September 2012
This trip is like no other trip we offer! Cinque Terre is an extremely rare location that offers a zen balance of natural beauty and landscape that has been cultivated by man for many years. Located within a rugged coastline on the Italian Riveria, Cinque Terre or “The Five Lands” is an area that one must visit if you are seeking inspiration through culture and natural balance.
Cinque Terre is located within Liguria Region of Italy and contains five small villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) that are built and integrated amongst the steep slopes and cliffs of this region. History of this region is deeply rooted in the carved back terraces of the hills. Visitors to this region can travel by boat, trail and train to walk the pathways of the slopes and towns. The area is best known for spectacular views of the ocean, vineyards, and the showcased culinary art that is special to each town. Many churches are located in these towns and all of them contain artwork that is like no other.
Our itinerary is specially designed to use the trail system to navigate from one city to the next and still provide enough time to fully experience each city from a cultural and culinary perspective. Additionally, the REA guide will be available each day to provide guidance for the city as well as explore the countryside of each town. There are several trail systems in the area and each trail offers spectacular views.
Price: $TBD—–Price is varying due to the recent wash out of Cinque Terre. Our prices will be posted by February.
Land costs. Includes all meals, lodging, boat fares, guides and transportation to and from Rome, Italy. Does not include airfare to/from Italy.
Prices are based on at least six participants.
Deposit of $500 is required by April with balance due July.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive into Rome, Italy, check into hotel and receive trip briefing.
Day 2: Board train in Rome and head to La Spezia. Once in La Spezia, we will check into a small bed and breakfast hotel and enjoy the town of La Spezia.
Day 3: Leisure morning wake-up, travel to the port where we will board a ferry and travel the coastline to the northernmost town of Monterosso Al Mare. We will spend a few hours in this town and then walk along the hillside to the town of Vernazza. Check into the hotel and enjoy dinner and wine.
Day 4: Another Leisure morning wake-up, tour the town and coast of Vernazza. After experiencing this town we will leave Vernazza in the late afternoon and make an evening sunset climb toward the city of Corniglia.
Day 5: Today, we visit the Church of San Pietro which is considered one of the most significant monuments in the gothic-ligurian style of the Cinque Terre. After a relaxing lunch, we hit the trail once again for Manarola. If all goes well, we will be relaxing once again and enjoying the sunset sipping Manarola’s famous wine.
Day 6: Today is a lounge day and a good day to start picking up souvenirs as we will only have one day left in the Cinque Terre. We will have an early dinner with wine and prepare our last leg of the trek about an hour before sunset. The part of the leg is very special and is called the “Via dell’ Amore”. This section is an easy walk which is mostly paved path and connects Manarola to Riomaggiore.
Day 7: A very relaxing morning in Riomaggiore. Our group will meet and spend some time Riomaggiore prior to traveling back to La Spezia for our last overnight in the region.
Day 8: Morning departure back to Rome, Italy via train. Check into hotel.
Day 9: Say Goodbye and depart back to home.
