A journey through nature, sea, and tradition. Walk along the famous panoramic trails of the Cinque Terre, among terraced vineyards and breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea. Visit the picturesque villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, each rich in colors, history, and authentic flavors.
The tour continues along the Ligurian Riviera di Levante, where you can admire the cliffs of Portovenere, the charm of Camogli, and the natural beauty of the Portofino Park. Each day combines outdoor activities, relaxation, and local gastronomy — the perfect balance of sport, culture, and stunning landscapes.
The experience begins with the arrival in Genova, where the sea meets history in a breathtaking panorama. Arrival transfer from airport and check-in at the elegant 4 **** hotel is the first step of an exclusive stay.Art, history and culture… In the afternoon guided walking tour to discover the historic city center and its beauties, the several small ancient artisan shops (botteghe), in activity since more than 100 years, producing gastronomic delights, while admiring the main architectural jewels of the old town, the largest historical centre in Europe. See the old pasta laboratories and bakeries displaying “focaccia” and the Genoese “pandolce” (typical cake with raisins, candied fruits and pine seeds). Walk along the narrow alleys (carruggi) and stop at the ancient candy shop in the world, dating back to 1780, known around Europe for its hand-made products, like crystallized violets, marron glacés, jellies, etc. Do not miss a taste of the panera, typical semifreddo prepared in Genoa with fresh cream and coffee powder. Then walk along via Garibaldi with its beautiful Renaissance buildings a UNESCO heritage (Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Tursi), see Palazzo Ducale (outside), Cristopher Columbus’ House and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Dinner at leisure and overnight.
In the morning departure transfer with private guide for a full day excursion in Portofino and the Gulf of Tigullio, symbols of Italy throughout the world. Visit Rapallo, the oldest town in the area and stop at a local deli shop where you will enjoy a professional and unforgettable journey into the culinary traditions of Liguria and Italy. You’ll be warmly welcomed in the square outside the store with a toast of local sparkling wine and freshly baked focaccia and you’ll learn to prepare pesto alla Genovese in the traditional way, using a mortar and pestle. The experience continues with a tasting of Ligurian extra virgin olive oil and ocal products. Duration: 60/90 minutes Continue to Santa Margherita to take the boat to Portofino, very popular worldwide for its small square, the famous “piazzetta”, surrounded by little pastel-coloured houses, pointed-arched porticos and elegant boutiques. Lunch at leisure. Return to Genoa in the late afternoon. Dinner at leisure and overnight.
Transfer by private car from Genova to Sestri Levante, check-in at your 4* hotel. Set in an enchanting landscape, with the peninsula that divides the "two seas" of the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales, Sestri Levante is one of the capitals of holidays, but also a city of art and culture. The first reasons why a trip to Sestri is worthwhile are the sea and the beaches of fine sand, which frame the two bays. If you want to venture into the historic center, know that it is beautiful and full of opportunities for shopping, as well as restaurants to discover. Sestri already existed in Roman times and therefore also has important monuments and places to visit. In the afternoon you will meet a nature guide for a trekking to Punta Manara: going up a beautiful staircase among the characteristic Ligurian houses, among olive groves, maritime pines, strawberry trees and cork trees, you follow a path that develops on imposing rocks where it is worth stopping to admire the breathtaking view behind you. You will reach Torre di Punta Manara, a location of unparalleled beauty that allows you to embrace the entire Gulf with your gaze: on one side the promontory of Portofino and on the other Riva Trigoso. Dinner at leisure and overnight.
Transfer by private car till La Spezia where a private guide will wait for you for the transfer by train to Riomaggiore to start a trekking tour to Manarola. The first itinerary will be the path that goes from Riomaggiore to the Sanctuary of Montenero (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero). This is a beautiful path in the greenery, not very demanding, that starts from Riomaggiore, a famous location of the Cinque Terre and leads to the beautiful Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montenero, in an extremely panoramic position. Walking time: 1 hour and 20 minutes. Trail length: 3.5 km. Maximum altitude: 340 meters. Difficulty level: easy. The trail begins and ends in Riomaggiore. You’ll then continue along the famous “Via dell’Amore” a 900 meter path nestled in the rock of the cliff overlooking the sea that connects two pearls of the Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore and Manarola. Walking time: 20 minutes. Trail length: 950 meters. Maximum altitude: 50 meters. Difficulty level: easy. Upon arrival in Manarola, light lunch in a panoramic location. The guide will leave you here for an afternoon at leisure to stroll along the village, visiting the alleys with coloured small houses and typical products shops. Return to La Spezia by train on own and transfer by car to the 4* hotel. Dinner at leisure and overnight.
In the early morning transfer to the railways station to meet the guide that will escort you to Manarola to start another beautiful trekking. Venturing along the trail from Manarola to Corniglia is like immersing yourself in a moving painting, where every step reveals new nuances of a breathtaking landscape. Travel time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Distance: 5.5 km. Difference in altitude: about 250 meters. Difficulty: Medium - expert Suitable period: From April to October, avoiding rainy days and the hottest hours during the summer. Upon arrival in Corniglia, the guide will take you visit the village and the panoramic points over the sea. Lunch in one of the typical “trattoria”. Train back to La Spezia in the afternoon, the private car will transfer you to the Hotel. Dinner at leisure and overnight.
After breakfast transfer to the railways station where the guide will accompany you for a new day of trekking. Today you’ll walk from Corniglia to Vernazza. Corniglia, is the village of the Cinque Terre that has always been disconnected from the sea life. It stands on a spur of rock, one hundred meters above sea level, surrounded by the waves of the sea and in direct contact with its terraces of vines and olive trees. From the top of the path Vernazza appears like a perfect picture of colorful houses on the striped cliff, a peninsula protected by the Doria castle. We will go down towards its small port, where we will have lunch in a typical trattoria, crossing the alleys made brighter by the pastel colors of the tall houses. Then you’ll continue the trekking to Monterosso, the last village of Cinque Terre. The route is up and down, with steps and paths among the Mediterranean scrub, olive groves, some rare wetlands, terraced vineyards and lemon groves. Monterosso is the largest of the five coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre. The village is located on hills, its amazing beaches, its beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal clear waters make this small village one of the most popular of the Italian Riviera. Monterosso is divided in two parts marked by the medieval tower of Aurora. The old town of Monterosso is dominated by the ruins of the castle and characterized by typical narrow medieval streets, carruggi, with multi-coloured terraced houses, shops and restaurants. Upon arrival, after a visit along the old streets, you’ll have a wine tasting in a typical cantina. Return by train to La Spezia and private transfer to the hotel. Dinner at leisure and overnight.
After breakfast, transfer on foot with the guide to the harbour to take the boat to Portovenere, surrounded by a deep blue sea and washed by crystal clear waters. You can enter the old town walls through the village gate, dating back to the 12th century and still perfectly preserved, follow the narrow streets with typical shops and restaurants, reaching the church of San Pietro, perched atop the promontory south of the village of Portovenere, overlooking the sea. This very old church has undergone modifications and transformations throughout the centuries, from Romanesque to the Gothic style. Lunch at leisure. From the little harbour you’ll take the boat for a short cruise in the archipelago with the three islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, which certainly represent the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Porto Venere. Of the three islands, Palmaria is the most popular and well-known, especially among La Spezia, with regard to seaside tourism: Every year thousands pour onto the beaches of swimmers who choose it for its clear waters lapping the coasts. Transfer back to La Spezia by boat and walk to the hotel. Dinner in one of the oldest restaurant of the city. Overnight.
Departure transfer by private car to Genoa airport. End of services.
