10 Day Vesuvius 2013

DAY 1 (Thursday) Depart USA
Boarding our overnight flight, we’re off on our 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 this afternoon before we enjoy dinner at our hotel with some fine local wines.(D)

DAY 3 (Saturday) Rome, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Dinner Out
 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 fine local restaurant. (BB, D)

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), 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 (Monday) Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Dinner in Hotel
After breakfast we’re off to Naples . . . birthplace of Caruso, Sophia Loren, Bel Canto and ‘O Sole Mio. Have your cameras ready because we will arrive in Naples via Vomero Hill overlooking the sapphire Bay of Naples, Capri, Ischia and proud Vesuvius. We descend into 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!

Next, we travel back to 97 A.D. to the town of Pompeii. A city perfectly preserved by the ash that rained down from Mt. Vesuvius, you’ll see the tragic fossils of the people attempting to escape with their children and dogs. And the streets, homes and stores that are intact.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a relaxing dinner in our hotel overlooking the bay of Naples. (BB, D)

DAY 6 (Tuesday) Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento, Dinner Out
This morning you’ll be taken to Capri, the world’s most enchanting island.You can explore to your hearts content on your own or your tour conductor may have other ideas. You’ll be as captivated by Capri as Emperor Tiberius who used the Blue Grotto as his personal swimming pool.

Later this afternoon, we sail back in time for dinner at a great Neopolitan restaurant with fine wines of the Campania region.(BB,D)

DAY 7 (Wednesday) Sorrento, Florence, Dinner in Hotel
This morning we’re off to Florence via the Highway of the Sun. As we traverse the gently rolling countryside to the capital of Tuscany, we’re reminded of the geniuses who traveled this very path long before us - Dante. Da Vinci. Michelangelo. Galileo. Botticelli. It reads like a “Who’s Who” of brilliance. Maybe some will rub off!

Tonight, we’ll relax with our friends for dinner and wine at our hotel. (BB, D)

DAY 8 (Thursday) Florence, Excursion to Venice, Special Venetian Lunch, Florence
The Grand Canal is not too far from Florence. Should we? Why not! Andiamo a Venezia!

There is no normal life in Venice. Here, everything and everyone floats. One floats luxuriously with such 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 lunch in a town renowned for its seafood specialties.

This evening we return to Florence for dinner on our own. (BB, L)

DAY 9 (Friday) Florence, City Sightseeing Including ‘The David’, Dinner Out Tonight
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!

Our last night together will be at a popular Florentine restaurant with great Tuscan wines. 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! (BB, D)

DAY 10 (Saturday) Florence, Flight Home
This morning we board our flight home, arriving in the USA the same day. A warm “grazie” for traveling with the Perillo family and please return soon! (BB)

• 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, hosts, etc.
• Rates are per person and include roundtrip airport transfers in Italy at scheduled times. Airfare available from your hometown.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.