Milan (2 nights) Venice (2) Florence (3) Sorrento (2) Rome (3)
Enjoy the majesty of Rome, the extraordinary shopping in Milan and Venice, a city like no other, on our most popular fully escorted tour! This is the most complete all-inclusive Italian vacation you will ever experience ...

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!

Hotels:

• First Class Hotels with Private Bath

• Hearty buffet breakfast daily

• Dinner daily. Serving pasta, choice of 2 entrees, vegetable, salad, dessert. coffee.
  Antipasto also served on "Dinner Out" nights

• Dinner Beverages - Dinner wines, mineral water, coffee, soda or beer

• All baggage handling, hotel taxes, hotel service charges

• All gratuities for hotel and restaurant personnel

Perks:

• 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

• Gala Dinner Dance with cocktails, dinner wines, orchestra and dancing in the royal atmosphere of an incredible Palace (April-October 2007 Tours only)

• Gala Evening at the lavish Casina di Macchia Madama with cocktails, dinner wine and dancing (Apr6 - Oct. 2008)

• Deluxe inter-city motorcoaches with lavatory aboard

• Professional Tour Directors and licensed local guides

• Personalized, worry-free and fully escorted
   

Day 1 DEPART USA
Boarding our overnight flight, we're off on the adventure of a lifetime

Day 2  BUON GIORNO, MILAN
Benvenuti a Milano! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Milan airport to your hotel at 8:45am, 9:45am and 1:30pm. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you. We relax this afternoon, whetting our appetites for what's to come. Dinner tonight with the first of many local wines.

Day 3 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.

Tonight, fabulous food and wine at a classic Milanese restaurant.

Day 4  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, and onto the famed La Scala Opera House.

We bid 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 where 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's dinner is easy and relaxed, right in our hotel.

Day 5  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. Tonight, dinner out at a favorite local Venetian restaurant

Day 6  TO FLORENCE, VIA PADUA
This morning we're off to Florence with one important stop along the way.

Visitors to Padua are often caught off-guard 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.

This afternoon we arrive in Florence, fountainhead of the Renaissance and hometwon of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli and da Vinci. Tonight we'll enjoy our first Tuscan meal with wine at a great local restaurant.

Day 7 FLORENCE - BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE AND 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 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.

There's plenty of time to shop this afternoon, but be ready for dinner at one of my favorite Florentine restaurants.

Day 8 A BEAUTIFUL DAY TRIP TO PISA
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 see the 'Leaning Tower' first hand, along with the magnificent Cathedral and Baptistery in the same square. Tonight, back in Florence, enjoy Tuscan fare in a wonderful nearby restaurant.
Note: Starting November 2007, you will enjoy your dinner at your hotel.

Day 9 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. Tonight, after getting settled, a charming dinner with wine at our hotel.

Day 10 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, we're off to a great Sorrento eatery for fine food and wine.

Day 11 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 that fateful day almost 2,000 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.

Late this morning, we continue on to Naples, birthplace of Caruso, Sophia Loren and my grandfather, Joseph Perillo. We enjoy a brief panoramic tour of this city.

A few hours later, we enter the gates of Rome and settle into our hotel followed by dinner with fine wines. Salute!

Day 12  IMPERIAL ROME & GALA DINNER DANCE
April - Oct. 2007
Today, we'll visit the birthplace of two great pillars of Western civilization --- the Roman Empire and Christianity. With our expert local guide, we'll tour the Vatican Museums, a treasure trove of ancient Greek sculptures, medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings. 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, it's St. Peter's Basilica, by far the largest church in Christendom, and Michelangelo's Pieta. I'm always amazed by the mosaic 'paintings' created from tiny chips of 100,000 different colors.

After a relaxing lunch on our own, we board our coach for a panoramic tour including Castel St. Angelo, the Roman Forum, Largo Argentina (where Caesar was stabbed by Brutus), the Jewish Ghetto and the Circus Maximus. Then we enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.

Back at the hotel, we get ready for our gala evening of dinner and dancing in the glorious Brancaccio Palace, a Perillo exclusive. This most extravagant evening is filled with wonderful food, glorious song, flowing wine and the company of our new friends. (Not included on departures Nov 1 - Apr 20, where the Gala will be replaced by dinner out at a local restaurant.)

Nov. 2007 - Oct. 2008
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 the Circus Maximus. Then we'll enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.

This afternoon is at leisure, but leave time to get ready for our Gala Party at the 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 Nov1-Apr5, where the Gala will be replaced by dinner out at a local restaurant)

Day 13 April - Oct. 2007
GETTING LOST IN ROME
One of my favorite things to do in Rome is simply wander the streets. On this leisurely day, we have the whole city to explore as we want. Museums. Shopping. Or simply relaxing with a cup of espresso. Tonight, our farewell dinner will be at one of Rome's most well-known restaurants.

Nov. 2007 - Oct. 2008
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. Tonight, dinner out and flowing wines at a great local Roman restaurant.

Day 14 FLIGHT HOME
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.

Milan Arrival - Return from Rome