| Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart USA | DEPART USA: Boarding our overnight flight, we're off on the adventure of a lifetime. | | Day 2 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Return USA | 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! |
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