Romantic Italy Tour to Cinque Terre, Tuscany & Lazio

Riomaggiore is a treasure of the Ligurian coast, the southern-most point of the five towns collectively known as Cinque Terre. The Mediterranean water shines three shades of blue and splashes the coast. Emerald vineyards line the terraces that ascend the mountainside of the Maritime Alps. Traditional, small fishing boats wade into the water moored to buoys and the rocks along the natural harbor. You will land at Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa with the romantic image of Riomaggiore looping in your mind.

Your private transfer will meet you both at the airport and escort you La Spezia, a historical port town at the edge of the Ligurian region. You will board a small train for the short ride through the tunnels of the Maritime Alps that connect Italy to the secluded towns of Cinque Terre. A hotel representative will meet you at the station and escort you to your luxurious hotel that overlooks the land and the sea. The single main cobbled road connects the town erected on the steep mountain slopes.

The scent of herbaceous basil and bass grilled over an open flame emanates from the small restaurants along the narrow side streets. For dinner, your guide will lead you to a charming restaurant at the beginning of the Lover’s Trail. The terrace opens up to a view of the Mediterranean beneath the glow of night sky, and the lights of town shine against the pastel shades of the houses. You will have a delicious introduction to Cinque Terre through a three-course meal paired with wine, both offering ingredients harvested and produced locally.

In the morning, the two of you will stand on the terrace of your hotel and watch as fishermen set out to sea eager to fill their nets with a perfect catch. The marina bustles with activity and fills with vibrant colors painted alongside the boats as they drift away from town. At breakfast, the aroma of fresh espresso blends with the comforting scent of the sea breeze. The relaxed pace and sensational views make it easy to settle into the ambiance of Cinque Terre.

After your meal, you and your partner will set out along Lover’s Lane, an easy half-mile trail that connects Riomaggiore to the neighboring town of Manarola. Trails crisscross the coastal mountains that connect the historic towns once secluded from the rest of Italy due to the sea, summits, and promontories. The winding track etches into the rock face and offers a majestic view of the indigo water below. When the railway was constructed, the workers needed a path to venture to and from the railway. Romantic mythology claims that the path soon allowed lovers separated by the rugged terrain to meet on the pathway.

The cool breeze will rustle through as locals wander along the vineyards and tend to their grapes and stunningly large basil crops. You will soon reach Manarola, the smallest of the five towns, located 230 feet above sea level atop the seaside cliff. A church stands at the top of the mountain that overlooks the harbor. The bell tower that was once an ancient defensive structure and narrow lanes meander around the town and lead to open vistas. You will meet your skipper at the natural harbor and set out on the calm Mediterranean for a secluded private cruise that connects you to the other towns of Cinque Terre.

In the morning, the sunlight will spread across the pastel homes of Riomaggiore. The aroma of freshly baked brioche will emanate from the small bakeries on the main street. After breakfast, you will have the day to enjoy the splendor of the Italian Riviera at your leisure. Spend time to linger on the pebbled beach of Monterosso and bask in the sun beneath the shady parasols. For a unique view of the Italian Riviera, you could board a private boat to reach the town of Lerici on the Gulf of Poets where a bright pink lighthouse rises above the chalky rocks.

The masts of sailboats sway along the marina like a unique skyline. The 13th-century castle creates a dramatic effect against the coastline as local fishermen stand along the docks to display their catch and offer fresh octopus, prawns, and anchovies. The crescent-shaped piazza has a medieval ambiance in view of the powerful Romanesque walls of the castle. It feels as though the two of you have traveled to a gorgeous piece of Italy undisturbed by outsiders, yet in view of the luxurious character of the Italian Riviera.

The aroma of farinata emanates through the streets, a traditionally baked flatbread made from chickpea flour that is cooked in a wood-burning oven to add a distinct flavor. Children often pour honey over the top for a sweet afternoon snack. Stroll to the Church of San Francesco, which was erected in the 13th century but refurbished in the 18th century. The Carrara marble frame dates back to the original detailing. Upon your return to Cinque Terre, you can stop at Portovenere, a luxurious town along the Italian Riviera filled with brightly colored homes, medieval streets, and a historical city gate that leads upwards to the imposing 12th-century castle.

In the morning, the sun will spread across the hillside to bring life back to the emerald vineyards and sprawling olive groves that blanket the terraces. The herbaceous aroma of basil matches the briny scent of the Mediterranean. After breakfast, you will board the train to La Spezia and meet your private transfer, ready to wander through the legendary hills of Tuscany. The splendor of the indigo waters of the Mediterranean fades behind towering cypress trees and hills covered with a sea of vineyards. You will venture off the beaten path of towns often visited in Tuscany to indulge in the quiet charms of the culture and the secluded majesty of the more unknown architecture. Stunning chestnut woods surround Colognora di Pescaglia, a town with roots in the 9th century.

