PRIVATE TOUR: Wander the cliffside trails of Cinque Terre, from Corniglia’s quiet lanes to Monterosso’s sunlit shores. Trace old mule tracks through Manarola’s vineyards, climb to Punta Mesco’s windswept monastery ruins, and circle Palmaria Island past abandoned fortresses and gleaming Portoro marble. End each day over local seafood and Ligurian wine in La Spezia, where the sea and hills meet in timeless beauty.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
La Spezia
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.
Overnight: La Spezia | Dinner
Cinque Terre Hike
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)
Overnight: La Spezia | Breakfast
Palmaria Island
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.
Overnight: La Spezia | Breakfast
La Spezia
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and making your own way to the airport.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on the minimum number of 2 passengers in your travelling party being met.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
NH La Spezia, La Spezia
In a circa-1950s building with Mediterranean Sea views, this informal hotel on a waterfront promenade is 10 minutes' walk from Castello San Giorgio and 2 km from La Spezia Centrale train station. The unfussy rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. A breakfast buffet (fee) is served in a casual dining room. There's a restaurant offering regional cuisine and a terrace, as well as a bar. Additional amenities include meeting space, a business center and a gym
At a Glance
