Perillo knows Italy, and we specialize in unfolding its amazing facets just for you! Of course, Italy is rich in Art & History, and famous for its Food & Wine , while the canals of Venice guaranty it to be the most Romantic country on earth! But did you know that Shopping in Rome, Florence and Sorrento is also an art if not a science? Yet there is also another side of Italia, the quaint hillside small towns & villages, which is possibly the countryside of your Family Roots, the churches and cathedrals that are part of the romance as well as the Religion. Planning a First Trip to Italy, or a travel veteran, Perillo Tours is your best way to go!

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•  Gala Dinner Dance at the Casina di Macchia Madama (April-Oct2008 only)
• Worry-Free & Fully Escorted
• First Class Hotels
• American Breakfast & Dinner Daily with Wines
• All Gratuities (hotel & restaurant) & Transfers Included

Itinerary:

Day 1 Cities Visited: Depart USA

Boarding your overnight flight, we're off for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 2 Cities Visited: Venice - ARRIVAL IN VENICE
Benvenuti a Venezia! Starting November 2007, we are pleased to offer complimentary motorboat transfers from the Venice airport to your hotel at 11:00am and 1:00pm. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you.

This afternoon will be yours to relax. Why not have a caffé in St. Mark's Square - which is the "drawing room of Europe."

This evening we enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner with fine local wines.

Day 3 Cities Visited: Venice - EXPLORING VENICE
This 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 inside the Doge's Palace, one of the most stunning examples of gothis art.

This afternoon, we'll have a chance to "get lost" in the city's labyrinth of canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. Fear not. Being a small island, it's impossible to stray very far. But it won't hurt to master the phrase "Dov'e' piazza San Marco?"

Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner out at one of my favorite Venetian restaurants with great wines.

Day 4 Cities Visited: Padua and Florence - TO FLORENCE, VIA PADUA
This morning it's back to the mainland where we'll meet our dependable driver for the ride to Florence. But on the way we'll make an important stop. Visitors to Padua are often surprised by a sense of deep spirituality. St. Anthony (patron saint of lost objects) is interred here and the Basilica holds the world's largest collection of Giotto's paintings.

When you get home friends will ask, "So what was your favorite city in Italy?" Now you'll have four days to decide if you agree with Steve Perillo - it's Florence!

Tonight we'll enjoy dinner at our hotel. A toast to Florence, to our new friends and how about one for Perillo?

Day 5 Cities Visited: Florence - FLORENCE - BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE AND A SHOPPERS PARADISE!
This morning our city sightseeing will include the breathtaking view atop Piazzale Michelangelo, followed by a tour of the Academy of Fine Arts where Michelangelo's proud "David" stands.

We'll the see the majestic Duomo (Cathedral) built in 1296, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowed "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.

There will be plenty of time to shop this afternoon for leather, gold and lots more. But be ready for dinner at one of my favorite Florentine restaurants with great local wine.

Day 6 Cities Visited: Pisa - PISA!
Just a short drive away is Pisa. As we near the most photographed building in the world, our imaginations kick into gear, wondering "how" and "why". You'll soon find out!

We'll take our own photographs of the famous bell tower, along with the beautiful Cathedral and Baptistery.

This afternoon is leisure in Florence (tours departing after Nov. 2007). Tonight we'll have dinner at one of the most well-known Florentine restaurants, complete with savory Tuscan wine.

Day 7 Cities Visited: Siena - A DAY IN SIENA
While ambitious Florence was launching the Renaissance, Siena was its laid-back country cousin. Just 30 miles south of Florence, she is considered the best preserved medieval city in Italy. Our guided tour will include the elaborately carved Gothic cathedral, Town Hall and Piazza del Campo - site of the famous Palio horse race. After the tour, you'll have time for shopping and a little more exploration.

For our last night in Florence, we'll recap the day's events with our friends at a great local restaurant.

Day 8 Cities Visited: Rome - ANDIAMO A ROMA!
This afternoon, we'll enjoy a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome, including Castel Sant'Angelo, the Roman Forum, Largo Argentina (where Caesar was stabbed by Brutus), the Jewish Ghetto, and Circus Maximus. Then we'll enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, refereed by the emperor himself.

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.

Tonight we share our stories with a fabulous dinner at our hotel.

Day 9 Cities Visited: Rome - VATICAN MUSEUMS & THE SISTINE CHAPEL, GALA PARTY TONIGHT
This morning we'll visit 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."

This afternoon we enter the largest church in Christendom - St. Peter's Basilica. We marvel at Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy.
Back on the coach, we enjoy a panoramic city tour viewing Castel St. Angelo and Largo Argentina - where Julius Caesar met his fate at the hands of Brutus. See the most important of the seven hills in Rome, the Capitoline - home of Jupiter, Marcello's Theater and the Jewish Ghetto. We are awed by the view of the ancient Imperial Palaces atop the Palantine Hill overlooking the Circus Maximus, where the Rape of the Sabines occurred.

There will be time to relax this afternoon. For strollers and people watchers - a table a Doney's on Via Veneto. For shoppers - Via Condotti. Are you young or wish you were again? Join Rome's well-behaved kids on the Spanish Steps!

Tonight get ready for our Gala Party at Casina di Macchia Madama - an extravagant dinner with flowing wines and dancing to our own orchestra. A memorable night with your new friends. Salute!
Not included on departures between Jan 1 - Apr 8 and Nov 1 - Dec 30, the Gala will be replaced by dinner out at a local restaurant.

Day 10 Cities Visited: Rome - A DAY OF LEISURE IN ROME
What a treat - a free day in Rome! But don't sleep too late this morning. There's so much to do and see! Ask your tour guide for suggestions.

My own routine is very predictable - espresso in Piazza Navona, a coin in the Trevi Fountain (yes, I still do it) and across the river to the Vatican. A truly amazing city!

Tonight is our last dinner out together. No tears, you'll exchange e-mails with your newly found friends and maybe meet your tour guide again on your next Perillo Tour.

Day 11 Cities Visited: FLIGHT HOME
This morning we board our flight 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.

Thanks for traveling with the Perillo Family, and please return soon!

2008 Dates & Rates: