Compare Cinque Terre Magnifica Hiking Tour by Tourissimo vs The natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest by LifeCycle Adventures
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,995 | Check price |
| Price Per Day | $ 571 | Check price |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
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| Description |
The cluster of seaside villages known as Cinque Terre (Five Lands) burst onto the active travel scene no more than 15 years ago and has become one of the most visited destinations in Italy. All villages were built on the same principle, with a castle erected on top of the mountain by the feudal families who originally ruled over the Cinque Terre and which served to defend the village against the Saracen invaders and pirates coming from the sea. Lack of open space created the characteristic tall, narrow houses. This is a perfect setting for a Magnifica hiking tour! Cinque Terre has some of the best coastal hiking in all of Mediterranean and UNESCO recognized its beauty and uniqueness in 1997, listing it in the registry of World Heritage Sites. But don't expect large crowds and souvenir shops. Cinque Terre has managed to maintain its authenticity despite its popularity, and Beppe and Federica will take you behind the scenes and off the beaten path in many of the villages and places we visit. The tour also includes Portofino, which is not part of Cinque Terre but is worth the visit for its picturesque harbor and interesting history. Colorful, timeless fishing villages dot our hikes among olive trees, vineyards and fragrant flowers. Cinque Terre is also a great destination for lovers of food and wine, a place where farmers have been battling with the steep terrain for hundreds of years, creating small patches of cultivable land on terraces held up by dry stone walls. Down below, a deep blue sea and crashing waves will leave you in awe with each step. |
The landscapes on our Oregon tours are as varied as they are stunning. There are hilltop wineries, bucolic orchards and laden hop trestles; a bounty that can also be enjoyed off the bike with some of the country’s best wine, food and beer. You cycle quiet lanes and bike paths including the Historic Columbia River Highway – one of Bicycling magazine’s best bike rides. And, whether you are in the Willamette Valley or deep in the Columbia River Gorge, snowcapped Mount Hood will be the backdrop to many of your spectacular photographs. |
Day 1: Santa Margherita
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Laurin (alternative Hotel Metropole)
Terrain: Rolling
Hike: 1 Hr
Your guide will meet you at the Malpensa Airport (Milan) for a transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure. After checking in at our hotel we will make our way to Portofino's picturesque waterfront, home of the rich and famous, where you can do some shopping or enjoy a gelato with a view. We will gather just before dinner for an overview of the tour while holding a glass of local white wine to welcome the week ahead. The dining room at our restaurant will afford a characteristic view of the gulf of Santa Margherita.
Day 2: Santa Margherita
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Laurin (alternative Hotel Metropole)
Terrain: Rolling
Hike: 3 Hrs
Today’s hike through the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino is not technically part of Cinque Terre but offers equally spectacular coastal hiking with views of quaint fishing harbors on quiet trails with few people. We’ll visit the San Fruttuoso Abbey, located on the shores of a deep-set cove and only reachable by boat or on foot. After lunch we’ll take a boat to Camogli, a quiet, colorful fishing village. Along the way we will introduce you to a local specialty: the focaccia Ligure, the often imitated local flatbread that is one of the signature dishes of the region, and perhaps, the best trail food you’ll ever come across! And, don’t forget to have a cappuccino in each village you are hiking. You deserve it!
Day 3: Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Rolling
Hike:3 Hrs
We will start our hike this morning in Levanto, the gateway to Cinque Terre and an interesting town with many delightful painted villas. We will follow the trail to Monterosso, the first village of the Cinque Terre. Along the way, we’ll stop at Punta Mesco to enjoy the stunning view. Our lunch spot is by the beach where there will be plenty of time to relax. After a short ride back to Levanto by private boat, you can spend some time strolling around the interesting historical center. A glass of Cinque Terre DOC wine is part of the protocol before a typical Ligurian dinner at one of our favorite trattorias.
Day 4: Levanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Park Hotel Argento
Terrain: Hilly
Hike:3 Hrs
Monterosso is the largest of the 5 villages, and is the starting point of today’s beautiful hike that is filled with stunning scenery, including lemon orchards and lush vegetation. Monterosso is also known for its anchovies (Slow Food presidia) and for its tasty lemons and the two combined make one of the local mouthwatering delicacies. We’ll take advantage of the beautiful view by stopping for lunch and wine tasting on the hills, just before descending to charming and colorful harbor in the cliffside town of Vernazza. From Vernazza we'll make our way back to Levanto by private boat where you'll be able to look back on the shore and see the morning’s hike from a new perspective.
