Escorted Full Day Tour of Cinque Terre from Florence

The Italian term Cinque Terre translates to ‘Five Lands’. It is used to refer to the five villages that line the coast and make up the Liguria region on the Italian Riviera - Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore. The Cinque Terre National Park comprises of these hamlets, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Due to little to no corporate development in the region, the villages here retained their rustic beauty. Over the centuries, terraces were built all the way up to the top of the cliffs on the rugged landscape by the villagers. The charm of the place is further enhanced by the fact that no cars or buses can reach some of these places. Historically, these villages held strong against Turkish assaults back in the 16th Century by building barricades and towers. It was not until the 19th Century that the villages of Cinque Terre were brought out of their isolation through the construction of an extensive railway network. Except for Monterosso, none of the other hamlets considered fishing their defining occupation until the 1970s. There is a strange charm about the place that makes visiting these villages extremely compelling.

Your tour will begin at Piazzale Montelugno, where you will meet your tour escort before boarding the coach and beginning your journey to the picturesque Cinque Terre village of Manarola. Throughout your journey, the escort will share useful tips about how to best spend your time and money during the course of the day and will also hand you a map to help you navigate once you arrive. After all, the day is yours and you can explore Cinque Terrre any way you wish. Your adventure will begin at Manarola. After you have looked around and clicked a few photos, you can choose to take a boat to the village of Monterosso should the weather permit, which it often does. Dive into the Mediterranean for a lovely swim or explore the quaint village and find a nice spot for lunch. Considering the fact that all these villages lie in the Mediterranean region, it comes as no surprise that the local cuisine, which largely includes seafood, is simply irresistible. Delicacies like Monterosso's anchovies and pesto sauce are treats to savor. There are many small shops that are interesting to explore this village.

All the villages of Cinque Terre are very well connected by boat or train so you can visit Vernazza and other areas as well. Feel free and spend your day hopping across these incredible villages until, at last, you reach La Spezia, and your tour will be at an end. Please ensure you reach the departure point on time for your return back to Florence.