Cinque Terre may be one of the most photographed places in Italy, but with us you’ll discover its quieter, hidden side. Our week combines sea-view trails, fishing villages, and encounters with artisans who keep centuries-old traditions alive. We’ve chosen secret paths away from the tourist crowds, intimate trattorias, and family-run farms where the flavors of Liguria come alive.
Highlights? Walking among the terraced vineyards of Manarola, learning how to make pesto in Moneglia, dining with your feet in the sand in Camogli, visiting the woodcarvers of Chiavari. Nights are spent in hand-picked hotels in Levanto and Rapallo, perfectly located for easy access and evening strolls.
This is the Italian Riviera at its most authentic—where sea, hills, food, and people create an unforgettable mosaic.
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6-night stay in very comfortable hotels with ensuite bathrooms (ask early for a room with sea view!)
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners – with local wine always included
Transportation during the tour + luggage transfers
1 local guide for groups 10
Artisans’ workshop visit in Chiavari (traditional wood chairs)
Wine tasting & farm lunch in Monterosso
boat ride from Portofino to Rapallo
Pesto-making
All entrance tickets & taxes
We meet in Levanto at 4 pm. After a welcome stroll through its cobbled alleys, a short train ride brings us to Vernazza, the most iconic fishing village of Cinque Terre.
Dinner tonight is in a cozy trattoria.
Walk among ancient vineyards with breathtaking views over the sea. Visit the church of Montenero, perched high above the cliffs, then descend into Riomaggiore for a seafood lunch. In the evening, enjoy a wine-paired dinner in Manarola.
Meet Letizia, a local guide from Moneglia, who leads us through medieval alleys and along panoramic trails. Our walk ends at her husband’s family vineyard, where a long, lazy seafood lunch with local wines awaits. Dinner on your own in Levanto.
Walk along the old coastal train line to Bonassola, then visit the Capuchin friars’ convent in Monterosso. Later, we walk to Agriturismo Buranco for a memorable farm lunch with wine. Evening transfer to Rapallo. Free night for dinner.
Discover the artisans of Chiavari, where master woodcarvers still make the famous lightweight chairs. Taste traditional street food like farinata. In the afternoon, walk to Punta Chiappa before a boat ride back to Camogli for a beachfront fish dinner.
From Santa Margherita, walk through olive groves to Portofino, the most glamorous town on the Riviera. Lunch is rustic—pesto pasta in the Valley of Mills. Our farewell dinner in Rapallo includes a pesto-making show (and tasting, of course!).
Morning transfer to Rapallo train station for easy onward connections.
A family-run hotel in the lively center of Levanto, welcoming guests for three generations. Spacious, newly refurbished rooms combine comfort with Ligurian charm.
An elegant 4-star hotel overlooking the promenade of Rapallo, steps from the beach and ferries to Portofino. Expect modern comfort, excellent service, and sweeping Riviera views.
Liguria is a narrow strip of land squeezed between the sea and the mountains, and its cuisine reflects this perfect balance: simple, fresh, fragrant with herbs, and rich in freshly caught seafood. During this journey, you’ll experience a true gourmet itinerary, discovering authentic dishes and local wines.
👉 Ligurian cuisine is all about simplicity and authenticity, yet every bite and sip tells a centuries-old story of sea and land coming together.
Here pesto isn’t just a sauce—it’s a ritual. Prepared in the mortar with fragrant basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano, pecorino, and extra virgin olive oil, you’ll taste it the traditional way with trofie pasta. And on the last evening, you’ll even learn how to make it yourself during a lively pesto-making show in Rapallo.
Every village greets you with the aroma of freshly baked focaccia: crispy on the outside, soft inside, sometimes topped with onions or olives. Another local treat is farinata, a thin chickpea flour pie baked in a wood-fired oven—simple, rustic, and absolutely irresistible.
From the fishermen of Riomaggiore to the beachside restaurants of Camogli, the sea is always the star of the table. Expect stuffed mussels, fried calamari, anchovies, seafood soups, and the iconic cappon magro, a colorful layered dish of fish and vegetables. One of the highlights? Dining right by the sand in Camogli, with waves almost at your feet.
Meals are not confined to restaurants—sometimes we’ll stop at farmhouses or vineyards, like the agriturismo in Monterosso, for long, convivial lunches paired with local wines. Between courses, farmers share stories of their land, giving every bite more meaning.
Liguria’s desserts are never too sweet, but full of character: rice cake from Genoa, hazelnut cookies from Chiavari, candied chinotto citrus, and, of course, gelato in the evening along seaside promenades.
Taste Ligurian Vermentino, a crisp, mineral white that sings with seafood, and Sciacchetrà, the legendary sweet wine of the Cinque Terre, made from grapes grown on dramatic coastal terraces. Golden and aromatic, it pairs beautifully with hazelnut cakes or aged cheese.
The Cinque Terre vineyards are unlike any others in the world. Perched on dramatic stone terraces above the sea, they’ve been cultivated for centuries by hand, with farmers carrying baskets of grapes up and down steep cliffs. Every bottle reflects this heroic labor and the unique blend of sea breezes, sun, and stone.
