The Cinque Terre is a collection of five famously picturesque coastal villages along the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of north-western Italy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villages are linked by footpaths, trains and boats, cars are not allowed into the villages themselves.
The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You will be based in either Manarola or Riomaggiore towards the southern end of the Cinque Terre National Park, close to La Spezia.
The towns of Bonassola and Levanto where you will go for the wine tasting and pesto course respectively, are just outside of the National Park to the north. They are both easily reached with your train card and you can enjoy the beautiful coastal views as you head to your activities, stopping off on your way there or on your way back at the other villages.
Liguria is famous for its seafood and fresh produce like olive oil, one of the main ingredients in many local specialities from pesto to focaccia. Other local produce includes anchovies and the (mainly white) wines produced on the terraced vineyards overlooking the sea.
Short food and wine break in the Cinque Terre
This 3-night break on the scenic Italian Riviera is a fantastic opportunity for foodies to discover the traditions of Ligurian cuisine. Stay at self-catering accommodation in the centre of either Manarola or Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre and head up and down the coast for a vineyard tour with wine tasting in Bonassola, pesto making lesson in Levanto and bread making workshop in La Spezia. A train card is included in the package so you can get to each activity as well as explore the coast in your free time. Extra nights and more food/wine activities are available on request
Highlights
- Take a tour of an organic winery
- Learn how to make delicious fresh focaccia and pesto
- Explore the villages of the Cinque Terre with your train card
Included
- 3 nights' accommodation in a self-catering studio or one bedroom apartment in Manarola or Riomaggiore
- 1 winery tour in Bonassola
- 1 pesto making class in Levanto
- 1 pizza and focaccia making class in La Spezia
- Cinque Terre Train Card valid for 3 consecutive days, including unlimited train rides on local trains, as well as entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park and hiking trails.
Excluded
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals and drinks unless specified above
- Local taxes where applicable
- Anything else not specified above
Itinerary
Please note that the exact order of activities will depend on your travel dates.
Visit an organic vineyard in Bonassola - start time 11am, lasts around 2 hours
Take a guided tour of an organic winery just above Bonassola. Take a walk through the vineyard, learn how the vines have historically been cultivated in the area, see where they grow organic blackberries and raspberries and visit the apiary, home to over 300,000 bees. You will then visit the winery itself and end the tour with a wine tasting of two white wines accompanied by some seasonal produce.
Includes transfer from/to Bonassola train station.
Pesto making lesson in Levanto - start time 11 am or 5 pm (times could change depending on the time of year), lasts around 1 hour
Learn how to make delicious fresh pesto and discover the difference between the modern and traditional methods of making it. You will make your own pesto using a pestle and mortar and then try it accompanied by some bruschetta, local olives and of course, a glass of white wine. Please not this class does not run on a Tuesday.
Bread making workshop in La Spezia - start time 10 am, lasts around 3 hours
Learn all about the art of making and kneading dough and the difference between pizza and Ligurian focaccia, then roll out the dough and creat a variety of pizzas, breads and focaccias topped with fresh ingredients. At the end of the course you can enjoy the fruits of your labours for lunch with a salad and drink.
Other optional extra activities include an evening food tour in La Spezia, a seafood cooking lesson including visit to the local market in La Spezia and an olive oil tasting near La Spezia, as well as more wine tastings at different wineries. Contact us for details and availability.
Extras/Upgrades
Bed & Breakfast accommodation at a 3* hotel is available on request. Extra night(s) available on request.
Your accommodation is in one or two bedroom apartment with private bathroom and fully equipped kitchen in the village of Manarola or Riomaggiore.
All apartments are centrally located just a few minutes' walking distance from restaurants, bars and shops. Some apartments have a balcony and/or sea view.
If you have a request for a particular location please let us know and we will do our best to satisfy your request.
Nearest Airport: Pisa – 100km / 1 hour 20 mins
Other airports: Genova - 130km / 1 hour 40 mins
By Car
From Pisa take the A12/E80 to La Spezia, from there take Via delle Cinque Terre/SS370 and follow signs to Manarola.
Please note that there is a car park just outside the village as the village itself does not allow motorized traffic. Many people prefer to park in La Spezia and take the train. For this package we recommend either public transport or a private transfer.
By Public Transport
Take the train from Pisa central station to La Spezia (approx 1 hour 15 mins), from there change and take the local train to Manarola or Riomaggiore which takes just 10 minutes.
By Private Transfer
Taxi available outside airport. Private transfer available on request after main booking.
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Enjoy a short break exploring the beautiful Cinque Terre on the Italian riviera