Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino
Tour Overview
Base yourself on the Italian Riviera, between the ravine-side fishing villages of the Cinque Terre and dreamy Portofino, for an inspiring hiking adventure. Guided by an expert tour leader, we explore some of the most iconic trails in Europe, walking through hills, woodland and coastal villages. Bring your camera and an appetite, the food here is as exquisite as the scenery, plus we visit a celebrated taverna for an extra-special wine tasting. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Moneglia
Location: Moneglia
Accommodation: Hotel
We begin in the seaside town of Moneglia. In the heart of a bay on the Mediterranean Sea, this picture-perfect town is listed on the I Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (Most Beautiful Villages of Italy) and has won a European Blue Flag every year since 1990 for its clear waters and the quality of the services offered. There’ll be a welcome briefing at the hotel today – a good chance to get to know the group and your expert leader.
If you have extra days at hand and are willing to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa, Florence or Moneglia. Speak to your Sales Consultant for more information on our ‘Pre-Tour’, ‘Post-Tour’ and ‘City Extension’ packages. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Follow the coastal trail between Deiva Marina and the villages of Framura and Bonassola
Location: Deiva Marina, Bonassola, Framura
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We take an eight-minute train to Deiva Marina in the morning and start our walk, first climbing around 400 steps. We then take a relatively steep path, climbing up to picturesque woods of pine and strawberry trees. Our efforts are rewarded at the top of the hill with stunning panoramic views of the coastline and the promontory of Portofino.We then take an undulating trail with beautiful views over the Ligurian Sea, which leads to the village of Framura, where we stop for lunch. After refreshments, we descend by steps, which can be tough going, particularly in the wet, almost to sea level then meander through woods until a final steep climb for magnificent sea views. We then head to the pretty village of Bonassola before taking the 15-minute train back to our hotel in Moneglia .
Day 3 : Take the train to Cinque Terre National Park; walk stunning paths to some of the prettiest villages in Liguria
Location: Cinque Terre, Liguria
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we set out to visit the spectacular Cinque Terre, declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997 and part of the Cinque Terre National Park. The best way to explore these charming villages is on foot, and today we will walk the Sentiero Azzurro Ligure (Ligurian Blue Path), which connects the five villages.Today we visit three of the five – Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso – and pass old mule tracks, walking through terraced vineyards and olive groves. After completing steep and rocky sections with continuous ups and downs, we are rewarded with wonderful views of the colourful villages built into the rocks facing the sea.At the end of the walk, we catch the train back to Moneglia (30 minutes) where there will be time to relax or go for a swim before dinner. Please note that some sections of the path may be closed, so we may need to take the train between villages or change the itinerary accordingly.
Day 4 : Walk on the Portofino promontory and explore the world-renowned fishing village
Location: Santa Margherita Ligure
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set out by train to Santa Margherita Ligure (50 minutes with a change in Sestri Levante), a charming coastal town, where we begin our hike to the fishing village of Portofino, which starts with a near 2.5mi (4km) continuous uphill stretch. Celebrated for its pastel-coloured houses and picturesque harbour, the town is now attracting celebrities from all over the world.
Day 5 : Free day to relax, take optional walks or visiting nearby Portovenere or Genova
Location: Genoa
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a well-earned break and perhaps spend your day relaxing at the beach. Or you might like to use the opportunity for some sightseeing. Genoa, the capital city of the region, is the home of Christopher Columbus and the largest aquarium in Europe. Alternatively, you could spend time in the nearby town of Portovenere – on the Bay of Poets – or use the day to explore the beautiful town of Lucca.
Day 6 : Transfer to Rapallo by train, take the cable car up Montallegro for fantastic views and walk down to Chiavari, afternoon wine tasting
Location: Rapallo, Chiavari
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we take a short train ride to Rapallo (50 minutes with a change in Sestri Levante) and the cable car up to the sanctuary of Montallegro (1,969ft/600m). From here, we walk through quiet woodland, catching glimpses of the Ligurian Sea en route to the seaside town of Chiavari. In the early evening, we enjoy an extra-special wine tasting at Assirto, an internationally heralded taverna in Moneglia. The experience starts with a sparkling rosé, before we enjoy a sensory journey through a trio of wines. To cap the evening, we'll try passito, a traditional Italian sweet wine made from dried grapes.
Day 7 : Return to the Cinque Terre area for an alternative walk through glorious coastline and colourful villages
Location: Cinque Terre
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we head back to the Cinque Terre to walk some of the quieter, alternative trails. The exact route depends on local track conditions, but they are generally on higher ground than the classic Sentiero Azzurro, so offer even more spectacular views of the coastline and villages. The second part of the walk today will likely involve scrambling between Manarola and Rio Maggiore; if you’d prefer to skip this section, you can opt to take a boat (extra cost) instead.
Day 8 : End Moneglia
Location: Moneglia
Meals Included: Breakfast
You’ve taken some of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world this holiday, but now’s the time for one final breakfast before starting your return journey home. Of course, if you’d like to continue the adventure, you can speak to your sales consultant about extending your stay at the hotel.
What's Included
-
All breakfasts, two packed lunches, one dinner and one wine tasting
-
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
-
All transport and listed activities
-
Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
-
Travel insurance
-
Single accommodation (available on request – limited availability)
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Local taxes (approximately €5 per person, see Trip Notes)
Accommodation
Fifty years in the making, the Piccolo Hotel is the dream come true of the Zanetti family. Elsa and Luigi were the founders, before their son Alberto joined, followed by the next generation – Elsa and Luigi’s grandchildren.
The 38-room hotel is in the centre of Moneglia, just a few minutes’ walk from the train station and a Blue Flag-rated sandy beach. When it’s time to relax, there’s the free-to-use Atlantis Wellness centre, which has a heated swimming pool with a waterfall and water jets, plus two underwater loungers.
Elsewhere, there’s a solarium terrace with a hydromassage tub plus a sea-view restaurant serving Ligurian cuisine.
Worth knowing
A limited number of double rooms for sole use are available for a supplement, please enquire for details.
...more ...less
Food
All breakfasts, two packed lunches, one dinner and one wine tasting are included.
Liguria is well-known for its delicious cuisine and classic regional dishes include pasta with pesto or walnut sauce, focaccia bread and, of course, plenty of seafood.
With an abundance of fresh local produce and plenty of restaurants to try in Moneglia, food is a highlight of the trip. Vegetarians are well-catered for in Italy, but please inform us when booking.
Please note, neither the hotel nor the restaurants in Moneglia are able to cater for people with severe celiac disease.
...more ...less
Check out our Q&As
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide. ...more ...less
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions
Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino
8 Days Starting and ending in Moneglia
Visiting: Moneglia, Deiva Marina, Bonassola, Framura, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Santa Margherita Ligure, Genoa, Rapallo, Chiavari ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TEH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 15
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
