Cinque Terre, Liguria (classic version)
€735
per person
Join us on a walking tour to the wonderful ‘flower-Riviera’ of Italy, five famously charming fishing villages along the Ligurian coast. As car access is limited, those hidden gems perched on the rocky coast are best accessible by train or on foot. The Cinque Terre is a National Park and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Following the panoramic coastal trail, you will feast your eyes upon views of wonderful vineyards, wild flowers and inland of chestnut and pine forests. Try the famous local cuisine and enjoy a glass of local wine at a nice restaurant overlooking the blue Mediterranean sea. A true piece of Eden with serpentine paths around hidden beaches and beautiful cliffs, offering a variety of sights to suit every taste.
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Destination
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Duration7 Days I Tour Difficulty: 2 (of 5)
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What is includedAccommodation in good 3* or family run inns incl. breakfast (en-suite rooms); luggage transport from Monterosso to Bonassola; Cinque Terre Card Park + Train 2-days; detailed roadbook and maps in English; Emergency hotline
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What is not includedDrinks and other meals, public transportation, transfers from and to the airport, entrance fees, possible CITY TAX to be paid in cash on the spot (it varies depending on the city and on the hotel’s category)
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Best periodMarch, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided hiking and walking tours in Cinque Terre, Italy
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Day 1: Arrival in Monterosso
Welcome to Moterosso. We encourage you to visit the historic center and pamper yourselves with some local treats to prepare you for this unforgettable self-guided walking tour.
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Day 2: Monterosso to Colla di Gritta (9km, 4.30hrs, +690m/-696m)
You begin your independent hiking route with a walk to the Colla di Gritta. You will pass the beautiful Chiesa dei Cappucini and hike along a lovely mountain ridge. You continue pass Monte Molinelli, Monte Rossini, Montenegro and Colla dei Bagari until you reach Punta Mesco. Slowly descend to Monterosso on well-preserved old stone walking trails.
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Day 3: Variety of hiking options (7km or 10km or 11km, 3hrs or 4hrs, +643m or +471m or +482m/-1098m or -448m or -404m)
Today you have three options to choose from, all of them offering spectacular views of Cinque Terre and the surrounding landscape. Before starting today’s self-guided walking route, collect your Cinque Terre Card from the Park Information Office at Monterosso Train station.
WALK A: A transfer by taxi will take you to Soviore and you will walk back to Monterosso via Vernazza. We recommend you take a taxi to Soviore Monastery to avoid a very steep section at the beginning of your walking day. You can opt to walk the old cobblestone path to Savoire where you can stop to explore the complex. From there you follow an asphalt road which will lead you to a secluded path down to the Madonna di Reggio. Continue on a stone path to Vernazza from where you will take the coastal trail back to Monterosso. WALK B: Your starting point is the village of Corniglia, easily reachable from Monterosso by train. From there you ascend to Volastra and continue to Riomaggiore. There, you can choose to return to Monterosso by train or follow the romantic “Via dell’Amore” to Manarola and get the train back from there. WALK C: This option is a walk along the coastal trail from Monterosso to Corniglia via Vernazza. In the end, you take the train back to Monterosso.
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Day 4: Riomaggiore to Portovenere (13km or 17km, 4hrs or 6hrs, +723m/- 774m)
Walk the path which inspired the great Romantic writers Shelley and Byron. You start today’s independent walking route in Riomaggiore and walk a forest path climbing to the picturesque coast revealing a breathtaking panorama of the Gulf of La Spezia and nearby islands. Finally, descend to the charming Portovenere. The overnight is in Monterosso.
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Day 5: Monterosso to Bonassola via Levanto (10km, 4hrs, +770m/-774m)
You bid Monterosso farewell as you advance toward the peaceful resort os Levanto. Located in the heart of a captivating valley ringed by lush green hills and unspoiled Mediterranean nature, it is a favorite location for painters. You will reach the magnificent viewpoint of the Promontory of Mesco where you can also visit the ruins of the Chapel of San Antonio. Soak into the essence of the gem of North-western Italy, the region of Liguria. The overnight is in Bonassola.
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Day 6: Bonassola to Deiva Marina (12.5km, 5hrs, +657m/-643m)
Today’s self-guided hiking route will take you to the hills of the East Riviera, between Bonassola, Framura and Deiva Marina. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas over the northern Ligurian coast as you walk a scenic coastal path. You will have time to dip into the local culture and cuisine in the lovely villages of Bonassola and Deiva Marina.
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Day 7: Arrivederci Cinque Terre!
The trip ends after breakfast. Pisa, Genoa, Florence and Milan airports are easily reachable by train from Bonassola.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
735 Euro per person in twin/dbl room
N.B. Discounts available for certain periods of March and October (contact us for details)
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 275 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement: 395 Euro (incl. sgl. room supplement)
Tips
Daily departures from March till the end of October. Clients have to collect the Cinque Terre Card from the tourist office in Monterosso and it is always better to get informed there which paths are open and which paths are closed! Avoid traveling during July and the first half of August - too hot for coastal hiking. The nearest airports to the Cinque Terre are in Genoa and Pisa. Florence airport also has good connections. Nearly all trains from Genoa go directly to Monterosso, without having to change trains (approximately 1.5 – 2 hours). From Pisa airport, you have to change at Pisa Centrale, and again at La Spezia for a local train that stops at Monterosso (approximately 2.15 hours). Arrivals by car - please allow appr. 12-15 Euro/day for parking card (two private parking areas available in Monterosso).
The walks are along well marked footpaths and mule tracks. It can be tiring walking along the stone steps of diverse sizes. These walks, though not very long, are moderate to demanding because of the steep hills. Several walks can be shortened. The park wardens try to keep all of the paths open throughout the year, however heavy rains and summer fires can cause temporary closure of certain stretches, so be sure to check with the park office.
Accommodation
Days 1-4: Monterosso (4 nights); Day 5-6: Bonassola (2 nights). If the hotels in Bonassola are all full, we can propose to clients a stay in Levanto. The accommodations we use are small, comfortable 3 star hotels with a friendly, family run atmosphere, each serving a delicious continental breakfast. All the rooms have private bathrooms.