The Italian Riviera: The Cinque Terre 4 days/3 nights from $ 445 pp/dbl
Steep terraces slope down to the sea at the National Park of Cinque Terre, home to five must-see villages on the Italian Riviera. Cinque Terre is also a UNESCO Mankind World Heritage. There is much for visitors to see and do including wine tastings, strolls along the beach and La Spezia Museum.
Services Included
• 3 nights’ bed & breakfast at 3* Hotel Astoria or similar in La Spezia area
• 1 local wine tasting in Monterosso
• The Cinque Terre Card (valid for 3 days), includes an unlimited number of train journeys along the stretch of La Spezia-Levanto in 2 nd class carriages, access to the natural paths of the Park, a
map of the paths.
(Please note : the five villages are situated between La Spezia and Levanto)
Note: Tour starts from Spezia
Day 1 Spezia
Arrival in Spezia by train or car. At the rail station you can pick up your 3 day Cinque Terre. Spend some time to discover the city of La Spezia situated in the unique microcosm of the Gulf of the Poeti. The hillsides that surround the city are a marvellous place to go for a stroll. Well worth a visit are the ancient villages of Biassa and Campiglia (10 minutes by taxi), true oases of tranquillity and natural charm. You can also visit the ancient parish church at Marinasco (10 minutes by taxi), which underwent restoration in the eighteenth century. The visit of La Spezia Museums is worth it as well.
Day 2 SpeziaLiguria-Riomaggiore-Manarola
After breakfast start your journey by local trains to discover the National Park of Cinque Terre. A little corner of Liguria where generations have worked to create this monument in landscape architecture represented by the steep terraces sloping down to the sea. Held up by over 7000 km of dry stonewalling, cleverly built without any kind of cement, they are cultivated as vineyards that reach down to almost touch the lapping sea waves. The Cinque Terre, recognised by the Unesco “Mankind’s World Heritage”, are today a National Park and Protected Marine Area with the aim of protecting this great cultural heritage. Start your visit stopping in Riomaggiore clinging to the rock face, with its houses piled up in a multi-coloured mosaic overlooking the sea. On to Manarola , that you can also decide to reach on foot along the Via dell’ Amore (the love path), a walk of two kilometres in one of the most beautiful worldwide natural setting. Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are the other villages that are suggested to visit.
Meal: B
Day 3 Manarola-Spezia
Today you can decide to continue your visit to the villages and spend some time in Monterosso to enjoy its sandy beach and taste some local wine (you can have the wine tasting on the day you prefer). Without doubt, the best way to discover the CinqueTerre is to visit them on foot. Along the paths and the centuries old flights of steps, which up to a short while ago were the only communication routes between the five villages, you come under the magic of this landscape and its panoramas suspended between sky and sea. An excursion by boat along the coast will give you the opportunity to admire the breathless landscape from another point of view .
Meal: B
Day 4 Spezia
Before continuing your journey in Italy or returning home don’t miss the opportunity to discover another pearl of the Italian Riviera: Porto Venere with its charming Genoese-style, which is recognised by UNESCO as a part of world cultural heritage. Portofino, in the Gulf of Tigullio, is another destination that should not be missed.
Meal: B