Rome (3 nights) Sorrento (2) Florence (3) Venice (2) Milan (2)
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 Rome, the Eternal City, where you will visit places like the Vatican and the grandiose Colosseum. We're off to Naples, a city bursting with life. Marvel at Pompeii, the city of ruins dug out from the ashes rained on it by Vesuvius. Stay in Sorrento and delight in the leisurely island of Capri. Appreciate the beauty of Pisa, the home of the incredible Leaning Tower. Enjoy Florence, the fountainhead of the Renaissance. Then, it's off to Padua to visit the Basilica where the remains of St. Anthony are interred. On to Venice with its awesome Grand Canal. Then to Verona, home of "Romeo and Juliet" and next Como, the place loved by the rich and famous for centuries. Relax in Lugano (Switzerland), charmingly situated on Lake Lugano. Finally, journey to Milan and explore attractions such as the Duomo and the La Scala Opera House.

Depart Milan for the USA after fourteen stupendous days in the lovely land of Italy!

Airfare:

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

Hotels:

• First Class Hotels with Private Bath
• Hearty buffet breakfast daily
• Dinner nightly. 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 and dancing (starting Apr8 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 AWAKEN IN ROME
Benvenuti a Roma! Starting November 2007, 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.

We relax this afternoon, before our evening's welcome drink and dinner with fine local wines.

Day 3 EXPERIENCING COLOSSAL ROME & GALA DINNER DANCE
April - Oct. 2007 Departures
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 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 glorious St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's 7-story bronze canopy above the main altar.

After a relaxing break for lunch on our own, we board our coach for a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome including Castel St. Angelo, the Roman Forum, Largo Argentina (where Caeser 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.

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 Departures
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 afternnon 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-Apr7 where the Gala will be replaced by dinner out at a local restaurant).

Day 4 April - Oct. 2007 Tours
A DAY OF LEISURE IN ROME
What a treat --- a free day in Rome! There's so much to do and see, just 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), shop on Via Condotti, people watch on Via Veneto. Tonight, dinner and wine at one of my favorite Roman restaurants.

Nov. 2007 - Oct. 2008 Tours
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 and flowing wines at a local Roman restaurant.

Day 5 NAPLES, POMPEII & SORRENTO
This morning, we motor to 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.

Then it's off 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!

Tonight, dinner at our hotel with fine wines.

Day 6 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 Sorrento eatery for fine food and wine.

Day 7 ANDIAMO A FIRENZE!
Departing Sorrento, our comfortable drive takes us through the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and postcard-perfect vistas of Umbria and Tuscany. Along the way, we'll travel through the beautiful Tiber River Valley and the medieval villages of Orvieto and Orte, reaching Florence in time for a relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Day 8 FLORENCE - BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE AND A SHOPPER'S PARADISE!

Welcome to Florence, home of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli and da Vinci.
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 Baptistry. 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 9 April - Oct. 2007
FREE DAY TO EXPLORE FLORENCE
Florence is all yours today. You might want to visit a museum, bargain with the shopkeepers on the Ponte Vecchio, or make the arduous climb to the top of the Duomo. Personally, I love to just wander around town, fueled by gelato and awed by the fact that Leonardo walked these same streets. Tonight, another fine dinner at a great Tuscan restaurant.

Nov. 2007 - Oct. 2008
PISA

Just a 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 out, complete with savory Tuscan wines

Day 10  TO VENICE, VIA PISA & PADUA
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.

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. I hope you'll find Padua as special as I do.

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. Our arrival is also by boat, as we're eager to start exploring. Tonight's dinner is easy and relaxed, right in our hotel.

Note: starting Nov. 2007, the visit to Pisa will be done on day 9.

Day 11 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. We also enjoy a tour 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. Tonight, dinner out at a favorite Venetian restaurant.

Day 12 TO MILAN VIA JULIET'S VERONA
This morning we bid farewell to Venice and our drive to Milan 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. Soon we're in fashionable Milan, where we begin 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. Tonight, a delectable Milanese dinner at our hotel.

Day 13 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 is a dinner out at a great local restaurant in Milan.

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. Thanks for traveling with the Perillo family, and please return soon.