Portofino & the Cinque Terre
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PORTOFINO & THE CINQUE TERRE A CLASSIC SHORT BREAK ALONG THE LIGURIAN COAST PORTOFINO & THE CINQUE TERRE SUMMARY Escape on a short break to Italy’s stunning Ligurian coast, staying on the Portofino Peninsula and at Monterosso, the most northerly of the five sorbet-coloured villages of the Cinque Terre. Take time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage area on foot, following ancient trails above the vibrant blue waters of the Mediterranean. You’ll be captivated by the picture-postcard villages of Portofino and the Cinque Terre itself—marvel at how these well-preserved villages, established in the late Middle Ages, cling to the cliff face, and delight in their delicious cuisine and café-culture as you journey from village-to-village. With three days of walking and a choice of suggested trails, plus a set of excellent route notes and maps, you’ll be able to tuck into some of the fantastic culinary treats on offer, guilt-free. Try a dish of Tegame alla Vernazza—anchovies, potatoes, tomatoes, white wine, oil, and herbs. Or savour a Tour: Portofino & The Cinque Terre delightful and filling plate of Pansotti; ravioli with ricotta and spinach, often served with a hazelnut or walnut Code: WItPOCI sauce. To round it all off, finish with a glass of sciacchetrà. Type: Self-guided walking tour Price: See Website Stay your first two nights at the traditional fishing harbour of Camogli on the Portofino peninsula, from where Dates: April to October on any day you can visit the lovely San Frutuoso Abbey; the cove is only by boat or on foot. Walk from here to the Walking Days: 2-3 famed chic harbour of Portofino, popular with the ‘jet set’. Take time to people-watch with an iced coffee, or Days: 5 a glass of the local red as you admire the outstanding scenery and incredible yachts. Nights: 4 Start: Camogli, Portofino Peninsula Finish: Monterosso You’ll make good use of your Cinque Terre Pass, which gives you access to the park and train travel (24 hr Distance: 3-13km each day card). Travel by rail to Monterosso, where you’ll stay your next two nights, set amidst a landscape of Grade: Easy to Moderate vineyards and olive groves. Enjoy a choice of further coastal or mountain walks, or simply let the train take the strain as you discover the well-preserved villages and culture that has changed little over the centuries. IS IT FOR ME? Your walking trip, Portofino & The Cinque Terre, includes 2 nights in a superb hand-picked 2-3* hotel in Iconic Portofino combines with the candy- Camogli, and 2 nights in a lovely 3* hotel in Monterosso in rooms with private facilities; 4 breakfasts, a 24- coloured village of Monterosso on the hour Cinque Terre Card (train pass and entrance to the National Park), transfer from Camogli to San Rocco Cinque Terre, offering a captivating short on Day 2, comprehensive route notes and maps and a detailed pre-departure information pack as well as break which takes in highlights of the Liguri- emergency support. an Coast. If you are short on time, but want to escape and enjoy some sunshine, spec- tacular scenery, incredible food and classic Italian UNESCO World Heritage villages, this HIGHLIGHTS tour ticks all the boxes! WHAT’S INCLUDED? Discovering the multi-coloured UNESCO World Heritage villages of the Cinque Terre Accommodation: 2 Nights in 2* and 2 A fantastic three days of walking—coastal views, terraces of olive groves and vines nights in 3* hand-picked small hotels. Experiencing glamorous Portofino, with its semi-circular waterfront and pastel houses Meals: 4 Breakfasts. Transfers: Transfer on Day 2 from Camo- Cooling off in impossibly clear blue waters, or lounging under a beach umbrella gli to San Rocco, and a 24-hr Cinque Terre Pesto and focaccia originate from the Ligurian coast—a great excuse to indulge! Card which gives you entrance to the park and use of local trains. PORTOFINO & THE CINQUE TERRE A CLASSIC SHORT BREAK ALONG THE LIGURIAN COAST DETAILED ITINERARY overlooking cobalt-blue waters. From here you Corniglia-Volastra-Riomaggiore walk can choose to walk or take a ferry to the chic Take the train from Monterosso to Corniglia, then town of Portofino (the latter is payable locally). set out on foot as you ascend the path towards Day Route Km Volastra and on to Riomaggiore. Stop for a Enjoy the wonderful view from Il Faro (the Light House), located at the extreme point of the delicious gelato or a glass of full-bodied red wine 1 Arrive Camogli - promontory, 1km from Portofino. A firm favourite from the local vineyards, before taking the train 2 Transfer to San Rocco and 7/13 with the celebrity ‘jet set’, this pretty town is back to Monterosso. walk to Portofino via San famous for its picturesque harbour. From here Walk: 11km, 1003m ascent, 980m descent, 4- Fruttuoso you can take the train or boat back to Camogli 5hrs approx. 