Sightsee Milan and explore attractions such as the Duomo and the La Scala Opera House. Then to Lugano (Switzerland), charmingly situated on Lake Lugano and next Como, the place loved by the rich and famous for centuries. We're off to Verona, home of "Romeo and Juliet" and on to Venice with its awesome Grand Canal. Then, it's off to Padua to visit the Basilica where the remains of St. Anthony are interred. Enjoy Florence, the fountainhead of the Renaissance and Pisa, the home of the incredible Leaning Tower. Stay in Sorrento and delight in the leisurely island of Capri. Marvel at Pompeii, the city of ruins dug out from the ashes rained on it by Vesuvius. Then to Naples, a city bursting with life, and finally Rome, the Eternal City, where you will visit places like the Vatican and the grandiose Colosseum. Depart Rome for the USA after fourteen stupendous days in the lovely land of Italy!

• Perillo Tours is happy to arrange low cost flights priced as shown in Dates & Rates

• Airport transfers, provided you arrive and depart on scheduled tour dates and times

• First Class Hotels with private bath

• Hearty buffet breakfast daily

• All baggage handling, hotel taxes, hotel service charges

• All gratuities for hotel and restaurant personnel

• The daily services of your tour guide in suggesting nearby restaurants and trattorias for dinner, as well as offering some optional group dinners

• All sightseeing and excursions described featuring a visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

• Wireless headsets to hear your guide clearly and distinctly in public places

• Deluxe air-conditioned inter-city motorcoaches with lavatory aboard

• Professional Tour Directors and licensed local guides

• Personalized, worry-free and fully escorted

Day 1
Cities Visited:
OFF WE GO!
We barely look back as we jet off to the land of amore.

Day 2
Cities Visited: Milan
BUON GIORNO MILAN
Benvenuti a Milano! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Milan airport to your hotel at 8:45am, 11:30am amd 12:30pm. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you. This afternoon, we're on our own to wander, explore and find the first of many dining gems. Your tour director will also have lots of great suggestions.

Day 3
Cities Visited: Lugano (Switzerland) and Como
ITALY'S MAGNIFICENT LAKE REGION - 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! Next we visit Como, the charming town and pristine lake of the same name, lined with lovely villas.

Day 4
Cities Visited: Milan and Verona
MILAN TO VENICE, VIA JULIET'S VERONA
This morning we explore fashionable Milan, beginning with a panoramic drive around the city and a visit to the impressive gothic Duomo. We'll stroll through the spectacular glass-topped Galleria, the world's first shopping mall, amd on to the famed La Scala Opera House. We big farewell to Milan and our drive to Venice is delightfully interrupted by a visit to romantic Verona. We'll stand in the courtyard below Juliet's balcony were Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers professed their love. Then Venice arrives to us as in a dream. Time stands still as massive gothic buildings float by in a shroud of mist. Gondolas drift along, not just for show, but to deliver the staples of everyday life. Tonight, as you happen upon a charming Venetian eatery, you'll see just why this tour is so popular.

Day 5
Cities Visited: Venice
A DAY IN VENICE
This morning we'll meet our local expert for a walking tour, seeing St. Mark's Square, the great Byzantine Basilica and inside the Doge's Palace, one of the world's most stunning examples of gothic art. A very important 'rite of passage' for Venice visitors is getting completely lost in the city's charming labyrinth of canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. Fear not - being a small island, it's impossible to stray very far. Maybe this would be the ideal evening for a traditional Venetian feast.

Day 6
Cities Visited: Florence and Padua
TO FLORENCE VIA PADUA
We say farewell to Venice but arrive joyfully relaxed in Padua. Strolling through the charming college town (Galileo attended University here), we enjoy a visit to the Basilica, where the remains of St. Anthony are interred. Then, a short journey later, it's welcome to Florence, home of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli, da Vinci, and my favorite city in the world! Once settled in our hotel, our tour director will happily offer this evening's restaurant suggestions and recommendations. Joy, joy, joy - for scholars and shoppers - we're in Florence!

Day 7
Cities Visited: Florence
FLORENCE - BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE & A SHOPPER'S PARADISE
Today we'll enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the town atop Piazzale Michelangelo, followed by a tour of the Academy of Fine Arts where Michelangelo's proud "David" stands. We'll see the majestic Duomo built in 1296, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery with it's 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. There's plenty of time to shop this afternoon. You'll be sure to find a perfect Florentine dinner spot tonight.

Day 8
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 at leisure in Florence. Tonight we'll enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel, complete with savory Tuscan wines.

Day 9
Cities Visited: Sorrento
TO SORRENTO WE GO
Our journey to Sorrento takes us through the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and post-card perfect vistas of Umbria and Tuscany. Along the way, we'll comfortably travel by the beautiful Tiber River Valley and the medieval villages of Orvieto and Orte. Soon, we are in Sorrento, high on a beautiful plateau, greeted by the sapphire blue Gulf of Naples and majestic Mount Vesuvius. Nestled now in Sorrento, you'll see another side of Italian cuisine.

Day 10
Cities Visited: Capri
THE ISLE OF CAPRI
Naples at our stern, Capri at our bow, this morning we cross the bay of Naples to the world's most enchanting island. The vacation spot of emperors and movie stars, you'll be equally captivated by the charms of Capri. Tonight, still glowing from the sun, it's dinner on your own in Sorrento.

Day 11
Cities Visited: Naples and Pompeii
POMPEII, NAPLES & ROME
I love to see the awe on the faces of visitors to Pompeii. Imagine an entire city perfectly preserved as it was on the fateful day almost 2000 years ago, when ash and lava literally stopped it in its tracks. You'll see the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape, and also the 'secret room'. But I'll say no more about that - you'll just have to take the tour! Later this morning, we continue onto Naples, birthplace of Caruso, Sophia Loren and my grandfather Joseph Perillo. We enjoy a brief panoramic tour of this vibrant city with proud Mt. Vesuvius above and the Bay of Naples below. A few hours later, we enter the gates of Rome and settle into our hotel. Now we're in Rome, you'll get to eat as the Romans do.

Day 12
Cities Visited: Rome
THE VATICAN CITY & THE SISTINE CHAPEL
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. This afternoon, Rome is all yours to enjoy.

Day 13
Cities Visited: Rome
IMPERIAL ROME
This morning we'll board our coach for 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. You can shop on streets brimming with the latest in fashion and crafts, linger at outside cafes watching the world go by, visit museums, stroll the cobblestone streets, fountain by fountain by fountain!

Day 14
Cities Visited:
CIAO
Our enchanting journey is nearly over, but on our trip home, we have so many perfect and delicious memories to keep us company. Thanks for joining us. Grazie.