Compare Cinque Terre Magnifica Hiking Tour by Tourissimo vs Candlelight Christmas by Small World Tours And Cruises
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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0 | Poor
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| Duration | 7 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 3,995 | $ 1,399 |
| Price Per Day | $ 571 | $ 233 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
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| Description |
The cluster of seaside villages known as Cinque Terre (Five Lands) burst onto the active travel scene no more than 15 years ago and has become one of the most visited destinations in Italy. All villages were built on the same principle, with a castle erected on top of the mountain by the feudal families who originally ruled over the Cinque Terre and which served to defend the village against the Saracen invaders and pirates coming from the sea. Lack of open space created the characteristic tall, narrow houses. This is a perfect setting for a Magnifica hiking tour! Cinque Terre has some of the best coastal hiking in all of Mediterranean and UNESCO recognized its beauty and uniqueness in 1997, listing it in the registry of World Heritage Sites. But don't expect large crowds and souvenir shops. Cinque Terre has managed to maintain its authenticity despite its popularity, and Beppe and Federica will take you behind the scenes and off the beaten path in many of the villages and places we visit. The tour also includes Portofino, which is not part of Cinque Terre but is worth the visit for its picturesque harbor and interesting history. Colorful, timeless fishing villages dot our hikes among olive trees, vineyards and fragrant flowers. Cinque Terre is also a great destination for lovers of food and wine, a place where farmers have been battling with the steep terrain for hundreds of years, creating small patches of cultivable land on terraces held up by dry stone walls. Down below, a deep blue sea and crashing waves will leave you in awe with each step. |
This Historic Inn is a Greek Revival mansion with antebellum decor hosts classic Southern meals served buffet style. This morning we will enjoy a hot breakfast before departing for beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. We will check into our exquisite hotel, Inn on Biltmore Estate. |
Day 1: Santa Margherita
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Laurin (alternative Hotel Metropole)
Terrain: Rolling
Hike: 1 Hr
Your guide will meet you at the Malpensa Airport (Milan) for a transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure. After checking in at our hotel we will make our way to Portofino's picturesque waterfront, home of the rich and famous, where you can do some shopping or enjoy a gelato with a view. We will gather just before dinner for an overview of the tour while holding a glass of local white wine to welcome the week ahead. The dining room at our restaurant will afford a characteristic view of the gulf of Santa Margherita.
Day 2: Santa Margherita
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Laurin (alternative Hotel Metropole)
Terrain: Rolling
Hike: 3 Hrs
Today’s hike through the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino is not technically part of Cinque Terre but offers equally spectacular coastal hiking with views of quaint fishing harbors on quiet trails with few people. We’ll visit the San Fruttuoso Abbey, located on the shores of a deep-set cove and only reachable by boat or on foot. After lunch we’ll take a boat to Camogli, a quiet, colorful fishing village. Along the way we will introduce you to a local specialty: the focaccia Ligure, the often imitated local flatbread that is one of the signature dishes of the region, and perhaps, the best trail food you’ll ever come across! And, don’t forget to have a cappuccino in each village you are hiking. You deserve it!
Day 3: Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Rolling
Hike:3 Hrs
We will start our hike this morning in Levanto, the gateway to Cinque Terre and an interesting town with many delightful painted villas. We will follow the trail to Monterosso, the first village of the Cinque Terre. Along the way, we’ll stop at Punta Mesco to enjoy the stunning view. Our lunch spot is by the beach where there will be plenty of time to relax. After a short ride back to Levanto by private boat, you can spend some time strolling around the interesting historical center. A glass of Cinque Terre DOC wine is part of the protocol before a typical Ligurian dinner at one of our favorite trattorias.
