Ancient paths and mule tracks, slopes plunging towards the Mediterranean, sea overlooking coast with bays and beaches leading to the medieval villages and shrines: all this is conserved in the National Park of Cinque Terre, a UNESCO heritage. The uniqueness and architectural beauty of the Abbey of San Fruttuoso set in the heart of the Natural Park of Monte di Portofino. The green landscape, the flowers and scents of the endemic Mediterranean vegetation and the blue of the Mediterranean will lead us to discover the perched villages known as "le Cinque Terre". Toward the Gulf of La Spezia through the fishing villages of Portovenere and Palmaria Island, discovering Ligurian wines, fresh fish, cooking and traditional crafts. The visit of Pisa and the world famous leaning tower, an incredible example of the Italian architecture.
Highlights:
- The picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre National Park, UNESCO Heritage.
- The Portofino Natural Park and the S. Fruttuoso Abbey.
- The Mediterranean vegetation of the coastal path.
Daily itinerary
Day 1: LevantoIndividual arrival at Levanto. After setting in the central hotel, time to relax and enjoy this lovely village. The church (XIII century), the castle, the lovely hills and the beautiful beach are all worth visiting. Overnight stay in Levanto. (-/-/-)
Day 2: Punta Mesco Cape (3 h hiking, gradient + 315 mt – 315mt, 7,5 km)Enjoy your first walk across the Punta Mesco Cape. Starting from the Levanto historical centre, passing the ancient medieval defensive walls, the mule track will lead us in the pine forest with beautiful viewpoint on the sea. Arrival in Monterosso, the first village of the "Cinque Terre National Park". Visit of the elegant historical centre, the "Capuchin Monastery", the narrow typical Ligurian street. Train back to Levanto (5 minutes). Overnight stay in Levanto. Meals (B/-/-)
Day 3: Portofino Natural Park and S. Fruttuoso Abbey (5,30 hours hiking, gradient +650 - 650 mt, 13,5 km)After breakfast train to Camogli. (40 minutes). Camogli, the land of the Thousand White Sailing Ships, still retains its old and strong maritime tradition linked to the nearby town of Genoa during the Maritime Republics. The hike of today will lead to beautiful Abbey of San Fruttuoso that appears like a mirage in the wonderful tiny bay. Continue into the forest of oaks, Mediterranean flowers and the terraces of olive trees in the direction of the village of Portofino, one of the most charming sea village of Italy. Ferry to Santa Margherita (20 minutes) and train back to Levanto. (35 minutes). Overnight stay in Levanto. Meals (B/-/-)
Day 4: The legend of Volastra: walking between the sea and the vineyards (4 hours hiking, gradient + 350 – 350 mt, 10 km)After breakfast train to Vernazza. (10 minutes). Vernazza is a tiny coastal village from where starts the mule track in direction of the terraced vineyards. Passing first among the olives trees field and lush oak forest, we'll reach the perched village of "Corniglia". After visiting its historical centre, keep following the stairs and the cobble stone path until Volastra. Arrive in the charming seaside town of Manarola, the fourth of the Cinque Terre, by a comfortable walk among the agave and lemon trees. Overnight stay in Manarola. Meals (B/-/-)
Day 5: From Manarola to Portovenere: discovering the "Poets Gulf" (5 hours hiking, gradient + 650 m – 650 mt, 14 km)Starting a seaside walk from the elegant village of Manarola to Riomaggiore, following the famous "Via dell' Amore". After passing through the narrow street of Riomaggiore, the last village of the Cinque Terre, start climbing toward the "Madonna di Montenero Sanctuary. Between the colors and the perfume of the rosemary, the myrtle and the arbutus, reach the mountain village of Campiglia. The walk ends in Portovenere, one of the most fascinating village of the world. Overnight stay in Le Grazie, Portovenere. Meals (B/-/-)
Day 6: The Wilderness of the Palmaria Island (3 hours hiking, gradient + 300 m – 300 mt, 5,5 km)After breakfast short boat trip to Palmaria. (5 minutes). In this wild and uninhabited island, the Mediterranean vegetation, strawberry trees, mastic and myrtle, inebriate the hiker with their perfumes. The abandoned mines of Portoro, is now home to the nesting of a populous community of Gull course, protected species in the Mediterranean. Boat back to Portovenere and time to relax in the lovely village. Overnight stay in Le Grazie, Portovenere. Meals (B/-/-)
Day 7: DepartureAfter breakfast, transfer to La Spezia train station and end of the services. Meals (B/-/-)
Note: B (Breakfast); L (lunch); D (dinner)
Grade: Moderate, 3 to 5 hours walking. A prior hiking experience is recommended
Accommodation:
3 nights in B&B in Levanto
1 night in hotel or B&B in Manarola
2 nights in hotel *** or B&B in Le Grazie di Portovenere
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking trousers and shorts, wind and water proof jacket, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles
Getting there: The closest airport for this tour is Genova airport. From Genova, then take a train to La Spezia. From La Spezia, take a regional train to Levanto
Accommodation:
3 nights in B&B in Levanto
1 night in hotel or B&B in Manarola
2 nights in hotel *** or B&B in Le Grazie di Portovenere
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking trousers and shorts, wind and water proof jacket, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles
Getting there: The closest airport for this tour is Genova airport. From Genova, then take a train to La Spezia. From La Spezia, take a regional train to Levanto
Included:
- 6 nights in hotel with breakfast included
- Luggage transfer from Levanto to Manarola and from Manarola to Portovenere
- Transfer to La Spezia train station day 7
- Maps, route notes
- Local phone assistance
- 6 nights in hotel with breakfast included
- Luggage transfer from Levanto to Manarola and from Manarola to Portovenere
- Transfer to La Spezia train station day 7
- Maps, route notes
- Local phone assistance
Not included:
- All kind of beverages and personal items
- Dinners and lunches
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Transfer from airport to hotel day 1
- Transfer from hotel to airport day 8
- Train and bus tickets
- Boat ticket from Portofino to Santa Margherita Ligure day 3
- Boat ticket to and from Palmaria island day 6
- Personal items
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not mentioned in the 'price includes' paragraph
- All kind of beverages and personal items
- Dinners and lunches
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Transfer from airport to hotel day 1
- Transfer from hotel to airport day 8
- Train and bus tickets
- Boat ticket from Portofino to Santa Margherita Ligure day 3
- Boat ticket to and from Palmaria island day 6
- Personal items
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not mentioned in the 'price includes' paragraph
