Romance and beauty are inseparable from the land and seascape of the Italian Riviera as tradition, culture, charm, and luxury emanate from castle ruins and villas. Café tables decorate cobblestone streets beneath the starlight as sailboat masts sway in the wake of the calm harbors. The scents of strawberry and orange trees accentuate the luscious, secluded countryside as vineyards overtake terraces that are spread along the steep cliffs and ceramic tiles shimmer on historical promenade walls in...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Albissola – Arrive in Genoa and Venture to the Coastal Village of Albissola
The Alps and the Apennines slope down into the Mediterranean and shape the daily life and landscape of the Italian province of Liguria. Gardens and farms overtake the steep terraces and fishing villages that are set along the secluded promontories. The Italian Riviera stretches from the French Border to the edge of the Ligurian border and has towns with medieval charms, brightly painted homes, and romantic hints of the former wealth and prestige of the Genoese Republic. Your flight will land at Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa where your private transfer will collect you both. You will first venture west towards the French border and arrive in the town of Albisola.
Albisola rises out of the steep slopes of the mountains with red-tiled roofs and bleached-white facades. The 12th-century ruins of Il Castellaro add a storybook atmosphere to the stunning setting as the ruins of Roman villas speckle the banks of the Sansobbia Stream. The castle’s outer walls resemble a ship set atop an artificial cave where sentries once stored powder kegs. A narrow, underground passage connects the castle to the old Roman villa, and the town has an enchanting and artistic atmosphere that welcomes you immediately into the hinterlands. You will arrive at the comforts of your luxurious 18th-century villa set between the turquoise Mediterranean Sea and an elegant country garden that is blossoming with bright flowers.
What's Included:
Day 2
Albissola – Discover the Charms of Medieval Villages on the Coast and Hills
Day 3
Albissola – Continue your Exploration of the Romantic Towns of the Riviera
Day 4
Monterosso – Wander Genoa and Historic Towns en route to Cinque Terre
Day 5
Monterosso – Delight in a Tour Guided by a Local to Traverse Famous Trails
Day 6
Monterosso – Enjoy a Wine and Food Tasting Followed by a Cooking Class
Day 7
Monterosso – Travel by Boat to Visit the Villages and Towns of the Riviera
Day 8
Monterosso – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the preserved medieval villages along the Italian Riviera to immerse yourself in romantic storybook ambiance
- Explore the treasured coastline of the Cinque Terre on a private boat that will connect you to hidden coves on route to Portofino, and Portofino National Park
- Indulge in the thriving landscape with a private tour, led by a local guide, to taste the tender wild and harvested produce, including locally made wines
- Learn about traditional provincial cuisine after an intimate couple’s cooking class taught by a private chef
- Wander the trails of Cinque Terre for unparalleled panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea and the secluded medieval villages
- Traverse the cobblestone lanes and ancient piazza of Finalborgo, a gorgeous town known for its fortified walls and castle ruins
- Bask in the beauty of the colorful houses and pebbled beach of Camogli as an introduction to the charms of Cinque Terre
- Relish uninterrupted time lounging on the beaches, lingering in cafes and delighting in enchanting ambiance with your partner on the Italian Riviera
Detailed Description
Refined beaches with rich forests combined with captivating villas with charming fishing villages assure the perfect recipe for romance. Your 8-day custom-tailored vacation to the Italian Riviera will immerse you as a couple into luxury set inside the rich history of the Ligurian coastline. Whether strolling across unique medieval bridges or enjoying an incredible view from the top of a plateau, you will share unforgettable pleasures together that you will never forget. The journey will begin with your arrival in Genoa, the capital of Liguria and home of the former grand Genoese Republic. Your private transfer will meet you at the airport and escort you west to the town of Albissola, which stands between the hills and the sea. After you settle in, you will enjoy a marvelous introduction to your Italian vacation with a romantic dinner with a view of the water.
