Compare Northern Italy's Highlights & Cinque Terre by Globus vs Walking in the Cinque Terre and Portofino by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,039 | $ 1,895 |
| Price Per Day | $ 304 | $ 271 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | Liguria is well-known for its delicious cuisine and classic regional dishes include pasta with pesto or walnut sauce, focaccia bread and of course plenty of seafood! With an abundance of fresh local produce and plenty of restaurants to try in Sestri Levante, food is a highlight of the trip. Vegetarians are well-catered for in Italy. |
| Description | Parmesan and prosciutto. Ferraris and Fiats. Ruins and the Riviera. Some of Italy’s greatest indulgences can be found up north. Italy’s “Fabulous Five,” the pastel-hued cliffside fishing villages along the Mediterranean, start the count of the numerous joys you’ll experience on this Undiscovered Tour of Northern Italy. In addition to finding the freshest seafood along the coast, you’ll relish a balsamic vinegar tasting in the epicurean city of Modena, a parmesan cheese tasting near Verdi’s hometown of Busseto, a risotto lunch at a Vercelli rice factory, and a wine tasting in vineyard-dotted Gabiano. To spice things up, you’ll speed over to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and strut your stuff down the streets of Milan. Leading you to the fabulous, the famous, and the fashionable, this tour is the way to see Northern Italy in style. |
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Day 1: ARRIVE IN MILAN, ITALY
Welcome to Milan! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: MILAN–BUSSETO–PARMA
Style & Taste in Northern Italy MILAN Guided walking tour includes sights of the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and the Duomo. Free time before continuing to Busseto.BUSSETO See the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi with free time for lunch before [LF] a Parmesan cheese tasting at a local caseificio (cheese-making factory). (Breakfast)99 mi / 160 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Bite into 1,000 years of Italian tradition with a Parmesan cheese tasting in Busseto. Learn about the rich history that has passed the test of time with authentic ingredients of passion and perfected recipes in local caseifici (cheese making factories) of the Italian pastoral landscapes.
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Day 3: PARMA. EXCURSION TO MODENA & MARANELLO
Cathedrals & Classic Cars PARMA Guided sightseeing includes sights of the cathedral, bell tower, and octagonal baptistry. Free time to visit the cathedral.MODENA Enjoy a [LF] Balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi.MARANELLO [LF] Visit the Ferrari Museum. Free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast) 112 mi / 180 km
LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegar requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty.
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Day 4: PARMA–LUCCA
Treasured Time in Tuscany LUCCA Orientation walk, followed by free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast) 99 mi / 160 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEMS Within the walls surrounding the medieval city of Lucca, the modern world fades away. Whilst you walk, see the Piazza Anfiteatro, San Michele Square, the Roman Amphitheatre, the soaring clock tower, and the Guinigi Tower topped with a hanging garden roof – just to name a few of the impressive sights you’ll find in this historic city in Tuscany.
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Day 5: LUCCA–CINQUE TERRE–GENOA
Sights to Sea Scenic drive en route to La Spezia.CINQUE TERRE Take a guided boat ride (weather permitting) to Monterosso. Free time before continuing the journey by train. GENOA Dinner at local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 124 mi / 200 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Take a stunning cruise on the coast of Cinque Terre and take in fascinating views of the sea, sky, and centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.
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Day 6: GENOA
The Italian Riviera GENOA Join the guided tour to discover the highlights of the Old Town, including sights of San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Ducal Palace and Christopher Columbus’ childhood home followed by a pesto demo and tasting. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Genova may be less well known than other Italian cities, but it never fails to surprise and delight. It has one of the largest medieval city centers in Europe, and its wonderful location, between the mountains and sea, set it up to be a longstanding maritime power. It is the birthplace not only of Christopher Columbus but also of one of the world’s favorite pasta sauces – pesto! This delicious sauce created from garlic, basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil, is proudly present on the menu of many restaurants and is traditionally served with the “trofie” pasta.
