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Cinque TerreVernazza, one of the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre.
June 8 - Como to Santa Margherita Ligure
Strung along 18km of serrated cliffs between Levanto and La Spezia, the Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s treasures. These five higgledy-piggledy villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – are cut off by mountains choked with olive groves and dry-stone-walled vineyards, where farmers have eked out a living over the centuries. The Cinque Terre became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997, which includes a protected marine area, and became a national park (Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre) in 1999. Wine growers still use monorail mechanisms to ferry themselves up and the grapes down these unique lands, and in some cases have to harvest by boat. If the terraced hillsides are not worked, they will quite literally slide into the sea. Your base in the area is Santa Margherita Ligure, which had one brief moment in the spotlight, at the beginning of the 20th century when it was an internationally renowned retreat. Fortunately, the seaside town didn’t let fame spoil its charm, and now that it’s no longer as well known a destination as its glitzy neighbor Portofino, it might be the Mediterranean retreat of your dreams. A palm-lined harbor, a decent beach, and a friendly ambience make Santa Margherita a fine place to settle down for a few days of sun and relaxation.
Accommodations: Park Suisse or similar for 3 nights. If you appreciate tranquility, you are looking for respect of your privacy, you love nature and the sun, the Park Hotel Suisse is the ideal place for your holidays on the Ligurian Riviera. Built in 1956 by a Swiss family, the hotel is situated really close to the harbour of Santa Margherita Ligure, in the middle of a green oasis of pines, eucalyptus, magnolias and dominates the bay of the town with its six floors. The marvelous heated sea water swimming pool, which has got the original form of an atoll, and the sunny terraces decorated with flowers, gives you the possibility to enjoy one of the most beautiful views over the gulf of Tigullio. The hotel disposes of two restaurants, congress centre, diving centre, sailing club and offers its clients various motor and regatta boats as well as a minibus to facilitate their movements.
June 9 - Full day Excursion to Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore, which is the most eastern and the nearest village to La Spezia, is named after the stream crossing it. It’s interesting to see the seashore and the upper side of San Giovanni Battista, with its two wonderful twin doors made of marble, which are placed in its southern side and which date before the church itself. Above the village, the Sanctuary of “Madonna di Montenero” stands out, built on the homonymous promontory and which is the last of the gulf the Cinque Terre. Tramonti areas, which goes from Portovenere to Riomaggiore, has been made into National Park of Five Lands and into a park for marina life together with the flora and fauna. The village o fManarola is surrounded by vines and is situated along a stream. The wine of Manarola is very famous and the “Via dell’ Amore” starts here: an easy to walk, paved path a distance of two kilometres, connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore. In the upper side of the village, we suggest to visit the church of San Lorenzo(1338) with its beautiful rose window dating back to the 14th century. Vernazza has a natural pier with an amphitheatre shape making it perhaps the most picturesque village of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza was a Roman installation and had a big strategical importance during the age of the Maritime Republics in Genoa. It was also famous for its carpenters. We suggest a walk in the village that is dominated by a watch tower and the “Castello” remains. In the small square, overlooking the seaside, there is the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia. Monterosso has the best beaches of the Cinque Terre villages and the most wine shops, artisan shops, hotels and restaurants. The village is divided into two parts from San Cristoforo hill and the old part of the village, protected by a rock spur, still presents the maritime village. We suggest visiting the church of Capuchin Father, from which one can admire a wonderful panorama of the village and the promontories which enclose the Cinque Terre. The church has a painting of the Cambiaso and a “Crucifixion” attributed to Van Dyck. June 10 - Santa Margherita A full day at leisure to enjoy on your own. June 11 - Santa Margherita to Milan Depart Cinque Terre after breakfast this morning and journey to Milan. |
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After breakfast and some free time this morning depart Como for Cinque Terre.
After arriving in Cinque Terre, enjoy an afternoon cruise excursion to Portofino. Known as the resort of the rich and famous, there is much more to see here than just people.Portofinois a picturesque, half-moon shaped seaside village with pastel houses lining the shore of the harbor.Portofinohas shops, restaurants, cafes, and luxury hotels. Portofino’s crystalline green waters reveal a myriad display of aquatic life. A castle sits atop the hill overlooking the village.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a full day trip exploring Cinque Terre. You’ll travel by coach toLa Speziafor your cruise to the popular villages in the region.