Cinque Terre.
You will be picked up by your driver and private guide at your hotel and taken to the Beautiful seaside village of Porto Venere where you will begin your adventure, approximately a two-hour drive. This will be your departing point for your day exploring this magical landscape so unique that it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.
After wandering through the small side streets of Porto Venere and visiting the top of the hill where you can visit an old church and Fortezza while enjoying your first of many stunning views of the seaside. You will then board the fairy to travel past several of the historic towns. From the open-top deck, you can enjoy the amazing views of the multicolored architecture and the beautiful seas (weather permitting). If the weather is not permitting, we will take the trains which give easy and comfortable transport between all five villages.
After our time in Porto Venere, you will then board the fairy to travel past all four of the historic towns. From there you can enjoy the amazing views of the multicolored architecture and the beautiful seas (weather permitting). You will have the possibility to do a hike in the hills above Monterosso the first town you will visit and take a stroll or even a dip in the ocean to cool off a bit. Then off to visit Vernazza where you will be able to have a nice lunch and relax overlooking the charming seaside (at your own cost). In each town you will have time to relax and explore the winding streets and shops on your own, your guide will recommend to you the best locations to visit for food, shopping, and views.
The five villages of the Cinque Terre include:
Riomaggiore is an old village set in a small valley, named after the brook (rio) which flows down to the beach.
Manarola is a picturesque village that has a small harbor/creek for boats enclosed by rock. The sides of the hills are planted with vines producing the sweet wine “Sciacchetrà”.
Corniglia is the oldest village built around the XI century. Unlike the other villages, it is not directly adjacent to the sea and instead is set on top of the hills surrounded by vineyards, terraces, and olive groves; 365 steps above the sea.
Vernazza has very proud fishing traditions and faces a little bay surrounded by cliffs and two ancient watchtowers. It is dominated by the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia built-in 1318 with its foundations in the sea.
Monterosso, is the largest of the villages. The center is old and intriguing full of narrow lanes and colorful houses, this area is renowned for its many lemon trees, white wines, grapes, olives, and olive oil.
After a full day of soaking up the sea views, Tuscan sun, and cool breezes of these wonderfully unique areas of the Mediterranean seaside you will enjoy a relaxing drive back to Florence.
You will return back to Florence at around 6:30 pm with wonderful memories of the Ligurian coast. With your own private driver, entirely at your disposal throughout the day, this tour is flexible and if there is anything in particular that you wish to see or do, please just ask.
ITINERARY
Duration: Approximately 12 hours
Pick up at hotel: 8:00 am
Drop off at hotel: 8:00 pm