THE CINQUE TERRE & ITALIAN RIVIERA

The Cinque Terre, with its pastel-colored fishing villages and terraced hillsides covered with vineyards and olive trees, constitutes one of Italy’s most impressive landscapes. The Cinque Terre are five (cinque) towns along the Liguria coast, south of Levanto. If there were Sei (six) Terre, the sixth would be Levanto. Its territory lies within the Cinque Terre National Park and it is our base to explore the area. The next destination is Santa Margherita Ligure:  it is located along the innermost part of the Tigullio gulf, to the east of the Portofino peninsula.  The terraced lands, the elegant cobbled roads which twist  their way down through the colourful houses and the locals' traditional fishing vessels make this town together with the charming Portofino and the pleasing Camogli, one of the most picturesque areas of Italy.

ACTIVITY: guided small group tour
GRADE: moderate
TRIP CODE: ICCIT
GROUP SIZE: min 4, max 10
DURATION: 8 days/7 nights

2013 DATE:
If you are a small group of friends and are interested in a date, please email us at: info@icnosadventures.com


combining date with:

ICAS - Walking on the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento Peninsula



privately guided departures on request
email us at: info@icnosadventures.com


Day 1
Arrival on your own in Levanto. Trains available from Genoa, Pisa, or Milan. (Private transfer rates are available upon request). At 18,00 p.m., we meet our tour leader in the hotel for a welcome meeting and we receive a first briefing about what lies ahead.
This evening we enjoy a welcome group dinner at a local restaurant in Levanto.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Levanto
Meal: Dinner

Day 2 - Riomaggiore  to Monterosso
Walking easy to moderate - min 3,5 max 5,5 hrs
To begin our adventure we will enjoy a lovely walk along the five scenic villages from which the name of Cinque Terre is derived . Our day starts with a short train ride to the village of Riomaggiore. A brief paved coastal path, known as the "Love's Trail" , takes us to the picturesque village of Manarola. From Manarola to Corniglia the trail becomes narrow and steep and we reach the next village of the"five lands" walking up a  beautiful switchback staircase which leads from the sea  to the hamlet on the edge of a sheer cliff. The views are spectacular and  an incredibly breath-taking walk. In Corniglia we take our time wandering through the narrow alleyways of steep multi-coloured houses before taking our next section of the path to Vernazza. We walk through ancient cultivated terraces, olive groves and woodland, and then along the cliff edge with impressive views arriving in Vernazza: a cluster of rooftops around a lovely harbour. There is plenty of time to explore the tiny village with its weather worn multi-coloured facades, before continuing to Monterosso. If we prefer to spend more time in  the villages , there is a local train that inter connects all the villages. From Monterosso we can easily take  a local train to Levanto (it takes 4 minutes).
Overnight: Hotel*** in Levanto
Meal: Breakfast

Day 3 - Poets' Gulf  - Portovenere
1st option:
Walking easy 3 hrs
Today we have a pleasant visit to discover the fascinating beauty of the Poets' Gulf. Using public transport we will arrive at the delightful village of Portovenere, chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique beauty. The name of the ancient Portus Veneris refers to a temple to the goddess Venus, situated on the promontory where you can admire the  beauty of the San Peter Church built over a cliff.  From the harbor of Portovenere we take a boat to the Isle of Palmaria. Here we begin an easy walk around the Island, admiring steep rocky cliffs,  inspiring grottoes and passing abandoned marble quarries. A panoramic ferry ride takes us to Monterosso, giving us the opportunity to admire all the "five lands" before returning to our hotel.
2nd option:
Walking moderate 5.5 hrs
We can opt for a superb walk beginning with a local train ride to Riomaggiore and starting a lovely hike to the delightful village of Portovenere, chosen as a UNESCO Heritage site for its unique beauty. A panoramic ferry journey takes us to Monterosso, giving us the opportunity to admire all the "five lands" before returning to our hotel
Overnight: Hotel*** in Levanto
Meal: Breakfast

