Day Tour of Cinque Terre from Florence with Visit to Portovenere

Cinque Terre is amongst the most enigmatic areas in Italy owing to the fact that it was isolated from the rest of the country for many centuries. With the sea on one side and the unsurmountable mountains on the other, the five ancient fishing villages of the Liguria region remained unaffected by foreign influence for a long time. Much of the villages’ charm can be attributed to the absence of tarred roads between some of the settlements, the unique culture of the locals, the exquisite cuisine and the brightly coloured buildings that sit serenely on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.

Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso are the three charming villages you will be visiting on this tour. Each of these hamlets has a fundamentally distinguishing characteristic. For instance, Manarola is known for Sciacchetrà, the local wine. Monterosso is famous for its picturesque beach and view of the Mediterranean. Vernazza, on the other hand, is Cinque Terre's only natural port and well-known for its elegant houses.

Apart from these three villages, you will also have the opportunity to visit Portovenere, an ancient township with a rich history. Amazingly enough, buildings that date all the way back to the 1st Century BC are still standing in this region. The Gothic Church of St. Peter, the Romanesque Church of St. Lawrence and Le Grazie are some of the primary medieval attractions in Portovenere. The Azzura or Blue Cave, the shoal of Dante and the Cavity of the Doves are just a few of the many splendid natural wonders here.

Delve into the awe-inspiring land of the five villages in the Ligurian region of Italy. This tour includes a comprehensive exploration of three of the villages. Manarola will be your first destination. The wine here has been popular for centuries, prompting even the ancient Romans to famously having praised the quality. The summer months are the best time to visit this place. You will then move on to Vernazza, a village that has remained true to its roots as a fishing village. There are no cars on the roads. For many, walking around a town that is completely devoid of traffic might serve as a unique and deeply enjoyable experience. Monterosso is the final village you will visit in the Cinque Terre area. Relish a leisurely swim in the Mediterranean and enjoy the warm sunlight as you relax on the gorgeous beach.

You will then be taken to the town of Portovenere, which has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Cinque Terre, by boat. Stroll through the beautiful streets of the town and admire the memorials, natural sites and Romanesque and Gothic monuments littered around the place. A short boat ride back to La Spezia will end the tour.