A full day excursion from Florence to discover the beauties of the Cinque Terre, a beautiful stretch of rugged coast and the only unspoilt part left of the lovely Italian Riviera. It takes its name from the five picturesque fishing villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the villages are surrounded by a National Park: led by our knowledgeable guides, you will wander through vineyards and olive groves, over stone walls, along a spectacular coastline.
We first visit the Cinque Terre village of Manarola, where we enter the National Park as we walk to Corniglia, a beautiful stretch that finishes with a climb of 382 steps.
On the cliff top village of Corniglia, a delicious local lunch is served in a restaurant with a perfect view of the sea and the hills declining down to the rocky coves.
After lunch, we continue along the steep, ancient path, climbing high up through spectacular terraced olive groves towards the village of Vernazza, one of the prettiest of all, where we will have free time to sit in one of the cheerful bars and cafés, or even have a cooling swim in the bay.
Continue the visit with a short train ride to Monterosso, renowned for its beautiful beach and small craftsmen’s shops. Enjoy tasting the local wine, a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean or popping into some of the picturesque shops.
A short train ride or a boat ride (weather permitting) takes us to Riomaggiore, and the beginning of the famous “Via dell'Amore” – or Lover's Lane, a track winding along the cliff-tops, high above the sea, which takes us back to Manarola, concluding our Cinque Terre visit, before returning to Florence by coach.
In case of unexpected closure of the paths due to unforeseen events, alternative routes will be taken.
Because of the nature of this hike, this tour is not suitable for small children or for anyone with walking difficulties.