The next day, you will venture out with a private guide to discover the beautiful historical villages of the Italian Riviera. See the famous arching bridge at Dolceacqua and wander the narrow streets of Finalborgo. The next day will give you the same marvelous freedom of discovery along the Riviera delle Palme. Visit the artistic town of Albenga and wander along the narrow lanes of Apricale. Your private transfer will then meet you the next day to escort you to Genoa for a private tour of the city’s elaborate past.
Outside of Genoa, you will stop in the town of Camogli to enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the fishing village before you reach Monterosso. The next day, your local guide will meet you at your hotel eager to introduce you both to the magnificent trails of Cinque Terre, which connect the five villages both along the coastline and over the hilltops. Continue as your guide will lead you along the terraces that contain the gardens, farms, and vineyards of the province to learn about the history of production and taste the flavors enriched by the seaside soil.
Sample a list of wines made in a local vineyard before you meet a private chef ready to lead you and your partner through a couple’s cooking class to make dishes unique to the towns of Cinque Terre. The next day, you will step aboard a private boat to visit the secluded coves and remarkable towns south of Cinque Terre. Wander the trails of Portofino National Park before you stroll through the luxurious streets of Portofino Town. Visit hidden coves along the Riviera coastline before you return to Monterosso. Conclude as your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 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 5972 reviews.
The trip Zicasso's travel specialist arranged for us exceeded all our expectations. It was absolutely wonderful; not a single detail was overlooked. The hotels were excellent, the tours were great, and the drivers were always on time. I totally recommend Zicasso and the agency, and will undoubtedly use them for future travel plans.
Reviewed By Philip S.
Zicasso's travel designer did a terrific job. We had the initial phone consult, after which she delivered a first draft of the itinerary. From there, she helped guide us through a few revisions until we got the details smoothed out. We are experienced travelers and can appreciate a well-constructed trip, and that's what our experience with our agent reflected.
One crucial thing is that all the drivers who are engaged to move you around are prompt. Every one of them was right on time and friendly and helpful to boot. It was much appreciated.
To sum up our experience, I would do it all again with Zicasso and the agency and our agent. Our trip to Italy in the late summer of 2025 was something we will not soon forget!
Reviewed By tony B.
Zicasso's travel partner is very thorough and makes sure the trip is tailored to your vision. They are flexible and very responsive. We would recommend them to anyone traveling.
Reviewed By Evan C.
Zicasso's travel agency far exceeded our expectations. We had our five-year-old and 11-year-old children with us, so the tour guides and walking needed to be kid-friendly.
Our hotel in Rome was wonderful, the location was perfect, and they had good A/C and a breakfast buffet. There were plenty of great restaurants within easy walking distance, as well as the Vatican.
Our tour guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum was great. Pompeii was amazing. Our tour guide was basically a celebrity down there and knew exactly how to take us around the ruins without ever waiting.
Tuscany was our favorite by far. We did a cheese-making experience and lunch that was super-cool. The kids got to play with the farm animals and the owners were so attentive and interesting. We did a cooking class with a chef that was the kids' favorite thing on the entire trip. I would make a point to book this experience; the kids still talk about it and wear the aprons around the house. The resort in Tuscany was nice. We had our own private pool, plus the resort pool, and could easily walk to a small local town with some great food.
Venice was good, but probably our least favorite on the trip. You have to walk a ton, which was difficult for the kids, but it's still worth experiencing.
We travel a bunch and I would highly recommend using Zicasso's travel partner.
Reviewed By Kevin S.
Zicasso's travel designer made the whole trip run very smoothly. It was a pleasure working with her.
Reviewed By Joseph B.
This was the best trip ever!!! I am so grateful Zicasso introduced us to our tour operator. This team was amazing! They set up a call to learn more about us and jumped into action. Within a short time, they came back to us with a presentation on ideas, with recommendations. There is no chance our trip would have been half as good without them. They even had a text group on standby while we were here in case we needed anything.
Reviewed By Linda C.