Cinque Terre & Portovenere Discovery

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

What you will visit:
Portovenere
One of the prettiest places on the west coast of Italy, Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a medieval fishing village nestled in the Italian Riviera on a jagged peninsula in the Gulf of Poets, so called for the writers who populated the area. Portovenere has a small harbor, and the remains of a city wall enclose a medieval enclave of narrow streets flanked by tall, colorful houses. Wend your way to the 12th-century San Pietro Church, perched on a promontory overlooking the sparkling sea, and the Doria Castle, built in the Genoese military architectural style.
Monterosso
The largest and most famous of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso, is perfumed by groves of lemon trees and divided into two distinct parts with a medieval castle at the junction of the two. The old section of town, Monterosso Vecchi, is perched on the hill of San Cristoforo and charms with narrow alleys (caruggi) lined with brightly colored multistory houses. Here, you can find the Church of San Giovanni Battista with its ornate green and white marble façade, the Piazza Garibaldi, shaded by leafy trees, and the pretty Town Hall. The modern side of the village is famed for its wide beachfront, where swimming is permitted, and a boardwalk promenade that runs along the Ligurian Sea.
What you will see along the way:
Your Mediterranean coastal cruise offers a unique perspective on Cinque Terre, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and takes in the spectacular beauty and romance of this area. Cinque Terre means Five Lands, an Italian region of Liguria that is made up of five small coastal villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. These small towns, which cling to the Ligurian cliffs, are studded with candy-hued buildings, old castles on the horizon and centuries-old churches, which have been built into the surrounding, uneven landscape, each having its own personality.
Photo opportunity:
Church of San Pietro
Constructed in 1277 over the ruins of a 6th-century shrine dedicated to Venus Erycina, the Church of San Pietro sits on a natural promontory, a striking Genoan-Gothic building with a black and white striped exterior, overlooking the cobalt blue waters. The views from its terrace are picture-perfect with a sheer drop to the sea and panoramic vistas of Portovenere and the harbor.

Shopping:
Edible souvenirs offer a tasty memento of your travels, and in Portovenere and Monterosso there is something for everyone's palate. Olives and olive oil, pesto, grappa and wine can be found in the tiny shops as well as products infused with the local lemons, such lemon honey and Limoncino.
Snack:
In Monterosso, you will be offered a complimentary sample of the highly prized pesto with local wine at a restaurant. Lunch on your own at any number of charming cafes where you can savor the famed Monterosso anchovies and focaccia, a warm, thin, unleavened bread, a Ligurian specialty.

Special Notes:

Please note, free time may be modified to adhere to local regulations and guidelines for COVID 19 protocols.

Bring a credit card and cash, as lunch is on your own. In the event of unfavorable sea conditions, when the ferries/boats do not operate along the Cinque Terre, the motorboat ride will be done inside the gulf of La Spezia, and guests will then reach Monterosso by train. If you wish to swim at Monterosso, wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a towel, sunscreen and a hat.
Cinque Terre is crowded on National Holidays and, in May, on Sundays. The Cinque Terre is a popular destination; expect crowding in the villages. You will likely encounter a long line while waiting to board the boat; boarding is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
This tour is very popular and typically sells out. Alternative tours with similar content may be available, including LI1-160: Cinque Terre.
Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience

In the fall, boat services along Cinque Terre stop operating at the beginning of November. Therefore, in November and December, this tour will operate by bus and train, and not by boat..