Cinque Terre and Portofino Walking Private

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1 Cinque Terre and Portofino Walking Private Duration: 6 days/5 nights Start: Lucca Finish: Genova Price From: US$6,495 pp (based on 4 people, double occupancy) Request your date for exact pricing. Designed by Dana Quinn Now living in the Cote D azur after many years in Italy, Dana has transitioned perfectly from one of our most veteran guides to one of our expert trip designers. A guiding and researching career that s spanned nearly two decades has left few stones unturned in Italy, France, Greece, Croatia and beyond. This is one of our Private Ready-to-Book trips. Think of B&R s Ready-to-Book collection of carefully crafted itineraries as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer. These trips showcase the essential highlights of each destination, and because they are set to go, booking your private trip couldn t be easier

2 Your Journey What makes La Dolce Vita so sweet here in Liguria? It s that mix of old and new, of poverty and luxury, of hard work and pampering that we at B&R love about Italy. Walking in terraced vineyards, dizzily high over the sea, you ll grasp the human energy behind that magnificent glass of sciacchetrà. You ll walk through a village s tall bright houses while each faded green trim and ornate finish speaks to you of their thirst for beauty. Each day here plays out with that exact mix of challenge and beauty that makes Liguria unique, and at the end of days spent hiking ancient trails, the sight of your hotel s azure pool is an invitation to utter relaxation. And then of course there is the food; delicious al fresco lunches, passeggiate followed by pasta, and good times topped with a scoop of life altering gelato; buon Appetito! It wasn t by chance that the jet set fell for Portofino and Cinque Terre. Narrow fishermen s houses, multicoloured buildings reflected in a perfect blue basin; it s a fantasy world impossibly picturesque and wonderfully relaxing. La Dolce Vita indeed. Day 1 Lerici, Palmaria Island & Portovenere You ll rendezvous in Lucca before being driven for about one hour to the charming village of Ameglia. Why not indulge in a little people watching and a classic Italian cappuccino at a local café before heading out for our warm-up walk to Tellaro, a typical Ligurian coastal village. Next you ll take the path to the town of Lerici, a small seaside resort where a few of the noted romantic English poets, such as Byron and Shelley, frequented. For this very reason, the bay is called the Bay of Poets and this will provide a welcome backdrop for your first Ligurian lunch seafood anyone? From there we ll hop on a private boat and motor across the bay, passing in front of Palmaria Island before heading to the nearby town of Portovenere, your home for the next two nights. Portovenere is a beautiful little village that attracts less visitors than its neighbor, the Cinque Terre. Since it is not connected by the Cinque Terre train line, it is often overlooked and yet it offers a quieter chance to discover Liguria s coastal towns and spectacular scenery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was originally the Roman village of Portus Veneris, named for its temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. It passed from the Romans to the Byztantines to the Lombards, but it was made famous by the aforementioned English poets who made this corner of Italy their home in the 1800s. Walk up to the local gothic styled St Peter s church, passing by the entrance to Byron s grotto, and take in both the views of the crashing waves below the church as well as stepping inside, with its somber and spiritual ambiance. If you are ready for some more exploring you can also climb up the Doria castle, built for this important wealthy Genovese family. 2