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Day 7: GENOA–GABIANO–TURIN
Carafes at the Castle GABIANO Enjoy [LF] wine tasting and lunch at the castle. (Breakfast,Lunch) 143 mi / 230 km
LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Gracing the hills above the Po Valley, the Castello di Gabiano has made history as early as the 8th century. Once the site of sieges and wars, the castle has passed through noble families through time to become one of the oldest and largest manors in Monferrato. Today, its tradition of winemaking is shared with tastings of vintages aged in its cellar barrels in the tradition passed down since the 12th century.
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Day 8: TURIN
Monumental Mysteries TURIN Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Mole Antonelliana and a visit to the cathedral. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Turin abounds of a wealth of Baroque, Rococo, Neo-classical, and Art Nouveau treasures. Stroll the elegant squares to see the monument of Mole Antonelliana – a former synagogue with its 87-meter-high panorama deck. Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which houses the most holy relic in the Catholic Church – the Shroud of Turin.
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Day 9: TURIN–VERCELLI–MILAN
The Dish on Risotto VERCELLI [LF] Visit a rice factory followed by a risotto lunch.MILAN Farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner) 130 mi / 210 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Visit Vercelli, the heart of Europe's rice production, where the tradition of delicious risotto is born. It’s here that the round rice grain called japonica is grown. This round grain keeps its shape during the cooking process to release that beautifully creamy texture of risotto that we all know and love. The fine art of rice farming in Italy now combines tradition with technology to tend these fields with loving care.
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Day 10: MILAN
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1 Start Sestri Levante
Make your way to Sestri Levante. Your B&B, Albergo Marina, is centrally located in Sestri Levante, is perfectly located, within easy walking distance of both the beach and the railway station.
Day 2 The Cinque Terre National Park
The walk today really allows you to explore the National Park of the Cinque Terre. Starting from Monterosso, the largest of the celebrated Cinque Terre villages, climb through cultivated olive groves to the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna of Soviore. Then it's downhill all the way to pastel-coloured Vernazza, clustered around its serene natural harbour. There's time to explore the village before returning by train to Sestri.
Day 3 Palmaria Island
Make your way to Portovenere then take a boat to Palmaria island. Rich in Mediterranean vegetation and maquis shrubland, it's not unusual to see cistus and rare orchids blooming here. A circular walk with stunning coastal vistas takes you via a steep climb to the Batteria Semaforo, part of the network of fortresses constructed by Napoleon to secure the Gulf of La Spezia. Return to Sestri Levante in time for dinner.
Day 4 Corniglia and Manarola
Take a train to picture perfect Corniglia, a charming jumble of pastel-hued houses toppling prettily down the hillside. Follow the narrow herb scented paths through vineyards up to the tiny yet panoramic village of Volastra and its 12th century sanctuary, then descend to arguably the oldest of the five Cinque Terre villages, colourful Manarola. Wander around the pretty marina and try the local wine - Schiacchetra - which is produced here, before taking the train back to Sestri Levante.
Day 5 Riomaggiore to Portovenere
Today you take a train to Riomaggiore, the last of the Cinque Terre villages and walk along an impossibly panoramic path that hugs the coastline all the way to the charming fishing port of Portovenere. Set in a beautiful sweeping bay, and once the haunt of Byron and Shelley, there's a 16th century castle and medieval churches to explore before returning to Sestri Levante.
Day 6 Portofino
After breakfast take a train to Camogli, and then a bus to Ruta di Camogli, and the start of the walk. Follow ancient forest trails through the lush Mount Portofinla Natural Park to San Fruttuoso and its 11th century abbey. Continue to chic Portofino, the Ligurian Riviera's most exclusive resort, before returning via Santa Magherita Ligure for your last night in Sestri Levante.
Day 7 End Sestri Levante
Make your own way back to the airport, or add on additional nights in Pisa if you wish.
