Classic Walking from Tuscany to the Spectacular Italian Riviera

From the vineyard covered slopes of Tuscany's Chianti region to the pastel colored buildings of Cinque Terre's isolated cliffside villages to the stately villas and palm tree lined boulevards of Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino, enjoy a week of the good life wining and dining among the jewels of Italy. This trip, starting near Florence will introduce you to "La Dolce Vita". Discover wine estates, stone hilltop towns and Renaissance villas in Tuscany. Marvel at the opulence of the Italian Riviera's 19th-century palaces and stately homes surrounded with splendid semi-tropical gardens. Visit colorful ancient fishing villages where land access was once restricted only to footpaths by steep mountain slopes, now graced with terraced vineyards and olive groves. Dine on the region's specialties, from Tuscany's farm fresh produce to hand made pasta garnished with traditional pesto sauces, to the Mediterranean coast's fresh seafood.

Day 1 - Greve & Radda in Chianti - Private transfer to Greve in Chianti, the market town for the Chianti wine producing region.Private tour and wine tasting lesson at a Renaissance villa known for its award winning Chianti Classic wines.Follow countryside laneways overlooking a quintessential Tuscan landscape of vineyards, olive groves and stone farm houses.Visit the quiet fortified borgo of Montefioralle, the birthplace of Amerigo Vespucci, who gave America its name.Enjoy a welcoming lunch in a typical trattoria located among Greve's unique and charming arcaded main square.Discover Radda in Chianti, a hilltop wine village with some of the Chianti's best views from its Medieval walls.

Day 2 - Brolio & Coltibuono - Roam through the heart of Chianti's quiet and picturesque landscapes to the 8th-century abbey at Badia a Coltibuono, producers of fine Chianti Classico wines, aromatic honeys and the area's best olive oils.Visit the majestic Castello di Brolio, where the original recipe for Chianti Classico wines was established. Tour its Italianate gardens with views extending all the way to the towers of Siena.Take a diversion to a local family owned ceramics workshop.Relax at a sidewalk cafe with a glass of the your favorite vintage.

Day 3 - San Gimignano & Lucca - Walk along quiet scenic ridges overlooking neatly rowed vineyards, silvery green olive groves and lush chestnut forests to the wine village of Castellina in Chianti.Meander along a route regarded as one of the trip's most memorable, as you travel through undiscovered wine villages and silent hamlets to a landscape reminiscent as the backdrop of countless Renaissance paintings.Arrive overlooking the fascinating 13th-century towers of charming San Gimignano. Wander its Medieval streets, visit an "enoteca" wine shop, try Italy's best "gelato" and relax in one of Tuscany's most unique hilltop villages.Travel to Lucca, one of Tuscany's most civilized towns surrounded with thick walls topped with a boulevard of trees and walkways.Meander with the locals on a walk around the walls before joining your trip leader for a casual walking tour of the historic center.Relax to the sounds of Puccini, one of the world's great composers and one of Lucca's favorite sons while we dine just around the corner from his birth home.

Day 4 - Cinque Terre - From the colorful houses of Riomaggiore, discover the first of the famous "five lands" before taking an easy walk along the Via dell'Amore "Walk of Love" to Manarola.Walk through the heart of Cinque Terre's Vernaccia white wine production to Corniglia.Follow centuries-old, terrace pathways into majestic pine forests with panoramic views of the azure Mediterranean sea to Vernazza, Cinque Terre's most delightful fishing village in time for lunch overlooking its harbor.An afternoon walk with spectacular views of the villages in the distance will take you to Monterosso al Mare and its emerald waters, regarded as one of Italy's best seaside destinations.

Day 5 - Portofino From the quaint seaside harbor at Camogli, hike or take a boat to the ancient monastery of San Fruttuoso located in a quiet isolated cove of cystal clear waters.Walk a panoramic route through the Monte Portofino National Park with its Mediterranean pines to Portofino, the most fashionable village along the Italian Riviera.Relax in one of its harbor side cafes, check out its elegant shops or take a stroll to discover its churches, castles and panoramic views of its pleasure craft filled harbor.Take a boat ride or optional walk along the coast to Santa Margherita Ligure, an elegant Mediterranean seaside community with flower gardens and palm tree lined boulevards.Dine with views of the Italian Riviera's evening lights shimmering in the distance along the coast.

Day 6 - Genoa - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to the elegant Italian Riviera and take a private transfer to Genoa, to your post-trip hotel, its international airport, or the local train station for convenient connections to Milan or Rome.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !