sell8 Day Holiday Charms of Italy 2024

SUNDAY - Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on the adventure of a lifetime.

MONDAY - Benvenuti a Roma! Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you. We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Rome airport to your hotel at scheduled times.

You’ll have some time to settle into your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure to discover this magical city.

This evening, you will meet your tour leader for a brief orientation and welcome drink followed by a delicious dinner in the characteristic district of Trastevere, one of the centers of the Roman nightlife. This lively area of tiny winding streets gives a taste of what one imagines Italy to be like, with cobblestone streets and music-filled trattorias on every corner.

TUESDAY - This morning, it’s a five-minute drive to another country—Vatican City! With your expert local guide, you’ll tour the Vatican Museums, a massive collection of ancient Greek sculptures, medieval tapestries, and Renaissance paintings.

Your visit begins in the Sistine Chapel, the room where the Pope is elected. Next visit St. Peter’s Basilica, by far the largest church in Christendom. We’ll see Michelangelo’s Pietà, sculpted when he was just 24, as well as Bernini’s seven-story bronze canopy located above the main altar.

(Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on the events planned by the Pope.)

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as your please – venture out on your own and explore this magical city, do some Christmas shopping and be sure to grab an “Italian style hot chocolate”!

WEDNESDAY - This morning, after breakfast, you will board the bus for a relaxing, panoramic driving tour of Imperial Rome including the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, an arena for horse races during the Roman Empire, and the Synagogue.

After, you will have an upfront tour of the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, judged by the Emperor himself. *** please remember to bring your ID (not a photocopy) to enter the Colosseum.

This afternoon we’ll take you to Piazza Navona to have some time for shopping at the famous Christmas market, a highlight of the festive season in Rome. The market features a variety of stalls adorned with colorful lights and is filled with the sounds of Christmas carols, creating a magical ambiance that reflects the spirit of the season.. You can find traditional Christmas decorations, handcrafted gifts, and assortments of festive pastries and sweets. Hot wine, or vin brulé, is a popular choice for warming up on chilly days.

Afterwards, your bus will take you back to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon evening is yours to enjoy as your please!

THURSDAY - This morning you depart for Gubbio, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval towns in Italy and known to be the home of the "world's largest Christmas tree". The famous tree takes up an entire mountainside near the medieval Italian town of Gubbio and is 2,100 feet tall and more than 1,000 feet wide and is lit every year on the night of December 7. The Guinness Book of World Records has declared it the biggest Christmas tree display on the planet.

You’ll check in to your hotel and have the afternoon free to explore this beautiful town before enjoying dinner in your hotel.

After dinner, you’ll visit the famous Christmas tree.

FRIDAY - This morning, you’ll depart for Florence but on the way, you will stop in the medieval town of Arezzo. During this time of year, the Tuscan city of Arezzo becomes the “Citta del Natale”, the Christmas City. Arezzo is home to Italy’s largest Tyrolean style Christmas market, which showcases the best of Austrian and German holiday crafts and foods, with a unique Italian accent.  

 A visit to the market begins with a stroll up Corso Italia, one of Arezzo's main shopping streets, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. The shops are adorned with sparkling lights, colorful garlands, and festive window displays, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Next, you’ll continue to Florence and check in to your hotel. You will have the remainder of the afternoon/evening to enjoy on your own.

SATURDAY - This morning, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historical center of this most famous of all Renaissance cities!

You’ll visit the majestic Duomo Complex built in 1296, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned Gates of Paradise doors.

You’ll follow the medieval streets to the most striking square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria.

“Breathtaking” is the only word to describe one’s first view of Michelangelo’s David. It’s truly amazing how Michelangelo transformed a lifeless rock into a man— all with just a hammer and a chisel!

Tonight, you will be on your own for dinner – ask for suggestions to find the perfect dinner spot in Florence.

SUNDAY - This morning, you’ll have some free time to enjoy breakfast and do some sightseeing or shopping on your own.

This afternoon you’ll visit a typical Tuscan winery, and you’ll get to meet our dear friend, Pierluigi Giachi, the world’s most enchanting sommelier to learn about the grape, the nose, food pairings and, most importantly—which glass to use! Enjoy a wine tasting with these special wines along with an early dinner. Cin-Cin!

MONDAY - 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.

If you are interested in arriving a day early or extending your time in Italy, please call 1800-431-1515 and a reservation agent will be happy to assist you with planning this!