3 Tonight you ll sip prosecco before heading out on your own to one of the local trattorias for a relaxing local dinner. Meals: Lunch Activity: 8 km (5 mi.) warm-up coastal walk Day 2 Riomaggiore to Manarola This morning you ll begin your walk from a point called the Telegraph Hill, descending through the woods and quickly opening up to a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. Your descent will pass by vineyards growing along the terraced slopes typical of this area and bring you to the Santuario di Montenero. After a brief stop and taking in the sweeping views, you ll slowly descend through olive groves, pine forests and fruit trees into Cinque Terre s easternmost town, Riomaggiore. Here you ll have the incredible honour and pleasure of visiting local winemaker, Walter De Batté, in his tiny cantina. Walter is the man behind the coveted Sciacchetrà dessert wine that has found its way onto the wine list at New York s Plaza Hotel. Walter s wine is truly special, as he only makes 600 bottles a year, and that s when the wild boar don t hog the lion s share of the grapes! After your tasting, a light alfresco lunch will come complete with salty sea air as you overlook Riomaggiore s ancient fishing port. The easy going stroll along the Via dell Amore (lover s stroll) is currently closed and the optional walk is very challenging when your time would be better spent by taking the 2 minute train ride to Manarola. You can do a nice town loop (starting with an uphill on town stairs, of course!) that will explore the little back alleys, vineyards and some shops along the way. Once you feel you have explored the village fully, you ll take a 40 minute boat ride back to Portovenere and enjoy the setting sun with an aperitivo. You are on your own for dinner tonight but your guide or hotel can help make recommendations and reserve you a table. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Activity: 6.5 km (4 mi.) walk mostly downhill to lunch, with uphill in Manarola. HOTEL Grand Hotel Portovenere, Portovenere Overlooking the Ligurian coast, this property was formerly a Franciscan monastery and has been recently renovated, offering brightly coloured rooms with sea views overlooking the town and harbour. 3

4 Cinque Terre continued and onto Camogli Day 3 Today s walk is fairly challenging with a few long stretches of steps, some steep ups and downs and short narrow sections. There is a lot of hiking should you decide to spend the day on foot; however there is a very handy train between the villages which you can opt to make use of. You ll start your day s adventure in the village of Volastra, 1,000 feet above sea level and where ex Roman legions once settled after their victorious battles with the Ligurian tribes. You ll descend to the next Cinque Terre town of Corniglia, and then on to the most photographed of the five towns the famed Vernazza. You ll explore this tiny, colourful village and enjoy the scenes from its spectacular viewpoint before rambling to the last of the towns, Monterosso al Mare. Your lunch setting will be flexible as the day offers many scenic options; just know that a nice plate of trofie al pesto or seafood risotto is easily found in this gastronomic haven. You ll have the chance to rest your weary legs as we embark upon our final adventure of the day, a 1 hour scenic train journey to the fishing village of Camogli, where you ll find your picturesque home for the evening. There are plenty of options for dinner for a simple, fresh and flavourful evening of Ligurian cuisine, such as farinata, fresh marinated anchovies, buridda di seppie (cuttlefish cooked in tomato sauce, with potatoes and green beans), or other catches of the day there is no wrong choice here. Buon Appetito! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Activity: 11 km (6.8 mi.) from Volastra to Monterosso al Mare, with options for shortening it. You ll follow the classic Cinque Terre #2 trail, which contains many rocky steps and plenty of ups and downs! HOTEL Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi, Camogli This charming hotel is tucked away in a quaint fishing village on the splendid Ligurian Riviera. History, tradition and elegance combine to create an exclusive atmosphere throughout the hotel,. The guest rooms are furnished with traditional Mediterranean décor and style and are equipped with the best of comforts. Day 4 Camogli to Portofino This morning we ll start with our walk from the front door of the hotel on a path that leads us uphill to the village of San Rocco. Here there is wonderful bakery that is famous for it delicious homemade 4

