11 Day Wonders of Northern Italy 2017

Day 1 - Thursday - Depart USA Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on a journey that will remain etched in your memory forever!    Day 2 - Friday - 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 or take a stroll this afternoon before dinner at our hotel.   Day 3 - Saturday - Rome - Vatican Museum - Sistine Chapel - St. Peter’s Basilica This morning, we travel 10 minutes to another country – Vatican City.  With our expert local guide we’ll tour the Vatican Museums, a massive collection of ancient Greek sculptures, medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings.  Our visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel, renowned for its Renaissance art, especially the ceiling which was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. The Chapel, which attracts more than 5 million visitors each year, is also 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 7 story bronze canopy located above the main altar.  Tonight, we thought you’d enjoy a dinner on your own. Ask your guide for a recommendation or explore on your own. Be sure to try “Spaghetti alla Carbonara” made with eggs, guanciale (bacon from pig’s cheek), black pepper and pecorino cheese.   (Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on any events planned by the Pope.)   Day 4 - Sunday - Rome - Bologna - Dinner in Hotel This morning, after breakfast, we travel to Bologna, the gastronomic capital of Italy. To Italians, Bologna is known as the city of “Two Towers”; worldwide it’s known as the city of lasagna, tagliatelle, tortellini and Bolognese sauce. Good food must boost brain-power because Bologna is home to the oldest university in Europe!  This afternoon is yours to enjoy on your own. Why not visit the market stalls selling beans, tomatoes and cheeses. Have lunch at a trattoria serving fresh pasta with their signature ragù sauce. This city a food lover’s paradise!  Tonight, we enjoy a fabulous dinner with typical local specialties in our hotel.   Day 5 - Monday- Bologna - Parma - Lunch - Bologna This morning, we travel to Parma, a city in the region of Emilia Romagna famous for its prosciutto, parmigiano cheese, architecture and gorgeous countryside.  On the way, we’ll stop to visit a cheese factory for a taste of genuine parmigiano cheese – our favorite! In Parma we’ll enjoy a visit to a prosciutto (ham) factory followed by a light lunch. You’ll have some free time to explore the city and do some shopping before returning to our hotel in Bologna.  Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. Be sure to try one of Bologna’s signature dishes: tortellini, which take their shape from Venus’ navel!   Day 6 - Tuesday - Bologna - Excursion to Venice - Special Venetian Lunch - Bologna The Grand Canal is just-short train ride away. Should we go? You wouldn’t want to miss one of the most unique cities in the world… Andiamo a Venezia! In Venice, everything and everyone floats. One floats luxuriously with such a sense of freedom, never tormented by traffic or even the sounds of honking horns. Your guide will show you all the sights— St. Mark’s Square, the Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs. Just around the corner from St. Mark’s Square, we’ll enjoy a special Venetian lunch in a city renowned for its seafood specialties. This evening we return to Bologna for dinner on our own.   Day 7 - Wednesday - Bologna - La Spezia - Cinque Terre - Rapallo - Dinner in Hotel Excitement awaits!! Today we visit the Cinque Terre, the ruggedly beautiful stretch of coastline inset with five tiny villages perched along the Italian Riviera. These 5 picturesque fishing villages are often the “top places to visit” for most travel magazines.   First, we travel to La Spezia to board our train to tiny Vernazza, the jewel of the Cinque Terre. Here the way of life remains simple, unspoiled and without cars.  Ah . . . Tranquility!  We continue on to Rapallo, a pretty seaside resort town on the Italian Riviera. After a short visit of the city center, we check in to our beautiful hotel and enjoy dinner with fine local wines.   Day 8 - Thursday - Boat Trip to Portofino - Sant Fruttuoso - Camogli - Rapallo After a leisurely breakfast, we take a short boat ride to Portofino, a picturesque seaside village with brightly colored houses lining the shore. Portofino is also known as the resort of the rich and famous . . . a perfect place for our guests! Designer boutiques and dozens of cafes and restaurants line the main square, giving guests the chance to experience the real Italian “bella vita”. You’ll have free time to visit the main square, the church of San Giorgio, which is said to have relics of St. George. You can also visit the Brown Castle, built in the 15th century and used for harbor defense over the centuries. Next, we visit San Fruttuoso, a fishing village and home to the San Fruttuoso Abbey. Built by Greek monks in the 10th century, the abbey was renovated over and over until the 16th century. We next visit Camogli, another charming fishing village and resort.  This town has a small harbor with shops and restaurants. You’ll have some free time to sightsee, have a gelato or just sit and people watch.   Later today we return to our hotel in Rapallo to enjoy the evening on our own. BB   Day 9 - Friday - Rapallo - Lake Maggiore - Isola Bella - Stresa Today we drive to Stresa on beautiful Lake Maggiore. For centuries, Stresa has been a popular retreat for Europe’s aristocrats who have endowed the town with a number of beautiful villas.  Next, we visit Isola Bella, “beautiful island”, one of the Borromean islands of Lake Maggiore. With its wonderful gardens and impressive palace, this lovely island will remain in your memory forever. After checking into our beautiful hotel in Stresa,  enjoy one of your last dinners in Italy on your own. Time to really indulge!   Day 10 - Saturday - Stresa > Lugano, Switzerland - Boat Ride on Lake Como - Stresa - Dinner in Hotel This morning we enjoy an excursion to Lugano to explore the Italian section of Switzerland. Its close proximity to Italy makes the city a wonderful blend of Italian charm and Swiss sophistication.  Stroll along the charming arcades, admire breathtaking lake views and most importantly shop for Swiss chocolate! Next, we enjoy a boat ride around Lake Como, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Many celebrities have homes on the shores of Lake Como – George Clooney, Gianni Versace, Sylvester Stallone and Madonna.  Real estate offices will be open for your convenience!  Tonight, we have a final dinner in the hotel with our new travel friends. Don’t forget to exchange email addresses and make plans for the future. How about you all meet again on another Perillo Tour – to Hawaii!     Day 11 - Sunday - Stresa, Milan Aiport, USA Transfer to Milan Airport in time for your return flight to USA.