Compare Northern Italy's Highlights & Cinque Terre by Globus vs Cinque Terre Magnifica Hiking Tour by Tourissimo
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,039 | $ 3,995 |
| Price Per Day | $ 304 | $ 571 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
| Description | Parmesan and prosciutto. Ferraris and Fiats. Ruins and the Riviera. Some of Italy’s greatest indulgences can be found up north. Italy’s “Fabulous Five,” the pastel-hued cliffside fishing villages along the Mediterranean, start the count of the numerous joys you’ll experience on this Undiscovered Tour of Northern Italy. In addition to finding the freshest seafood along the coast, you’ll relish a balsamic vinegar tasting in the epicurean city of Modena, a parmesan cheese tasting near Verdi’s hometown of Busseto, a risotto lunch at a Vercelli rice factory, and a wine tasting in vineyard-dotted Gabiano. To spice things up, you’ll speed over to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and strut your stuff down the streets of Milan. Leading you to the fabulous, the famous, and the fashionable, this tour is the way to see Northern Italy in style. |
The cluster of seaside villages known as Cinque Terre (Five Lands) burst onto the active travel scene no more than 15 years ago and has become one of the most visited destinations in Italy. All villages were built on the same principle, with a castle erected on top of the mountain by the feudal families who originally ruled over the Cinque Terre and which served to defend the village against the Saracen invaders and pirates coming from the sea. Lack of open space created the characteristic tall, narrow houses. This is a perfect setting for a Magnifica hiking tour! Cinque Terre has some of the best coastal hiking in all of Mediterranean and UNESCO recognized its beauty and uniqueness in 1997, listing it in the registry of World Heritage Sites. But don't expect large crowds and souvenir shops. Cinque Terre has managed to maintain its authenticity despite its popularity, and Beppe and Federica will take you behind the scenes and off the beaten path in many of the villages and places we visit. The tour also includes Portofino, which is not part of Cinque Terre but is worth the visit for its picturesque harbor and interesting history. Colorful, timeless fishing villages dot our hikes among olive trees, vineyards and fragrant flowers. Cinque Terre is also a great destination for lovers of food and wine, a place where farmers have been battling with the steep terrain for hundreds of years, creating small patches of cultivable land on terraces held up by dry stone walls. Down below, a deep blue sea and crashing waves will leave you in awe with each step. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN MILAN, ITALY
Welcome to Milan! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: MILAN–BUSSETO–PARMA
Style & Taste in Northern Italy MILAN Guided walking tour includes sights of the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and the Duomo. Free time before continuing to Busseto.BUSSETO See the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi with free time for lunch before [LF] a Parmesan cheese tasting at a local caseificio (cheese-making factory). (Breakfast)99 mi / 160 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Bite into 1,000 years of Italian tradition with a Parmesan cheese tasting in Busseto. Learn about the rich history that has passed the test of time with authentic ingredients of passion and perfected recipes in local caseifici (cheese making factories) of the Italian pastoral landscapes.
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Day 3: PARMA. EXCURSION TO MODENA & MARANELLO
Cathedrals & Classic Cars PARMA Guided sightseeing includes sights of the cathedral, bell tower, and octagonal baptistry. Free time to visit the cathedral.MODENA Enjoy a [LF] Balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi.MARANELLO [LF] Visit the Ferrari Museum. Free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast) 112 mi / 180 km
LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegar requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty.
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Day 4: PARMA–LUCCA
Treasured Time in Tuscany LUCCA Orientation walk, followed by free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast) 99 mi / 160 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEMS Within the walls surrounding the medieval city of Lucca, the modern world fades away. Whilst you walk, see the Piazza Anfiteatro, San Michele Square, the Roman Amphitheatre, the soaring clock tower, and the Guinigi Tower topped with a hanging garden roof – just to name a few of the impressive sights you’ll find in this historic city in Tuscany.
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Day 5: LUCCA–CINQUE TERRE–GENOA
Sights to Sea Scenic drive en route to La Spezia.CINQUE TERRE Take a guided boat ride (weather permitting) to Monterosso. Free time before continuing the journey by train. GENOA Dinner at local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 124 mi / 200 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Take a stunning cruise on the coast of Cinque Terre and take in fascinating views of the sea, sky, and centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.
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Day 6: GENOA
The Italian Riviera GENOA Join the guided tour to discover the highlights of the Old Town, including sights of San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Ducal Palace and Christopher Columbus’ childhood home followed by a pesto demo and tasting. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Genova may be less well known than other Italian cities, but it never fails to surprise and delight. It has one of the largest medieval city centers in Europe, and its wonderful location, between the mountains and sea, set it up to be a longstanding maritime power. It is the birthplace not only of Christopher Columbus but also of one of the world’s favorite pasta sauces – pesto! This delicious sauce created from garlic, basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil, is proudly present on the menu of many restaurants and is traditionally served with the “trofie” pasta.
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Day 7: GENOA–GABIANO–TURIN
Carafes at the Castle GABIANO Enjoy [LF] wine tasting and lunch at the castle. (Breakfast,Lunch) 143 mi / 230 km
LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Gracing the hills above the Po Valley, the Castello di Gabiano has made history as early as the 8th century. Once the site of sieges and wars, the castle has passed through noble families through time to become one of the oldest and largest manors in Monferrato. Today, its tradition of winemaking is shared with tastings of vintages aged in its cellar barrels in the tradition passed down since the 12th century.
