Beauty by Sea and by Land: a 7-Day Trip from Cinque Terra to Tuscany

Morning/Mid-Day

Discover Corniglia, Cinque Terre's Least-Visited Village

Located on top of a 100-meter promontory, Corniglia is the highest of the five villages and is surrounded by a sea of olive trees and vineyards. Corniglia is the only village not to be sat on the water, and it is the least visited town in Cinque Terre, making it the perfect option for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy a spot of peace and quiet amongst its shaded lanes.  Due to its location on top of the hill, Corniglia's train station isn't located in the heart of the town like the other 4 towns in Cinque Terre. Instead, you have to take a local shuttle to the top or if you are brave enough, you can tackle the “Lardarina”, a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 382 steps! Roughly a 20 minute walk uphill. The route by stairs is very clearly marked from the train station. Begin walking down the main street called Via Fieschi and you'll immediately notice three things; fewer tourists, the scent of lemons, and multiple gelato shops! Souvenir shops adorn their doors and outdoor baskets with locally-grown lemon products, such as hand-made soups. A great way to keep the whole family happy is the Granita Limone, a slushy like cold frozen drink which can be eaten like ice cream or with a warm brioche (bread).

8:40 AM

Take a Local Train to the Rail Station

Cinque Terre has two main train stations that connect to other major cities in Italy, Monterosso, on the north end, and La Spezia Centrale, on the south end. Which one you will need to travel to depends on your destination. Cinque Terre is a no-car zone, therefore if you are staying within the National Park's five towns (Vernazza, Corniglia, etc), you most likely walk to the local station and then take the Cinque Terre Express train to Monterosso or La Spezia. Some hotels can arrange baggage assistance.  If you are already staying in La Spezia or Monterosso and your train leaves from there, you can simply ask your hotel to arrange a taxi from the hotel to the station (Uber is not available).

Morning

Visit Italy's Greatest Display of Art at the Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Best of Florence: Half-Day Walking Tour

Enjoy a 3-hour private walking tour of Florence, the perfect introduction to the masterpieces of this city. Stroll around the historic center and take in sights such as the Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signora and end your tour at the famous Galleria dell'Accademia where you can enter to see Michelangelo's marble masterpiece, the statue of David.

Morning to Afternoon

Explore Renaissance Villas in the Nearby Hills of Florence

The Medicis and other powerful families of Renaissance Florence constructed magnificent country villas in the foothills surrounding the city and surrounded them with elaborate gardens populated with rose bushes, manicured hedgerows, and citrus trees. You can explore these beautiful villas which are concentrated in an area just a short bus ride from the city center of Florence. The villas served several functions, first and foremost as country palaces demonstrating power and wealth. They were also recreational resorts for the leisure and pleasure of their owners; and, more prosaically, they were the center of agricultural activities on the surrounding estates.

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from Hotel to Florence Airport

A private transfer service will pick you up from the N/A and take you directly to Florence Airport. This is a private transfer for you and your travel party. You do not need to pay the driver as the cost of the transfer is included in your itinerary.   IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.