Tasting these wines isn’t just about drinking—it’s about discovering a heroic winemaking tradition that has shaped the Cinque Terre for centuries:
Vermentino
The signature white of Liguria. Crisp, mineral, and slightly salty, Vermentino captures the essence of the Mediterranean. Perfect with seafood—especially anchovies, mussels, and pesto pasta.
Pigato
A cousin of Vermentino but more aromatic, Pigato offers hints of peach, herbs, and wildflowers. It’s a wonderful match for focaccia, grilled vegetables, or a plate of fried calamari by the sea.
Rossese di Dolceacqua
A rare red wine from western Liguria, light yet full of personality, with flavors of red berries and spice. Locals drink it slightly chilled, often with pasta al pesto or vegetable pies.
Sciacchetrà
The jewel of Cinque Terre wines. This golden, sweet passito is made from grapes dried under the Ligurian sun. Rich, honeyed, with notes of apricots and nuts, it’s traditionally paired with hazelnut cake or aged pecorino cheese. A sip of Sciacchetrà is like tasting the very soul of this land.
Price per person changes depending on the occupancy number of your private group.
More guests? Please ask us a quote. We can also tailor the tour to your needs.
| Number of guests | price in double room (euros) | single supplement (euros) |
| 1 | contact us | |
| 2 or 3 | 5850 | 620 |
| 4 or 5 | 4290 | 620 |
| 6 or 7 | 4050 | 620 |
| 8 or 9 | 3850 | 620 |
| 10 or 11 | 3790 | 620 |
| 12 or more | 3490 | 620 |
Levanto – Hotel Oasi
4.00 PM
Sestri Levante train station
9:30 AM
60 minutes of walking/jogging, 3x a week recommended
sturdy walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, refillable bottle, swimsuit, light clothes for dinners
2–3 hr walk in the morning, long lunch with wine, optional town stroll in the afternoon, rest, then dinner
mild, often called “Italy’s Florida”. Hot but breezy in July/August; perfect in spring and fall.
My husband and I spent 7 days in September walking the Tuscan Hills with Gianni and Rudy. As I read my journal from our trip almost 3 months ago it brings a smile to my face as I relive those treasured moments of hiking beautiful vineyard hillsides, making pasta at a local restaurant, listening to arias from well known Italian operas, drinking glorious wines with local wine makers, eating fabulous foods, learning about making cheese, doing yoga in a beautiful vineyard and listening to Gianni play his flute.Gianni’s organizational skills and ability to relate to all his guests was a large part in making this trip so memorable and enjoyable.
The Best Way to See Italy Forget Rick Steves and sign on with Gianni for a wonderful exploration of some of the best Italy has to offer–countryside, history, food, and people. Gianni’s deep knowledge of all these adds so much richness to the experience of walking through picturesque medieval towns and gorgeous rolling hillsides of vineyards, fields and orchards. The accommodations were comfortable and centralized, often with wonderful views.Although this was a tour through the areas surrounding Siena, Montalcino and Pienza, Gianni offers tours in other areas and I would expect the same high level of engagement and effort to provide unique experiences. Truly exceeded my expectations!
Walk about Tuscany Loved this tour and would highly encourage others to go. Our guides Gianni and Sara were great, everything ran smoothly from day one. Excellent choices of hotels, restaurants and walking trails. The perfect size group, lots of laughs and good memories. Looking forward to the next one. Grazie, Monica
Under the Tuscan Sun…and a big black cloud but only once I have just returned from 8 fabulous days with Walk About Tuscany hosted by Gianni and Rudy and helped by their hard working transportation crew who ensured we were picked up on time, we traveled safely and no luggage was lost. We had many moments of fun and laughter and even a couple of flute recitals just for a change of pace!! In the end, I have Gianni to thank for this experience. His thoughtful organization and attention to detail were key in delivering a superb product, a memorable adventure and a trip of a lifetime. Walk About Tuscany is highly recommended! Grazie, Gianni
The unforgetable Tuscany I am so amazed with Gianni who operated our tour with his in-depth knowledge of every single steps and buildings around Tuscany. Not to mention his creativeness in every moments of our walks. You will have great lunches and dinners with lots of special-2-thumbs-up wines. We also visit Olive Oil producer and given sampler at which is the best (and fresh) olive oil that I had ever tasted ! The scenery view is very awesome, just like the post card. Highly recommended and wouldn’t mind to do this tour again.
Group Tour of Tuscany Hill Towns with Walk About Tuscany Tours I had a marvelous time on this trip. Our guide, Gianni, provided gorgeous walks and unique experiences with local organic producers of wine, produce, cheese, and olive oil. Definitely experiences I couldn’t have had without his guidance and that helped me to appreciate what makes this region unique. Gianni is knowledgeable and expended every effort to ensure that our trip was memorable and unique. We walked, ate very well, drank wonderful wines and learned a great deal about this region of Tuscany and why it is among the most delightful of all Italy.
