4 days, 3 nights · Best for First-timers seeking coastal villages, hiking trails, and Riviera glamour
A Taste of the Cinque Terre Tour | Vacation Packages for 2025, 2026
Experience Rapallo, Cinque Terre and Portofino as seaside villages, coastal trails and Ligurian flavors create the perfect Italian Riviera escape.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Stop 1Rapallo, Liguria
Rapallo
Your base for the Cinque Terre coastline
We base you in Rapallo, a working seaside town on the Riviera di Levante whose harbor, promenade, and proximity to the local train line make it an efficient anchor for days out along the coast. From here you reach the five villages of Cinque Terre National Park by regional train, changing at La Spezia, and travel west to Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino by the same line. The town itself offers a waterfront castle, a small boat harbor, and restaurants serving trofie al pesto and acciughe fritte without the markups of the resort towns nearby.
You arrive in the afternoon with time to walk the lungomare or settle in before your welcome dinner at a neighborhood restaurant where the menu runs to Ligurian seafood and focaccia di Recco. Each morning you meet your guide at the hotel and set off by train, returning in the evening to the same room.
Arranged for you: We arrange your hotel, welcome drink and dinner, and a guide for full-day excursions to Cinque Terre and the western Riviera.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Rapallo
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Cooking class in focaccia and pesto Day Trips · Half day
Learn to make Genovese basil pesto with a mortar and pestle, then shape and bake focaccia in a home kitchen overlooking the gulf.
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Sunset aperitivo cruise along the Portofino headland Day Trips · Half day
Board a private boat in Rapallo for a coastal run past Santa Margherita and into Portofino bay, with Ligurian white wine and fried seafood on deck.
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Guided hike on the Portofino Regional Park trails Day Trips · Full day
Walk from Camogli to San Fruttuoso through Mediterranean scrub and pine forest, then return by ferry to complete the loop.
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Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayOur Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo tour lets you explore three stunning Ligurian villages, learn about their history and enjoy a relaxing shore excursion during your cruise around Italy.
Day by day in Rapallo
Arrive in Rapallo, a charming seaside town on the Italian Riviera, and check in at your hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink and some time at leisure to unwind, perhaps with a walk along the waterfront promenade or a visit to the small harbor. In the evening, savor a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you can sample Ligurian specialties and fresh seafood. Overnight in Rapallo.
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel and set off by local train to discover Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO-listed stretch of coastline made up of five colorful villages perched on cliffs above the sea. Travel between Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Corniglia, experiencing the terraced hillsides, narrow lanes, and dramatic sea views that make this area so unique. Enjoy lunch on your own in Corniglia, then take time in the afternoon to relax, explore, or simply soak in the atmosphere. If conditions allow, we suggest returning to Monterosso by boat for a different perspective of the coastline (season and weather permitting). In the evening, return by train to Rapallo. Dinner is on your own, followed by an overnight stay at your hotel.
After breakfast, head by train to elegant Santa Margherita Ligure, then continue by boat or bus (season and weather permitting) to Portofino, one of the most glamorous villages on the Italian Riviera. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll around the picturesque harbor, browse designer boutiques, or walk up to one of the panoramic viewpoints. Weather permitting, you can extend your day by boat to San Fruttuoso, a secluded cove known for its ancient abbey and the submerged statue of the Christ of the Abyss. In the afternoon, stop in Camogli, a charming fishing village with tall, colorful houses and a lively seafront. Don’t miss the chance to try the famous cheese focaccia from nearby Recco. Later, return to your hotel in Rapallo. Dinner is on your own, and you’ll spend the night at your hotel.
Day 4
Portovenere
After breakfast, check out of your hotel, marking the official end of services. If you have time before departure, we recommend visiting Portovenere, a romantic seaside town on the Gulf of the Poets. Stroll along the waterfront lined with colorful houses, then climb up to the Church of Saint Peter, dramatically perched on a rocky promontory, for breathtaking views over the gulf and surrounding coastline, a perfect finale to your Ligurian Riviera and Cinque Terre escape.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
Ready to make it yours?
Send us this adventure with your changes. An Italian-born planner builds the first full draft and calls you to walk through it.
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Questions travelers ask
What will we see on this journey?
Over 4 days this journey brings you to Camogli, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Portovenere, Rapallo, and Santa Margherita Ligure. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How do we get between the destinations?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Is this package a good fit for our group?
It suits travelers who want Italy arranged by experts, with guided experiences balanced by free time to explore on your own.
Is this package customizable?
It is. This itinerary is a sample built to spark ideas, and every element can be customized to your wishes and needs by your travel consultant. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
When should we travel on this package?
The package is available all year around on request. Late spring through early fall is prime time on the coast, with warm seas and long evenings, while April, May, September, and October pair gentle weather with quieter towns.