14 Day Italy North Classic with a Touch of Switzerland Rome to Milan (OFF SEASON)
Begin your tour with three nights in Rome, the Eternal City where we visit St. Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and on and on. Next, we motor south to Sorrento for two nights. We'll stop for a visit to Pompeii, the city of ruins dug out from the ashes rained on it by Mt. Vesuvius and now, perfectly preserved as it was 2,000 years ago! Sorrento is advantageously located over steep cliffs offering fantastic views over the Bay of Naples. Sheer pleasure. We'll also enjoy a visit to the world's most enchanting island, Capri.
The next three nights' accommodations will be in the romantic city of Florence, the fountainhead of the Renaissance. From Florence we'll visit Pisa - the most instantly recognizable structure on earth.
On to Venice, where we'll spend two storybook nights exploring the canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. And a romantic gondola ride is included.
Last stop - two nights in Lugano, Switzerland. We interrupt our trip from Venice to Lugano with a short stop in Verona to see Shakespeare's Juliet's balcony. You'll delight in a guided walking tour of Lugano's traffic-free historic center and Switzerland's natural beauty.
What's Included
Call 2012 88- 4330 for more information or to book today! Mention code 9077054
- Tour Operator
- Perillo Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 8/31/2010
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| 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 | Arrive in Rome, Afternoon at Leisure, Dinner in Hotel Benvenuti a Roma! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Rome airport to your hotel at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you. There will be time to relax this afternoon before our evening's welcome drink and dinner with fine local wines at our hotel. BB, D |
| Day 3 | Rome | Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Dinner Out Tonight This morning, it's a 5-minute drive to another country - Vatican City! 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. Next we visit St. Peter's Basilica, by far the largest church in Christendom. We'll see Michelangelo's Pieta, sculpted when he was just 24, as well as Bernini's seven-story bronze canopy located above the main altar. Tonight we'll recount our explorations with good food, good wine and great friends at a great local restaurant. BB, D |
| Day 4 | Rome | Rome City Sightseeing, Afternoon at Leisure Hail Caesar! All aboard our chariot for a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome including 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. Tonight we thought you'd enjoy a dinner on your own. Ask your tour guide for a recommendation, or simply relax and enjoy your hotel restaurant. BB |
| Day 5 | Sorrento | Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel This morning, we motor to Naples. Have your cameras ready because we will arrive in Naples via Vomero Hill overlooking the sapphire Bay of Naples, Capri and proud Vesuvius. We descend to the heart of the city along the sea front promenade, seeing Castel dell'Ovo, San Carlo Opera House, Santa Lucia, Town Hall and the Angevin Castle where today's date appears in flowers! Then, it's off to Pompeii. Imagine, a city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day 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 along with children and dogs. Tonight, dinner at our hotel with fine wines. BB, D |
| Day 6 | Sorrento | Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out 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. BB, D |
| Day 7 | Florence | Sorrento, Drive to Florence, Dinner in Hotel Departing Sorrento, our deluxe motorcoach navigates the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and postcard-perfect vistas of Umbria and Tuscany. Along the way, we'll travel by the beautiful Tiber River Valley and the medieval villages of Orvieto and Orte, reaching Florence in time for a relaxing dinner at our hotel. BB, D |
| Day 8 | Florence | Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence, Dinner Out The bell tower of Pisa is among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. Architects say it would be world famous even if it were perfectly straight. This morning we'll see for ourselves, along with the beautiful Cathedral and Baptistery. This afternoon we'll visit a typical Tuscan winery to learn about the grape, the "nose," food pairings and most importantly - which glass to use! Cin-Cin! We'll enjoy our Florentine dinner out at a great local eatery. BB, D |
| Day 9 | Florence | Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit Florence - the fountainhead of the Renaissance; city of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli and da Vinci! Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city atop Piazzale Michelangelo, followed by an extensive tour of the Uffizi gallery, one of the oldest and most important art museums in the world, including Botticelli's famed Primavera and The Birth of Venus. Next we visit 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 an external view of Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo's final resting place. Tonight your tour guide will have some great suggestions for dinner on your own in Florence. BB, D |
| Day 10 | Florence | Florence, Padua, Venice, Dinner in Hotel Visitors to Padua are often surprised by a sense of deep spirituality. St. Anthony (patron Saint of lost objects) is interred here in the serene Basilica which dates back to the 1200's. Venice arrives to us as in a dream. 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. BB, D |
| Day 11 | Venice | Venice, City Sightseeing, Gondola Ride (Included) 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 an inside visit of the Doge's Palace. New this year, we're happy to include a free Gondola ride (weather permitting). You'll explore the romantic canals of Venice, serenaded by your gondolier! This afternoon you'll have a chance to "get lost" in the city's labyrinth of canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. 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 your tour guide will have some great suggestions for dinner on your own in Venice. BB, D |
| Day 12 | Venice | Venice, Verona, Lugano, Dinner in Hotel This morning we're off to Switzerland! But our drive to Lugano 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. While Lugano is firmly in Switzerland, the beautiful alpine town still clings to its Italian roots. Her pristine lake, surrounded by the majestic Alps, have made Lugano a magnet for the rich and famous of Europe. Upon arrival we'll check-in and enjoy an easy dinner, right in our hotel. BB, D |
| Day 13 | Lugano | Lugano, Panoramic Lake Cruise, Dinner Out This morning we'll enjoy a guided walking tour through the traffic-free historic center. You'll see that Lugano's natural beauty is accompanied by great shops filled with Swiss specialties - like clocks, watches and, of course, chocolate. Weather permitting, we'll enjoy a panoramic cruise on Lake Lugano. Tonight is our last dinner together. No tears. You'll exchange e-mails with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on a Perillo Tour to Hawaii! BB, D |
| Day 14 | Flight Home | Lugano, Milan, 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. BB B=Breakfast D=Dinner Note: Please be advised that circumstances may change the day and/or sequence of scheduled activities, as well as the substitution of hotels, events, shows, sightseeing, itinerary, restaurants, hosts, etc. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Prices above are land-only and do not include airfare.
All prices are subject to increase due to any increase in our costs, such as, but not limited to: increases in air, land or sea fares, fuel cost, currency fluctuations, unless our web-site indicates that a particular Tour price is guaranteed by full payment before a specific date and all the conditions of that guarantee are met. Departure taxes are not protected under the price guarantee. Gratuities not specifically mentioned are excluded. The price does not include transportation between your home and the airline terminal or pier or personal items. Your return ticket is subject to strict limitations.
No refund will be made for any accommodations or services included in the tour that you do not use.
In case of printing typographical error, computer error, or human billing error, we reserve the right to invoice or re-invoice participants with corrected billing.
