ITALY: CINQUE TERRE FAMILY ADVENTURE ITINERARY:
DAY 1 Arrival and walking tour of Genoa; 2-miles, easy city
walking. Nozarego to Portofino; 2 miles, easy to moderate.
Transfer to Monterosso al Mare
Benvenuta! After a brief welcome gathering, we set out on a
walking tour of the historical port of Genoa, a city whose claim
to fame includes native son, Christopher Columbus, along with a
wealth of architecture and art. We learn about its powerful past
as one of four Maritime Republics (along with Venice, Pisa, and
Amalfi) due to its flourishing trade with the East,
shipbuilding, and banking. A seaside restaurant beckons mid day,
where we enjoy the first of many delicious meals.
Afterward, a private transfer brings us to the village of
Nozarego, from whose charming sanctuary we set off on a walk
through olive groves, and past stands of chestnut trees to the
seaside resort of Portofino. This picturesque village, nestled
into a cove between hills, is a favorite of the jet set, and its
harbor is sprinkled with yachts from around the world. You may
choose to relax at a café in the main piazza, overlooking the
boats and sipping a cappuccino or enjoying a gelato (ice cream).
There is time to explore the small streets and browse the town’s
boutiques and shops. Those in search of additional pristine
views can walk to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo. Late
afternoon, we continue on to Monterosso al Mare, the first of
the five Cinque Terre villages and also our home base for the
next three days. Upon checking in to our comfortable hotel, we
reunite for an exquisite welcome dinner of bountiful seafood
antipasti, fresh herbs, colorful produce, local fish, and
regional pesto pasta dishes.
Hotel Palme, Monterosso al Mare
DAY 2 Cinque Terre: Monterosso - Riomaggiore by boat;
Riomaggiore - Manarola and vineyard trail; 2-3 miles, easy.
Afternoon options 2.5-5 miles, moderate to challenging with
elevation gain and loss of approximately 700-900 feet
After a typical Italian buffet breakfast of coffee,
breads/pastries, cheese, yogurt, cereals, and fruit we set out
to discover the “The Five Lands” of the Cinque Terre. Monterosso
al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are
five, small, remote fishing villages strung along the coast
northwest of La Spezia. They are linked by boat, rail, and
footpath which allows for customized walking experiences and
options.
While Monterosso is the largest and most developed of the towns,
Vernazza, with its pink slate-roofed houses and picturesque
piazzas, has the best-equipped port. Corniglia is the highest of
the Cinque Terre villages, perched more than 300 feet above the
sea on a promontory. The cozy, classic seaside town of Manarola
is the center of Cinque Terre’s wine production. The Via
del’Amore (Road of Love) connects Manarola to Riomaggiore, the
southernmost of the Cinque Terre towns.
We reach the small harbor of Riomaggiore by boat and explore its
village and castle. Afterward, we walk the Via del’Amore to
Manarola. Those who wish can explore the vineyard trail--a half
hour circuit through the terraced hills around the village.
After lunch, there is the option to return to Monterosso by
boat, or to continue on foot along well-established, though
rigorous, trails to or from the charming villages of Corniglia
or Vernazza. This evening we reunite for a dinner of typical
Ligurian specialties at a fantastic restaurant.
Hotel Palme, Monterosso al Mare
DAY 3 Val Graveglia; 4 miles, easy to moderate. Visit of
Gambatesa Mines
This morning we travel inland (1-hour journey) to Val
Graveglia, an area with a mining history that pre-dates the
Roman conquest (to the Copper and/or Bronze Ages, as evidenced
by the discovery of ancient tools). Our walk traces a trail
around Monte Bossea, part of the Ligurian Appenine Mountains. We
stop at a cheese factory, or caseificio, an active water mill
where flour is made, and finally at a bakery, where we pick up
supplies for a picnic lunch of typical focacce and vegetable
tarts.
After sampling the local products, we embark on a special train
journey into the mine, followed by a walking tour, where we
learn about the minerals unique to this region and gain insight
into the lives of the local miners.
On our return to Monterosso, there is time to relax before an
evening of independent strolling and dining; your guide(s) will
provide suggestions from among the many dining experiences
available in Monterosso al Mare. Hotel Palme, Monterosso
al Mare
DAY 4 Transfer to Portovenere. Isola Palmaria, 2-6 miles,
easy to moderate, with challenging options
We bid farewell to Monterosso this morning and transfer to
Portovenere, a Roman-Byzantine town, spectacularly situated on
the Golfo dei Poeti (Gulf of Poets). The gulf is so named
because many poets, including Dante, Petrarch, Byron, and
Shelley, have sung its praises—even the boats in the harbor
sport romantic names inspired by these famous authors.
Mid-morning, we board a boat for a short trip to the island of
Palmaria. This beautiful island, declared a Natural Regional
Park, has a network of walking paths with stunning viewpoints of
its dramatic cliffs and to neighboring Tino Island. The air is
perfumed by luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation such as sage,
juniper, and myrtle. Our trail leads to a lovely beach, where
there is time for a swim before lunch in a scenic area, shaded
by pines. After lunch, the kids return to Portovenere for a
pizza and gelato making class. Adults remain on Palmaria for
further walking explorations including a visit to an abandoned
quarry of black and gold marble or one of the caves where
Paleolithic evidence was discovered in the 19th century. Time
permitting, we may tour the meticulously restored 19th-century
fortress of Umberto I, which now houses a museum dedicated to
the oceanography and undersea archeology of the Mediterranean.
Late afternoon, both children and parents reunite for some free
time before another delicious dinner, featuring the bounty of
the region. Grand Hotel Portovenere, Portovenere
DAY 5 Boat and snorkeling excursion around islands and
Tramonti Coast; optional 1-mile, easy walk
After breakfast, we embark on a scenic (and active!)
excursion to the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto with
optional snorkeling in a shallow water zone along the Tramonti
Coast. In addition to swimming alongside colorful Mediterranean
fish, there is an option for an easy walk to the remains of a
monastery, surrounded by unique vegetation.
We return to Portovenere ready to refuel at a local
osteria,indulging in seafood salads and satisfying pasta
specialties. The afternoon offers time to relax at the hotel, or
further explore the town, whose highlights include the Genovese
Doria Castle and the churches of San Lorenzo and San Pietro.
Perched high on a rocky cape overlooking the sea, the
13th-century Gothic San Pietro, with its black- and
white-striped exterior is a landmark recognizable from far out
at sea. We gather one last time for a memorable alfresco dining
experience. Grand Hotel Portovenere, Portovenere
DAY 6 Arrivederci! Transfer to Genoa for departures
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Genoa, from where
you may make connections home, or on to your next destination.
Itinerary Changes: Please bear in mind that this is a
typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due
to season, special events or weather. We reserve the right to
alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a
year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate
change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour
and your experience.
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