You have certainly heart about Cinque Terre, Portofino, Camogli and Santa Margherita Ligure, haven't you.
This is how we organised our tour in this area, including Lucca, Tuscany.
Last year me and my Serbian travel buddy visited Tuscany. In one week we were able to do almost all of the region, but we mist Lucca.
This year we took it as a part of our Ligurian tour.
Again, like last year, we started our tour from Bologna. Bologna has an international airport and its handy to go many places to its central position. Also the Pisa Airport would have been perfect.
We booked a B&B just outside the city walls of Lucca. I have been to Lucca several times, and slept in hotels in different location, so finding this one according to other services, this city offers, was my first priority.
Arriving to Lucca in the late afternoon, the first thing we did after leaving our luggages to the B&B, freshen up and relaxed, was to walk to the main square and seek one of those restaurants, I've eaten so many times; and neither this time the quality didn't leave me unsatisfied. Although it is a pleasant walk, and the distance not more than 2 km one way, this could turn out fatiqueous to those who like to go to hotel during their sty in Lucca for a nap, or change clothes, shower or just to deposit shopping bags. Not to mention people with disabilities.
Next morning we hired bicycles to visit the city properly, and with less fatigue. Lucca has city walls wide enough to offer a pleasant cycling pad with a major view. This is also the best way to orient in Lucca, since the medieval city leaves little space to recognise the mains spots from narrow streets surrounded by high buildings. Once in Lucca, try the local T-bone steak. For vegans, the local brown bean stew.
On our third day, and on our way to Liguria, we stopped in an area with old Roman ruins, and in a winery, just near by. I got this idea from a friend who leads groups and just visited it. The winery was really a beautiful oasis in the middle of a simple town. I didn't find the old roman ruins exciting. But it was useful to see them.
Our next stop in Liguria was Porto Venere, using the boat services from La Spezia. There is also a bus connection, that drives along the hills with a great view.
After all that we drove to Rapallo where we had a hotel booked, in the main promenade, and with a magnificent sea view. Our favourite restaurant appeared to become the one we saw from our balcony, just 100 m from our hotel.
An other thing that was amazing about this hotel, was the fact that it was just in the front of the pier from where the boats towards Portofino leave. Easier than that, just invent it.
Although we visited Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and Santa Margherita Ligure before visiting Cinque Terre regional park, I advise my readers to do it differently. Once you follow my suggestion, you'll understand why. Start with Cinque Terre.
To visit Cinque Terre regional park, I advise my readers to use the train connection. There are several train tickets available: A return ticket from one place or another, or an open ticket, that covers stops to all towns in Cinque Terre during a period of 24 h. Best way to see and experiment Cinque Terre remains a boat trip. Or perhaps you like hiking, and want to walk with your backpack from one town to another one. That is fantastic too.
Once arrived to Monterosso by train, we walked to harbour to buy the boat tickets, from Monterosso, to Vernazza, and from there after lunch we continued with the boat towards Riomaggiore, taking the train back to Rapallo.
At the day 4 we decided to visit Camogli. Once again this magnificent train connection took us there in few minutes. This train rail is a must to experiment it. The rail runs basically next the coast line offering a stunning sea-view.
Camogli, taking a car from Rapallo, pass by Recco, if not driven above the hills of Santa Margherita Ligure, again with a stunning view. If driving throughout Recco, a must stop is to any bakery that produce focaccia bread. This Recco focaccia is thin, filled with cheese and so delightful. But no worries, if Recco isn't in your itinerary. We ate that very same focaccia in Camogli, in one of the restaurants situated in the beach, highly recommended by locals living in the area.
In the afternoon, we just walk in the narrow streets of Rapallo, doing some window shopping.
Day 5 morning was dedicated to Rapallo market. It is a typical Italian market where locals as much as tourist might find peculiar items, good food, clothes, shoes or in my case, a new wallet.
After the Market we directed to Sestri Levante driving along the coast line, called Via Aurelia, named after the Roman Empire. We stopped at Chiavari, and visited the local botanic garden. When it was nearly a lunch time, I thought Sestri Levante would turn out the best place to enjoy our meal, as it appeared indeed.
