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“Walking & Hiking The Cinque Terre, plus Florence &
Lucca”
Tour Duration : 9 Days
Tour Category : Walking Tour, Hiking Tour, Health & Fitness Tour
Day
1:
1st Day (6/5 - Thu.) FLORENCE
Arrive independently in Florence and check in at our select hotel by the
Arno river. Meet with your Bella Italia Tours director/guide in early
afternoon. Then extensive walk of this wonderful city, the seat of the
Renaissance. End up on the hill by the 1000 year old church of S. Miniato
with splendid views of the city below. (Grade: 1 to 3 - time: about two
and half hours - about sea level). Welcome dinner with local Florentine
specialties.
Day 2:
2nd Day (6/6 – Fri.) LUCCA
Train to Lucca. After check in at our lovely hotel by the 16th century walls,
a very nice walk: (Grade: 1 - 2.4 miles - time: about one hour - about sea
level), the full length of the wonderfully preserved 16th century city walls
and the very interesting medieval town. After lunch (independently), we'll
climb up (Grade: 3 - 230 steps - about 10 min.) the Torre Guinigi (Guinigi
Tower) for a great panoramic view. Dinner on your own.
Day 3:
3rd Day (6/7 – Sat.) LUCCA
Travel by local train to Pisa where we'll take a good look (from the outside)
at the incredible Leaning Tower. We'll visit the museum by the tower, the
cathedral, and the Baptistery. Those who would like, may also climb up (on
their own) to the top of the tower. Return to Lucca in the afternoon for more
explorations: the Pisan-Romanesque church of S. Michele, the Duomo (cathedral),
the Roman Arena, and more. (Grade: 1 – about 3 miles - time: about two hours
- about sea level). Dinner on your own.
Day 4:
4th Day (6/8 – Sun.) LEVANTO
A comfortable train ride this morning to Levanto, by the Ligurian Sea. Check
in at our select 3-star hotel and, shortly after, we begin our adventure along
the spectacular Riviera Italiana. Local train to Riomaggiore (the the easternmost
of the Cinque Terre) and then a great walk/hike above the crashing waves (Grade:
1 to 4 - 3 miles - max elevation: 450 ft. - time: about 2 hours). We’ll end
up at Corniglia after passing through Manarola. An exquisite dinner (with
to-die-for-pesto) tonight with other local specialties.
Day 5:
5th Day (6/9 – Mon.) LEVANTO
A hike to Monterosso al Mare (the westernmost of the Cinque Terre). (Grade:
3 to 5 - 4.3 miles - max elevation: 1,080 ft. - time: about 2 hours and 30
min.). A stroll around Monterosso (best beaches and remnants of medieval fortifications)
and then train back to Levanto. Another great dinner.
Day 6:
6th Day (6/10 – Tue.) LEVANTO
Early train to Camogli and then a hike (Grade: 2 to 4 - about 1.5 miles -
max elevation: 720 ft. - time: 1 hour.) to San Rocco on the side of Portofino
Mountain. Then, another hike (Grade: 3 to 5 - max elevation: 1,330 ft - about
3 miles - time: 3½ hours) to the top of Portofino Mountain and down to Portofino
Mare, the village by the sea. Some time to enjoy this beautiful international
resort and then bus to Santa Margherita and train back to Levanto. Dinner.
Day 7:
7th Day (6/11 – Wed.) LEVANTO
Today, train to Corniglia. Then another wonderful hike by the crashing
waves (Grade: 2 to 5 - 3 miles - max elevation: 850 ft. - time: about
2 hours) to Vernazza. Some time to
explore this lovely town (perhaps the best of the Cinque Terre) and then
we'll conclude our hike in Monterosso. Return to Levanto by train. Dinner.
Day
8:
8th Day (6/12 – Thu.) LEVANTO
Today is a free day. You may want to return, on your own, to some of the
Cinque Terre for more great walks/hikes along the Ligurian Riviera or
visit Rapallo and/or Santa Margherita for elegant shopping. Perhaps a
wonderful boat trip to medieval, very charming, Porto Venere where the
English poets Byron and Shelley used to hang out. Tour director/guide
is available to offer some extra walks/hikes (optional & free of charge).
A last delicious farewell dinner tonight with pesto and local delights.
Day 9:
9th Day (6/13 – Fri.) HOME
After breakfast the tour is over and we'll say our "arrivedercis", with the
hope to see you again soon on another tour. Train (independently) to your
next destination.
Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject to change.
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