A week in Italy will take your breath away as you are immersed in village charm and city glitz along the pristine Ligurian shores. Dive into the refreshing Mediterranean Sea in view of the soaring cliffs and then wander through medieval squares, vineyards, and olive groves. Witness opulent palaces adorned with the noble crests while the aroma of fresh seafood emanates from the open grills. From the colorful towns of Cinque Terre to the serene streets of the Gulf of Poets, you will find inspiration...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Sanremo – Arrive in Nice and Transfer to the Luxurious Town of Sanremo
Sanremo welcomes visitors from around the world with glitz, glamour, and gorgeous scenery. Villas ascend the mountainsides that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Locals refer to the Sanremo as the City of Flowers due to the beautiful blossoming petals that enrich the already gorgeous scenery. Your flight will land at Nice Cote d’Azur Airport in France where you will meet your private transfer for a scenic drive along the coastal highway between France and Italy. You will enjoy the pristine views of the Mediterranean Sea, the charming medieval hilltop towns, and the stunning mountain ridges before you reach the lavish atmosphere of Sanremo.
The medieval city center features cobblestone streets for meant for pedestrians only. The Madonna della Costa Sanctuary watches over the city from the hillside with a 17th-century cobblestone mosaic path that leads upwards to the portico. The interior includes an ornate altar and remarkable statues crafted between the 17th and 19th centuries. The opulent décor of the sanctuary embodies the atmosphere of the city below as the labyrinthine streets of the historical center hides behind the manicured lawns and hotels that sport facades of the Belle Epoque. You will be welcomed at your hotel with a traditional regional cocktail known as “Tintoretto.” The drink contains sparkling white wine, white peach pulp, and pomegranate juice for a bright, zesty summer vibe.
What's Included:
Day 2
Genoa – Enjoy the History and Scenery of the Ligurian Coast and Genoa
Day 3
Monterosso – Visit the Towns of Rapallo, Recco, and Bonassola
Day 4
Cinque Terre – Discover the Charms of Cinque Terre on a Private Boat Tour
Day 5
Manarola – Trek one of the Numerous Trails Connecting Cinque Terre
Day 6
Tellaro – Traverse the Towns along the Gulf of Poets to Portovenere
Day 7
Monterosso – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Experience the glitz and glamour of the Italian Monte Carlo at Sanremo, located at the northern end of the Italian Riviera
- Discover the serene charms of Cinque Terre with a villa-style hotel in the town of Monterosso
- Wander through the vineyards of Monterosso on the terraces near your accommodation
- Linger on the beaches of Cinque Terre to bask in the sunlight and the enchanting atmosphere of the Italian Riviera
- Visit the five towns of Cinque Terre scattered along with secluded coves and beaches during your private cruise as you travel from Monterosso to Riomaggiore
- Witness the tremendous flavors of Cinque Terre with a wine and food pairing at a restaurant that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea
- Cruise from Monterosso to the shores of Tellaro to discover the incredible history and majestic landscape of the Gulf of Poets
- Indulge in the quintessential luxury of the Italian Riviera with a visit to Portovenere
- Explore the lavish history of Genoa during a private tour of the city’s streets connected to the Republic of Genoa and the life of Christopher Columbus
- Delight in the simple pleasures of the Ligurian coastline by sampling the regional focaccia bread and other culinary wonders
Detailed Description
Experience the perfection found in the region of Liguria on your 7-day vacation to the Italian Riviera. Glamour meets the landscape and luxury meets with relaxation as the Riviera is known for its two diverse regions, one west and the other east of Genoa. Your adventure will begin with your arrival at the Nice International Airport, where you will meet your private transfer and travel into Italy to reach Sanremo, located 30 miles away from the French border. The city is often referred to as Italy’s Monte Carlo as you will find a medieval city center, along with the splendor of a town shrouded by its own glamour.
