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Perillo Tours, long associated with Italy, expanded to Greece in 2023 – with plans to add more programs to the destination next year, said Steve Perillo, the company’s third-generation owner. Italy, however, will remain the core of the operator’s programs as it adds three new escorted itineraries to that country for 2024.
The company is having its best year in 2023, Perillo said, selling out its programs in Italy, Greece and Spain. He attributed the success partly to pent-up demand but also to the goodwill generated during the pandemic by the way the operator treated its customers during that crisis – offering refunds to all affected clients. In fact, tours are selling even faster this year than at this point in 2022, and satisfying demand is mostly a question of keeping up with supply, he said.
Greece Debut
The debut for the Greece program was an 11-day “Deluxe Greece” itinerary highlighting Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, and including walking tours, a catamaran cruise, and visits to ancient ruins, a market, winery, medieval village and more, as well as extensive free time.
In 2024, the operator will add a second Greece itinerary under the “Classical Greece” banner, Perillo said. It will include visits to places like Delphi and Olympia, as well as a three-night Aegean cruise.
Italy Tours for 2024
All told, Perillo will offer 10 itineraries in Italy next year. In addition to Italy and Greece, the company will continue its programs to Spain and Hawaii as part of a gradual expansion. All of these programs, Perillo said, reflect the fact that the company has been moving into a slightly higherlevel market and also offering more small group options than in the past. Still, he said, the operator has managed to keep its prices accessible in the face of rising costs.
Even with the geographic expansion, Perillo said that what has always set the company apart – and still does – is the genuinely personal approach to clients. “I know every person who’s traveling – not many CEOs can say that.”
Selling Perillo Tours
While there is much talk of changing attitudes toward group travel, Perillo believes there will always be a market for traditional escorted tours.
As travelers age, he said, they realize they don’t want to lug their bags around and worry about the logistics. “Our trips are foolproof,” he said, “and that’s a big deal.”
Each itinerary includes hotels, sightseeing with expert guides, transfers, baggage handling, daily breakfast, select scheduled meals, tips, taxes, free time for self-discovery and complimentary Wi-Fi on all Perillo motorcoahes.
New Italy Itineraries
In addition to its already-robust Italy offerings, Perillo is adding three new tours in 2024, which range from nine to 12 days and highlight different regions, showcase art, history, food and culture, and offer more off-the-beaten path towns and villages.
- 11-day “Green Heart of Italy” – The tour features Umbria and includes visits to Rome, Spoleto, Assisi, Gubbio, a cruise on Lake Trasimeno and the Tuscan countryside. It includes visits to wine and oil producers, a truffle hunting excursion and a cooking class.
- Nine-day “Renaissance Tour 2024” – The itinerary includes Rome, Florence, the hillsides and medieval towns of Chianti with oil and wine tastings, truffle hunting and more.
- 12-day “Best of Southern Italy” – The tour’s focus is on Campania and Puglia, with visits to Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Matera (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Bari, Lecce and Alberobello, and such activities as pasta making and a focaccia tasting.
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