14 Day Italy North Continental with a Touch of Switzerland Milan to Rome (OFF SEASON)
Begin your tour with two nights in Lugano, Switzerland, one of the most popular travel destinations in all of Switzerland.
On to Venice, where you'll spend two storybook nights exploring the canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. On our way from Venice to Florence, a short but inspiring visit to Padua.
The next three nights' accommodations will be in the romantic city of Florence, the fountainhead of the Renaissance. From Florence, we travel a short distance to visit Pisa, the most instantly recognizable structure on earth. Back to Florence, perhaps to visit a typical Tuscan winery.
Next, we motor south to Sorrento for our next two nights. Along the way, 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.
Finally - three glorious nights in Rome, the Eternal City. We'll visit St. Peter's Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and so much more.
What's Included
Call 1 -877-856-2224 for more information or to book today! Mention code 9077058
- 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 | Milan | Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Lugano, Switzerland, Afternoon at Leisure Benvenuti in Italia! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Milan airport to your hotel in Lugano at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you. This afternoon we'll meet our guide for an orientation and welcome drink. Your guide will have plenty of dining suggestions for your first evening in Italy. BB |
| Day 3 | Lugano | Lugano, Panoramic Lake Cruise While Lugano is firmly in Switzerland, this 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. This morning we'll enjoy a guided walking tour through the traffic-free historic center. Tonight is yours to relax in this town known as "the Monaco of the Alps!" BB |
| Day 4 | Venice | Lugano, Verona, Venice This morning we're off to Venice! But on the way, we'll enjoy a quick stop in romantic Verona. We'll stand in the courtyard below Juliet's balcony where Shakespeare's starcrossed lovers professed their love. 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, as you happen upon a charming Venetian eatery, you'll see just why this tour is so popular. BB |
| Day 5 | 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" Maybe this would be the ideal evening for a traditional Venetian seafood feast! BB |
| Day 6 | Florence | Venice, Padua, Florence We're off to Florence today with an inspiring stop along the way. 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. Next to Florence! Home of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli, da Vinci, and some say, the best gelato in Italy! Once settled in our hotel, our tour director is happy to offer this evening's restaurant suggestions. BB |
| Day 7 | Florence | Full Day Florence Sightseeing, Uffizi Gallery Visit Florence is known to be the fountainhead of the Renaissance. 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. You'll be sure to find a perfect Florentine dinner spot tonight. BB |
| Day 8 | Florence | 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! Cin-Cin! We'll return to Florence for some free time. Tonight, ask your tour director for a nearby spot to enjoy fresh Tuscan fare. BB |
| Day 9 | Sorrento | Florence, Sorrento Our journey to Sorrento takes us through the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and postcard perfect vistas of Tuscany and Umbria. Along the way, we'll comfortably travel by the beautiful Tiber River Valley and the medieval villages of Orte and Orvieto. Soon, we are in Sorrento, high on a beautiful plateau, greeted by the sapphire blue Gulf of Naples and majestic Mount Vesuvius. When most Americans think of Italian food, they're usually thinking of the dishes of Naples and Sorrento - spaghetti with tomato and basil, mozzarella and pizza are all from this area. Here's your chance to try the "real thing!" BB |
| Day 10 | Sorrento | Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento 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, it's dinner on your own in Sorrento. BB |
| Day 11 | Rome | Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, Rome Pompeii - an entire city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day almost 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 their children and dogs. Late this morning, we continue on to Naples. We enjoy a brief panoramic tour of this beautiful city. A few hours later, we enter the gates of Rome and settle into our hotel. BB |
| Day 12 | Rome | Rome, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Afternoon at Leisure 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 stories from the Bible and the "End of Times." You'll be fascinated by which of Michelangelo's contemporaries he assigned to heaven and which to hell. We'll also visit St. Peter's Basilica. We'll see Michelangelo's Pieta, sculpted when he was just 24, and Bernini's seven-story bronze canopy soaring high above the main altar. This afternoon, Rome is all yours! Shop, fountain hop, explore to your heart's content. Tonight, treat yourself to one of Rome's fine restaurants for a fabulous dinner. BB |
| Day 13 | 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, 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. Your tour director will be happy to offer suggestions for your final Roman dinner this evening. Be sure to ask. BB |
| Day 14 | Flight Home | Flight Home This morning we board our flight home. 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 |
- 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.
