1. Northern Italy: Cinque Terre Coastal, from Levanto to Portovenere

Day 1

The tour starts in Levanto, a charming coastal resort (on the main Genoa/Rome railway line).

Day 2

The first walk follows a superb coastal path, through woods and scented scrub with breathtaking views of the gulf and the five villages of Cinque Terre. Along the way it passes the ruins of an abandoned convent, before dipping down to the first Cinque Terre village.
(3 hrs; 6.5 kms; min: 0 mts, max: 314 mts)

Day 3

With today's walk you start on  the Sentiero Azzurro, 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 4

This morning, you pick up the Sentiero Azzurro 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) and then continue on to 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 still closed for restoration.  (2 hrs; 6 kms; min: 2 mts, max: 186 mts)

Day 5

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 (600 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 6

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 mts; max: 181 mts)

Day 7

After breakfast, you'll be transferred by private vehicle to La Spezia (30 minutes away) a busy and colourful port, with a number of excellent museums, a picturesque harbour and daily markets.  La Spezia has regular rail connections to Rome, Florence and Milan.

Optional Day 1

Santa Margherita Ligure is lively and picturesque port at the foot of superb Portofino National Park, a large promontory surrounded by cliffs and small coves, which has some the most rewarding walking on the Italian Riviera. The slopes of the park are covered with wild time, pine and holm oak and offers views over successive headlands from the summit. Santa Margherita is easily accessed by rail or road and is an ideal base from which to explore this fascinating part of the Ligurian coast. You'll stay in an excellent family-run hotel near the waterfront.

Optional Day 2

Your walk starts with a short ferry ride around the promontory to a beautifully restored 1000 year old abbey tucked in a tiny bay that is only accessible by water or on foot. A beautiful, ancient trail takes you from here up through forest to the top of the national park and then back down through olive groves into Santa Margherita. Along the way, you will have the option of detouring to visit the tiny port of Portofino, one of the most picturesque and glamorous spots on the Italian Riviera, sitting on a tidy bay surrounded by cypress pines, olive groves and very expensive boats. (3 hrs; 9 kms; 463 mts up, 453 mts down)

Optional Day 3

Todays walk starts a short train ride to a very attractive fishing port on the western side of the National Park, the ‘saltiest, roughest and most piratical little place' according to Charles Dickens when he visited the town.  The spectacular walk takes you along the coast, skirting the whole headland  before rising to ridge top, cutting into forest and then gently descending through olive trees and palms you to the abbey, where you can have lunch and catch the ferry back to Santa Margherita.  (3 hrs; 8 kms; 537 mts up, 558 mts down)

Optional Day 4

Santa Margherita is 40 minute's drive from Levanto, the start of the Cinque Terre walk.  This transfer is included in the cost, if you do both tours.