My travel buddy, just can't say no in a front of plates he likes, and we had another Recco focaccia, followed by some spaghetti with fresh tuna.
We took some time for a healthy nap in the beach. It's not called siesta, as in Spain, although Italians behave in a similar way, but a lunch break. To respect the feelings of an Italian is better not to compare siesta to lunch break.
Finally Friday we left, and by driving back to Milan, where I live, we took time to visit the Outlet Village on our way.
I noticed that:
1. To visit this area properly, 4 days and 5 nights is perfect.
2. Wanting to visit Genova as well, one more day is necessary. Add another day if you travel with kids in order to visit the Genova Aquarium.
3. To visit only Cinque Terre, 2 days and 3 nights is perfect.
4. Lucca, Genova, Rapallo and La Spezia might turn out fairly good locations to visit this region, and the hotels are often less expensive that right in the middle of everything.
5. La Spezia, Lucca and Genova are larger cities, and offer more.
6. Although Lucca might not seem to be a great location to visit Cinque Terre, it has several other qualities, such as fairly short distance to Pisa, Florence, Pistoia and La Spezia. And it is only 1,5 h driving from the Bologna airport.
I don't advice Genova airport due to the bridge that felt down last year. The roads used around Genova are pretty busy and confusing to us living in Italy already.
"Must try" once in Liguria region are
olive taggiasce; tiny black olives with stone hard pit
focaccia; typical Ligurian salted pastry with numerous options.
pesto; typical Ligurian basil sauce to pasta
seafood dishes
local wine
local olive oil
Don't forget ice cream, that is a "must try" all over in Italy
To book your guided tour, minimum 20 persons, please contact
info@kairos-travel.eu
The following photos are from our tour
This is how we organised our tour in this area, including Lucca, Tuscany.
Last year me and my Serbian travel buddy visited Tuscany. In one week we were able to do almost all of the region, but we mist Lucca.
This year we took it as a part of our Ligurian tour.
Again, like last year, we started our tour from Bologna. Bologna has an international airport and its handy to go many places to its central position. Also the Pisa Airport would have been perfect.
We booked a B&B just outside the city walls of Lucca. I have been to Lucca several times, and slept in hotels in different location, so finding this one according to other services, this city offers, was my first priority.
Arriving to Lucca in the late afternoon, the first thing we did after leaving our luggages to the B&B, freshen up and relaxed, was to walk to the main square and seek one of those restaurants, I've eaten so many times; and neither this time the quality didn't leave me unsatisfied. Although it is a pleasant walk, and the distance not more than 2 km one way, this could turn out fatiqueous to those who like to go to hotel during their sty in Lucca for a nap, or change clothes, shower or just to deposit shopping bags. Not to mention people with disabilities.
Next morning we hired bicycles to visit the city properly, and with less fatigue. Lucca has city walls wide enough to offer a pleasant cycling pad with a major view. This is also the best way to orient in Lucca, since the medieval city leaves little space to recognise the mains spots from narrow streets surrounded by high buildings. Once in Lucca, try the local T-bone steak. For vegans, the local brown bean stew.
On our third day, and on our way to Liguria, we stopped in an area with old Roman ruins, and in a winery, just near by. I got this idea from a friend who leads groups and just visited it. The winery was really a beautiful oasis in the middle of a simple town. I didn't find the old roman ruins exciting. But it was useful to see them.
Our next stop in Liguria was Porto Venere, using the boat services from La Spezia. There is also a bus connection, that drives along the hills with a great view.
After all that we drove to Rapallo where we had a hotel booked, in the main promenade, and with a magnificent sea view. Our favourite restaurant appeared to become the one we saw from our balcony, just 100 m from our hotel.
An other thing that was amazing about this hotel, was the fact that it was just in the front of the pier from where the boats towards Portofino leave. Easier than that, just invent it.
Although we visited Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and Santa Margherita Ligure before visiting Cinque Terre regional park, I advise my readers to do it differently. Once you follow my suggestion, you'll understand why. Start with Cinque Terre.
