Cinque Terre & the Ligurian Coast

Highlights

• explore the fascinating city of Genoa with a local guide
• hike beautiful trails along the Ligurian Coast
• visit the five villages of the Cinque Terre
• enjoy a boat ride along the coast
• relax at the end of the day in charming accommodations
• sample the local cuisine like pesto, focaccia, lemoncello and delicious wines
• dip your toes or take a swim in the Mediterranean sea

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Genoa

Make your way independently to Genoa, one of Italy’s most fascinating cities. For  centuries it was one of the most powerful maritime republics in Italy and its fleet  controlled territory from Corsica to Crete. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner on  your own tonight to allow for a relaxed first evening. Overnight Genoa. Dinner not included.

Days 2-3: Camogli and the Gulf of Tigullio

Discover the fascinating history of Genoa on a guided visit this morning and then head out for a lovely walk along the coast. Eventually we transfer by train to the colorful fishing port of Camogli, which is famous for the painted trompe l’oeil facades on the houses. On our second day we fortify ourselves with an extra coffee and one of the town’s famous rum balls before  setting off on a challenging hike around the promontory that separates quiet Camogli  from elegant Portofino. We climb through verdant forests of oak and chestnut before  descending down to a tiny cove that shelters the monastery of San Fruttuoso and a  lovely pebble beach. From there you can continue to hike or else hop a ferry over to  Portofino, whose small harbor attracts some of the swankiest yachts in the world.  Return to Camogli by ferry or else continue by water taxi to the seaside town of Santa  Margherita before returning to Camogli by train. We dine together tonight at a local trattoria. 2 nights in Camogli.

Days 4-6: The Villages of the Cinque Terre and the “Port of Venus”

For the next three days we hike and explore the towns of the famed “Cinque Terre,” five villages that are tucked into tiny crags and bays along the coast. For centuries they eked out a living on fishing and wine, but in the last 25 years they’ve become one of the most visited destinations in Italy. Since 1997 the region is even a protected UNESCO World Heritage site! We stay 3 nights in the largest of the towns so you can see it with fewer tourists once the day-trippers leave. We have glorious (and challenging!) hikes every day that begin with steep rocky steps before flatter trails that curve around the coast before dropping down into the next village. Any of the walks can be traded for easier options as there are trains and ferries that connect all of the towns. Our final hike goes over to beautiful Portovenere. Named after the Goddess of Love  (Venere = Venus in Latin), this narrow strip of houses began as a Roman enclave and  eventually became one of Genoa’s most important fortresses; but it was the town’s  beauty that eventually captivated visitors like Lord Byron and D.H. Lawrence, both of  whom lived in the area. 3 nights in Monterosso.

Day 7: Tour Ends

We offer one group transfer to the La Spezia train station for connections back to Genoa or on to Rome, Florence or Milan.

CONTACT US FOR A MORE DETAILED ITINERARY

If you’d like to see the Cinque Terre together with more of Italy, see our Italian Highlights Hiking tour!