(BPT) - If you love classical music and opera, Italy is more than a great place to hear it — because along with Germany, Italy is where Western music was born. When you hear "do-re-mi" or read musical notation, you're experiencing innovations born in Italy 1,000 years ago. Opera began in Florence some 400 years ago, and the piano was invented there a century later. Even today, the language of music remains Italian: allegro, adagio, crescendo and forte. Experiencing that musical heritage in the places where it was created adds an entirely new dimension to an Italy trip.
For more than 80 years, Perillo Tours has been introducing American travelers to the country's art, history and culture. And for third-generation owner Steve Perillo, that culture has a special personal connection: He is a classically trained pianist and composer who studied at Boston University's School of Music.
"Whether you've studied music as I have, or simply loved music all your life, traveling to Italy is a must," said Perillo. "Hearing a soprano delivering an aria in the same opera house where it premiered, or listening to an orchestra playing music just miles from the birthplace of its composer — these are experiences you'll never forget."
Here, Perillo shares five Italian destinations where travelers can experience the places, theaters and traditions that helped make Italy one of the world's great musical capitals.
1. One fine day…
… you'll make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of renowned composer Giacomo Puccini. If you thrill to arias like "Un Bel Di" from Madama Butterfly, "Quando M'en Vo" from La Boheme and "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot, you know how much Puccini means to opera. In Lucca, you can visit Puccini's birthplace museum and attend concerts celebrating his works. The Puccini Festival is held each summer at nearby Torre del Lago, through Sept. 5 this year.
Lucca's storied history is evident from its architecture, like its striking 16th-century tree-lined city walls — and you'll probably do a doubletake the first time you spot large oak trees growing atop the 148-foot-high, 14th-century Torre Guinigi.
Relish in the beauty of Lucca as part of Perillo's Vesuvius Tour, including visits to Rome, Sorrento, Florence, Capri, Venice and Pompeii.
2. "In fair Verona, where we lay our scene"
Best known for inspiring Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Verona is home to the spectacular 2,000-year-old Arena di Verona, one of the world's most famous open-air opera venues. You can attend performances of classics there, like Aida, Carmen and La Traviata. While enjoying the city's sounds of opera and Shakespearean romance, be sure to savor the local cuisine, including risotto all'Amarone, a creamy rice dish cooked in Verona's best-known red wine.
Verona is a highlight from Perillo's new Lakes, Wine & Romance tour debuting in 2027, where you can discover the timeless elegance of Northern Italy on a breathtaking journey through the sparkling Italian Lakes.
3. Music on every street corner
From street food to street performances, the lively coastal city of Naples brings to life popular favorites like "O Sole Mio," plus signature foods including wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and tri-colored Neapolitan ice cream.
The rich heritage of Naples blends opera, folk and classical music, transforming the city into a living stage where you'll hear music everywhere you go. Naples is also home to the oldest continuously operating opera house in the world, the magnificent Teatro di San Carlo.
Legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini once said, "La Scala is the lover who made me despair the most." The world's most celebrated opera house, Milan's Teatro alla Scala, is a must-visit for opera, ballet and classical music enthusiasts. The La Scala Museum features a fascinating array of costumes, rare instruments, set designs and memorabilia showcasing the history of European music.
Also boasting historic art and architecture like Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" and the medieval Sforzesco Castle, Milan is a vibrant fashion hub. The gorgeous shopping gallery Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II tops Milan's list of must-see venues.
Perillo's North Classic tour includes cultural sites in and around Milan.
5. Bel Canto and beyond
Fans of the coloratura stylings of famous works like The Barber of Seville need to visit the birthplace of composer Giachino Rossini. UNESCO City of Music Pesaro hosts the internationally acclaimed Rossini Opera Festival every August. You can explore the composer's life, manuscripts and personal belongings at the beautifully restored Casa Rossini. The entire city of Pesaro celebrates Rossini's legacy, from monuments and museums to piazzas and cafes inspired by the composer.
While in Pesaro, take time to admire the stunning Sfera Grande sculpture and hike the beautiful clifftop trails of Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo.
Include Pesaro and any other destination in a Perillo Custom Vacation by creating a customized travel experience from a library of suggested itineraries for Italy and Greece to fit your personal preferences — or collaborate with a Perillo Custom Vacations expert to develop a unique trip based on your interests, timing and budget.
Since 1945, three generations of the Perillo family have perfected the art of traveling to Italy, making Perillo Tours America's leading tour operator to the country. Crafting itineraries that perfectly balance sightseeing, free time and activities, Perillo offers glimpses into each Italian city and region's rich traditions. A growing company, Perillo has expanded to new destinations offering fully escorted tours to Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Hawaii. For parties of 10 or more, Perillo's Custom Groups creates bespoke itineraries to various European destinations.
