazzale
Michelangelo, followed by a tour of the world famous Uffizi
Gallery.
We'll visit the majestic Cathedral 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, and then to Santa
Croce Church, Michelangelo's final resting place.
Back to Siena for a tasty dinner at a local restaurant with fine
local wines.
Day 11 Cities Visited: Pisa and Lucca - PISA & LUCCA
The bell tower in Pisa is famous mainly because it's flawed.
What a comfort to those of us who are less than perfect! We'll
get to see the 'Leaning Tower' first hand, along with the
magnificent Cathedral and Baptistery in the same square.
A short drive away is Lucca, birthplace of Puccini. We'll visit
the Walls, the Duomo, the Amphitheater and church of San
Frediano.
Tonight we're back in Siena for dinner on our own.
Day 12 Cities Visited: Como - COMO & THE ALPS LAKE REGION
Today we head North. We're going to Como in Italy's beautiful
lake region, surrounded by the breathtaking snow-covered Alps.
We'll enjoy another great dinner with wine at our hotels.
Day 13 Cities Visited: Lugano - LUGANO & LAKE COMO
This morning's visit to Lugano is actually in Switzerland, but
this Alpine paradise clings to its Italian roots. The natural
beauty is accompanied by great shops filled with Swiss
specialties like clocks, watches and, of course, chocolate!
We're in for a special treat this afternoon - a cruise on Lake
Como! Besides its natural beauty, a cruise gives you a close-up
look at some of the world's most beautiful villas.
Tonight is our final dinner out together. Let's have a toast to
the "small towns" of Italy, our driver, our guide, and our
new-found friends. Salute!
Day 14 Cities Visited: FLIGHT HOME FROM MILAN
We say 'arrivederci' to Italy. This morning we have a short
drive to Milan to board our flight home, arriving in the USA on
the same day. Thanks for traveling with the Perillo family, and
please return soon!
Dates & Rates:
|
Departure Dates |
Land Only Double Room Per Person |
Land Only
Single Room |
Apr
2008 25
Jun 2008 06, 13, 20, 27
Jul 2008 11, 18
Aug 2008 01, 22, 29 |
$4099 |
$4799 |
May
2008 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
Sep 2008 12, 19, 26
Oct 2008 03, 10, 17, 24 |
$4299 |
$4899 |
*Land only
rates include everything but airfare. Transfers are included
if you arrive and depart on the scheduled tour dates and
times. Triple rates are the same as double rates.
|
