As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we're excited to share the experiences we had while exploring Tuscany, Liguria, and the breathtaking Cinque Terre region in September and October 2024. Whether you’ve traveled here before or are considering it in the future, we hope this trip report paints a vivid picture of the adventure that awaits.
We began our journey in Florence, where we gathered for introductions on the rooftop terrace of the Hotel del Corso. From there, our expert history guide, Rosella, led us on a fascinating walking tour of Florence. We delved into the city’s Roman origins, marveled at the iconic Duomo and Baptistery, and explored the legacy of the Medici family, including their palace. We also crossed the famous Ponte Vecchio, a bridge with centuries of history. To kick off our trip, we enjoyed a traditional Tuscan dinner at Il Paolo, sampling dishes that truly captured the essence of the region.
The following day, we met Chiara, a local food expert, for a food tour of Florence. We started with decadent chocolates, followed by Porchetta sandwiches and red wine. As we wandered through the market, we tasted seafood gnocchi, fritto misto paired with prosecco, and ended the tour with charcuterie at the charming Alimentari Uffizi. Afterward, we set off for Camogli, a picturesque town along the Italian Riviera. The stunning sea views and peaceful atmosphere provided a perfect contrast to the vibrant streets of Florence. Our evening concluded with dinner and a sunset at La Camogliese, located near our hotel.
Our next day in Camogli was filled with adventure as we explored the Portofino Peninsula. After a scenic climb to San Rocco, we enjoyed fresh focaccia before continuing on to La Sentinella, where we took in sweeping views of the coastline stretching all the way up to Genoa. With the seas too rough for ferries, we opted for a challenging hike toward Mt. Tocco and explored the trails around Gaixella. We wrapped up our day with a memorable dinner at Il Doge, where the food and views were absolutely spectacular.
On our journey to the Cinque Terre, we made our way to Monterosso. After checking into our hotel, we hiked to the Cappuccini Convent, then continued to the nearby cemetery. The rest of the day was spent exploring the town and its landmarks, including the famous “giant” statue at the northern edge of town and the lively train station. We also had time to unwind at the Buranco Winery, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch of prosciutto, mozzarella, pasta pesto, and lemon sorbet, paired with wine tasting. That evening, we hiked up to the Madonna di Soviore Monastery for breathtaking views before settling in for a relaxing evening.
The following day, we took the train to Levanto. Amy opted for a bike ride along a unique tunnel bike path, while the rest of us hiked the scenic route from Levanto to Monterosso. Along the way, we wandered through an enchanted forest, admired cliffside views, and enjoyed a picnic lunch at Punta Mesca. Later, we participated in a fun and educational cooking class at the Cinque Terre Cooking School, where we learned how to prepare sweet bread, fresh pesto, gnocchi, and how to filet fish. After cooking, we indulged in the fruits of our labor, enjoying a delicious dinner that we had all created together.
Our next adventure was a beautiful hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, where we enjoyed breathtaking views of the sea and the charming village below. After a brief rest, we continued on to Camogli, perched high on a cliff. There, we savored a relaxing lunch at La Posada, where the waitstaff commented on the strong camaraderie among the group. We then explored Camogli before returning to Monterosso for the evening.
We spent our last full day in the Cinque Terre region hiking from Camogli to Volastra, with lunch at a local trattoria. Afterward, we made our way down to the idyllic village of Manarola, where we had time to explore the charming harbor before heading back to Monterosso for our final evening together.
On our last day, we traveled by train to the final village of the Cinque Terre—Riomaggiore. We were fortunate enough to walk the Via dell'Amore, a scenic path that had been closed for several years after being damaged by flooding. The recently reopened path offered stunning views of the sea. We also toured the Riomaggiore Castle and hiked up through town to the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero. Our final hike led us up to Colle del Telegrafo, where we were picked up by our drivers and treated to a delicious lunch in Campiglia before heading to our beautiful hotel in Portovenere.
The last day of the trip took us on a ferry to the island of Palmaria, where we explored the island’s natural beauty and encountered friendly goats. Unfortunately, the rain we had been anticipating all week finally caught up with us, prompting an early return to Portovenere. We used the extra time to explore the town and pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Our final dinner was filled with laughter, reflection, and celebration as we bid farewell to our fellow travelers and the stunning landscapes that had made this trip so memorable.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on this incredible adventure. We hope that you are as inspired by the beauty of Tuscany, Liguria, and the Cinque Terre as we were, and that you or someone you know might consider traveling with us on our Cinque Terre and Italian Riviera trip.
