Penguin Travel

Enter the magical land of the Cinque Terre, five unique fishing villages along the Ligurian coast, known as Italy’s ‘flower-Riviera’. Built into the sheer rocky coast, they are famed for their rugged scenery and are best reached by train or foot, as car access is limited. The Cinque Terre is National Park and UNESCO heritage listed site 1997. Walking along the coastal footpaths offers striking views of lush Mediterranean vineyards and wild flowers abloom, while further inland there are tantalizing pine and chestnut forests. Travel by train or boat from Monterosso to picturesque villages where you can savor the delicious local cuisine and relax with a glass of white wine in an outdoor café overlooking the emerald blue waters of the Mediterranean sea. The Cinque Terre is a small paradise with unique landscape with winding paths, enchanting beaches between cliffs, clear waters, and amazing aromas, sure to please the palette of every visitor.

Tour highlights:
The illustrious five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Cornilia, Manarola, Riomaggiore Levanto, & Bonassola; Breathtaking views of the emerald blue Mediterranean Sea; Steep terraced hills of olive groves, vineyards and lemon trees; Outstandingly delicious sea food and the famous Trofie al Pesto; Fabulous beaches for swimming;

 

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Departure dates:
01 February 2010 - 16 July 2010 every day

Country region:   Ligurian coast

Price without flight ticket:    550 EUR

Additional price information:   Single room supplement: 216 euro; - Supplement for the period July - August: 40 euro; - Supplement during Easter: 60 euro;

 

Trip plan:
 Day 1. Arrival in Levanto. After settling in your hotel there is time for a short visit to the town centre and maybe a swim to wash off the tiredness of the journey.
Day 2. The first day walk takes you along the coast to Monterosso al Mare. The first part of the walk leads up towards Punta Mesco, the most notable promontory in the region. This is a good spot to stop for a picnic lunch. Just short of the point you can make a small detour to the ruins of an old 11th century hermitage and the nearby ‘semaforo’, from where you will enjoy marvellous views of the rugged coastline. Then you follow a fairly steep path down into Monterosso, a colourful village, with blue, red & yellow houses that cluster behind the beachfront. There is then time to explore the town before taking the local train back to Levanto. For those who want there is also the option to walk back from here, following a more inland forested path, which over the ridge brings us back behind the castle of Levanto. - Total walking time: around 3,5hours + sightseeing time (4-5hours with extra option).
Day 3. You first take the train to Riomaggiore, the most southerly of the five villages, where you can already leave your luggage in the hotel. Then you start the most ‘classical’ of all walks in the Cinque Terre: the walk along the famous ‘Sentiero del’Amore’ (‘Lover’s Walk’) to Manarola, an attractive little village with steep multi-coloured houses overlooking a rocky port. Then head up the 365 steps to Corniglia, perched on a ridge overlooking the sea. From there you continue through terraced vineyards and the occasional citrus grove. As you approach Vernazza, dominated by its old fortress, you enjoy some of the best views in the region. You contour around the hillsides following a narrow track that leads us up and down, before a fairly steep descent brings us into the village itself. In Vernazza, arguably the prettiest of all the villages, there is time to ascend the castle tower for a stunning view of the port with its brightly painted boats. There are numerous cafés and bars where you can enjoy refreshment before taking the train back to your hotel. - Total walking time: around 3,5hours + sightseeing time (5,5hours with extra option).
Day 4. Today’s walk takes you into the inland of the Cinque Terre, to the churches of Madonna di Reggio and Madonna di Saviore. You first take the train to Vernazza and then walk along the coast to Monterosso, approaching this beautiful little town from the other end. After a coffee break you start climbing up to the sanctuary of Madonna di Saviore. Here you can eat something or relax for a while, before walking on to the next sanctuary, that of Madonna di Reggio. Then the walk continues more or less along the contour lines; through the hills you walk to the little church of San Bernardo, with beautiful views over the coast, and from there you descend down to the coast at Vernazza again. A shorter option takes you directly from Madonna di Reggio, along a number of little chapels, back down to Vernazza. -Total walking time: around 4,5hours + sightseeing time.
Day 5. Today you walk in eastern direction. From Riomaggiore, you commence your walk to Campiglia and Portovenere. You hike up a long flight of stairs to the Santuario della Madonna di Montenero. Continuing uphill you begin contouring along the coastal cliffs, through terraced vineyards, enjoying wonderful views of the coastline framed by clear blue waters. You are now on the ‘Sentiero Rosso’, the ridge-top traverse that goes from one end of the Cinque Terre to the other. You pass through the little hamlet of Campiglia where you can stop for some refreshment. Walking down into the pine forest, the track narrows as you continue towards Portovenere with further spectacular views. Arriving at the 16th century castle above the village, you may be able to see the distant peaks of the Alpi Apuane before a long staircase takes us into the heart of the village. There is time to visit the charming village and Punta San Pietro, before returning to Riomaggiore by boat. - Total walking time: around 4,5 hours + sightseeing time (5,5 hours with extra option).
Day 6. From Riomaggiore you take the train to Camogli, where you leave the luggage in your hotel. Then you start the first walk on the Peninsula of Portofino, towards the beautifully located monastery of San Fruttuoso, dating back to the 11th century and set in its own cove and reachable only by boat or on foot. The walk takes through forested areas, along the church of San Rocco and a number of impressive viewpoints. From San Fruttuoso there is the possibility to walk back or take the boat. In the afternoon take your time to explore the beautiful Camogli itself. - Total walking time: around 3,5 hours + sightseeing time (shorter option: 1,5 – 2,5 hours).
Day 7. You first make a short transfer by train to Santa Margherita, where you have some time to walk around this attractive town. From Santa Margherita, you then walk to Portofino, long a resort for the jet set, but apart from that a very attractive colourful village. Do visit its castle and light house, a spectacular viewpoint! If energy permits, you can continue along the trail, with splendid views across the Gulf of Genoa to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, approaching this 11th century jewel from the other end. You can choose to return by boat to Santa Margherita, or directly to Camogli. - Total walking time: around 3,5 hours + sightseeing time (5,5 hours with extra option).
Day 8. End of the tour.
 

