Follow in the footsteps of Roman legions, Byzantine pilgrims, and Ligurian winemakers who carved the trails into the dramatic mountainsides that connects the towns of the Italian Riviera. Villages shine with pastel-painted homes, and antique statues adorn the hilltops of rugged promontories. Lemon trees and olive orchards prosper in the rich minerals and grow as abundantly as the nearby hilltop forests. Castle ruins sprout on cliffs, over steep walls, and alongside celebrated sandy beaches. Your...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Levanto – Arrive on the Ligurian Coast in the Charming City of Levanto
Your first view of Italy comes in the form of Genoa and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea as it laps at the city’s shores. The port of the city once harbored the naval might of Italy’s greatest maritime superpower as it defeated Pisa’s legendary fleet in the 9th-century. The preserved towers of Porta Soprana were erected in the 12th-century and lead to the childhood home of Christopher Columbus near the small cloister of Sant’Andrea. The dramatic stone towers and the lavish villas lining the Via Garibaldi contrast the charm and natural beauty of the Levanto.
Your private transfer will meet you at Cristoforo Colombo Airport and escort you to the peaceful town of Levanto as it’s edged by the Apennines and overlooks the turquoise waters that brush against the Ligurian coast. The salty breeze drifts across the pebbled coastline as the wide boulevards lead to narrow avenues paved with cobblestone. Peach and ochre hues drape the old building facades as cafes set out umbrella-covered tables along the walkways and around the sleepy piazzas. Lush trees rise from the hills and over the mountains.
Lounge chairs pepper the shoreline as waves curl and crash against the boulders at the base of the mountains. The aroma of fresh pesto drifts out of the local stores and restaurants. The remains of the 13th-century city walls lead to a medieval castle, which acted as the former defensive network of the city to protect Levanto from pirates and maritime raids. The square structure supports an imposing circular tower and offers a bird’s eye view to the horizon.
What's Included:
Day 2
Levanto – Stroll to the Cliff of Punta Mesco and Visit Lovely Monterosso
Day 3
Levanto –Scenic Train to Riomaggiore and Walk the Trails of Cinque Terre
Day 4
Levanto – Trek the Peninsula Trail from Riomaggiore to Portovenere
Day 5
Santa Margherita – Visit Villages and Hamlets en route to Santa Margherita
Day 6
Santa Margherita – Tour the Abbey of San Fruttuoso and Enjoy a Sea Cruise to Camogli
Day 7
Santa Margherita – Discover the Charms of Santa Margherita and Portofino
Day 8
Santa Margherita – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy an intimate discovery of Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera by exploring the walking trails
- Visit the secluded ancient confines of the San Fruttuoso Monastery hidden between the promontories along the Mediterranean coast
- Explore castle ruins and renovated stronghold walls that once protected the historical cities along the Ligurian Sea from pirates
- Indulge in fresh seafood and creamy gelato with a splendid view of the turquoise waters that stretch to the horizon
- Bask in a serene moment at the edge of Punta Mesco between the towns of Levanto and Monterosso
- Delight in a scenic cruise of the Ligurian coastline taking you from San Fruttuoso Monastery to the town of Camogli
- Find antique olive mills abandoned to time and the elements peppering the vineyards and orchards along the trails
Detailed Description
The coastline of the Italian Riviera offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean along with striking architecture from the villages to strongholds. Your 8-day tour takes you along the scenic trails and classic routes that connect the villages, hamlets, and towns that roll along the Apennines. Dramatic cliffs look down on umbrella-clad beaches as medieval monasteries hide on a small inlet between mountains that converge. The pace of life slows down for you to bask in the beauty of Liguria, the Italian Riviera, and the wonderment of when historical architecture meets lavish nature.
The journey begins with your arrival at Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa. Your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim to escort you to the northern rim of the Italian Riviera at Levanto. Enjoy the pleasures of the quiet seaside city at your leisure before you relish your first Italian meal. Next day, hike the trail between Levant and Monterosso to take in the panoramic view of the trail and shoreline at Punta Mesco. Visit the 11th-century ruins and take your time to explore the streets of Cinque Terre’s largest town. Continue and take the scenic train to Riomaggiore to begin the trail that takes you to Vernazza.
Delight in the cliff-side homes and cliff-top structures in Manarola and Corniglia. Once in Vernazza, take the train back to Levanto for the night before your return the next day to Riomaggiore, this time following a different trail. Reach the Madonna di Montenero en route to the resort town of Portovenere with a stop in Campiglia and the terraced vineyards along the cliffs en route. The next day, you can discover the charming villages along the Wild West Coast Walk as you wind around the foothills and beaches to Bonassola and Framura.
From Moneglia, you will transfer to the seaside town of Santa Margherita to follow the path to the hidden San Fruttuoso Monastery. Tour the ancient grounds before you cruise to the town of Camogli for a chance to relax with a drink and some gelato. Step onto your final trail as it leads to the gorgeous and luxurious town of Portofino on the edge of the Portofino Peninsula. Your private transfer will then meet you at your hotel in Santa Margherita to escort you to the Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa 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 5952 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.