4 days, 3 nights · Best for Active couples and coastal hikers
Cinque Terre and trekking on the Palmaria Island Package
Stay three nights in a Cinque Terre village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enjoy a private guided trek on Palmaria Island overlooking the Gulf of Poets.
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.
Monterosso al Mare, Liguria
Monterosso al Mare
Three nights on the Cinque Terre coast
Monterosso is the largest and sandiest of the five Cinque Terre villages, with an actual beach where you can spread a towel between hikes. Your hotel sits within walking distance of the old town, where lemon trees shade narrow lanes and fishing boats rest against pastel walls. The Cinque Terre Card we provide gives you unlimited access to the local trains that thread through tunnels between Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
We arrange a private guided trek across Palmaria Island, a wilder cousin to the Cinque Terre villages. You take the train south to La Spezia, then cross by boat to the island. Your guide leads you past abandoned quarries, military ruins and strawberry trees, then by boat again to Portovenere, the fortified town on the Gulf of Poets. One full day remains unscheduled for beach time, village hopping or coastal trail walks when park conditions allow.
Arranged for you: We arrange three nights of lodging, the private guided Palmaria Island trek with boat transfers and train tickets, and a multi-day Cinque Terre Card for unlimited local trains.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Monterosso al Mare
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Private pesto cooking class in a Cinque Terre village Day Trips · Half day
Learn to make Ligurian pesto with mortar and pestle, plus fresh pasta, in a home kitchen.
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Private boat tour of the five villages from the water Day Trips · Half day
Cruise the coast with your own skipper, stopping to swim in hidden coves between towns.
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Private guided wine walk with tasting in the terraced vineyards Day Trips · Half day
Hike the steep vineyard trails above Manarola with a sommelier, tasting Sciacchetrà and white DOC wines.
Day by day in Monterosso al Mare
Arrive on your own in Monterosso al Mare, one of the five picturesque villages that make up the UNESCO‑listed Cinque Terre National Park. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to stroll through the old town, relax on the beach, or simply take in the dramatic coastal scenery.
Today your guide will lead you on an adventurous excursion. Travel by train to La Spezia, admiring the coastal scenery, then board a boat to Palmaria Island. Hike across this wild, rugged island, discovering ruins of old prisons, quarries, and fortifications hidden among the Mediterranean vegetation and strawberry trees. The tour then continues by boat to Portovenere, a romantic town on the Gulf of Poets, before you return by boat to Monterosso for the night.
After breakfast, enjoy a full free day to experience Cinque Terre your way. You can relax on the beach in Monterosso or use your included Cinque Terre Card to hop between the villages by local train, visiting Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. When conditions and access permit, walk along the famous Via dell’Amore, the “Love Path,” for unforgettable sea views. If you wish, you can also take an optional day trip to the glamorous village of Portofino (not included). The day is entirely yours.
Day 4
Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre
After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Monterosso al Mare. Your Cinque Terre and Palmaria Island adventure comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and coastal trails.
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?
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Questions travelers ask
How is transportation handled on this trip?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with vehicle and train transfers as the itinerary requires. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who will enjoy this itinerary most?
It suits travelers who want Italy arranged by experts, with guided experiences balanced by free time to explore on your own.
Can we tailor this trip to our wishes?
Yes. This sample itinerary is a starting point, and every Trips 2 Italy package is fully customizable. Your travel consultant will adjust the destinations, hotel category, pace, and experiences to fit your plans. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
When is the best time to take this trip?
The package is available all year around on request. Spring and fall offer mild walking weather and lighter crowds at the major sights, summer brings long lively evenings, and winter rewards travelers with quieter museums and festive streets.