Mr Mallett says...
The Cinque Terre walks are challenging and a certain level of fitness is required. The first walk on the itinerary is particularly challenging in terms of ...
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About sixty miles east of Genoa lies a corner of the Liguria region with a remarkably well-preserved landscape steeped in tradition. 'Cinque Terre' means five lands: five villages which are nestled high on cliffs or along deep inaccessible coves, with colourful houses facing the seafront. Each village offers its own olive oils, anchovies and Sciacchetra liqueur (known as the 'Elixir of the Gods'). By day, you discover the beautiful peninsulas of Portofino and Sestri Levante using well-marked walking trails; in the evening enjoy the sunsets over the Mediterranean.
5 days optional centre-based walking, low altitude throughout.This is a self-guided tour, so you can walk at your own pace (we recommend taking plenty of time to rest and enjoy the views!). Although some walks will get your pulse racing you will also have plenty of time to rest, admire the views and on many days you can also enjoy swim breaks. Over the course of the week, the terrain and type of path will vary from man made paved tracks and tarmac to forest trails. Some areas may be rocky underfoot with narrow, overgrown or exposed paths. Although the walks are not technically challenging, you do need to be steady on your feet. All walks take between 2 and 6 hours including lunch stops and require a moderate level of fitness. Please note that, as on all of our walking trips, when the weather is wet some of the paths can be slippy. The steep sections on Palmaria Island have ropes to help with this. Public transport is recommended (the cost is not included in the trip) in order to reduce your carbon footprint. The transport timetables will be provided in your route notes so you can choose the bus or train time that suits you best.
Arrive on the turquoise shores of Sestri Levante, a beautifully picturesque town with ancient fishermen's houses and a pristine sandy beach. Stay at the 3* Albergo Marina, a stone's throw from the beach and 5 minutes walk from the centre of town.
Meals: Dinner
The walk today really allows you to explore the National Park of the Cinque Terre. Starting from Monterosso, the largest of the celebrated Cinque Terre villages, climb through cultivated olive groves to the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna of Soviore. Then it's downhill all the way to pastel-coloured Vernazza, clustered around its serene natural harbour. There's time to explore the village before returning by train to Sestri.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Make your way to Portovenere then take a boat to Palmaria island. Rich in Mediterranean vegetation and maquis shrubland, it's not unusual to see cistus and rare orchids blooming here. A circular walk with stunning coastal vistas takes you via a steep climb to the Batteria Semaforo, part of the network of fortresses constructed by Napoleon to secure the Gulf of La Spezia. Return to Sestri Levante in time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Take a train to picture perfect Corniglia, a charming jumble of pastel-hued houses toppling prettily down the hillside. Follow the narrow herb scented paths through vineyards up to the tiny yet panoramic village of Volastra and its 12th century sanctuary, then descend to arguably the oldest of the five Cinque Terre villages, colourful Manarola. Wander around the pretty marina and try the local wine - Schiacchetra - which is produced here, before taking the train back to Sestri Levante.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Today you take a train to Riomaggiore, the last of the Cinque Terre villages and walk along an impossibly panoramic path that hugs the coastline all the way to the charming fishing port of Portovenere. Set in a beautiful sweeping bay, and once the haunt of Byron and Shelley, there's a 16th century castle and medieval churches to explore before returning to Sestri Levante.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast take a train to Camogli, and then a bus to Ruta di Camogli, and the start of the walk. Follow ancient forest trails through the lush Mount Portofinla Natural Park to San Fruttuoso and its 11th century abbey. Continue to chic Portofino, the Ligurian Riviera's most exclusive resort, before returning via Santa Magherita Ligure for your last night in Sestri Levante.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Leave Sestri Levante, or add on additional nights in Pisa if you wish.
Meals: Breakfast
This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or email usa@exodustravels.com
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
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The Cinque Terre walks are challenging and a certain level of fitness is required. The first walk on the itinerary is particularly challenging in terms of length, elevation and terrain and resulted in us changing the order of walks for balance. Having to use public transport to get around was not a problem and the routes generally took us to places worth seeing. The hospitality and food in Liguria was very good and there was little problem in finding gluten free options as required.
All the organisation ahead of our holiday was excellent. The hotel in Sestri Levante was a gem. Magda, Santo and all the team were so welcoming and friendly there were hugs and even moist eyes when we left. Santo's dinners were excellent and we ate at the hotel beyond the three arranged nights at a very reasonable price. A free laundry room and a roof terrace with clothes horses was a great help. Rooms are fairly basic but spotless and comfortable. The hotel is well located for the station and exploring the town.
The Cinque Terre is a popular area for walkers and the five towns are very busy with tourists. Some of the paths were fairly busy and would be more so in high season. The walk notes are copious and route finding very easy. I would suggest the walks might be graded tough rather than moderate, there are many very steep sections which are less path and more rock climbing. A fair bit of hands, knees and bottom especially on descents. Trains are not as frequent as might be hoped!
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 6 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Single-centre accommodation in a hotel
All breakfasts and 6 dinners
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
GPS app
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the 'check availability' links below to complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the 'Check availability' links below to complete our holiday enquiry form.
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1st Apr 2023 | US$1579 | Tour only: US$1579 | Check availability |
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8th Apr 2023 | US$1579 | Tour only: US$1579 | Check availability |
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13th Apr 2023 | US$2149 | Tour only: US$2149 | Check availability |
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15th Apr 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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22nd Apr 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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29th Apr 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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6th May 2023 | US$1879 | Tour only: US$1879 | Check availability |
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8th May 2023 | US$2099 | Tour only: US$2099 | Check availability |
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12th May 2023 | US$2149 | Tour only: US$2149 | Check availability |
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13th May 2023 | US$1879 | Tour only: US$1879 | Check availability |
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20th May 2023 | US$1799 | Tour only: US$1799 | Check availability |
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27th May 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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3rd Jun 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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10th Jun 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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17th Jun 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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24th Jun 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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1st Jul 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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8th Jul 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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15th Jul 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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20th Jul 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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22nd Jul 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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29th Jul 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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5th Aug 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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12th Aug 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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19th Aug 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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26th Aug 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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2nd Sep 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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9th Sep 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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16th Sep 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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23rd Sep 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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30th Sep 2023 | US$2079 | Tour only: US$2079 | Check availability |
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7th Oct 2023 | US$1879 | Tour only: US$1879 | Check availability |
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14th Oct 2023 | US$1879 | Tour only: US$1879 | Check availability |
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21st Oct 2023 | US$1879 | Tour only: US$1879 | Check availability |
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Children
This holiday is unsuitable for children.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Selected Saturdays from 1st Apr 2023 to 21st Oct 2023, for 6 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
All breakfasts and 6 dinners
Other details
You should allow approx 70-80 euro per person for the use of local trains/buses/boats and to access the walking paths in the Cinque Terre National Park.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Check availability' button above to complete our holiday enquiry form, we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you.
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the 'Check availability' links above to complete our holiday enquiry form.