Explore this beautiful area before the major crowds move in. From ancient
Walled towns to colourful fishing villages hugging a rugged coastline connected
By walking paths through terraced vineyards. This UNESCO protected region
Illustrates how people lived and worked a rugged but extremely beautiful landscape.
Our Program -
- 2 nights Lucca
- 5 nights Monterosso (in the 'Cinque Terre')
- 2 nights Santa Margherita
Apr 27 Arrive (bus transfer Pisa to Lucca for those that want to take advantage of
it). Our program begins in Lucca, referred to as Tuscany's most graceful
walled town, set inside a swathe of Renaissance walls fronted by gardens
and huge bastions. We will settle into our hotel (for 2 nights) and enjoy
a welcome dinner tonight in at a local restaurant.
Apr 28
Lucca - This morning we have a walking tour of this amazing city whose structure is and has
remained 'Roman-medieval'. It has a fascinating story to tell from its prominence as a major
Roman 'municipum', its growth from the middle ages to the renaissance as a major silk
marketing town to its feast of classic architecture and famous sons like Puccini. The
afternoon and evening are free to wander the maze of streets and explore on your own and
to enjoy a walk along the 60 metre wide, tree-topped battlements.
Apr 29
Today we move over to the coast to Cinque Terre (“Five Lands”)
The area is named for five tiny villages - Monterosso, Vernazza,
Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore -wedged into a series of
coves between sheer cliffs; their comparative remoteness, and
the dramatic nature of their postion on a stunning coastline, make
them a principal scenic highlight of the whole Italian Riviera.
We will spend the next 5 nights at our base: Monterosso. Our
hotel is in the 'oldtown' overlooking the beach and the Mediterranean.
Dinner is included at our hotel tonight.
Apr 30
This morning we will take the Cinque Terre train (30 min.)to Riomaggiore where we will
explore and enjoy a coffee break before walking (20 min.)to the village of Manarola.
Here we will have time for exploring and lunch, then walk (40 minutes) to the next village
of Corniglia. After time for exploring we will take the train back to Monterosso.
May 01
This morning we will take the train and bus to Lerici,
an upwardly mobile resort of garden villas, seafront
bars, trattorias and gift shops. From here we will take
the ferry across the “Golfo dei Poeti” (named for it's
association with the writers and poets who fell in love
with this place, Petrarch, Shelley, Byon & D.H. Lawrence
among them. After visiting here we will take the ferry
across to Portovenere, an ancient, narrow laned
village on the very tip of the bay with breathtaking views.
We will have time for lunch here before continuing on the
ferry back to Montorosso (viewing the villages as they look from the water).
May 02
Bus up to Sanctuario di Soviore - 465 metres above Monterosso is the
most ancient Marian sanctuary in Liguria and built over an original building
from the VIII century. From its square on a clear day you can enjoy a
view of the mountains of Corsica to the south and the Alps to the west.
We will make the walk down through a Pine Forest path marked with
signs of the “Via Crucis” along the mule track to Monterosso.
(about 1½ hrs) Afternoon free. Dinner is at our hotel tonight.
May 03
This morning is free to personally explore Monterosso, even the 'new
town' is 500 years old. You can also take one of the many marked hikes
up into the vineyards. We will meet at 3:00pm to take the train to
Vernazza (another option is for anyone who would like to Vernazza
and meet us there. We will spend the rest of the afternoon in
Vernazza and walk back to Montorosso. Dinner is at our hotel tonight.
May 04
Today we move further north to Santa Margherita for the next two nights
Here most of the architecture is of liberty style and the amount of
'trompe l'oile' on the beautiful turn of the century buildings is amazing.
May 05
Today we are going to Portofino. (the most exclusive harbour and
resort town in Italy. For those who would like we will also continue
around the coast to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso named after a 3rd
century saint - then back to Portofino for the rest of the afternoon.
Tonight we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
May 06
Our program finishes after breakfast. We are within a short taxi trip
to Genoa for departing trains for flights and will be happy to assist
with further arrangements.
As a fully licensed travel agency we are happy to assist in arranging your
flights and any other custom arrangements either before or after this program.
This program is set up for arrival into Pisa airport and departure from Genoa.
It also works easily with Florence. We can arrange a two or three night program in Florence which
connects directly with Lucca by 45 minute direct train service.
COST AND INCLUDED FEATURES:
Cost : $1986.00 CAD /$1655.00 USD per person sharing twin room
Included features:
- transportation as outlined in itinerary
- Accommodation
- 2 nights Lucca
- 5 nights Cinque Terre
- 2 nights Santa Margherita
- Included meals - 9 Breakfasts - 7 Dinners
- Guided walks as outlined in the itinerary
- Fully escorted by Rose Tomassini
Single supplement on request
