New Year in the Cinque Terre and the Portofino Peninsula

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Tuesday, December 29: Genoa

  

  Welcome at 1 p.m. at Genoa Piazza Principe train station. Visit of this magnificent port city and its "Rolli" palaces district, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transfer at the end of the afternoon to the lively village of Moneglia, by the sea, on the Gulf of Tigulio. Walking tour time: about 4 hours. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast - lunch.

• day 2

  Wednesday, December 30: Moneglia - Camogli - Portofino - Moneglia

  

  Short train transfer to the fishing village of Camogli. Hike on the promontory passing by the monastery of San Fruttuoso up to Portofino. Those who wish can do only a half-day walk by reaching San Fruttuoso by boat, where they will join the group for the picnic. The San Fruttuoso Abbey of Capodimonte is a monastic complex located in the bay of the same name in Camogli, inside the Portofino Regional Natural Park. Nestled in a cove, the abbey is accessible only by sea or by a long steep path overlooking the Paradisio gulf. According to Pliny the Elder, Portofino was founded by the Romans and named Portus Delphini because of the large number of dolphins in the Gulf of Tigullio. During the Middle Ages, the natural port of Portofino served as a refuge for the merchant navy of the Republic of Genoa. Today, it is a small upscale port frequented by the Italian "jet-set". Return to Moneglia. Walking time: about 5 hours 30 minutes or about 2 hours 30 minutes for those who take the boat. Positive elevation gain: + 700 m or + 250 m for those who take the boat. Negative elevation gain: - 700 m or - 250 m for those who take the boat. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 3

  Thursday, December 31: Moneglia - Monterosso - Corniglia - Moneglia - New Year's Eve Party

  

  To end the year well, start the crossing of the "Cinque Terre" from Monterosso to Corniglia, passing through the most photogenic of the 5 villages, Vernazza. Monterosso al Mare is the westernmost village of the Cinque Terre area. It is located in the center of a small gulf. The old hamlet still retains its original medieval character with its case-torri (tower houses) and carruggi (narrow alleys). Vernazza is perched on a small rocky promontory and was once the most prosperous village of the Cinque Terre. The castle of the Doria family and other medieval remains recall its rich economic past. Corniglia stands out from the other villages of the Cinque Terre, as it is the only one that does not descend directly to the sea: the main part of the village is located at the top of a promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, about 100 m above sea level. Return to Moneglia by train at the end of the afternoon. New Year's Eve meal and champagne for the 12 strokes of midnight! Walking time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 350 m. Negative elevation loss: - 350 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 4

  Friday, January 1st: Moneglia - Corniglia - Riomaggiore - Moneglia

  

  To start the year off right, we will finish the crossing of the "Cinque Terre" from Corniglia to Riomaggiore. From Corniglia, we will reach Volastra by an enchanting path through the terraced vineyards that produce the D.O.C "Cinque Terre" wine and the famous "Sciachetrà". Sciachetrà, a sweet wine with controlled designation of origin from the vineyards of the Cinque Terre National Park, has been recognized as a Slow Food Presidio. From Volastra, we will descend to Manarola, then Riomaggiore, the last village of the Cinque Terre. Return to Moneglia by train at the end of the afternoon. Walking time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 600 m. Negative elevation loss: - 600 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 5

  Saturday, January 2: end of the stay

  

  Separation on January 2, 2021, after breakfast. Trains to Genoa, Pisa or Milan. Meals included: breakfast. Meals not included: lunch, dinner.