Tuscany and Cinque Terre: An Active Journey

Depart the U.S. and arrive in Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Transfer to your hotel in the city center and take time to get settled. This evening, meet up with your trip leader and fellow travelers for an orientation walk, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D) 

Join a local guide for a walking tour of the historic center, hearing a unique perspective on Florence’s art and monuments—and the families that made it one of Italy’s most important cities. Enjoy lunch on your own and a free afternoon to explore Florence as you wish. Gather with the group for dinner tonight. (B,D)

Walking: 2-3 hour city tour on city streets.

Transfer to La Spezia, your base for discovering the World Heritage site of Cinque Terre National Park. Enjoy three days to explore the region surrounding the “Cinque Terre”— five jewel-like villages tucked into the folds of steep coastal mountains. Take the train to Riomaggiore, where pastel-hued houses appear to cascade down the hillside to the sea. After lunch, continue north along the Via dell’Amore trail to Manarola, following your guide along centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks. Hike through olive orchards, vineyards, villages, and terraced hills, looking out at the sparkling sea below. Continue to Corniglia by train, or ascend to the hilltop hamlet of Volastra on a moderately challenging trail that awards even more scenic views of the coast. You’ll have an unlimited train pass to use in case you need to take a break or wish to linger in one of the villages and catch up later. From the last village, return by train to La Spezia and check into your hotel. (B,L)

Walking/Hiking: 5-6 miles up-and-down various terrain (pavement, dirt tracks, stone steps, rocky/mountainous) with 1300 ft of elevation gain.

Rise early this morning for a short train ride to Levanto and hike through coastal forests and countryside. Climb to the Hermitage of Sant’Antonio del Mesco, a crumbling church atop the promontory of  Punta Mesco, and take in a panoramic view of the entire Cinque Terre coast. Continue to Monterosso and enjoy free time for lunch. Set off on a wine trek (at additional cost) through the spectacular vineyards of Cinque Terre, learning about the history of local viticulture and visiting a wine cellar for a tasting. Alternatively, join your trip leader for a hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, taking in more of the local scenery. Travel back to La Spezia by train and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)

Hiking: 5-6 miles over mountainous coastal terrain with 1200 ft of elevation gain.

Optional activity 1: Two-hour wine trek (at additional cost, offered based on seasonality and weather conditions). Please inform your Trip Leader during the Welcome Reception if you would like to book this optional wine trekking excursion.

Optional activity 2: Monterosso to Vernazza hike, varied terrain with uphill and downhill sections, 2-3 miles (2 hours) 650 ft elevation change.

A short ride on the public ferry brings you to Palmaria Island, just off the Cinque Terre coast and part of the area’s World Heritage site. Here, set out on a circular hiking route that brings you to hidden caves, stunning coves, and ruined fortresses. Learn about the island’s interesting natural history and cool off with a swim at one of the beaches you pass if you choose. Take the ferry to Portovenere, located on the Gulf of Poets, for a free afternoon to relax in a café or meander the town’s medieval streets. Return to La Spezia by ferry and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Hiking: 3 miles over gentle trails with 600 ft of elevation gain.  

Travel back into Tuscany this morning, and spend the morning at one of its historic gems: the walled city of Lucca. Visit Nottolini’s Aqueduct before walking into Lucca. Join a local guide for an e-bike tour around the well-preserved Renaissance walls surrounding the city’s historical center. After free time for lunch and exploring Lucca on your own, drive to the picturesque hills of Chianti.  Your home here is a delightful, family-owned agriturismo that produces its own organic wines and olive oils. This evening, sit down to a farm-to-table dinner featuring traditional Tuscan recipes made with produce from the farm. (B,D)

Biking: 10 miles (over 2 hours) with e-bikes, mostly flat terrain.

Split into two groups for this morning’s activities: a vineyard tour and a cooking class. One group will set off with the trip leader on a walk in the vineyards, and then meet with a wine expert at the agriturismo to learn the steps of making wine. Take a wine cellar tour and enjoy a tasting—of the agriturismo’s wines and olive oils as well as locally produced cured meats and bruschetta. The group in the cooking class will learn from a local chef how to concoct a full Tuscan lunch, including handmade pasta, a traditional sauce, a main course, and a dessert. When the lunch is prepared, the two groups will gather to enjoy it on the terrace with views of the countryside and the farm’s own wines. Later in the afternoon, set out on a leisurely hike through cypress-lined paths to Canonica Park before walking into the charming medieval center of Certaldo, set high on a hilltop above the modern town. Meader its maze of streets before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Walking: 1-2 miles on a morning vineyard walk.  

Hiking: 3 miles afternoon hike/walk; slight elevation gain through fields, vineyards, town streets.

Today the group will divide again to take a vineyard hike and wine cellar tour or participate in a cooking class. During free time after lunch, relax at the pool or go for a walk on your own. Then set out on an excursion to the medieval hill town of San Gimignano, discovering the history and the secrets of this World Heritage site on a walking tour with a local guide. Celebrate your Italian sojourn tonight during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Hiking: 1-2 miles on a morning vineyard walk.  

Walking (afternoon): Walking tour, appromixately 2 hours.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Florence for your flight home or extend your stay in Tuscany. (B)