Day 4: Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Park Hotel Argento
Terrain: Hilly
Hike:3 Hrs
Monterosso is the largest of the 5 villages, and is the starting point of today’s beautiful hike that is filled with stunning scenery, including lemon orchards and lush vegetation. Monterosso is also known for its anchovies (Slow Food presidia) and for its tasty lemons and the two combined make one of the local mouthwatering delicacies. We’ll take advantage of the beautiful view by stopping for lunch and wine tasting on the hills, just before descending to charming and colorful harbor in the cliffside town of Vernazza. From Vernazza we'll make our way back to Levanto by private boat where you'll be able to look back on the shore and see the morning’s hike from a new perspective.
Day 5: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Hilly
Hike: 3 Hrs
Tourissimo takes you off of the beaten path today with a hike that affords breathtaking views. Starting in Riomaggiore, we’ll make our way up to the Santuario di Montenero where you can take in all five villages at once! From there we’ll keep climbing (up a stairway of about 2000 steps!) to Campiglia. Campiglia is nestled across the Cinque Terre sea and the Gulf of La Spezia and on a clear day you can see the island of Corsica and the Ligurian Alps. Back in Portovenere, we’ll have a wine tasting with an explanation of the unique local production by a local winemaker. Afterwards, you will be free to spend some time discovering this vibrant village where its narrow streets often lead to fantastic views of vineyards, on one side, and of the sea, on the other.
Hotel: Relais Le Ville
Day 6: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Hilly
Hike: 3 Hrs
Our last hike starts in Campiglia and reaches Portovenere, the southernmost village on the peninsula. Portovenere is a beautiful and lively village with an impressive fortress that faces out to sea. We’ll discover its port and the Church of St. Peter during a stunning descent before reaching our hotel again. Our celebration dinner is at the hotel’s restaurant with a fantastic, open view of the Gulf of La Spezia. The perfect ending of Cinque Terre Magnifica Tour!
Hotel: Relais Le Ville
Day 7:: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast
Terrain: Departure
Hike: None
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Airport or to La Spezia Train Station. Guides can help you with your travel plans to make sure you will have a safe trip home.
Day 1: Sunday, November 8th, 2020
Meals: Dinner
Join us this morning as we depart for quaint Covington, Georgia. After we arrive and check into our hotel, we will depart for dinner at of one of Georgia’s most celebrated restaurants, the incredible Blue Willow Inn located in Social Circle Georgia. This Historic Inn is a Greek Revival mansion with antebellum decor hosts classic Southern meals served buffet style.
Overnight-Holiday Inn Express, Covington, GA
Day 2: Monday, November 9th, 2020
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we will enjoy a hot breakfast before departing for beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. We will check into our exquisite hotel, Inn on Biltmore Estate. This evening we will have time to explore Antler Hill Winery and enjoy dinner (on your own) at any one of the many award winning restaurants on property!
Overnight-Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
Day 3: Tuesday, November 10th, 2020
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today we will wake up to a fantastic Chef’s Buffet Breakfast at the Inn before enjoying at your leisure, all that the Biltmore has to offer. This morning we will enjoy an audio tour of the home, as well as access to the Farm, Winery, and Gardens. Transportation to these locations will be provided from the Inn by shuttle. Tonight we will have an exquisite dinner at the Deer Park Restaurant on property before embarking on the Candlelight Christmas Tour of this incredible home.
Overnight-Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
Day 4: Wednesday, November 11th, 2020
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Rise and shine! This morning enjoy another fantastic breakfast at the Inn before we depart for a day in downtown Asheville. We will drop the group at the Visitor’s Center at The Grove Arcade, and you will have a hop on hop off trolley ticket for the day to enjoy all the shopping, restaurants and beauty of Asheville! Tonight, we will enjoy dinner downtown before returning to the Biltmore for our last night.
Overnight-Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
Day 5 Thursday, November 12th, 2020
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, we will check out and depart for Macon, Georgia. After checking into our hotel, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at the Hay House, built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, the house has been called the "Palace of the South."
Overnight-Hilton Garden Inn, Macon, GA
Day 6: Friday, November 13th, 2020
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we will check out and depart for Florida. We will make a stop for lunch and a stop at a Pecan Outlet before returning home!