Day 5: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Hilly
Hike: 3 Hrs
Tourissimo takes you off of the beaten path today with a hike that affords breathtaking views. Starting in Riomaggiore, we’ll make our way up to the Santuario di Montenero where you can take in all five villages at once! From there we’ll keep climbing (up a stairway of about 2000 steps!) to Campiglia. Campiglia is nestled across the Cinque Terre sea and the Gulf of La Spezia and on a clear day you can see the island of Corsica and the Ligurian Alps. Back in Portovenere, we’ll have a wine tasting with an explanation of the unique local production by a local winemaker. Afterwards, you will be free to spend some time discovering this vibrant village where its narrow streets often lead to fantastic views of vineyards, on one side, and of the sea, on the other.
Hotel: Relais Le Ville
Day 6: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Hilly
Hike: 3 Hrs
Our last hike starts in Campiglia and reaches Portovenere, the southernmost village on the peninsula. Portovenere is a beautiful and lively village with an impressive fortress that faces out to sea. We’ll discover its port and the Church of St. Peter during a stunning descent before reaching our hotel again. Our celebration dinner is at the hotel’s restaurant with a fantastic, open view of the Gulf of La Spezia. The perfect ending of Cinque Terre Magnifica Tour!
Hotel: Relais Le Ville
Day 7:: Portovenere
Meals: Breakfast
Terrain: Departure
Hike: None
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Airport or to La Spezia Train Station. Guides can help you with your travel plans to make sure you will have a safe trip home.
Day 1: Vernonia to McMinnville
Leisure: 10 miles with 150 feet of climbing
Intermediate:20 miles with 675 feet of climbing
Challenge: 30 miles with 900 feet
Epic: 70 miles with 2,000 feet
As this is your first day, the Intermediate ride is relatively easy. It starts in Vernonia at the start of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. This car-free trail– that travels through Stub Stewart State Park– is built on an abandoned railroad that stretches 21 miles and has a gentle grade through scenic fields and forests. The trail also features 12 bridges including a 600- foot long, 80-foot high railroad trestle. The trail ends at Banks where your guide will meet you for your transfer to McMinnville.
Leisure riders will start at the Stub Stewart State Park Headquarters– halfway along the Banks- Vernonia trail– and, from there, join the route described above.
Challenge riders follow the Intermediate route to Banks and from there ride a further 10-miles; cruising along quiet lanes to Forest Grove. This section of riding is where you’ll see your first vineyards. Your guide will transfer you from Forest Grove to McMinnville.
Those looking for a more Epic start to their tour will ride all the way from Vernonia to McMinnville.
Day 2: McMinnville Loops
Leisure: 10 miles, 150 feet (Space Museum) 30 miles, 1,000 feet (Stoller direct)
Intermediate: 40 miles with 1,300 feet of climbing
Challenge: 80 miles with 2,700 feet of climbing
Today’s Intermediate ride meanders along the quiet lanes of the Amity Hills and the Dundee Hills. There are stunning views across fields of vines to the snow-capped peak of Mount Hood and you have the chance to visit a host of family run and organic wineries. Towns you visit include Dayton and Lafayette – both of which have good lunch options. Alternatively, take a picnic to one of the wineries. Stoller Estate is a great choice: on a hill with stunning views. Domaine Serene and Domaine Drouhin are also nearby.
Leisure riders take a more direct route to Stoller Winery – avoiding the Amity Hills – and ride back on the Intermediate route described above. An even shorter ride takes you to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Museum exhibits include the Spruce Goose. This Howard-Hughes-inspired plane was the largest flying boat ever built and was almost entirely made from wood.
Challenge riders head into the Coast Range for a series of ups and downs through forests and past remote farms. Once through the hills, the ride heads east to join the Intermediate ride from Amity and back to McMinnville via the Stoller Estate Winery.
Day 3: Estacada to Welches
Leisure: 10 miles with 750 feet (Marmot) 20 miles with 1,900 feet (Sandy)
Intermediate: 40 miles with 3,100 feet of climbing
Challenge: 60 miles with 5,750 feet of climbing
Your day starts with a van transfer to rural Clackamas County. Exactly where you start riding will depend on how far you choose to cycle.
Strong Intermediate riders will start in the small lumber town of Estacada. After leaving Estacada, you ride along back roads climbing steadily past open farmland to the town of Sandy: a good lunch stop. From Sandy, you head west on quiet lanes through an area known as Little Switzerland for its U-shaped valley and mountain-framed horizon. You end the day riding through conifer forests; through gaps in the trees you get glimpses of a snow-capped Mount Hood.
Leisure riders (or Intermediate riders looking for an easier day) will join the ride described above in the town of Sandy. For an even more leisurely ride, asked to be dropped at Marmot, in Little Switzerland.