Wake the next day to travel along the old road that connects the seaside villages of Liguria between the French border and Genoa. The Republic of Genoa once governed the shoreline up to the French Cote d’Azure. Stop in the towns that inspire you most and enjoy the seaside charm and fishing culture. Once in Genoa, you will have a private tour of a city rich with history and grandeur, harkening back to the wealth of the former Republic. Continue the next day down the Riviera, east of Genoa, to visit the tranquil towns of Rapallo, Recco, and Bonassola en route to the Cinque Terre’s most northerly town of Monterosso. Indulge in focaccia bread while you watch the surfers catch the breaks before you settling into your villa-style hotel that overlooks the cliffs of the Maritime Alps.
The following day, you can take your time to traverse the streets of Monterosso with a visit to the local church and to the cobblestone square that overlooks the beach. Step aboard a boat for your private cruise that will bring you to each of the five towns along Cinque Terre. Jump into the water at hidden coves and linger in the vistas that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Once at Riomaggiore, you can partake in a tasting menu at a local restaurant that offers pairings of wine and local cuisine. Venture next onto the trails that crisscross the Maritime Alps and lead north to Levanto and south to Portovenere.
You can follow the mountainous path, or you can wander along the walkway that connects the town churches. The next day, you will have a private boat ride to the Gulf of Poets and visit the charming towns of Tellaro and Lerici, and then spend your evening in the opulent atmosphere of Portovenere at the edge of the Italian Riviera on your way back to Monterosso. Conclude your Italian vacation as your private transfer will lead you to the hamlet of Carro, located inland between Cinque Terre and Genoa, for a view of the forested mountains and tranquil traditions before you arrive at the Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,200 per person (excluding international flights)
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 5964 reviews.
The trip was very well planned by Zicasso's travel company and all of the stops and pick-up points, cars, trains, boats, etc., were there and reliable. We had a fantastic time.
Reviewed By Jeffrey C.
I am writing to express my immense gratitude to the entire team at Zicasso’s travel partner for curating the most spectacular trip to Italy for my family. From start to finish, the level of service was beyond impeccable and truly set a new standard for what we consider luxury travel.
The planning process was an absolute pleasure. Communication was one of their greatest strengths; our contact was consistently available and responses to our questions were nearly instantaneous. This travel company made us feel like we were their only clients. They took the time to understand the different ages and interests within our family, and built a bespoke itinerary that perfectly balanced history, leisure, and unique local experiences.
This was genuine white-glove service in every sense of the word. From the moment we landed, every detail was flawlessly executed. Private drivers were waiting for us, guides were engaging and knowledgeable, and our accommodations were magnificent. We never once had to worry about a single logistic, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy our time together.
If you are looking for a travel partner that offers unparalleled personalized service and flawless execution for a trip to Italy, look no further. Thank you for giving our family memories we will cherish forever.
Reviewed By Christopher L.
My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.
After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.
From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.
The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.
The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.
We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!
Reviewed By Anne F.
Zicasso had two travel companies provide their itinerary of what we wanted to do on our two-week trip to Italy and Greece. We chose this company because we felt they put together a nice itinerary that clearly defined what we would expect day to day. We were a little apprehensive about choosing a travel agent we had not heard of, but the communication from them prior to our trip settled our nerves. We were not disappointed because it ended up being the trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed By Thomas W.
Our trip was a family one, two grandparents over 70, two parents and one adult son, one teenage girl, and one younger girl, 12. Three of us had been to Italy while the others had not. We wanted as complete a trip as we could in 14 days, so we included all the traditional places, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples/Pompeii. We spent three days in each and one day in Ferrara. While it was a lot for 14 days, we did not feel rushed.
What I like about Zicasso is they give you options to pick the best fit for your trip—we worked with two other agencies before we picked Zicasso’s travel partner. This travel partner took the time to understand our needs: three hotel rooms, all different in sizes, and tours and timing. Very important was the degree of coordination before the trip with the travel agent; she was available and knowledgeable, and took the time to adjust our needs. One of the best things about this travel partner was they used a van for all the travel, except from Rome to Naples. This was a much better option than the train for seven people and baggage.
During the trip, we were met on time by every driver and every guide. The hotels were excellent and the whole trip went well. When we had a delay on the train, the driver knew it and adjusted our pick-up.
Reviewed By Fred S.
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.