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.

Transport

The majority of transport on this trip will be using the excellent local train services. Please note that our hotel is a 15-minute walk to the local train station but rail journeys are no longer than 45 minutes each.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Meals

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.

Others

All listed activities 5 days centre-based walking; 1 free day

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights not included

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request – limited availability) — Visas or vaccinations — Local taxes (approximately €5 per person, see Trip Notes)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Moneglia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Moneglia

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.
Day 2 Day 2: Follow The Coastal Trail Between Deiva Marina And The Villages Of Framura And Bonassola (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Follow The Coastal Trail Between Deiva Marina And The Villages Of Framura And Bonassola (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

We take a short train to Deiva Marina in the morning (eight minutes) and start our walk through holm oak forests and maquis shrubland. The walk begins with a relatively steep path, climbing up to picturesque woods of pine and strawberry trees. Our efforts will be rewarded at the top of the hill with stunning panoramic views of the coastline and the promontory of Portofino. We will then take an undulating trail that offers beautiful views over the Ligurian Sea and leads to the village of Framura, where we stop for lunch. After refreshments, we descend by steps almost to sea level then meander through woods until a final steep climb for magnificent views of the sea. We then head to the pretty village of Bonassola before taking the train back to our hotel in Moneglia (15 minutes).
Day 3 Day 3: Take The Train To Cinque Terre National Park; Walk Stunning Paths To Some Of The Prettiest Villages In Liguria (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Take The Train To Cinque Terre National Park; Walk Stunning Paths To Some Of The Prettiest Villages In Liguria (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 some steep and rocky sections, we will be 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 Day 4: Walk On The Portofino Promontory And Explore The World-Renowned Fishing Village (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Walk On The Portofino Promontory And Explore The World-Renowned Fishing Village (Breakfast)

Set out by train to Santa Margherita Ligure (50 minutes with a change in Sestri Levante), a charming coastal town, where we will begin our gentle hike to the fishing village of Portofino. Celebrated for its pastel-coloured houses and picturesque harbour, the town is now attracting celebrities from all over the world.
Day 5 Day 5: Free Day To Relax, Take Optional Walks Or Visiting Nearby Portovenere Or Genova (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Free Day To Relax, Take Optional Walks Or Visiting Nearby Portovenere Or Genova (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 Day 6: Transfer To Rapallo By Train, Take The Cable Car Up Montallegro For Fantastic Views And Walk Down To Chiavari, Afternoon Wine Tasting (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Transfer To Rapallo By Train, Take The Cable Car Up Montallegro For Fantastic Views And Walk Down To Chiavari, Afternoon Wine Tasting (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 Day 7: Return To The Cinque Terre Area For An Alternative Walk Through Glorious Coastline And Colourful Villages (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Return To The Cinque Terre Area For An Alternative Walk Through Glorious Coastline And Colourful Villages (Breakfast)

This morning we head back to the Cinque Terre to walk some of the quieter, alternative trails. The exact path you will walk will depend 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.
Day 8 Day 8: End Moneglia (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Moneglia (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.

8 days tour

Walks Of The Cinque Terre And Portofino

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walks Of The Cinque Terre And Portofino

Day 1: Start Moneglia

Day 2: Follow The Coastal Trail Between Deiva Marina And The Villages Of Framura And Bonassola (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 3: Take The Train To Cinque Terre National Park; Walk Stunning Paths To Some Of The Prettiest Villages In Liguria (Breakfast)

Day 4: Walk On The Portofino Promontory And Explore The World-Renowned Fishing Village (Breakfast)

Day 5: Free Day To Relax, Take Optional Walks Or Visiting Nearby Portovenere Or Genova (Breakfast)

Day 6: Transfer To Rapallo By Train, Take The Cable Car Up Montallegro For Fantastic Views And Walk Down To Chiavari, Afternoon Wine Tasting (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 7: Return To The Cinque Terre Area For An Alternative Walk Through Glorious Coastline And Colourful Villages (Breakfast)

Day 8: End Moneglia (Breakfast)

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