5 olive oil bread and various focaccias, including the focaccia al formaggio, a flat bread stuffed with stracchino cheese. If our timing is right we may see them in action in the kitchen, but one thing for sure is that we will stop to load up on their delights for a picnic lunch to be enjoyed later on. The trail passes through gorgeous, quiet chestnut woods and among the unusual pudding stone formations found only on the Portofino peninsula, before heading downhill to the port and through the front door of your hotel. Tonight you are free for dinner and we suggest you stroll through Portofino s famous port for an aperitivi, before dining al fresco, absorbing the sights, sounds and flavours that make this seaside town so special. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Activity: 10 km (6 mi.) over hilly terrain offering great coastal views as well as forested paths. Day 5 San Fruttuoso to Santa Margherita On your last morning of activity we ll board a private boat to the neighbouring bay and the 1OthC Abbey of San Fruttuoso. This Romano Gothic abbey has been beautifully restored, showing off its many modifications over the years in stunning local slate and limestone. The hike starts from the beach and climbs steadily up and along the coast, to 250 metres (800 ft.) above sea level. You ll pass through Portofino s Natural Park, a unique area on the coast untouched by modern development, then turn inland to walk through quiet woods, eventually winding down to the celebrated town of Santa Margherita with its colourful, eclectic mixture of turn of the century villas. You are free to explored the town and have lunch on your own, and your guide will point out the many options. We ll head back to Portofino via the public boat for a 30 minute voyage, giving you a chance to enjoy the coastline by sea. Tonight is your last evening to enjoy cocktails and dinner at one of the portside restaurants. What better way to end the week than with stunning views of the harbour, excellent food and a great sense personal achievement. Meals: Breakfast Activity: 7 km (4.2 mi.) of walking up steps and peaceful hiking trails, plunging into quiet woods and passing through the old valley of the mills. Hotel Option: Inquire about an upgrade to the iconic Hotel Splendido nestled in the hills just above the delightful yachting harbour and chic seaside scene. 5

6 HOTEL Hotel Eight, Portofino Beyond the walls of its brightly coloured yet unassuming exterior, the Eight Hotel is a stylishly sophisticated affair, elegant of design and sumptuous in its comforts. Whether exploring the Ligurian coast, hiking the famed Cinque Terre or taking in the beauty of Portofino and its famous piazzetta, returning to the hotel s peaceful grounds is an utter pleasure in itself. Genova Day 6 After breakfast you ll be driven to Genova, where we highly suggest you stay one night and have a guided tour with our fantastic local guide! We can happily plan this day out for you. Meals: Breakfast 6

7 The Details Pricing From: 2 travellers - US$8,495 per person (based on double occupancy) 4 travellers - US$6,495 per person (based on double occupancy) 6 travellers US$5,995 per person (based on double occupancy) Start: Lucca Finish: Genova Best time to visit: April-June, September-October LEVEL OF ACTIVITY AVID Due to the rugged coastline, many of the walks involve climbing steep coastal paths, with lengthy descents into picturesque villages. The terrain varies from dirt tracks to winding stone staircases. Individuals uncomfortable with heights may have trouble with some sections. Average daily distances range from 7-12 km (4-8 mi.). As with all B&R trips, longer optional walks are available for the energetic or shorter by taking the train. Please note that there is no van support because of lack of vehicle access to trails. You can take trains in some cases to shorten the walk. WHAT S INCLUDED Five nights hotel accommodation Meals as indicated Services of a B&R guide Use of a telescoping walking sticks Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All special events and private tours All transportation from rendezvous in Lucca until drop off at Genova private and public boats, train, minivans All baggage transportation All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International flights Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Meals not mentioned Gratuity for your B&R guide Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip, customizing your experience to match your interests and tastes. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations Butterfield & Robinson Inc

8 About our Private Trip Collection The ready-to-book trips in our Private Trip Collection offer all the hallmarks B&R s known for great hotels, unparalleled immersion and unforgettable experiences with the flexibility of going on your own schedule and with your own travel companions. Think of these trips as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer: simply pick your dates, pack your bags, and go. How it Works 1. Get Inspired. Go to to browse our Private Trip Collection and find a flavour of adventure that suits your palate. 2. Get in Touch. Found a trip that s caught your eye? Call our Private Travel Advisors at Just give them a few details about your group and your preferred dates, and they ll spring into action. 3. Have it Tailored. Our ready-to-book Private Trips are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. Looking for something totally customized? One of our expert Private Trip Designers will take on your request and tailormake a Bespoke trip for you from scratch. 4. Pack your Prada. Once the date and the price is finalized, we ll take care of the rest, confirming hotels, finalizing events and mobilizing our expertly trained local partners. All you have to do is prepare to be transported 5. Bon Voyage! Next Steps READY TO BOOK? Contact us at or bespoke@butterfield.com with any remaining questions, or consult your travel professional. Note that a $500 deposit is required in order to reserve dates. After you ve booked, you will receive a confirmation package containing detailed information to help you prepare for your trip. 8