3 Free to explore the Cinque 9/11 (payable locally). Terre, or choice of walks Overnight: Hotel La Camogliese**, Camogli Overnight: Hotel Marina***, Monterosso Colla di Gritta / Corniglia- The following hotels are available at an upgrade Riomaggiore Choice of walks: supplement: Hotel Punta Mesco***, Hotel 4 Train to Bonassola. 3/10 Easier option: 7km, 734m ascent, 394m Amici***, Hotel La Colonnina*** or Hotel Villa Walk to Monterosso via descent, 3h30 approx. Adriana***, Monterosso Levanto Harder option: 13km, 1165m ascent, 1185m 5 Onward travel - descent, 5h30 approx. Our delightfully charming accommodation in Monterosso provides a welcome rest to walkers DAY 3 and is again close to the beach. Free to explore Cinque Terre or DAY 1 DAY 4 optional Colla di Gritta or Corniglia- Arrive Camogli Riomaggiore walks Train to Bonassola. Walk via Your Italian journey begins in the charming small Take the train to Monterosso, the largest of the Levanto to Monterosso fishing village of Camogli, situated on the west five villages of the Cinque Terre, and your base Take the train (payable locally) to the relaxed side of the Portofino peninsula. Camogli is easily for the next two nights. Spend today as you village of Bonassola, with a beautiful sandy reached with good train connections from Genoa wish—perhaps using your rail pass to explore beach. The first part of today’s walk runs along or Pisa (and Florence is also an option). along the coastline, or simply settle in and relax an old railway track which has recently been If you have time when you arrive, visit the at Monterosso, taking time to explore the transformed into a fairly flat cycle path. Walk historic centre and embrace the relaxed seaside alleyways, restaurants and cafés of this delightful through the tunnels and over the bridges whilst ambience of Camogli, with its fantastic fresh UNESCO World Heritage village. revelling in spectacular views over the azure sea and cliffs until you reach the idyllic painter’s seafood and colourful houses. If you’d prefer to explore further on foot, choose paradise of Levanto, located in the centre of a from the following optional walks: Overnight: Hotel La Camogliese**, Camogli charming valley surrounded by green hills. Monterosso loop walk via Colle di Gritta The following hotels are available at an upgrade As you reach the ridge top, pause to take in the Head inland past the ‘Chiesa dei Cappucini’ to supplement: Hotel Augusta** or Hotel sweeping views to the mountains which surround the Colla di Gritta. Continue over the mountain Casmona***, Camogli the ‘Gulf of Paradise’. Arriving at Punta Mesco ridge through lush forests, passing over Monte you continue your descent towards the village of Your accommodation offers a warm welcome to Molinelli, Monte Rossini, Montenegro and Colla Monterosso. walkers and is conveniently close to the beach. dei Bagari until you reach Punta Mesco. Return to Monterosso via a series of old stone DAY 2 Choice of walks: footpaths. Easier option: 3km, 225m ascent, 226m Walk to Portofino via San Fruttuoso descent, 1h30 approx. Walk: 9km, 690m ascent, 696m descent, 3hrs Harder option: 10km, 753m ascent, 746m You’ll be picked up this morning from your hotel approx. descent, 4h30 approx. at Camogli for a private transfer to the village of or San Rocco. Start your walk with a visit to the Overnight: Hotel Marina***, Monterosso San Fruttuoso Abbey, located in a secluded bay PORTOFINO & THE CINQUE TERRE A CLASSIC SHORT BREAK ALONG THE LIGURIAN COAST DAY 5 morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so (Brignole station) then it is s a 40mins train to you are free to choose from the available options. Camogli (total journey around 1hr). Onward travel Baggage Transfer From Pisa take the PisaMover bus from the Bid farewell to the Cinque Terre and continue airport, just a 1km ride into the train station/city your onward journey home. You can depart As you will be taking the train from Camogli to centre then it’s a 2h15 train ride to Camogli (total Monterosso by train and easily get to Pisa, Monterosso on Day 3, you will take your luggage journey approx. 2h30-3hrs). Genoa, Florence or Milan airports by train. with you. No baggage transfers are included on this tour. Visit www.trenitalia.it for times, prices and booking. Tickets can be purchased on arrival or Equipment online prior to departure. TOUR INFORMATION Your information pack has a detailed equipment Our pre-departure information pack has detailed list which includes standard walking gear such as public transport information so you will have no Additional Nights and Extensions good walking boots or shoes, waterproofs, problem reaching the Cinque Terre.