ItalyTourTravel

Cinque Terre - Poetic Odyssey

7 Days

The Italian Riviera which stretches from the French border to La Spezia is dotted with resorts, medieval towns and beaches. Our tour focuses in the Riviera di Levante, which has inspired Shelley, Byron and Petrarch—among the world’s most beloved poets. Its natural beauty and tantalizing cuisine continue to intoxicate travelers. Traditionally prepared seafood, homemade pasta, and a medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs make for an unforgettable dining experience. Pesto, made from locally grown basil ~ the best in Italy, according to the locals ~ is the classic pasta sauce of the region. Sciacchetra, a hard-to-find, semi-sweet dessert wine, is also a specialty. Production of this fine wine is limited due to the difficulty in harvesting from the ancient terraced vineyards.

We center our walks in and around the Cinque Terre and towns of Portofino and Portovenere. We follow well-established trails, which are steep and rocky at certain points, through a menagerie of tiny villages. Our walks range in elevation from sea level to about 2,500 feet. You should be prepared for moderate to strenuous days under the radiant Ligurian sky with ascents and descents daily.

Day 1
Santa Margherita Ligure - Portofino; 3 - 4 miles, moderate
After meeting at our first hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure we set off on an afternoon walk through the hills abovethe Mediterranean to the seaside resort town of Portofino. This picturesque village, nestled into a cove between hills, was re-discovered by the jet set shortly after World War II. Where once only fishing boats docked in the deep-green inlet, now yachts arrive from around the world. We can relax at a café in the main piazza, overlooking the boats as we sip a cappuccino or enjoy a gelato (ice cream). A stroll through the small streets provides the opportunity to browse the town’s boutiques and shops. Those in search of additional pristine views can walk to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo. Our walk is mostly through wooded areas, with many steps extending from the ridge down to the coast &  expansive views of the sea at every corner. This evening we dine on typical Ligurian specialties at our hotel’s restaurant.Hotel Jolanda, Santa Margherita Ligure

Day 2
Ruta - Portofino; 4 ½ - 7 ½ miles, moderate to challenging
After a typical Italian breakfast of coffee, bread, cheese, yogurt, and fruit we enter the National Park of Portofino at the tiny village of Ruta. A slight ascent with fine views soon levels out as we proceed to Semaforo Nuovo (new lighthouse).

We continue along strenuous paths to the hamlet of San Fruttuoso and visit its 10th-century medieval abbey built by the Benedictines of Monte Cassino. This secluded haven, which can only be reached on foot or by boat, is picturesquely situated in a small rocky cove. Our stroll back to Portofino leads us through chestnut and pine trees and olive groves. This evening we enjoy an exquisite meal of fresh, local fish and pasta dishes specific to the region.Hotel Jolanda, Santa Margherita Ligure

Day 3
Framura - Monterosso al Mare; 5 ½ miles, moderate to challenging
Our walk starts in the town of Framura. We pass through beautiful woods and along high coastal trails with breathtaking sea views. En route to Monterosso al Mare (the first of the five “Cinque Terre” towns), we stop for lunch at the charming seaside town of Bonássola. This walk takes us along ancient trade routes, passing through olive groves, terraced vineyards and pine forests. We arrive at our hotel and prepare for dinner at a local restaurant, nestled in the heart of Monterosso al Mare. Fresh herbs, colorful produce, local fish, and pesto dominate the cuisine in this region.
Hotel Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare

Day 4
Cinque Terre (the “Five Lands”); 3 - 7 miles, moderate to challenging. Elevation gain of 1,300 ft and loss of
1,200 ft
“The Five Lands” are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, a string of five, small, remote fishing villages strung along the coast west of La Spezia. They are linked by boat, by rail and by a footpath along the sea. You may choose to walk the entire Cinque Terre or take the train at one of several points throughout the day, to individualize your walking experience. Beginning in Monterosso and traveling east to west, we follow a well-established footpath that takes us through terraced vineyards while offering views of the Ligurian Sea.

While Monterosso is the largest and most developed of the towns, Vernazza, with its pink slate-roofed houses and picturesque piazzas, has the best equipped-port. Corniglia is the highest of the Cinque Terre villages, perched one hundred meters above the sea on a promontory. The cozy, classic seaside town of Manarola is the center of Cinque Terre’s wine production. The ‘Via del’Amore’ (Road of Love) connects Manarola to Riomaggiore, the last of the Cinque Terre towns. Dinner this evening is at your leisure; you are free to choose from one of several restaurants in Monterosso al Mare.
Hotel Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare

Day 5
Riomaggiore - Portovenere; 7 miles, moderate to challenging. Elevation gain and loss of over 1,800 ft
We walk seven miles from Riomaggiore to Portovenere, along the ‘Golfo dei Poeti’ (Gulf of Poets). Our walk takes us over easy rolling terrain and through pine tree forests. The gulf is so named because many poets, including Dante, Petrarch, Byron and Shelley, have sung its praises-even the boats in the harbor sport romantic names inspired by these poets. Portovenere is a Roman-Byzantine town, where we view both the sea and the nearby Apuan Mountains. Full of orange and yellow houses, the town paints a colorful canvas against the azure sea. Perched high on a rocky cape, over looking the sea, is San Pietro, a 13th century Gothic church. Its black and white striped exterior has made it a landmark recognizable from far out at sea. Our restaurant dinner this evening offers fresh, local specialties and a breathtaking view of the gulf.
Albergo Belvedere, Portovenere

Day 6
Portovenere to Tellaro; 3 ½ miles, moderate to challenging
After breakfast, we begin our day’s adventure by boating across the Gulf of Poets to Lerici, a seaside resort town. Although this is a 20-minute ride by boat, Lord Byron once swam across this Gulf to visit Shelley in Casa Magni. According to local legend, Shelley had less luck here, when his ship sank. The plaque on Casa Magni commemorating this event reads: “Sailing on a fragile bark he was landed by an unforeseen chance to the silence of the Elysian Fields.” This evening we take a boat to the nearby Isola Palmaria where we celebrate our accomplishments of the week at a typical Ligurian restaurant.Albergo Belvedere, Portovenere

Day 7
Arrivederci!
After enjoying a group breakfast, we transfer to the La Spezia train station for connecting trains to all parts of Italy.

Itinerary Changes

Journey Highlights

Price: $2,498

Departure Dates:
     May 4, 2003    May 11, 2003    May 25, 2003    June 15, 2003     July 13, 2003   
    September 21, 2003      September 28, 2003    October 12, 2003