Fishers return to the marinas found on the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea alongside the olive groves, vineyards, and lemon orchards that thrive on the steep terraced hillsides that ridge the Ligurian coastline. Embrace the Italian idea of passeggiata on your custom tailored Northern Italy itinerary and take to the unpaved trails and cobbled lanes that connect the villages and towns along the Italian Riviera. From the colorful homes of Cinque Terre to the beautiful cliff-adorned...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Levanto – Arrive on the Ligurian Coast in the Enchanting Town of Levanto
The Alps and the Apennines converge near the Ligurian coastline and then plunge into the Mediterranean Sea as remnants of the Roman Empire, Byzantine traders, and the Genovese Republic continue to influence the culture in the architecture, cuisine, and artistry along the shores. Your flight will land at Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, and your private transfer will greet you upon arrival and escort you into the gorgeous city of Levanto. Cobblestones add charm to the seaside streets over the foundations of the Roman city of Ceula. In the Middle Ages, Levanto gained prominence as a stop along the pilgrimage route of Via Francigena, which connected France to Rome.
The scent of the sea sweeps between the tower homes as boats wade in the quiet marina alongside the promenade and cobbled beaches. Restaurants cook sea bass over a grill, dressing the fish garlic and fresh squeezed lemon. You can settle into the comforts of your grand accommodation that will combine beautiful views with contemporary luxury. The remainder of the day is yours to bask in the beauty of Levanto at your preferred pace to stroll along the ramparts of the medieval castle and the Gothic façade of the 13th-century church of Sant’Andrea.
What's Included:
Day 2
Levanto – Embrace the Landscape and Trek from Levanto to Monterosso
Day 3
Levanto – Hike the Trail that Connects the Remaining Towns of Cinque Terre
Day 4
Levanto – Enjoy a Hike to Portovenere and a Private Cruise to Levanto
Day 5
Santa Margherita – Visit the Secluded San Fruttuoso and the Local Wineries
Day 6
Santa Margherita – Venture to Portofino and Enjoy a Private Cooking Class
Day 7
Santa Margherita – Relish the Beauty of Liguria with a Day at Leisure
Day 8
Santa Margherita – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Embrace the gorgeous nature of the Ligurian countryside while traversing the trails that straddle the Maritime Alps with steep cliffs and stunning seaside
- Indulge in the fresh and enchanting flavors of Liguria during a private cooking class that will highlight the staples of the regional coastal cuisine
- Delight in the beauty of the five towns collectively known as Cinque Terre while trekking the renowned trails that connect the village streets along the coast
- Visit the hidden Abbey of San Fruttuoso, reached only by boat or by trail, for a blend of beachside fun and opulent historical architecture
- Sample the regional desert wine of sciacchetra after touring the terraced vineyards that overlook the Mediterranean Sea
- Traverse the cobbled lanes, charming marinas, historical Cathedrals, and dramatic castles of hidden villages along the Gulf of Poets
- Hike the trails that connect the towns and villages of the Italian Riviera, including circumnavigating Punta Mesco
Detailed Description
The forests of the Maritime Alps glow emerald as the Mediterranean waters glisten with indigo, turquoise, and sapphire hues. Markets brim with locals in search of the catch of the day and cafes offer views to the marina, accompanied by the decadent aroma of espresso. Your 8-day itinerary of Northern Italy will combine daily life with active participation and allow you to discover the landscapes of the coastline and the culture of the seaside towns at your preferred pace. Your adventure will begin with your arrival at Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, and your private transfer will greet you and escort you to your luxurious hotel in Levanto. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to visit both the New and the Old neighborhoods of the city that edges the captivating waters.
The next day, you will follow your guide on the trail that connects Levanto to Monterosso, one of the five towns of the renowned Cinque Terre. Follow the path along the mountains to enjoy the views around Punta Mesco. In Monterosso, you can wander the cobbled lanes and bask on the warm sand of the beach before returning to Levanto. Wake the next day to take the train to Riomaggiore, the most southerly town of Cinque Terre, to begin you adventurous hike that will connect the remaining towns. In Manarola, you will relish a wine tour that will include tastings of the sciacchetra dessert wine.
Begin the next day as you follow the trail to Portovenere with a stop en route at the Sanctuary of Montenero and the village of Campiglia. Your guide will meet you at your hotel the next day to escort you to Santa Margherita. After settling into the comforts of your lavish hotel, you can follow the trail that leads to San Fruttuoso. Continue inland to visit a local winery that produces delicious organic wines, and the next day, take to the trails that connecting Santa Margherita to Portofino, a luxurious town known for its handsome lanes and rich history.
Meet your chef in the town square for a private cooking class that will introduce you to the authentic flavors of the Ligurian cuisine. Indulge with a day at your leisure to explore the wonders of the Italian Riviera as you desire. Relish the hidden villages on the Gulf of Poets or return to Cinque Terre to bask in the comforts of your favorite of the five villages. You could also take an excursion to Pisa to view the legendary Piazza dei Miracoli. Conclude as your private transfer will greet you at your hotel after breakfast and escort you to the Genoa International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5951 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.
This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.
Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!
Reviewed By Mauro A.