1. Northern Italy: Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf

Day 1

You start the tour in Camogli, which is on the main La Spezia/Genoa railway line, where you’ll spend your first night in a lovely hotel set in the centre of the town overlooking the sea.  Dickens described Camogli as 'the saltiest, roughest, most piratical little place'.  The rough edges have long gone but it remains one of the most attractive resorts on the coast.

Day 2

Today you leave Camogli by walking above the coastline on the western edge of the Portofino National Park with its vast views across the Gulf of Genoa before climbing up into forest.  You then wind your way down through forest and olive groves to the stunning little village of Portofino, one of the most celebrated spots on the Italian coast.  (3 hrs; 9.5 kms;  min: 33 mts, max: 504 mts)

Your accommodation is in a beautiful hotel (which has been in the same family for three generations) on the main square of this celebrated village, a short walk from the port.

Portofino optional extra day:  This beautiful walk starts at one of the most enchanting places on the Ligurian coast:  the abbey of San Fruttuoso.  It is a gorgeous small beach at the foot of an 11th century abbey, completely surrounded by national park.  There are a number of cafes and restaurants.  The walk then climbs steeply up to the pass of Monte delle Bocche and then descends down through forest and olive groves to the bustling port Santa Margherita Ligure.  Please note that it is possible to shorten the walk and return to Portofino. (3 hrs; 8 kms; minimum: 4 metres, maximum 471 metres)

Day 3

This morning you head out of Portofino along a lovely path that winds above the coast passing through olive groves with views over bays and hidden villas to the elegant resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure.  You then follow a well-marked path to a busy neighbouring port, entering the town over a Roman bridge that Hannibal himself (reputedly) crossed.  (3 hrs; 8 kms; min: 4 mts, max: 207 mts)

Day 4

Today’s gorgeous walk starts with a 15-minute funicular ride from the port up to one of the holiest religious sanctuaries in the area, founded in the 16th century, 600 mts above the coast (which has a bar and a couple of good restaurants.  From here, you an ancient and well-marked walk takes you from the sanctuary along a descending ridge line through beautiful oak and chestnut forests to Giuseppe Garibaldi’s bustling hometown, whose origins date from pre-Roman times.  (3 hrs; 10 kms, max: 638 mts; min: 5 mts)

Day 5

Today, the trail takes you along the sea front to a neighbouring town before picking up the pilgrim trail again, climbing up into the hills along an old paved trail to a ruined church with breath-taking views and down over Sestri Levante and the Bay of Silences.  (3.5 hrs; 11 kms; min: 0 mts, max: 203 mts)

Day 6

Sestri Levante is on the Genoa/La Spezia line well serviced by regular trains in either direction (including to the Cinque Terre, three stops away to the east).