 

Accomodation and food:   You stay in 2/3*** hotels with private facilities on bed and breakfast basis.

Luggage transport:   Luggage transfers are relatively costly here, as, while by train the distance from village to village is very short (the train goes through tunnels), by car one has to drive a long way around and often it's difficult to enter the villages by car, so a special permit is needed. Therefore porters ask for high fees. It is possible, but it has an extra cost.While, if you opt for the 'standard' solution you will have only to take your luggage on the train.

Included in the price:   accommodation in 2/3*** hotels with private facilities on bed & breakfast basis; detailed roadbook and maps in English; 24 hrs telephone assistance

Excluded from the price:   flights and public transportation, travel insurance, transfers from and to the airport, tips, entrance fees, alcohol drinks and other personal expenses, luggage transfers;

Practical information:    - The walks are along well marked footpaths and mule tracks. It can be tiring walking along the stone steps of diverse sizes. These walks, though not very long, are moderate to demanding because of the steep hills. Several walks can be shortened.- The park wardens try to keep all of the paths open throughout the year, however heavy rains and summer fires can cause temporary closure of certain stretches, so be sure to check with the park office.- It is important to take along enough water as i is rare to find water fountains along the walking routes.- Best arrival & departure airport: Pisa, Genoa or Florence Airports- The tour starts in Levanto. There are frequent trains from all directions. There is the possibility to park a car here (about € 12,00 /day).- The tour ends after breakfast on day 8 in Camogli. The return is most easily made by train. Back to Levanto is 30 minutes by train. Please note that there is no (cheap) parking space anywhere on the Cinque Terre except for Levanto;

Recommended travel period of the year:   February – beginning July + end August - beginning November

Tour difficulty:   B 

Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.

Group Size:   Min. 2

Vacation Extensions:
The Dolomites Of Val Badia Self-guided Tour (Trentino, Italy)

Reservation System Code: ITCINTERSELF

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