Day 4 - From Monterosso to Levanto
Walking moderate about 3 hours
Today our walk begins from Monterosso, going up the antique stone steps to Punta Mesco, one of the most remarkable bird’s-eye viewpoints over the five villages. An ancient mule path takes us to the ruins of a Chapel dedicated to St. Antonio passing an old lighthouse and descending through steps and slopes. Following a trail above the sparkling water of the marine conservation area and walking through a shadowed forest and along some terraces we reach Levanto. We will have plenty of time to explore the tiny village with its 13th century black and white striped Chiesa di Sant'Andrea (Church of Saint Andrew), an example of 13th-century Ligurian Gothic style before returning to our hotel. Our dinner tonight features delicious local produce and traditional ligurian dishes.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 -  Coastal walk to Punta Manara & return
Walking easy 2.5 hours
After  breakfast we take a local train to Sestri Levante (it takes about 30 minutes). From here we take our stunning walk to the Punta Manara. The path starts from the alleys of the old town and after a series of steps leading out of the village, leads to a trail surrounded by a unique mix of vegetation such as Mediterranean scrubland, a strip of cork oak forests and olive groves. The park holds the well preserved remains of the Saracen tower, that stands high above sea level. Characterized by strategic importance, it is an excellent sighting point with magnificent views of the Gulf of Silence and Sestri. After the walk we can easily reach by train (about 25 minutes) our next destination: Santa Margherita Ligure.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Santa Margherita Ligure
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 6 - Montallegro - Rapallo
Walking easy 2.5 hours
Today we reach by local train the village of Rapallo (about 3 minutes), and after a brief and pleasant walk in the center of this typical Italian Riviera village, we take a cable car to ascend above Rapallo on the sea to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro. According to legend the virgin appeared to a farmer here and there is a fresco inside the choir which represents the apparition to the farmer. There is a lovely walk around the sanctuary with astonishing views of Rapallo as well as the Gulf of Tigullio. The path from the Sanctuary to Rapallo is a lovely walk along an avenue lined with beech, oak and chestnut trees that offers amazing views that need to be seen to be fully appreciated.
Return by local train to Santa Margherita Ligure.    
Overnight: Hotel*** in Santa Margherita Ligure
Meal: Breakfast

Day 7 -  Camogli – San Fruttuoso - Portofino
Walking easy to moderate 2.5 hours
Our final day offers a superb discovery of Portofino Peninsula. A brief train ride (5mins) takes us to Camogli. From here we enjoy a lovely boat ride to San Fruttuoso. The medieval Benedictine abbey of San Fruttuoso located in a tiny rocky cove is an hidden gem in a green bay. Take our time to visit the monastery before starting an impressive hike to Portofino, along a scenic trail that winds its way above the sea. Visit the glamorous village of Portofino called the Jewel of the Riviera. It’s a gorgeous fishing village with an atmosphere of pure elegance and a perfect spot to taste the charming atmosphere of the Italian Riviera.  From Portofino we will return to Santa Margherita Ligure on foot along a pleasure walk or by local bus for our evening’s farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of our Italian adventure.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Santa Margherita Ligure
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Departure
Our trip ends after breakfast. From Santa Margherita Ligure you can easily catch the train to your next destination.
Meal: Breakfast


INCLUSIONS

• English speaking local guide
• 4 nights hotel *** in Levanto
  
• 3 nights hotel *** in Santa Margherita Ligure
  
• 7 breakfasts
  
• 4 dinners
  
• All transfers according to the program
  

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED

• Visas, Airfare & airport taxes
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  
• Drinks
  
• Entrance fees
• Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  
• Anything not mentioned in “inclusions”
  

      
NOTES
A reasonable good level of fitness is required. The walking is graded moderate with 2 to 5 hours walking each day. There are lots of ascents and descents on stepped trails on the coast. We suggest that you start regular exercise. Your preparation should include climbing and descending steps. Please note that some paths are not suitable for severe vertigo sufferers.

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