The Cinque Terre (meaning 'Five Lands' in Italian) gets its name from the five picturesque villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The area has been proclaimed a major national park and is a unique part of Italy. For over a thousand years people have lived in this dramatic landscape, slowly altering its features and cultivating the steep hillsides that lead down to the rocky shores. Today the Cinque Terre offer a glorious natural and historical landscape that is best explored on foot. An extensive network of ancient mule tracks, now used as footpaths, take you past an extraordinary series of terraces, built by hand with stones and earth.
Many of the terraces are still being cultivated and, notwithstanding the enormous amount of labour required, are still producing white wines for which the region has been renowned since medieval times. While agriculture has always been the backbone that has supported the villagers, they have also made a living from the sea. Documents from Monterosso's 15th Century statutes record a number of decrees regulating the fishing industry of the day. The region of Liguria has much more to offer, notably the nearby small towns of Portovenere and Levanto, a charming medieval place with a broad beach, and of course the peninsula of Portofino. Not only is the colorful town a popular resort for the Italian jet setter, but the area is also home to the famous Abbey of San Fruttuoso, located in an isolated inlet on the coastline.
This trip shows you the best parts of Liguria, with as well some parts of Tuscany. We begin our trip in Florence, with time to explore the city before traveling to the Cinque Terre. The five villages of the Cinque Terre are connected by a railway system that tunnels beneath the cliffs and reappear at each village. We base ourselves in the charming medieval town of Levanto and make a series of day trips to explore the most interesting parts of the Cinque Terre.
Highlights:
- Florence
- Cinque Terre
- Corniglia
- Monterosso
- Levanto
- Sentiero Dell Amore
- Portovenere
- Camogli
- Manarola
- Portofino
- Riomaggiore
- Vernazza
- Pisa
- Lucca.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: (Sun) Arrive in Florence.
Day 2: Travel to the Cinque Terre. Walk along the coast towards Monterosso (2-3 hours).
Day 3: Train ride to Riomaggiore walk along the ridge path to Portovenere (5-6 hrs).
Day 4: Walk the 'Sentiero dell'Amore' - a classic walk of the region (4-5 hrs).
Day 5: Walk along the wild coast to the villages of Bonassola, Framura and Deiva Marina (4-6 hrs).
Day 6: Train ride to Santa Margherita. Walk through the hills to Portofino and on to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. Return by boat to Camogli (4-6 hrs).
Day 7: Travel to the Renaissance town of Lucca. Train to Pisa, visit the main monuments and walk through the historical town center (3 hrs).
Day 8: Trip ends in Pisa after breakfast (Sun).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Peregrine tour leader
- Transport and sightseeing.
Price Excludes:
- Travel to Florence and from Pisa
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Visa fees
- Taxes
- Drinks
- Insurance (compulsory on all trips)
- Additional meals
- Entrance fees in Pisa and Lucca
- Optional bus (Day 3), optional boat trip (Day 4), all spending of a personal nature.
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners. Starts/Ends: Florence/Pisa. Trip Reference: PECT.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Walking Tours
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
