Cinque Terre

Capture an era of Italian life past as we ascend ancient footpaths to this untouched quintet of pastel fishing villages perched on cliffs high above the Ligurian Sea. Hike over farmland tilled for centuries, where rosemary, thyme and basil pique our appetites for the area’s pesto, seafood and white wines. Traverse untrammeled routes through silvery oak groves and by steep vineyard–covered hillsides that flaunt breathtaking views of the sea. The time to visit this rich kaleidoscope known as the Cinque Terre is now, while the unspoiled villages and luminous coast remain gems frozen in time.

Day 1-2 – Santa Margherita
Begin by the shores of the harbor and hike to the resort jewel of Portofino. Views of the sparkling blue Mediterranean are nothing short of spectacular. Once we arrive in Portofino, stop to explore boutiques or relax in a seaside cafe, before heading back to Santa Margherita. Day 2, hike up along the coast, through craggy, mountainous surroundings. Visit a medieval abbey and enjoy a boat ride to our next hike. We'll end this afternoon in Camogli, a beautiful fishing village, roaming about and sampling its famous foccccia al formaggio, before hopping on a train back to Santa Margherita.

Day 3 – Monterosso
Start the morning with a shuttle to Levanto to visit its medieval quarter. Later, hike along ancient trade routes past olive groves and grape terraces. This evening, we'll meet our spirited chef for a cooking lesson.

Day 4-5 – Cinque Terre
Follow vertically terraced vineyards to the villages of Vernazza and Corneglia. Make sure to take photos of the colorful boats resting in the cove of Vernazza! On day 5, we'll descend to Manarola for lunch in a trattoria with a terrace on the sea. Walk the famous Via dell'Amore, "Path of Love" before returning to Monterosso by ferry. Enjoy a winetasting of local vintages this afternoon.

Day 6 – Portovenere
From Riomaggiore, hike to Portovenere along a spectacular ridge trail with panoramic views of the sea and the mountains.

Day 7 – Isola Palmaria
A short boat ride across the Golfo dei Poeti takes us to Palmaria Island. We'll hike around the island, now a protected wildlife zone. Return by boat to Portovenere for our last Italian lesson and a delicious farewell dinner.

Day 8 – Arrivederci!
After a fond farewell, we'll provide a group shuttle to the train station in La Spezia. We are happy to assist you with any further travel plans, whether you'd like to stay a few extra days in Cinque Terre, or go on to explore other European destinations!