Italy
Hiking the Cinque Terre
Program No. 21050RJ
Immerse yourself in a commingling of earth and sea as you explore the coastal walkways and beautiful landscapes of five villages nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean.
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9 days
8 nights
17 meals
7B 4L 6D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Palmaria Island
Le Grazie
5
Colonnata - Carrara Marble
Le Grazie
6
Cinque Terre - Manarola to Corniglia
Le Grazie
8
Sarzana, Fosdinovo Castle
Le Grazie
9
Departures
In Flight
At a Glance
There are few places on Earth where the marriage of land and sea is more poetic than the Cinque Terre — the “Five Towns” along the Italian Riviera. Here, fishing villages cling to the hillsides above hidden coves, medieval fortresses still stand guard, vineyards and olive trees thrive in the Mediterranean sun and dramatic cliffs plunge to the sea below. Connecting each of the five towns are centuries-old foot paths that offer intimate views of the sea-swept landscape. Join us on glorious walks amid the beautiful ruins and rugged hillsides of the Cinque Terre. For people who love to hike and experience local culture up close, there is no place better.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking up to six hours a day, steps and rugged paths. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are required (ankle-high shoes are highly recommended). Due to the nature of the terrain, a good head for heights is necessary.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Enjoy expert-led walks on stunningly beautiful footpaths connecting the villages of the Cinque Terre.
- Join the president of the Lunigiana Wine Route on his beautiful property and learn about the local wine, cheeses and focaccia bread.
- Hike through a chestnut forest to the abandoned and beautifully maintained village of Vergheto.
Suggested Reading List
(19 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Hiking the Cinque Terre
Program Number: 21050
The Food of Italy
Evocative of Italy and its diverse cuisine, this classic book, organized geographically, offers a cook's tour of the country. It's a well-informed and wonderful culinary guide.
The House of Medici, Its Rise and Fall
A well-written, entertaining history of the Medicis in Renaissance Florence. Great to read before going to Florence, where the influence of the Medicis and the artists they supported is still very much in evidence.
Michelin Wine Trails of Italy
This handy guide focuses on driving tours and itineraries through Italy's many wine regions, including Langhe and Roero, lands of Barbera, Liguria, Lombardy, Sicily, Sardinia, Umbria and Tuscany.
Liguria Map
A map of the region, including Cinque Terra, at a scale of 1:200,000.
Beautiful Ruins
Award-winning, bestselling author Jess Walter brings us to the Italian Riviera in this glittering love story. Based on actual events.
La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind
Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses their never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. The book opens with a snapshot of Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.
The Portable Romantic Poets
This is the anthology to take along on a trip to Italy's Cinque Terra, England's Lake District or any other classic haunt of the romantic poets. This selection includes works by all the masters (and even an occasional mistress).
Rick Steves' Snapshot Italy's Cinque Terre
A slim guide to the Cinque Terre region with Steves' expert-selected hotels, travel advice, major sites and places to relax.
Italy in Mind
A terrific collection of some of the best literary writing on Italy, including pieces by Melville, Lawrence, Henry James, Mary McCarthy and many others.
A Ligurian Kitchen, Recipes and Tales from the Italian Riviera
A charming, personal cookbook with an abundance of authentic Ligurian recipes that can easily be replicated in an American kitchen.
Italy, A Traveler's Literary Companion
Not just a literary companion, this anthology is also a who's who of contemporary Italian writers who capture the spirit, history and allure of the country.
Under the Tuscan Sun
In this best-selling memoir of buying, renovating and living in an abandoned villa in Cortona, Tuscany, Mayes reveals the sensual pleasures found in rural Italy.
National Geographic Italy
Published in National Geographic's attractive visual style, this illustrated guide features hundreds of photographs, full color maps, and useful information on history, culture and travel.
Cinque Terre, Portofino Hiking Map
Scaled at 1:50,000, this one-sided, color map depicts Italy from Sestri Levante to Montemarcello, with an inset of Portofino. Ideal for exploring this beautiful stretch of the Italian coast. Printed on water- and tear-resistant paper.
The Italians
Italy correspondent for The Economist Hooper explores Italy -- its baffling contradictions, unique character and contemporary culture -- in this illuminating portrait.
Italian Days
Grizzuti Harrison writes with warmth and depth of her journey from Milan south to Calabria in this sprightly account of Italy and the Italians.
Extra Virgin, A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera
A memoir of travels and life in Liguria, where the Hawe sisters ventured and stayed. In this refreshingly candid account, the English sisters end up buying a house and learning the local customs and eccentricities of their neighbors in Diano San Pietro.
Bradt Guide Liguria, The Italian Riviera
A comprehensive guide in the growing series by Bradt, noteworthy for its focus on culture, nature and responsible travel, with plenty of practical travel details.
Italy, A Short History
Elegantly written, generous and informative, this compact book takes in the sweep of Italian history from the Roman Republic through the Renaissance, World War II and up to the present.
