At a Glance
Capture the subtleties and extravagance of Italy; from beholding heart-stopping landscapes and fascinating landmarks, to enjoying exquisite wines and mouth-watering cuisines. Experience the best of Italy as you explore Cinque Terre and Tuscany on this 6-day hiking adventure.
Your adventure begins at Pisa, where you will shuttle and hike to Portovenere. Hike across an awe-inspiring terrain to Portovenere, soaking in sweeping views of the Golfo della Spezia. Create your own adventures as you behold the elegant coastline of Cinque Terre. At your own pace, unlock the charming seaside towns and find connection to each of their enchanting characters. Traverse well-groomed lanes decorated with prehistoric stone walls that lead from charming Riomaggiore through cliffside Manarola, serene Corniglia and lively Vernezza to welcoming Monterosso al Mare. A change of scene, journey inland to ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals as specified in itinerary
- All luggage, hotel and shuttle transfers
- Short orientation in Pisa
- 5 nights of accommodation in hotels on a twin share basis
- Professional guiding: two support vans, 6:1 guest to leader ratio on average
- Brief orientation in Pisa on Day 1
- Hiking, activities and sightseeing as stated in the itinerary
- Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Park and other entry fees
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Itinerary
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TWO HIKING OPTIONS: This morning, meet your tour leaders at 10 am under the entryway of the Pisa Centrale train station's main entrance in Pisa, Italy. Please, ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and come with a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike and your luggage (which will be transported to our first night’s accommodations). If you choose to change into your gear following our shuttle, a proper changing area is often unavailable. Welcome to Italy! After meeting in the lovely Pisa, home of the famed leaning tower, we take a ride to the Ligurian town of Santa Margherita Ligure, where we get better acquainted over a tasty lunch of local specialties. Today's destination is one of the most captivating places on the Ligurian coast. This charming former fishing village and port town blossomed into a glamorous coastal resort. After lunch, we begin today's hike, which offers a great introduction to Liguria's dramatic landscape. From the hills, descend through forests and quaint hamlets to reach the coast. Enjoy sweeping vistas of the Golfo del Tigullio, but watch your step—there are few technical sections on this route to the sea. |
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Your hotel for the next three nights is the charming seaside hotel of Hotel Continental, which overlooks the sea, town and the scenic harbour. Lush oak trees decorate its surroundings and centuries-old pines. Tonight, relish the flavours of a fresh, tasty Mediterranean dinner at our lovely hotel. |
Hotel Continental, Santa Margherita Ligure 
Lunch, Dinner |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Choose your adventure today as you step into Picasso's Mediterranean Landscape! Connect the dots on a journey between the five villages of Cinque Terre. We journey from Portovenere, along the World Heritage site on the stunning Ligurian coast, to Riomaggiore, the southernmost village of Cinque Terre. You are presented with the option of exploring the picturesque towns of Cinque Terre or adding more kilometres with a hike into the rocky highlands. Breathe in the fresh sea air and take a stroll along the tapered mediaeval paths of Riomaggiore before heading to Manarola, a colourful Hamlet hugging the cliffs. From here, you can choose to take a peaceful loop hike between the decked vineyards and olive trees covering the steep slopes above the village, proof of Manarola's firm agricultural heritage. Or you could challenge yourself by going through the highlands route, which ascends to the village of Volastra and provides jaw-dropping views of the coastline from above. Our next stop is Corniglia, the only one of the five towns that isn’t on water. Make your way back to the coast to get to the delightful town of Vernazza and enjoy scenic views of the town’s picturesque harbour and stoic Belforte watchtower. When you get hungry, enjoy lunch on your own, in town. After lunch, walk past vineyards through prehistoric olive groves, over dirt paths and down stone steps. Today’s hike comes to an end in Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost town of the Cinque Terre and the only one with an expansive sand beach. Then, we board a train to Santa Margherita Ligure, one of the fascinating places on the Ligurian coast and the childhood home of the famed explorer and navigator, Christopher Columbus. |
Hotel Continental, Santa Margherita Ligure Breakfast, Dinner |
FOUR HIKING OPTIONS: Today’s hike on undulating forested and tarred trails begins in the heart of Santa Margherita Ligure and into the hills, up stone staircases, and past villas with frontages beautifully adorned with trompe l’oeil paintings. Carry on past the church of Nozarego on a hillside path through the backyards of several charming homes to the Parco Naturale di Portofino, a 3,000-acre flower sanctuary. Look back at the Santa Margherita Ligure to grace your sights with a breathtaking view before following the dirt and stone path through groves of olive and cherry trees. Once you arrive at the charming Portofino, soak in the breathtaking views of its panoramic harbour and the surrounding bay from our lunch spot on the terrace of historic Catello Brown, a castle seated elegantly above the town. After lunch, next up is the exploration of Portofino, admiring the brilliantly coloured buildings and flourishing tropical foliage. A walk along the seafront back to Santa Margherita is a great way to spend the afternoon. Or, return to Santa Margherita Ligure by boat and at your leisure. Suppose you’d like to cover some more ground, head to Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, accessible only by foot or boat. The magnificent 11th-century abbey is situated in a small fishing village; its walkways, church, and marble and stone tombs are worth checking out (if the weather permits). |
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At night, enjoy dinner at any exquisite restaurant of your choice with a wide array of cuisine choices including seafood, Italian, French or Mediterranean cuisine with oceanfront vistas.
