Discovering Italian Riviera & Coastal Trails Along Cinque Terre Itinerary

The morning light will wash over the sapphire colors of the Mediterranean Sea as the forest canopy shimmers with the emerald hues of the trees that blanket over the framing peaks. The golden sand along the shoreline shines alongside the shading umbrellas as the water splashes against the beach. The scent of the sea meets the aroma of fresh espresso that drifts out of the promenade cafes. After breakfast, you can take to the trail that winds around Punta Mesco to reach the treasured cobbled lanes of Monterosso, the most northerly town of Cinque Terre.

Wander through the old town center of Levanto, known as Borgo Antico. The facades dates back to the 13th century and was built around the Church of Sant’Andrea. Ivy drapes down the rosy and red painted buildings as locals ride bikes along the waterfront. The trail leading to Monterosso covers five miles of beautiful wandering along the undulating mountains. The scent of pine overtakes the sweet and salty aroma of the sea and the trees open to panoramas of the cliffs as they plunge into the splashing water while the unpaved path reaches an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet.

As you climb the most notable promontory between Levanto and Cinque Terre, an old lighthouse crowns the summit. You will next descend into Monterosso, and find the bright red, blue and yellow tower homes of the old district along the beach there to welcome you into town. The aroma of basil and pine nuts filters out of the restaurants known for their pesto as olive orchards and vineyards decorate the terraced gardens along the hills. The 16th-century Aurora Tower continues to stand on the summit of the promontory that borders Monterosso once defended the city from pirate attacks.

The vintage décor of a nearby favorite cafe shapes the illustrious ambiance that garnished by the aroma of frothy cappuccino and freshly baked brioche. The baristas place delicious espressos on the long wooden bar and offer croissants that are stuffed with vanilla cream. After breakfast, you will take a scenic train ride to Riomaggiore, the most southerly town of Cinque Terre, to explore the trails that connect the remaining villages that lead to Vernazza. The tower homes of Riomaggiore shimmer in the sunlight over the small marina as the water laps against the breakwater.

The water sparkles with clarity against the backdrop of the horizon as bars and restaurants offer rooftop views to the narrow cobbled lanes and splendid undulating homes nestled into the mountain ridges. The striking images provide a postcard-like memory to take with you as you continue along the trail that connects to Manarola. The town sits atop a plateau that is bordered by the steep drop to the sea, and the ascending terraced vineyards as fishing boats wade in the small marina or dry on the rocky shoreline.

Meet with one of the local wine producers of the village to learn about the more than 300 growers who bring their grapes from the terraces to the coastline. You can wander along the vineyard and learn about the effects of the maritime breeze on the flavor of the grapes as you touch the plump grapes and feel the grit of the dirt on your fingers. After exploring the vineyards, you can then taste the sciacchetra, a dessert wine known for its aroma of candied orange, dried fig, and hazelnut.

In the morning, you can enjoy a quiet walk along the seaside promenade as the sunlight peeks over the Maritime Alps and filters through the narrow cobbled alleyways of Old Town. After breakfast, you will catch the train with your guide and return to the towering homes of Riomaggiore. You will find the trail that connects Cinque Terre to Portovenere, a town located at the edge of the peninsula established as a Roman port for an easy connection to Spain.

You will soon reach the Sanctuary of Montenero that was constructed in the early 17th century. The church was restored in the mid-1900s to reestablish the grandeur of the oval atrium and grottos as a sacred image of the Madonna was crafted in the 14th century with an artistic aesthetic from the Pisan school. The covered arcade opposite the chapel contains the tombs of Francesco Domenico Guerrazzi, Enrico Pollastrini, and Giovanni Fattori and commemorates their heroism and connection to the region of Liguria. Continue along the trail until you reach Campiglia for a rest. The aroma of saffron will fill the town and drift along the sloping streets that are nestled between the medieval homes. You will see the edge of the Gulf of Poets before winding down the slopes to reach the captivating coastal town of Portovenere.

After breakfast, your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and escort you to the town Santa Margherita, located south of Cinque Terre. The vintage seaside resort town offers luxury and classic Italian charm as private yachts moor beside sailboats and fishing boats wade in the water as local fishers return from the sea. Cafes set out tables along the promenade amongst the gelaterias and restaurants as they open their doors. After taking the time to settle into the quiet luxuries of your hotel with a view of the water, you will meet your guide and take to the trail that leads to San Fruttuoso. A stairway connects the path along the mountain, sloping downwards until reaching the stairs to the Abbey, which is only reached by these stairs or by boat.

The Doria Tower soars above the religious center and was erected in the 16th century to protect the small bay from pirates. The archways along the Abbey show how the receding shoreline of the water once rushed beneath the archways to allow boats to deliver necessities to the monks and disembark directly into the chambers. The triple mullioned windows adorn the façade embody the attributes of Romanesque and medieval architectural. Beachgoers will enjoy the pebbled shoreline with a small restaurant nestled into the hill as umbrellas shade the hot beach as the lapping water cools the ground beneath the Mediterranean sun.

After breakfast, you can set out to enjoy the hike to Portofino. The beauty of the Ligurian Sea decorates the walk as the scent of the water blends with the pine aroma of the forest. Villas crown the hills and are framed by oak trees and bristling pines. You will pass an olive orchard with nets cast along the ground for harvesting as the latticed-grid looks buoyant when the olives fall from the canopy. The descent will bring you to the cobbled streets of Portofino where yachts fill the harbor of the gorgeous town.

Designer shops offer lavish window displays and lead to the main promenade. Cafes and restaurants set out their tables for patrons to enjoy the breeze and fill the city the aromas of grilled calamari drizzled with lemon. You will meet your private chef in the center of town and pass the dramatic ramparts of Brown Castle. The private kitchen offers a cozy space to learn the staples of Ligurian cuisine, beginning with the preparation of handmade pasta. Before preparing a delicious array of prawns for the main course, you can make the incredible pesto of the region, utilizing the abundance of fragrant basil, with garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and pine nuts.

At breakfast, you can sip your hot and frothy cappuccino and enjoy the pleasures of the morning light. The palm trees rustle in the sea breeze, and the windows of the 17th-century Villa Durazzo stands atop the slopes to offer unparalleled views of the coastline. Bakeries fill the air with the savory scent of fresh focaccia bread, and the day is yours to indulge in the beauty and charms of the Italian Riviera at your leisure. Stroll along the streets of Santa Margherita or return to the villages of Cinque Terre to bask on the sands of Monterosso’s beach. You can enjoy a final adventure along the water with a private boat to Tellaro, a picturesque seaside town on the outcrop of the Gulf of Pets.

The buildings and streets sprouted from the nearby village of Barbazzano in the 14th century. The protective wall surrounding the homes symbolizes the intent of fortifying the province to protect from sea invasions. Two Pisan towers remain, with one converted into the bell tower connected to the Church of San Giorgio in the 16th century. The pink hues of the church façade contain an inscription dedicated to the tale of the giant octopus that once saved the town from a Saracen invasion. Continue to Lerici to explore the remarkably preserved 16th-century castle towering above the harbor.

In the morning, the waters along Paraggi Beach splash against the golden sand as the promontories keep the sea calm and soothing. Opera singers practice in the galleries of Villa Durazzo in season and add to the captivating soundtrack of the seaside. The boutique shops near the promenade open their doors with the morning light as the cafes fill the city with the aroma of espresso and brioche stuffed with chocolate. The marketplace brims with fresh produce and glows with mounds of oranges and lemons. After one last morning to take it in, your guide will greet you at the hotel when you are ready and escort you to Pisa International Airport for your flight home.