14 Day North Classic 2017

Day 1 - Friday - Depart USA Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on the adventure of a lifetime.   Day 2 - Saturday - 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 dinner with fine local wines at our hotel.   Day 3 - Sunday - Rome 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.   Day 4 - Monday - Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica*, Afternoon at Leisure 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. You’ll have lunch on your own followed by a free afternoon in Rome. Tonight we’ll recount our explorations with good food, good wine and new friends at a fine local restaurant.   Day 5 - Tuesday- Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel This morning, we motor to Pompeii, approaching the view of the Bay of Naples on the way.  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, we enjoy a dinner at our hotel with fine local wines.   Day 6 - Wednesday - Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out This morning you’ll be taken to Capri, the world’s most enchanting island. You can explore to your heart’s content on your own or your tour conductor may have other ideas. A 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 - Thursday - 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. This evening’s dinner features fine local wines at our hotel.   Day 8 - Friday - Florence, City Sightseeing including "The David", Dinner Out Florence - the fountainhead of the Renaissance, awaits our inspection! Our day of sightseeing includes 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, home of Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo’s final resting place. “Breathtaking” is the only word to describe one’s first view of Michelangelo’s David. Yes, it’s quite large and detailed. But the real magic is in how Michelangelo transformed a lifeless rock into a man - full of pride, wary of his adversary, yet quietly confident. All with just a hammer and chisel! Tonight, we’ll bring you to our favorite local restaurant or a typical Tuscan dinner.   Day 9 - Saturday - Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence 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! We’ll enjoy a wine tasting with these special wines. Cin-Cin! Tonight enjoy dinner on your own at a local Florentine restaurant. Be sure to try “Ribollita,” one of Florence’s most popular specialties. This hearty soup is made from cannellini beans, vegetables, red cabbage and chunks of bread.   Day 10 - Sunday - Florence, Padua, Venice 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 1200s. 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. Dinner is on your own tonight! When in Venice, do as the Venetians do! Enjoy “cicchetti,” Venetian style tapas, served in various pubs all over Venice.   Day 11 - Monday - Venice, City Sightseeing, Dinner out Tonight 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. 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 we’ll recount our explorations at a great local restaurant. Good food, good wine and great friends. Now that’s Italian!   Day 12 - Tuesday - Venice, Sirmione, Milan Sightseeing, Dinner in Hotel On the way to Milan, let’s stop at one of the most popular sights on Lake Garda - the peninsula of Sirmione. Crossing the drawbridge, we enter a peaceful world of hot springs, the Medieval castles and phenomenal views of the Dolomites. 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 on to the famed La Scala Opera House. Tonight, we enjoy a Milanese dinner at our hotel.   Day 13 - Wednesday- Milan, Lugano, Lake Como, Milan, Dinner Out 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. Our last night together will be at a fine Milanese eatery. No tears! You’ll exchange email addresses with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on another Perillo tour to Hawaii!   Day 14 - Thursday - Flight Home, Milan, USA This morning you board your 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.