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Hotel Continental, Santa Margherita LigureBreakfast, Lunch |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Today, we’ll be enjoying a change of scenery as we journey to a different region of Italy: Tuscany. After a long but panoramic shuttle ride, we begin today’s hike in Greve in Chianti. Tour the town, shop for keepsakes and perhaps visit a cafe. In the Piazza Matteotti, see the statue of explorer Giovanni de Verrazano, a local hero given credit for discovering the New York Harbour in 1524 and being the first European to see Manhattan Island. Following our visit to Greve in Chianti, get your first taste of the gorgeous Chianti Classico region with a short stroll uphill to Montefioralle. Our journey through the characters of "New World" history continues. Amerigo Vespucci, whose name and explorations are the origin of "the Americas" (the Latin translation of the first name), was born in this small village. We carry on, after lunch, through a classic Tuscan landscape accessorised with Cypress trees, olive orchards, and vineyards until we get to Panzano and Villa Le Barone, our home for the next two nights. The peaceful oasis provides awe-inspiring panoramas of olive groves, vineyards and the rolling countryside punctuated by the sounds of the bells of the local church. |
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The Villa Le Barone, which is the ancestral home of count and countess Aloisi de Larderel, has a serene landscape with the villages of Panzano and San Leolino on either side. This charming hotel will be our home for the next two nights. Take a dip in the pool or relax by the fireplace before meeting for a Chianti Classico wine tasting. After the wine tasting, we enjoy a chic, multi-course meal in the hotel's restaurant, which offers tasty food with the right wine to complement the taste of the food. At Villa Le Barone restaurant, you'll enjoy delectable Tuscan cuisine. |
Villa Le Barone, Pieve di Panzano Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: After breakfast, we begin the day with a shuttle to the delightful hilltop town of Radda in Chianti, the one-time capital of the Chianti League, a defensive alliance created in the region in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Gallo Nero (Black Rooster), which was the Chianti's League seal, is now the emblem of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium—keep an eye out for the image of the famous rooster all over town and on souvenirs like wine bottles, t-shirts and aprons. Before hiking from Radda, we visit Enoteca Toscana briefly for a balsamic vinegar tasting. Afterwards, we descend through vineyards and olive groves and past a small farm into the valley (it’s a steep grade, so take all the time you need.) A short stretch on tarred roads welcomes us to open fields and Chianti’s forested hills. Pay a visit to the 11th-century historic cellar of Castelvecchio winery, the ideal background for a picnic lunch after a private tour and tasting. |
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Getting back on the trail, go down through shady woods into Volpaia and enjoy coffee in the Piazzetta before we shuttle back to unwind in the hotel. Relax at the pool or enjoy the tranquility amongst its well-manicured gardens with a refreshing drink. For those with energy can hike back to the hotel on the Strada Bianca surrounded by vineyards. In the evening, we shuttle to a favourite restaurant just outside the nearby town of Lucarelli for our final dinner and toast to the pleasures of discovering Italy.
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Villa Le Barone, Pieve di PanzanoBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
TWO HIKING OPTIONS: This morning, you could go for a quick tour of the Tuscan countryside or sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Leaving inspired and in awe of your journey, bid farewell to your tour leaders as you board the shuttle to Florence, where our trip ends. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure point is Pisa
- The finish point is Florence
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Pisa. The nearest major airport is Pisa International Airport with international and domestic flights and is 5 km from the centre of Pisa.
Another major international airport is Florence Airport, Peretola and is 82 km from Pisa, Italy.
Summers along the Ligurian coast are warm and sunny during the day with cool evenings. In Tuscany, it's typically hot, with slightly higher daytime temperatures than you'll experience on the coast. In the early spring, both areas can be chilly, so extra layers are essential. Rain is possible year-round—don't forget to bring waterproof breathable rain gear. Your trip will be much more enjoyable if you come prepared for all types of weather.
The routes on this trip are rated Levels 1-4.
Level 1, 2-5 hours, 3-8km (2-5 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 244m (800 ft)
Level 2, 2-4 hours, 6-11km (4-7 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 396m (1300 ft)
Level 3, 3-5 hours, 8-14km (5-9 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 610m (2000 ft)
Level 4, 4-6 hours, 10-18km(6-11 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 914m (3000 ft)
Level 5, 5-7 hours, 11-21+ km (7-13+ miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 1219m (4000+ ft)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
