Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking

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Duration:13 hours (approx.)
Location: Florence, Tuscany

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If you love an outdoor adventure, our Cinque Terre tour is sure to add a little something special to your Italian holiday. Join us and explore some of the country’s most beautiful coastal towns and admire the stunning landscapes on a guided tour you’re sure to remember for life.

- The only round trip, one day tour from Florence to all five Cinque Terre villages

- Explore the Italian Riviera and enjoy spectacular coastal views

- Free time in the villages for wine tasting, souvenir shopping or for a swim in the turquoise waters at one of the area’s beaches

- A scenic boat ride along the Cinque Terre coastline (end March to end October only - weather permitting)

- Tour is only in English (not different languages contemporarly) to ensure maximum quality and customer service

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Check-in and departure point
2. Borgo Storico di Manarola
Built in the valley of the torrente Groppo, until 1950 the stream which runs through the town was completely uncovered and 11 stone bridges allowed the people to cross from one side to the other. Over the next thirty years the stream was gradually covered over. The ancient village was destroyed by Saracen pirates (in 849) and the surviving people fled in land to live. When the seas were made safe again in the 11th century, people came back to settle here under the protection of the Republic of Genova. By the 1200's cultivation of vines was not only established but the wine they produced was sought after. The church of San Lorenzo was begun in 1338. The patron saint is celebrated on the 10th of August with a procession through the streets carrying a statue of him. The castle which protected the town from pirates is now a private home, you can see the garden from the panoramic walk, it is on the rock immediately above the port. Manarola is now famous for its Christmas nativity scene which is the biggest in the world. Figures outlined in thousands of lights cover the hillside. Also an Easter scene is made.
3. Borgo Storico di Corniglia
The middle town of the five, Corniglia is the smallest town and sits at 90 metres above sea level. The name derives from the huge spur of rock on which the village sits. Population of about only 200. San Pietro church from the fourteenth century on the site of an eleventh century chapel. San Pietro's day is 29th June and as part of the celebrations, there is a procession through the streets. A special savoury tart is prepared with rice, eggs and cheese and is shared among the people who take part in the procession.
4. Cinque Terre Trails
These ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoiled, do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the cliff edge. Because of the nature of the hike, we are unable to accept small children or anyone with walking difficulties.
5. Vernazza
Vernazza is unique in the Cinque Terre because of the small port that was built allowing ships to land in the protected bay. It was already a fortified village and efficient maritime base in the earliest records available from the eleventh century. Today there are traces of the military defences built by the Genovese in the thirteenth century such as traces of the old walls, ramparts and the look out tower.
6. Borgo Antico
There was a castle here before 1200 and some ruins of it can still be seen. The community of Monterosso was founded in 1214. The church of San Giovanni Battista, built-in 1220 has a bell tower built in 1400 as a lookout tower. The church of San Antonio di Mesco was built in 1335.
7. Spiaggia di Fegina
The new town is called Fegina and is linked to the old part of Monterosso by a pedestrian tunnel. Statue of Neptune built into the rock, but made of concrete so badly deteriorated, was built by an architect in the 1920's. The sandy shelf provides the ideal habitat for seagrass which acts as a lung for the waters of the Cinque Terre and provides a beautiful beach for us. The whole area is a marine protected area, like the sea version of a national park. 2007 Forbes magazine called Monterosso the sexiest beach in the world....whatever that may mean.
8.
Boat Ride (weather permitting)
9. Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore
At Riomaggiore, centuries ago, the distinctive tall, colourful houses known as Genovese tower houses arranged in rows connected by alleys, arches and steps provided a defense against pirates. House colours are regulated by the comune. You can't just paint them any colour you like! Houses have two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on the higher road, so that when they were attacked by pirates, the people could escape. At the end of the eighteen hundreds the railway came along the coast and Riomaggiore, along with the other towns of the cinque terrre came out of their historic isolation, even though a road wouldn't reach them until the 1970's. Language, lingua ligure, the villages were so cut off even from each other that they spoke different dialects of the same language.
10. Stazione La Spezia Centrale
Coach transfer back to Florence

