This four day Ligurian adventure includes much more than the world famous Cinque Terre.  Let us introduce you to Lucca, Carrara marble, the VIP area of Portofino, the breath taking views along the trails that connect the Cinque terre, and Ligurian pesto (see below for recipe) and other fantastic dishes. Relax and enjoy the best that the Cinque Terre has to offer.

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Day 1 •  LUCCA - CARRARA

We will pick you up at your hotel in Florence or Siena and head towards the sea. On the way we’ll stop in Lucca an ancient walled city known for it’s splendid olive oil, shopping and fortress walls that are wide enough to go for a bike ride on. Here you’ll have time for lunch, a stroll and if you feel like it a ride around the walls. Next stop Carrara. Michelangelo’s Pieta in Rome, and David in Florence were both carved out of marble taken from right here.

Known for it’s pure glistening white stone, Michelangelo spent several years here locating just the right blocks for his masterpieces. Carrara’s long and proud history stretches back to the pre-roman period and marble is still quarried here today and shipped all over the world. 

At the Carrara musem you will learn all about the history, working processes, and the legends behind this unique Tuscan treasure. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Portovenere (the port of Venus), your home base for the next few days. Your escort will provide you with information on local restaurants for dinner and set a meeting time with you for the next morning.

(D)

Day 2 • CINQUE TERRE

All day in the Cinque Terre! You will be taken to Riomaggiore the southern most town of the Cinque Terre. Here you will be left to your own devices but you’ll be armed with an all day boat/train/trail pass to allow you to spend your time any way you like. You will also be provided with up to date info on trail and sea  conditions.

You can chose to spend your day hiking, boating, catching the numerous trains that run between the towns and if you’d like you can even take a swim in the crystal clear Mediterranean and sun bathe on one of the local beaches. You will be picked up at a time of your choosing in Riomaggiore for your return to Portovenere.

(B)

Day 3 • PORTOFINO - RECCO - CAMOGLI

Day three is dedicated to “la dolce vita”. Explore the luxurious Ligurian town of Portofino with it’s postcard perfect architecture, and harbour full of multimillion dollar yachts. This is the playground of the Italian rich and famous, from the soccer stars to the prime minister, everyone who’s anyone makes and appearance in Portofino. You will also visit the two nearby villages of Recco and Camogli, well known for their unique, high quality cuisine. Here you will enjoy a multi course gourmet lunch paired with excellent regional wines. In the late afternoon you will head back to Portovenere for your last evening on the Ligurian coast.

(B/L)

Day 4

After breakfast you will be on your way back to Florence or Siena. However, no vacation to this area is complete without a stop in Pisa. Here you will have plenty of time to explore the exquisite cathedral and baptistery, not to mention the most famous tower of them all!  You will then be taken on to Florence or Siena where your four day excursion comes to an end.

(B)