Loggias, the open courtyards, are filled with distinctively serene gardens. Stone structures have tilted-tiled roofs and charming herb gardens near the kitchen. Your walk through town will take you back in time to a slower paced world. The neighboring village of Borgo a Mozzano includes a unique arched bridge erected in the 12th century and stretches more than 130 feet across the water with a central arch that reaches a height of 60 feet. The turquoise water of the Serchio River sweeps beneath the stone structure. In the spring and summer, the town radiates with azaleas as the pink flowers blossom in the rich soil and inside the pots that decorate the windowsills of the medieval homes.

The village of Pienza stands atop a lush hill that overlooks the landscape of the Val D’Orcia. The town embodies the Renaissance through the art and architecture that express humanity’s need for beauty. In the morning, you can enjoy a romantic stroll along the Street of Lovers, an ancient walkway that offers a magnificent view of the sweeping greenery. Ivy drapes across the medieval walls, and the terrace of Il Chiostro di Pienza, an ancient Franciscan convent, provides a terrace where you can view of the hills and valley to take it all in. The Cathedral of the Annunciation contains gorgeous paintings crafted by renowned artists of the 16th century.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you into the heart of the Val D’Orcia, a province of Tuscany rich with vineyards and olive groves. The celebrated wines of Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano are produced in the province. After you taste the spectacular wines of the region, you will meet an exuberant local chef excited to teach you both the art of a romantic meal based on Tuscan tradition. The kitchen will offer a view of the landscape and fills with the fragrant aroma of simmering olive oil. You will follow the chef’s instructions and as the food cooks, the chef will offer you a taste of sheep’s cheese mixed with pepper to add another layer of flavor and intimacy to lunch.

Today your private transfer will meet you at your hotel in the heart of Pienza ready to escort you into the region of Rome known as Lazio. The hills give way to plains that are decorated with blossoming wildflowers. Cypress trees grow along the horizon in pockets to leave an open skyline that spreads over the verdant grass. You will stop first at the town of Bagnoregio, located atop a bluff that overlooks a deep gorge. The wind and rain have eroded the precipice over time, leaving it a single boulder that rises out of the sunken landscape connected to the outer ridges by a narrow bridge.

Wild boars run through the berries and chestnut trees that grow across the landscape, and the history is palpable, with ancient Etruscan roots visible in the stone passageways more than 2,500 years old. Much of the town remains preserved from the 12th century with a Romanesque arch that adorns the entryway to town. The town resembles a painting, filled with footpaths lined with ivy-clad walls and archways. Potted flowers decorate balconies and windowsills add color to the creamy antique stone.

The town itself is a thing of beauty as it rises above the splendor of the countryside, lingering atop ancient cellars perfect for storing wine and collecting rainwater. The aroma of honey, flower petals, and fresh pasta converge along the quiet side streets. After visiting a collection of towns across the Lazio region, you will enter the city of Rome for a Romantic tour of the gorgeous fountains and palaces of the Eternal City. For dinner, you will embark on a cruise down the Tiber accompanied by a four-course meal lit by candlelight and the glowing orbs of the lamps along the cobblestone streets.

Wake up to the fresh air and gorgeous landscape of Frascati, a hillside town outside of Rome, which has stood as a peaceful escape for Romans wishing to indulge in the luxuries of greenery, local white wine, and casual, yet decadent cuisine. The stunning architecture of Villa Aldobrandini dominates the town as it looks over the central piazza with its alluring splendor. After breakfast, your private transfer will take you to to the town of Tivoli, known for its powerful castle walls and preserved historical villas. Like Frascati, Tivoli was once a retreat for the rich and powerful during the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, even inspiring the imagination of Emperor Hadrian.

The emperor’s villa opens its opulent garden to visitors, and the estate encompasses nearly 300 acres that are decorated with reproductions of Greek and Egyptian art that had caught the emperor’s eye during his travels across the empire. A refreshing breeze will blow across the pond and rustle the azaleas and hydrangeas. The warm air is cooled as the mist spouts from the lavish fountains. It is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic as you settle in amongst the colonnades and ancient statues to enjoy the ambiance, cuisine, and the company.

At breakfast, you can indulge in a frothy cappuccino accompanied by freshly baked, flaky brioche. With some time before you need to be at the airport, you can take a quick trip to Villa Aldobrandini where the gardens accentuate the beauty of the historical palace, which was designed by a pope’s nephew. A terrace overlooks the garden and offers a perfect view of the water theater. Statues decorate the niches as fountains spring to life in the sunlight. A central waterfall splashes down from the chestnut and oak trees. Garlands wrap around pillars and a half-dome protects the unique artistry and power of the Atlas Fountain. Your private transfer will then meet you at your hotel and escort you to Fiumicino Airport in Rome for your flight home.