1. Northern Italy: Italian Riviera Section 2, Sestri Levante to Portovenere

Day 1:

The tour starts in Sestri Levante, a very attractive resort town that is built along a peninsula , with a bay on either side: the charming Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairies (name in honour of Hans Christian Anderson who lived here in the 1880s).  Peninsula ends with a forested hill a monastery on top.

Day 2:

The first section on today’s walk follows a marked trail through forest to a headland with views back over Sestri and the Tigullio Gulf to Portofino.  From here the trail rounds the peninsula, passing through more forest before descending to a small town with a long sandy beach.  Here you have the option of shortening the walk by taking the train from this point.  (2 hrs; 6.5 kms)

The second section climbs up to another headland with the ruins of a medieval lookout tower.  The path then contours around a deep valley, passing through forest before descending to another very attractive town clustered around a small port, where you’ll spend the night.  (3 hrs; 8 kms)

Total:  5 hrs; 14.5 kms; min: 5 mts, max: 373 mts

Day 3:

Today’s is a long walk, which can, however. be shortened by catching one of the regular trains to your overnight base.  The first section passes through one of the least known and most unspoilt sections of the Ligurian coast, a bushwalk that takes you up and over the next hill to a neighbouring town.  Here you have the option of shortening the walk by taking the train from this point.  (4 hrs, 12.5 kms)

The second section involves a steep climb at the beginning, following an ancient path through oak forests.  It is one of the most beautiful walks along the whole route.  It finishes at a very quaint town that has a long sandy beach.  (1.5 hrs, 4.5 kms)

Total:  5.5 hrs; 17 kms; min: 7 mts, max: 340 mts.

Day 4:

There is a gentle start to today’s walk: you leave town along a disused railway tunnel which has recently been converted into a cycle/walking way to Levanto.  After walking along the waterfront, the trail picks a superb coastal path, going through woods with breathtaking views of the gulf and the Cinque Terre.  It finishes at the first of the five famous villages.  (3 hrs; 9.5 kms; min: 4 mts, max: 314 mts)

Day 5:

With today's walk you start on  the Sentiero Azzuro, the celebrated path that links the five villages of the Cinque Terre. The walk weaves along cliffs and through terraces, offering spectacular views over the bays and the villages, taking you to Vernazza. (5 kms; 2.5 hrs; min: 3 mts, max: 200 mts). 

Day 6:

This morning, you pick up the Sentiero Azzuro again passing through olive groves with views up to the ancient terraces climbing  the mountains above you  You pass through two more of the Cinque Terre villages (where you can stop for lunch) before finishing at the last of the five villages, where you'll stay the night.  (2 hrs; 7 kms; 184 mts up)

A beautiful alternative high walk through the vineyards of Volastra for this day is included in case the path between Corniglia and Manarola is closed for restoration).  (2 hrs; 6 kms; min: 2 mts, max: 186 mts)

Day 7:

Today you walk above the eastern part of the gulf to Portovenere.  It’s a big climb up to the ridge.  First stop is a religious sanctuary, before continuing up through forest to the top (558 mts asl).  From here you slowly descend to a small village where you can pause for a break.  The final section is a long steady descent through forest to the spectacularly situated Portovenere.  (4 hrs; 14 kms; min: 5 mts, max: 563 mts)

Day 8:

The walk this morning starts with a short boat ride across the narrow waterway that separates Portovenere from a fascinating island which has a small fishing village and the remains of a monastery from the 11th century.  You return by boat to Portovenere.  (2 hrs; 6 kms; min: 1 mt; max: 181 mts)

Day 9:

This morning you have a private transfer to La Spezia, thirty minutes’ drive away.  La Spezia is a busy and colourful port, which has a number of excellent museums and good rail connections.