To visit Cinque Terre regional park, I advise my readers to use the train connection. There are several train tickets available: A return ticket from one place or another, or an open ticket, that covers stops to all towns in Cinque Terre during a period of 24 h. Best way to see and experiment Cinque Terre remains a boat trip. Or perhaps you like hiking, and want to walk with your backpack from one town to another one. That is fantastic too.
Once arrived to Monterosso by train, we walked to harbour to buy the boat tickets, from Monterosso, to Vernazza, and from there after lunch we continued with the boat towards Riomaggiore, taking the train back to Rapallo.
At the day 4 we decided to visit Camogli. Once again this magnificent train connection took us there in few minutes. This train rail is a must to experiment it. The rail runs basically next the coast line offering a stunning sea-view.
Camogli, taking a car from Rapallo, pass by Recco, if not driven above the hills of Santa Margherita Ligure, again with a stunning view. If driving throughout Recco, a must stop is to any bakery that produce focaccia bread. This Recco focaccia is thin, filled with cheese and so delightful. But no worries, if Recco isn't in your itinerary. We ate that very same focaccia in Camogli, in one of the restaurants situated in the beach, highly recommended by locals living in the area.
In the afternoon, we just walk in the narrow streets of Rapallo, doing some window shopping.
Day 5 morning was dedicated to Rapallo market. It is a typical Italian market where locals as much as tourist might find peculiar items, good food, clothes, shoes or in my case, a new wallet.
After the Market we directed to Sestri Levante driving along the coast line, called Via Aurelia, named after the Roman Empire. We stopped at Chiavari, and visited the local botanic garden. When it was nearly a lunch time, I thought Sestri Levante would turn out the best place to enjoy our meal, as it appeared indeed.
My travel buddy, just can't say no in a front of plates he likes, and we had another Recco focaccia, followed by some spaghetti with fresh tuna.
We took some time for a healthy nap in the beach. It's not called siesta, as in Spain, although Italians behave in a similar way, but a lunch break. To respect the feelings of an Italian is better not to compare siesta to lunch break.
Finally Friday we left, and by driving back to Milan, where I live, we took time to visit the Outlet Village on our way.
I noticed that:
1. To visit this area properly, 4 days and 5 nights is perfect.
2. Wanting to visit Genova as well, one more day is necessary. Add another day if you travel with kids in order to visit the Genova Aquarium.
3. To visit only Cinque Terre, 2 days and 3 nights is perfect.
4. Lucca, Genova, Rapallo and La Spezia might turn out fairly good locations to visit this region, and the hotels are often less expensive that right in the middle of everything.
5. La Spezia, Lucca and Genova are larger cities, and offer more.
6. Although Lucca might not seem to be a great location to visit Cinque Terre, it has several other qualities, such as fairly short distance to Pisa, Florence, Pistoia and La Spezia. And it is only 1,5 h driving from the Bologna airport.
I don't advice Genova airport due to the bridge that felt down last year. The roads used around Genova are pretty busy and confusing to us living in Italy already.
"Must try" once in Liguria region are
olive taggiasce; tiny black olives with stone hard pit
focaccia; typical Ligurian salted pastry with numerous options.
pesto; typical Ligurian basil sauce to pasta
seafood dishes
local wine
local olive oil
Don't forget ice cream, that is a "must try" all over in Italy
To book your guided tour, minimum 20 persons, please contact
info@kairos-travel.eu
The following photos are from our tour
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| Sestri Levante |
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| Baia del Silenzio, Sestri Levante |
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| Sestri Levante |
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| Chiavari |
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| Chiavari |
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| Rapallo Market |
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| Camogli |
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| Camogli |
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| Camogli |
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| Riomaggiore |
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| Riomaggiore |
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| Vernazza |
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| Monterosso |
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| Rapallo seen from our hotel room |
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| Portofino |
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| San Fruttuoso |
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| Porto Venere |
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| Porto Venere |
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| Porto Venere |
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| Porto Venere |
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| Winery |
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| Roman ruins |
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| Lucca |
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| Lucca |
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