CÔTE D’AZUR, RIVIERA OF FLOWERS, CINQUE TERRE

Description

Day 1 Sanremo

Arrival in afternoon. Check-in at your hotel, then you are free to discover the new surroundings or you can relax in one of the many delightful cafés. Dinner and overnight stay in Sanremo.

Day 2 Sanremo, Dolceacqua

In the morning we head to Dolceacqua, a delightful medieval town with spectacular scenery portrayed by the greatest Impressionist painters like Monet or Renoir in many works.  The most ancient part, situated at the foot of the 12th century castle of the Doria family, the Dogi of the magnificent maritime republic of Genoa, is separated from de newer one by a medieval bridge and made up of tall and closely-packed houses facing windy uphill alleys. Don’t forget to sample here Rossese di Dolceacqua, a prized red wine with an intense flavour.  We return to Sanremo, known as the Town of Flowers, a city famous for its national singing competition, for its exquisite gardens and for the huge amount of cut flowers it exports all around the world. We will discover the elegant and gracious Empress walk with splendid 19th-century villas and monuments, the elegant Via Matteotti, a true paradise of designer shopping and the famous Art Nouveau Casino rivalling that of Monte Carlo. Dinner and overnight stay in Sanremo.

Day 3 Cannes

Departure to Cannes, the glamorous home of the famous Film Festival. Your visit will begin in the beautiful Suquet, the historic heart of the city which overlooks the old port and contains perfectly intact reminders of the past: the 12th century Sant’Anna chapel, the museum of  la Castre and the the church of  Notre-Dame d’Espérance, In the afternoon you may like to take advantage of the shopping opportunities offered by the elegant rue d’Antibes or along the legendary Croisette that winds among great hotels and beaches. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Sanremo.

Day 4 Genoa

Today we leave for Genoa, in the past was one of the Maritime Republics. This intriguing city has a historic heart brimming with twisting streets, Baroque palaces, Romanesque churches and handsome buildings with colourful façades in lovely architectural styles. We will follow the alleyways of the historical centre grew around the old harbour to see the Piazza de Ferrari, the Palace of the Doges, the Santo Stefano Abbey, the imposing St Lawrence Cathedral and, of course, the stone-paved 16th century street of Via Garibaldi framed by palazzos with lush courtyards, gardens, atria and external staircases, once owned by Genoa's most important families. In the free time you could sample some of Genoa's delectable pesto sauce. Dinner and overnight stay in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Day 5 Rapallo, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure

In the morning we visit Portofino, the jewel of the Italian Riviera, offering visitors landscapes of rare beauty. This old fishing village has become one of the world’s most exclusive resorts. Be sure to bring your camera and autograph book, as Portofino is a popular spot for celebrities and artists that every year are attracted here. We continue on to Rapallo, the oldest town in the area. At its heart, Rapallo it is still the gracious seaside village that attracted artists and writers like Ezra Pound or D.H. Lawrence with its Baroque buildings, its castle, its seafront fortress or its Medieval bridge. In afternoon you can explore the lovely Santa Margherita itself. Although relatively unknown, the town is teeming with character. Its harbour, which hosts a morning fish market, is a magnet for small yachts - you won’t tire of strolling around this picturesque setting. Dinner and overnight stay in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Day 6 Cinque Terre

Full day dedicated to a guided visit to the Cinque Terre, almost all inaccessible by road, famous throughout the world for its beauty and breathtaking views. The individual names Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore mean little and are almost unknown, but as the Cinque Terre stretching along Liguria’s rocky coast they are celebrated as a unforgettable and charming region completely unspoilt by modern development: olive groves, vineyards, winding stone paths and enchanting small beaches wedged between cliffs, brightly coloured houses and rooftops. We will have a train ride to the Cinque Terre and the chance to take a stroll along the beautiful “Via dell‘Amore”, a breathtakingly beautiful footpath carved into the rocks between Riomaggiore and Manarola affording dramatic sea views. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Day 7 Portovenere and the Poet’s Gulf

Departure to the Gulf of Spezia, called the Gulf of Poets because of its attraction to some of the world’s most celebrated poets who came and even died here. Our first stop is Portovenere, a picturesque seaside village situated on a rocky promontory facing the the islands Tino and Tinetto. We will visit here the historical centre, then reach by boat the picturesque town of Tellaro lying on the other side of the gulf, to see the colourful fishermen’s houses cluster close to St George’s church. Once it was the chosen destination of the British writer D.H. Lawrence. We will continue on to Lerici, romantic village which have inspired writers such as Byron, Shelley, Virginia Woolf, Gabriele d’Annunzio. You will have time to explore the myriad of twisting lanes of the old town strolling to the 12th century castle to discover a beautiful panorama with views towards Portovenere and the islands. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Day 8 Santa Margherita Ligure

Breakfast and departure for return journey. End of our services

Category
Economy (Scheduled Tour) Bed & Breakfast
Price includes Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described: 3 night accommodation in hotel in Sanremo on a half-board basis, drinks not included 4 night accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure on a half-board basis, drinks not included Local English speaking guides in Genoa, Sanremo, Cinque Terre, Cannes. Other languages are available on request. Transfer by boat from Portovenere to Tellaro Transfer by train from La Spezia to Monterosso and Manarola to La Spezia Price does not include City tax Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Turin / Milan / Nice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver) Optional visits
Comfort (Scheduled Tour) Half Board (dinner)
Price includes Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described: 3 night accommodation in hotel in Sanremo on a half-board basis, drinks not included 4 night accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure on a half-board basis, drinks not included Local English speaking guides in Genoa, Sanremo, Cinque Terre, Cannes. Other languages are available on request. Transfer by boat from Portovenere to Tellaro Transfer by train from La Spezia to Monterosso and Manarola to La Spezia Price does not include City tax Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Turin / Milan / Nice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver) Optional visits

Price includes

Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described:
3 night accommodation in hotel in Sanremo on a half-board basis, drinks not included
4 night accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure on a half-board basis, drinks not included
Local English speaking guides in Genoa, Sanremo, Cinque Terre, Cannes. Other languages are available on request.
Transfer by boat from Portovenere to Tellaro
Transfer by train from La Spezia to Monterosso and Manarola to La Spezia

Price does not include

City tax
Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Turin / Milan / Nice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver)
Optional visits

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place