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• Suitable walking shoes are mandatory for those doing the hiking – no flip-flops. Suggestions: walking boots or sneakers, closed toe shoes with non-slip soles.
• If you want to swim during free time, please remember to bring your own towel and swimwear.
• On rare occasions the boat ride will stop operating due to bad weather or strong winds. It is beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued.
• In case of unexpected closure of the paths for unforeseen events, alternative routes will be taken instead for those doing the hiking
• A large amount of walking is involved for those doing the hiking. You must be of average fitness and be able to keep up with the rest of the group.
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking difficulties, below average fitness, or young children.
• Minimum age is 8 years.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Jerry_C
Claudia and Valentina were amazing leaders on a very busy tour. They kept us all organized and on time. They filled us with lots of information about each town.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-25 10:21:55

Posted By : R7624LRmichelled
We were so impressed by how well organized this tour was. Our guides, Claudia and Valentina, were wonderful. We really appreciated how organized and knowledgeable they were, as well as their excellent recommendations for places to visit in each of the five villages. We wish we had more time in each of the villages, but it was great to see them all in one day. We were torn between doing this tour and doing a trip to cinque terre from Florence on our own and I’m happy we booked the tour. The itinerary was great and really allowed us to get to see as much stuff as possible in one day. We did the hike, which was really cool, however in retrospect we kind of wish we skipped it to have more time in the villages. We did a ton of walking even without the hike. Overall, I highly recommend this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-25 05:43:41

Posted By : Jill_D
This trip was amazing! It was a long day but worth every second. We got to see all 5 beautiful towns and experience a little piece of each one. Our tour guides Claudia and Valentina were so lovely! They were knowledgeable and engaging, and very entertaining! The hike was definitely worth it, highly recommend if you are able. If you have the time, you have to do this trip!!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-25 03:15:58

Posted By : Isobel_B
The guides were amazing, everything was really well organised and easy to go along with. Although it rained almost the entire time, we all still managed to have a great time. The hike is well worth it, and probably even more enjoyable in pleasant weather!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-24 11:01:42

Posted By : MariaIsabel_L
Big THANK YOU to ALICE, our guide, who made this trip a memorable one! Since the meeting point she had an amazing vibes and eventhought it was a day trip she had energies all day long! Cinque terre was amazing, we did not have much time in Italy and this was a must-do trip for us. How good was organized, the time spent in each land, everything was perfect!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-24 08:30:25

Posted By : Alex_W
Had an amazing experience and the guides (Naomi and Chris) did an excellent job! We did so much in one day, and they kept the group together the entire time. The group got to choose what we did each step of the way.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-24 04:19:07

Posted By : Tim_T
Highly recommend the trip to cinque Terre! Our guides Victoria and Juan Carlos were the best! Very organized, knowledgeable, educational, and entertaining.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-23 18:25:05

Posted By : Brandon_M
Giancarlo and Victoria were incredible tour guides! Not only were they very informative and provided just the right amount of context during the trip, but the were INCREDIBLY organized and professional. They kept our group on track through bus rides, train rides and the hike. I would highly recommend this tour! It was the highlight of our trip!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-23 17:36:53

Posted By : Andrew_V
The guides from Walkabout Tours were fantastic. So very knowledgeable and pleasant. Victoria and Valentina. The scenery is breathtaking and so unique. The organisation was faultless. We had time to enjoy the places, take pictures and relax.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-23 14:08:38

Posted By : Alla_S
Our guides, Victoria and Valentina, were amazing. Caring, knowledgeable and fun! Our driver Franco was also very good! Thank you for the wonderful trip and exceptional service to all of you!! I would highly recommend WALKABOUT tours to anyone!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-23 13:22:52