Challenge riders follow the Intermediate ride (above) to near Welches where they add on a loop up the slopes of Mount Hood. This Lolo Pass loop adds 20 miles of climbing & descending. Your reward for all this effort? Stunning views and tired legs!
Day 4: Welches to Hood River
Leisure: 20 miles with 920 feet of climbing
Intermediate: 30 miles with 950 feet of climbing
Challenge: 50 miles with 3,000 feet
Epic: 65 miles with 5,600 feet
Today you have the choice of riding anything from an easy cruise to a real epic. Whichever way you choose, you’ll enjoy some spectacular scenery on the slopes of Mount Hood.
Intermediate riders will take a transfer to Cooper Spur – a cluster of cabins at the base of the Mount Hood Ski area. From here you descend down the Hood River Valley past orchards, wineries and lavender farms. The area is famous for growing apples, pears, cherries, peaches and other fruits. The many fruit stands make great rest stops.
Leisure riders will join the ride described above after the main descent, in the small town of Parkdale. Parkdale is also a good place for lunch.
Challenge riders transfer up to Government Camp - a ski town at 4,000 feet. From here, you ride around the southern flanks of Mount Hood. The ride peaks at 4,600 feet before descending down to join the
Intermediate route at Cooper Spur. Those looking for an Epic ride will simply ride all the way from Welches to Hood River; riding up Highway 26 to Government Camp and joining the Challenge route there.
Day 5: Hood River Loops (A)
Leisure: 15 miles with 1,200 feet of climbing
Intermediate: 40 miles with 3,100 feet
Challenge: 50 miles with 3,500 feet (HCRH) 50 miles with 4,100 feet (7-mile Hill)
Epic: 100 miles with 7,500 feet
All today’s rides start out heading west along the spectacular Columbia River Gorge; along a route described by Bicycling magazine as one of the best rides in the U.S. Much of the riding is along the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) bike path. How difficult you make the ride depends on where you turn around and what route you take back.
Strong Intermediate riders will ride to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum. This is a fine place to take a break, have a browse and eat lunch. You then return to Hood River on a route with stunning views at every turn as the road twice climbs high above the Gorge before descending back down to the river.
Leisure riders will follow the ride described above but turn around in the town of Mosier. A small café here provides a pleasant rest stop.
Challenge riders will ride the HCRH all the way into The Dalles. You then return either along the Gorge or over the aptly-named 7-mile hill.
There is also an Epic ride that follows the route of the Hood River Grand Fondo - all 100 miles and 7,500 feet of it!
Day 6: Hood River Loops (B) & Transfer to Stevenson
Leisure: 20 miles with 1,400 feet of climbing
Intermediate: 40 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing
Challenge: 60 miles with 4,700 feet of climbing
You spend the first part of the day riding out of Hood River and then transfer to Stevenson at the end of the day. You can do any of the rides listed yesterday – Hood River Loop (A) – or venture into the Hood River Valley on the routes described below.
Strong Intermediate riders will ride up the east side of the Hood River Valley to Parkdale, which makes a good lunch stop. From here you head back down the west side of the valley. On this route you pass many fruit farms, some wineries and a lavender farm. The ride is known locally as the Fruit Loop for its many farm stands.
Leisure riders will follow the ride described above but turn around at the town of Odell. This is a shortened version of the Fruit Loop. The Apple Valley Country Store makes a good lunch stop.
Challenge riders will head up the slopes of Mount Hood to the aptly-named Lost Lake. On this ride you climb on car-free National Forest Development Roads and through countryside little changed since Lewis and Clark came exploring here.
We also have a route to ride directly to Stevenson, if you would prefer that.
Day 7: Stevenson to Troutdale – Last Day
Leisure: 15 miles with 850 feet of climbing
Intermediate: 35 miles with 2,200 feet of climbing
Epic: 55 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing
You return to Oregon for the final leg of your journey; crossing the Gorge on the impressive Bridge of the Gods.
The Intermediate route follows the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway. This starts as a bike path through forests and then becomes a quiet lane that passes many waterfalls: Moffett, Horsetail, Bridal Veil, Latourell and Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet, Multnomah Falls are the highest in the state and can be seen from the road. There is also a short hike up to a viewing bridge. After the falls, a beautiful twisting lane brings you to Crown Point. This imposing bluff stands over 700 feet above the river “guarding” the entrance to the Gorge. A great place to snap an iconic photograph before descending into Troutdale to meet your guide for your end-of-tour transfer.
The Leisure route follow the Intermediate route to the Multnomah Falls where the ride ends. Here you can either hike up to the falls and enjoy lunch at the historic lodge before being collected by your guide.
We have a route that takes you all the way into Portland, for those looking for an Epic urban ride to end their tour.
