7 days, 6 nights · Best for Coastal villages, clifftop trails and Ligurian harbors
The Italian Riviera Package
Enjoy 3 nights in Rapallo and 3 in Cinque Terre, with private guided excursions to Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Sestri Levante, and Portovenere.
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
Belle époque resort on the Tigullio Gulf
Rapallo anchors the Tigullio Gulf between Santa Margherita Ligure and Chiavari, a town of palms, tiered villas and waterfront hotels that drew northern Europeans when the rail line opened in the 1870s. The lungomare follows the harbor past the offshore castello; the centro storico climbs from Piazza Cavour toward the Sanctuary of Montallegro on the hillside above. From here you reach Portofino and the other gulf towns by boat, train or coast road.
We arrange a full day on the water to Portofino, the Gothic abbey at San Fruttuoso and Camogli's tall, pastel fishermen's houses. A second excursion visits Sestri Levante and the double bay Andersen called the Bay of Fairy Tales. Between trips you have the beaches, the shops on Via Mazzini and the cafés under the arcades.
Arranged for you: Three nights in Rapallo, private boat and guide to Portofino and San Fruttuoso, private guide for Sestri Levante excursion, train transfers.
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 a Ligurian villa Day Trips · Half day
Learn to make trofie al pesto, focaccia and pansotti in a hillside kitchen above the gulf, then sit down to the meal with local wine.
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Private wine tasting in the Cinque Terre hills Day Trips · Half day
Visit a terraced vineyard producing Sciacchetrà and white Cinque Terre DOC, taste with the maker and walk the stone-walled plots.
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Kayak tour along the Portofino promontory Day Trips · Half day
Paddle the protected marine reserve from Santa Margherita, stopping in coves and swimming in clear water below the cliffs.
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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 on your own in Rapallo, an elegant seaside town on the Tigullio Gulf. Known for its rich history, charming historic center, and mild climate, Rapallo is one of the most popular resorts on the Italian Riviera, together with nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin a full‑day exploration of the Tigullio Gulf. Cruise by boat to Portofino, a glamorous resort town loved by the rich and famous, and enjoy time to stroll its harbor and colorful lanes. Continue to San Fruttuoso to visit the Gothic‑style Benedictine Abbey dramatically perched on the coastline. The day continues in Camogli, a picturesque fishing village with tall, painted houses and a lively seafront. At the end of the day, return to Rapallo by train and spend the night at your hotel.
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, meet your guide at the train station for a half‑day excursion to Sestri Levante, a charming resort town famous for the Bay of Fairy Tales, named in honor of Hans Christian Andersen, who once lived here. Enjoy the coastal scenery and relaxed atmosphere, then spend the afternoon as you wish, sunbathing on the lively beach or browsing the town’s inviting boutiques. Return to Rapallo for the night.
Stop 2Monterosso al Mare, Liguria
Monterosso al Mare
The only Cinque Terre village with beaches
Monterosso sits at the northern end of the Cinque Terre, split between the medieval borgo with the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the newer Fegina quarter along the sandy beach. It is the largest and least vertical of the five, which means hotels with elevators, a lungomare and a beach long enough for umbrellas and morning swims. The train station connects you to Vernazza in eight minutes, Manarola in twenty.
We arrange a full day visiting Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore, walking the Via dell'Amore and continuing by boat to Portovenere and the Church of St. Lawrence on the rocky point. A second morning takes you to Corniglia, the single village perched on the cliff rather than the waterfront, reached by the Lardarina staircase of three hundred seventy-seven brick steps. The rest of the time is yours for the beach, the trail to Vernazza or an evening aperitivo watching the sun drop behind Punta Mesco.
Arranged for you: Three nights in Monterosso al Mare, private transfer from Rapallo, private guide for Cinque Terre villages with train and boat travel, private guide for Corniglia excursion with train travel.
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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Sunset wine tasting on a terraced vineyard Day Trips · Half day
Climb to a family plot above Monterosso, taste whites and Sciacchetrà passito as the light changes over the villages and the sea.
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Private boat along the Cinque Terre coast Day Trips · Half day
Charter a gozzo from Monterosso to cruise past all five towns, stop for swimming and see the coastline from the perspective of the fishermen.
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Pesto-making workshop in a village kitchen Day Trips · Half day
Pound basil, pine nuts, garlic and Parmigiano in a marble mortar, then toss the pesto with fresh trofie and taste with focaccia.
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Guided hike from Monterosso to Vernazza Day Trips · Half day
Walk the coastal trail through vineyards and macchia, descending into Vernazza's harbor with views of the Towers and the Doria castle.
Day by day in Monterosso al Mare
Enjoy a free morning in Rapallo before meeting your driver for a transfer to Monterosso al Mare, one of the five villages of the UNESCO‑listed Cinque Terre National Park. After checking in at your hotel, take the rest of the day to get acquainted with Monterosso’s beaches, old town, and seaside promenade.
After meeting your guide, set off for a full‑day discovery of Cinque Terre. Travel by train to Vernazza, a charming, pedestrian‑only fishing village, then continue to Manarola, thought to be the oldest of the Cinque Terre towns. From here, walk along the famous Via dell’Amore, the “Love Path,” an easy, scenic trail with spectacular sea views, to reach Riomaggiore. Later, board a boat to Portovenere, a romantic seaside town with a picturesque harbor, historic churches, including the Church of St. Lawrence, and a dramatic rocky promontory that once inspired Romantic poets Byron and Shelley. At the end of this unforgettable day, return by boat to Monterosso.
In the morning, meet your guide at the train station and travel to Corniglia, the only Cinque Terre village perched high above the sea rather than on the shoreline. Enjoy the panoramic views from its promontory and wander through its winding streets. In the afternoon, return to Monterosso and spend the rest of the day at leisure, relax on the beach, explore the old town, or simply enjoy the coastal atmosphere.
Day 7
Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre
After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Monterosso al Mare. Your stay in Rapallo, the Tigullio Gulf, and the Cinque Terre comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of colorful villages, coastal paths, and unforgettable sea views.
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
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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.
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Questions travelers ask
What destinations does this package visit?
Over 7 days this journey brings you to Camogli, Campiglia, Cinque Terre, Corniglia, Gulf of Poets, Manarola, and Monterosso al Mare. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How is transportation handled on this trip?
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.
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. 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.