WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
The Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre are justifiably famous vacation spots in Italy, known for pesto and sun-drenched cliffs with crashing seas below. But what if there was more to it than what hikers and sunbathers see? Well, believe me, there is. The region of Liguria, clinging like a boomerang-shaped barnacle to the northwest coast of Italy, has so much to offer.
In this Liguria and Cinque Terre tour, we will sail on a traditional wooden boat, visit a marble quarry, hike through vineyards, and discover the underrated city of Genoa, home to Christopher Columbus.
This brand new itinerary has been created by my good friend Ruth Manfredi, who is an American living in Vernazza for more than 30 years. Ruth knows all the secret spots for fun, food, and enjoying the region away from the tourism madness. Ruth is a tireless advocate for the Cinque Terre, and was one of the forces behind the recovery from the 2011 floods that almost destroyed it. We are so delighted to bring Ruth aboard to further our mission of responsible travel that enriches the visitor and the destination both.
Day One
Overnight: La Spezia
Benvenuti in Italia! Ruth will meet you at the Liguria and Cinque Terre tour hotel for a welcome aperitivo. Tonight, you’ll have dinner together in a typical Ligurian restaurant.
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Day Two
Overnight: La Spezia
The best way, we think, to get an overview of the Cinque Terre is from the sea. SO, today we’ll enjoy a full-day boat tour on a 24m traditional wooden goletta in the Gulf of Poets. We’ll visit Portovenere, have a light lunch together on board our goletta, and stop for swimming and snorkeling in the most beautiful bays. Your evening is free to enjoy the easy-going port city of La Spezia.
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Day Three
Overnight: La Spezia
We will head inland today to Carrara and take a private tour of the famous Carrara marble quarry on 4×4 Land Rovers. After, we will head to Colli di Luni Winery for a pesto cooking class and light lunch. On the way back, we will visit Montemarcello, considered one of the prettiest villages in Italy, and Lerici. We’ll have dinner together in a typical restaurant in Lerici.
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Day Four
Overnight: Levanto
We will pack up this morning and move our homebase to the north end of the Cinque Terre, to the chilled-out beach town of Levanto. We’ll take an orientation walk and then give you free time to take a dip or explore the village. In the afternoon, we hop a train to Manarola for a Cinque Terre wine tasting with sommelier. Those who are interested can take a light hike on the vineyard trail, above and around the village and vineyards. We will then walk the famous “Via dell’Amore” to Riomaggiore. Train back to Levanto and dinner together in a typical restaurant in Levanto.
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Day Five
Overnight: Levanto
Today is your vacation from your vacation. For those looking for light exercise, we will offer an E-bike tour to the charming villages of Bonassola and Framura along a flat trail–formerly a train line. The afternoon and evening are yours to soak up the charms and slow pace of Levanto. Dinner on your own.
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Day Six
Overnight: Genoa
We are heading north again today, to the heart of the Italian Riviera at Portofino. We will take a guided tour of Portofino with lunch on your own. We’ll hop a ferry to San Fruttuoso for a guided visit of the bay and Abbey of San Fruttuoso. One more ferry, this time to Camogli with a guided visit of the village. We will end our day in Genoa, where you’ll be free for dinner.
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Day Seven
Overnight: Genoa
Liguria is well known for fantastic street food such as focaccia, so we will start our day getting to know how the Genovese eat on a food tour. In the afternoon, we’ll take a stroll around the historical center of Genoa and learn about the city that once dominated the Mediterranean. Tonight, we will toast our Italian adventures at our farewell dinner.
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Day Eight
TOUR ENDS
Our Liguria and Cinque Terre tour ends after breakfast. Ruth will be on hand to help with transfers to the airport or to wherever your adventures take you.
Arrivederci e grazie!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Price: $4495 (Air not included) per person for a double room, and a single occupancy room is $5195. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.
What’s included: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunch and 4 dinners, 1 wine tasting, 1 cooking class, 7 nights lodging in boutique hotels. All admissions and fees for group activities. Transport within the tour and private guides, tips included.
Deposit Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is due upon booking.
Liguria and Cinque Terre tour begins in La Spezia, with the nearest international airport being Pisa (PSA) or Florence (FLR). The tour ends in Genoa (GOA).
If you have additional questions please email us at: info@adventureswithsarah.net