EAST LIGURIAN RIVIERA - TRIP CODE: LIGLEVANTE
8 days 7 nights
Day 1: Sestri Levante
Arrival in Sestri Levante in the morning and free time for lunch. In the afternoon, meeting with the tour guide and visit of this beautiful village, known for its wonderful bays "Baia delle Favole" and "Baia del Silenzio” and for its characteristic city center with the typical "caruggi", full of historical shops. Then transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Excursion to Punta Manara, Baffe and Moneglia
Breakfast in the hotel, meeting with the tour guide and beginning of a beautiful hiking trail that will take to Moneglia, passing through the three "Punte": Manara, Baffe and Moneglia. These paths allow you to discover a quiet and intimate Liguria, made of unforgettable scents and colours and remarkable memories of rural culture. Upon arrival in Moneglia, free time for relaxing on the beach. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon return to Sestri Levante, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: The Cinque Terre National Park
Breakfast in the hotel, meeting with the tour guide and train to Riomaggiore, the first village of the park, from where starts the visit. Cinque Terre National Park is composed by five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. The most famous path is the "Via dell’Amore" that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola, and, continuing on the "Sentiero Azzurro", visit of all the other villages. In addition to very beautiful churches and sanctuaries, the particularity of this area is the landscape with terraces overlooking the sea with a lot of vineyards producing excellent wines DOC, as Schiacchetrà, and olive groves. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon wine tasting in a typical winery in Monterosso. Return by train to Sestri Levante, dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 4: The three island and Portovenere
Breakfast in the hotel, meeting with the tour guide and transfer to La Spezia. Transfer by boat to Portovenere (approx. 30 min. navigation). The morning is dedicated to a visit of this beautiful village with its harbor, St. Peter Church, built at the top of the village where you can enjoy a wonderful view, the 12th century Castle and Byron's Cave, where the famous English poet went to get inspiration for his poetry. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon boat tour of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto Islands. Palmaria Island, certainly the most known, is rich in Mediterranean vegetation and steep cliffs, Tinetto, completely bare of vegetation and Tino, Military zone, where you can still find remains dating from the 11th century. Return by boat to La Spezia and to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Portofino Park
Breakfast in the hotel, meeting with the tour guide and transfer to Ruta di Camogli. Here begins the excursion to get to S. Fruttuoso, an ancient fishing village, in less than 3 hours. The itinerary is completely surrounded by the Mediterranean vegetation, with an incredible panorama. Free time for lunch for and guided tour of the hamlet with its abbey, dating back to 1.000 B.C., recently restored by the FAI. Then transfer by boat to Portofino and guided tour of the beautiful village. Return by boat to Rapallo and then to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Chiavari, Rapallo and Montallegro Sanctuary
Breakfast in the hotel, meeting with the tour guide and transfer to Chiavari. Its historical center, full of narrow streets that run between two rows of arcades, width and height unequal and supported by columns also very different in shape and size is one of the best historical center in the region. The main attractions are the Sanctuary of Ns. Signora dell’Orto, the Botanical Gardens, the Archaeological Museum and the street of shopping, known throughout the Riviera. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon transfer to Zoagli and visit of one of the most important handmade silks fabric in Northern Italy. Later transfer to Rapallo and then, with a cable car, you will reach Montallegro Sanctuary, situated in a splendid panoramic position. Visit of the famous sanctuary and with the cable car, return to Rapallo. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 7: Genoa
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Genoa. Meeting with the tour guide and visit of the historic center. A walk through the narrow streets of the city, called "caruggi" fascinating tales reveal the official history with special anecdotes and curiosities, myths and legends, discovering the charm and beauty of this magnificent city. You will visit Piazza De Ferrari, the Doge's Palace, Christopher Columbus’s House, San Lorenzo’s Cathedral, Piazza Banchi, "Museums of Strada Nuova", Palazzo San Giorgio and the Old Port area. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon we can suggest:
- Visit of the famous Aquarium, located in the Old Port. It’s one of the largest Aquariums in the world, with dolphins, sharks, seals, manatees, turtles, reptiles and many other species;
- Macramè workshop lace knots, Ligurian style;
- Ceramic workshop
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Camogli
Breakfast in the hotel and baggage preparation. Meeting with the tour guide and transfer to Camogli, an ancient fishing village with the famous “towers houses”. Visit of the Maritime Museum, the Dragon’s Castle and the Archaeological Museum . Free time for lunch and departure.
