10 Day Vesuvius Tour 2017

Day 1 - Thursday - Depart USA Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on your adventure to Italy. Buon viaggio! 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 we enjoy dinner at our hotel with some fine local wines.   Day 3 - Saturday - Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Dinner Out Tonight 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, 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 7 story bronze canopy located above the main altar. Tonight we’ll recount our explorations with good food and wines fit for an Emperor at a local Roman restaurant! (Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on the events planned by the Pope.)   Day 4 - Sunday - Rome City Sightseeing, Afternoon of 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) 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 nearby recommendation, or venture out and explore the local restaurants in Rome! Be sure to try a Suppli`, a quintessential Roman specialty: Fried ball of rice filled with tomato sauce, meat and melted mozzarella.   Day 5 - Monday - Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel After a delicious breakfast in the hotel, we’re off on the beautiful drive south to Pompeii! On the way, we approach the view of the Bay of Naples, birthplace of Caruso, Sophia Loren, Bel Canto and 'O Sole Mio. We travel back to the Pompeii of 97 AD. A city perfectly preserved by the ash that rained down from Mt. Vesuvius, you’ll see the tragic fossils of the people trying to escape with their children and dogs. The streets, homes and stores that are all amazingly intact. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a relaxing dinner in our hotel overlooking the bay of Naples. BB, D   Day 6 - Tuesday - Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento This morning, we board our speedy jetfoil to the world’s most enchanting island – Capri. We’ll enjoy a private boat tour around the island (weather permitting). We’ll cruise by the magnificent Faraglioni, Capri’s iconic rock formations which tower above the Mediterranean Sea. Next, we visit one of the lesser-known but equally beautiful sea caves, the Grotta Bianca. Then we’ll have free time to explore the island on our own, or take advantage of a special optional excursion with our tour leader. This afternoon we return to Naples where you can relax before you head out for dinner on your own. Ask your tour guide for recommendations. Try a pizza Margherita – invented right in this area!  Pizza Margherita owes its name to Italy's Queen Margherita who in 1889 visited the Pizzeria Brandi in Naples. The Pizzaiolo (pizza maker) on duty that day, created a pizza for the Queen that contained the 3 colors of the new Italian flag. The red tomato, the white mozzarella and fresh green basil!  BB   Day 7 - Wednesday - Sorrento, Florence Lunch & City Tour, Dinner in Hotel This morning, after a delicious breakfast, we board a train to Florence! We’ll arrive in time for a lunch at our hotel followed by a walking tour of the historical center of this most famous of all Renaissance cities! We’ll visit the majestic Duomo (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, 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 a chisel! Tonight, we enjoy a Florentine dinner in our hotel with fine wines.   Day 8 - Thursday - Florence, Excursion to Venice, Special Venetian Lunch, Florence The Grand Canal is just a short train ride away from Florence. Should we go? . . .  SI! ANDIAMO A VENEZIA! There is no normal life in Venice. Here, everything and everyone floats luxuriously with a sense of freedom, never tormented by traffic or even the sound of a horn. 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 town renowned for its seafood specialties. This evening we return to Florence for dinner on your own. Make sure to try Pappa al Pomodoro, a rustic Tuscan soup made with tomatoes, garlic, onions and of course, Tuscan bread!  BB, L   Day 9 - Friday - Florence, San Gimignano, Wine Tasting and Lunch, Florence Our last day together will be at our favorite winery! You’ll visit the Tenuta Torciano winery in Tuscany and meet our dear friend, Pierluigi Giachi, the world’s most enchanting sommelier. You’ll learn about the grape, the nose, food pairings and most importantly – which glass to use! We’ll enjoy a fabulous lunch and wine tasting. Salute! Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening on your own, perhaps shopping for last minute souvenirs!   Day 10 - Saturday - Florence, Flight Home This morning board your flight home, arriving in the USA the same day. Unless of course, you have chosen to extend your stay! A warm Grazie for traveling with the Perillo family and please return soon.