Deciding on a tour company can be a daunting process. TourScoop’s in-depth tour company reviews are aimed to help you feel more confident about choosing the right tour company for your travel style and needs. In this article, we’re digging into Perillo, a U.S.-based tour operator specializing in guided trips to Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain, plus Hawaii.
Perillo Tours started as a family-run, Italy-focused tour specialist for travelers coming from North America. The company opened in 1945 and today is operated by the third generation of the same Italian-American family. Because of its deep ties to Italy, Perillo has a great network of resources in Italy, and in recent decades has expanded its area of expertise to include Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Hawaii as well.
TourScoop takeaways
- Countries: Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Hawaii
- Tour size: Up to 40 passengers
- Tour types: Group coach tours and private group coach tours
Credibility check
On the USTOA (U.S. Tour Operators Association) and Travelstride site, Perillo gets 4.8 out of 5. Perillo is not BBB accredited but earns an A+ rating from the organization.
Tour destinations
Perillo is best known as an Italy specialist, with tours that range from nine to 16 days all across Italy. The company also offers a limited number of itineraries to Greece, Portugal, and Spain. And for 30 years, Perillo has also been hosting guided tours to Hawaii.
New tours for 2025
Perillo has launched two new multi-country tours along with three new Italy tours for 2025. The two-country tours are a 16-Day Italy & Greece Adventure and the 12-Day Highlights of Spain & Portugal tour. The new Italy tours are the eight-day Taste of Sicily, the 10-day Heart of Italy, and the 12-day Best of Southern Italy.
Tour types
Perillo’s group Italy tours focus on either a geographical region or a theme. So for instance, you could opt for a tour that focuses exclusively on Rome and the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily and Italy’s South; or you could choose a themed tour like Renaissance and let the topic take you to cities (like Florence) that were important during the period. Some tours are more food-focused (for instance, Green Heart of Italy) but all Perillo tours are focused on good food experiences.
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Perillo’s Greece tour itineraries are more limited in number, but most offer a mix of land and sea excursions. The company currently offers two Spain tours, a 13-day trip that covers much of the country, and an all-new combination 12-day Highlights of Spain and Portugal trip. Perillo’s Hawaii tours focus on multi-island excursions that give travelers an easy way to experience the different islands of Hawaii on one itinerary. Hawaii tours range from about 10 to 13 days.
Tour guides
Perillo uses both tour directors and local guides, and both must pass a rigorous series of written and oral exams before becoming Perillo tour guides. According to Perillo: “This is a very difficult process, with approximately only one in 10 applicants passing the examinations.” And All Perillo guides are trained in the “Perillo style of ‘over-the-top’ guest service.”
Excursions/extras
Perillo tour prices include hotels, sightseeing with expert guides, transfers, baggage handling, daily breakfast, select scheduled meals, tips, taxes, and complimentary WiFi on all Perillo coach buses. While Perillo does offer competitive airfare, it’s not included in the base price of the tour.
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There are often additional optional activities offered at (a fair and modest) extra cost during tour free time. Examples of such extras include a gondola serenade in Venice, the Illuminated Rome at Night experience, a Lake Como boat cruise, and a visit to Villa D’Este in Tivoli.
Typical travelers
The majority of Perillo Tours’ guests fall in the 59-77 age range, and most are from the United States. Perillo Tours are popular with couples, but about 13% of tour travelers are solo travelers.
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Communication
Perillo communications come via via phone, email and website. Payment reminders and alerts are emailed. Final documents are mailed along with baggage tags, instructions with a travel wallet, and a travel pouch.
Loyalty program
Perillo offers a discount, a special gift, and best available rooms for repeat travelers.
Private tours
Perillo Tours also offers private escorted tours for groups with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 people. These tours are popular with multigenerational and extended families, and groups of close friends. Eight of Perillo’s signature itineraries are available as private tours, and all feature hand-selected, immersive experiences like olive oil and wine tasting in Tuscany, private boat rides around Capri, and parmigiano cheese sampling in Parma.
