Italy: Cinque Terre

The Italian Riviera, which stretches from the French border to La Spezia, is dotted with resorts, medieval towns, and beaches. This tour focuses on the specific area called the Riviera di Levante (the Eastern Coast), which has inspired Shelley, Byron, and Petrarch—among the world’s most beloved poets. Its natural beauty and tantalizing cuisine continue to intoxicate travelers. Traditionally prepared seafood, homemade pasta, and a medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs make for unforgettable dining experiences. Pesto, made from locally grown basil—the best in Italy according to the locals—is the classic pasta sauce of the region. Sciacchetrà, a hard-to-find semi-sweet dessert wine, is also a regional specialty whose production is limited due to the difficulty in harvesting from the ancient terraced vineyards.
    The Riviera di Levante is known for its spectacular cliffs, secluded coves, and La Spezia’s naval port.  Greeks, Saracens, Romans, Venetians, Lombards, French, and Piemontese have controlled the area throughout history; it has also been greatly influenced by trade with Sicily, Spain, and northern Africa. The year-round temperate climate, fine beaches, and the Maritime and Ligurian Apennine mountain chains contribute to the sensuous feel of this lovely area.
    Your walks take place in and around the Cinque Terre (“Five Lands”) and the towns of Portofino and Portovenere. You follow well-established trails, through a menagerie of tiny, pastel-colored villages, with plenty of time for exploration, shopping, or savoring the sights from a seaside café.