La Spezia & Cinque Terre - 4 days

Arrive independently in La Spezia and check in at your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps enjoying a relaxed stroll through the town. In the evening, gather for an included 3-course welcome dinner at the hotel or a nearby local restaurant within walking distance.

La Spezia - Cinque Terre - La Spezia. Today, you will visit the captivating villages of Cinque Terre. Best explored on foot, you have a choice of 3 hikes today:

Option 1: Corniglia, Vernazza & Monterosso

Meet your guide at La Spezia train station around 9:00 AM and travel by train to Cinque Terre. Begin in Corniglia, where you’ll explore the village before setting out on a breathtaking coastal trail toward Vernazza. The 1.5-hour walk passes through vineyards, olive groves, and striking Mediterranean landscapes. Upon arrival in Vernazza, enjoy time to wander its colourful lanes and have lunch at your own pace. In the afternoon, continue hiking to Monterosso, the largest of the five villages, with views of the sea along the way. Relax and explore Monterosso before returning to La Spezia by train at your leisure. (7.8km hike)

Option 2: Manarola, Volastra, Porciano, Mulinello & Corniglia

Meet your guide at 9:00 AM and head to Manarola. From the upper part of the village, embark on the Volastra trail, following an old mule track along the coast. Walk through terraced vineyards to the small countryside village of Porciano, passing orchards in Mulinello. Continue through a forested section, descending past Case Pianca before arriving in Corniglia, dramatically perched on cliffs 100 metres above the sea. Enjoy free time to explore and soak in the atmosphere before returning to La Spezia by train. (6.4km hike)

Option 3: Levanto, Punta Mesco & Monterosso

Meet your guide at 9:00 AM for a train journey to Levanto. After strolling through Levanto’s historic centre, begin your 3-hour coastal hike. Pass the Church of St. Andrew and ascend to Punta Mesco, where you’ll visit the ruins of the ancient St. Anthony Monastery and enjoy one of the Cinque Terre’s most panoramic viewpoints. Descend to Monterosso, where you’ll have free time to wander the narrow streets, relax, and take photos before returning by train to La Spezia. (5.7km hike)

La Spezia - Palmaria - La Spezia. After breakfast, board a boat from La Spezia to Palmaria Island. Enjoy a scenic walk around the island, passing remnants of military fortifications, old quarries, and the famed Portoro marble. The trail leads to a wide plateau topped with a massive beacon at 200 metres and continues to an old fortress, now an environmental education centre. Complete the circular route at Terrizzo village. Afterwards, cruise to Porto Venere, a charming seaside town known for its historic centre, the Church of St. Peter, Doria Castle, and the Church of San Lorenzo. Return by ferry to La Spezia for the final night of the tour.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and making your own way to the airport.