The Italian Riviera including Cinque Terre & Genoa

Let’s travel to Pisato start our holiday to the beautiful coastal towns of Cinque Terre. At the airport let’s meet our friendly local representative, before traveling onwards to our hotel in Sestri Levante.

This evening let’s get together with our fellow travelers for dinner at our hotel. 

Today let’s discover the famous city of Genoa as we travel up the Ligurian coast. Genoa was previously only known for the city's industrial port and boat fair, which is held once a year. Today Genoa is much more than that after a period of redevelopment. Let’s discover the city's harbour promenade with Europe's largest aquarium, its ancient centre with historic palaces in various architectural styles such as Palazzo Ducale, Teatro Carlo Felice and Christopher Columbus’ home. Don’t miss too exploring Genoa’s small characteristic alleys and see why this city is one of Italy’s undiscovered gems.

Today you have a full day at leisure, enjoying the comfort of your hotel or exploring the charming town of Sestri Levante with its beautiful rocky seascape landscape. Sestri Levante is located on a rocky peninsula that forms two bays; one is called La Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and the other Baia delle Favole (Bay of Adventure). You can discover more within the city with the Rizzi gallery, the Gualino castle, its beautiful churches and many shops during your free time.

Let’s explore more of the beautiful and famous Cinque Terre National Park by train, discovering one of the most untouched natural areas around the Mediterranean, Liguria, and the Tyrrhenian coast. We will travel through the small fishing villages that make up the picturesque scenery of one of Italy’s highlights, with a stop in two of them:  Vernazza and Manarola. Each village is enjoyable to explore and has its own character. Vernazza has a small beach and is famous for its ancient clock towers and labyrinthine streets. In Manarola we can explore its shoreline caves and taste locally caught anchovies, a speciality here. Traveling by train between these villages is an ideal way to discover more of what Cinque Terre has to offer.

Today is yours. You can enjoy more by soaking up the sun beside the swimming pool with a fresh drink. Or you can take a leisurely stroll to the nearby Baia del Silenzio, a captivating crescent-shaped beach renowned for its crystal-clear waters and tranquil atmosphere.

Today let’s see more of this Italian slice of heaven. As we embark on our boat trip, we have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful towns from the coast, before we arrive in Portovenere. A small, characteristic port town, located on the tip of a peninsula, Portovenere’s narrow Ligurian houses, with their traditional, pastel colours adorn the cityscape together with the church of San Pietro at the end of the strait. Returning home, we pass the Palmaria, another chance to admire Cinque Terre’s picturesque scenery, Islands before returning to Sestri Levante.

Note: in case of bad weather or low season (April and October), that excursion may need to be done by train and short ferry ride (train from Sestri Levante to La Spezia and boat trip from there to Portovenere).

Today is another day free to relax and take in some further sightseeing. Our expert local guide will be happy to suggest activities and advise on must-see highlights.

Optional Riviera Excursion to Rapallo

Enjoy a trip along the coast to the beautiful Portofino peninsula, with a stop in Rapallo. Admire the dramatic cliffs and small beaches meeting the Mediterranean, where fishing boats and large pleasure yachts are side by side. On a cliff top, the city's old castle rises above the viewer, who can shudder at the thought of the pirates and corsairs of the past who often invaded the city. You can enjoy it all along the town's elegant lake promenade, where there is also plenty of opportunity to drop into one of the cosy cafes for a drink or a freshly brewed cup of espresso. Please note: This excursion is subject to minimum numbers.

On our last day, it’s time to say farewell to the lovely Cinque Terre region and set off for home as we travel with guide assistance to the airport for our flight home. Ciao Bella Italia!