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Day 8: TURIN
Monumental Mysteries TURIN Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Mole Antonelliana and a visit to the cathedral. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Turin abounds of a wealth of Baroque, Rococo, Neo-classical, and Art Nouveau treasures. Stroll the elegant squares to see the monument of Mole Antonelliana – a former synagogue with its 87-meter-high panorama deck. Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which houses the most holy relic in the Catholic Church – the Shroud of Turin.
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Day 9: TURIN–VERCELLI–MILAN
The Dish on Risotto VERCELLI [LF] Visit a rice factory followed by a risotto lunch.MILAN Farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner) 130 mi / 210 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Visit Vercelli, the heart of Europe's rice production, where the tradition of delicious risotto is born. It’s here that the round rice grain called japonica is grown. This round grain keeps its shape during the cooking process to release that beautifully creamy texture of risotto that we all know and love. The fine art of rice farming in Italy now combines tradition with technology to tend these fields with loving care.
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Day 10: MILAN
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1: Santa Margherita
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Laurin (alternative Hotel Metropole)
Terrain: Rolling
Hike: 1 Hr
Your guide will meet you at the Malpensa Airport (Milan) for a transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure. After checking in at our hotel we will make our way to Portofino's picturesque waterfront, home of the rich and famous, where you can do some shopping or enjoy a gelato with a view. We will gather just before dinner for an overview of the tour while holding a glass of local white wine to welcome the week ahead. The dining room at our restaurant will afford a characteristic view of the gulf of Santa Margherita.
Day 2: Santa Margherita
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Laurin (alternative Hotel Metropole)
Terrain: Rolling
Hike: 3 Hrs
Today’s hike through the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino is not technically part of Cinque Terre but offers equally spectacular coastal hiking with views of quaint fishing harbors on quiet trails with few people. We’ll visit the San Fruttuoso Abbey, located on the shores of a deep-set cove and only reachable by boat or on foot. After lunch we’ll take a boat to Camogli, a quiet, colorful fishing village. Along the way we will introduce you to a local specialty: the focaccia Ligure, the often imitated local flatbread that is one of the signature dishes of the region, and perhaps, the best trail food you’ll ever come across! And, don’t forget to have a cappuccino in each village you are hiking. You deserve it!
Day 3: Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Rolling
Hike:3 Hrs
We will start our hike this morning in Levanto, the gateway to Cinque Terre and an interesting town with many delightful painted villas. We will follow the trail to Monterosso, the first village of the Cinque Terre. Along the way, we’ll stop at Punta Mesco to enjoy the stunning view. Our lunch spot is by the beach where there will be plenty of time to relax. After a short ride back to Levanto by private boat, you can spend some time strolling around the interesting historical center. A glass of Cinque Terre DOC wine is part of the protocol before a typical Ligurian dinner at one of our favorite trattorias.
Day 4: Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Park Hotel Argento
Terrain: Hilly
Hike:3 Hrs
Monterosso is the largest of the 5 villages, and is the starting point of today’s beautiful hike that is filled with stunning scenery, including lemon orchards and lush vegetation. Monterosso is also known for its anchovies (Slow Food presidia) and for its tasty lemons and the two combined make one of the local mouthwatering delicacies. We’ll take advantage of the beautiful view by stopping for lunch and wine tasting on the hills, just before descending to charming and colorful harbor in the cliffside town of Vernazza. From Vernazza we'll make our way back to Levanto by private boat where you'll be able to look back on the shore and see the morning’s hike from a new perspective.
Day 5: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Hilly
Hike: 3 Hrs
Tourissimo takes you off of the beaten path today with a hike that affords breathtaking views. Starting in Riomaggiore, we’ll make our way up to the Santuario di Montenero where you can take in all five villages at once! From there we’ll keep climbing (up a stairway of about 2000 steps!) to Campiglia. Campiglia is nestled across the Cinque Terre sea and the Gulf of La Spezia and on a clear day you can see the island of Corsica and the Ligurian Alps. Back in Portovenere, we’ll have a wine tasting with an explanation of the unique local production by a local winemaker. Afterwards, you will be free to spend some time discovering this vibrant village where its narrow streets often lead to fantastic views of vineyards, on one side, and of the sea, on the other.
Hotel: Relais Le Ville
Day 6: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Hilly
Hike: 3 Hrs
Our last hike starts in Campiglia and reaches Portovenere, the southernmost village on the peninsula. Portovenere is a beautiful and lively village with an impressive fortress that faces out to sea. We’ll discover its port and the Church of St. Peter during a stunning descent before reaching our hotel again. Our celebration dinner is at the hotel’s restaurant with a fantastic, open view of the Gulf of La Spezia. The perfect ending of Cinque Terre Magnifica Tour!
Hotel: Relais Le Ville
Day 7:: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast
Terrain: Departure
Hike: None
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Airport or to La Spezia Train Station. Guides can help you with your travel plans to make sure you will have a safe trip home.
