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Liguria & The Cinque Terre

Ligurian Riviera 7 nights Price from £3,797 per person
Departs: 10 May 2024, 13 Sep 2024
Departs: 10 May 2024

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One of the most beautiful coastal regions in Italy, stretching between Monaco and Tuscany and with a dramatic range of mountains as its backdrop, Liguria is also one of the least visited. Its main city, Genoa, was a great maritime centre ruled by powerful Doges for 500 years. It became one of the wealthiest cities in Europe and this legacy is apparent today in its historic centre with magnificent palaces built for powerful mercantile families. We will take time to explore the rugged coastline, including le Cinque Terre – the five ‘lands’, or villages – a UNESCO World Heritage site of terraced vineyards, olive and lemon groves, and brightly painted fishing villages which cling to the cliffs. We stay in the centre of the picturesque harbour town of Rapallo overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio, at the elegant 5* Hotel Excelsior Palace. The palm trees, pastel-coloured villas and beautiful gardens of this stretch of coastline make it one of the most exotic and opulent in the entire Mediterranean.

What's included

...when you travel with Kirker

  • Return flights
  • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast
  • Three dinners
  • Three lunches
  • All entrance fees and gratuities
  • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Fly to Pisa

    Fly from London to Pisa and transfer to Rapallo where we stay for seven nights at the 5* Grand Hotel Excelsior Palace. Overlooking the colourful marina and just 500 metres from the centre of picturesque Rapallo and its beach, the Excelsior Palace is the grandest hotel in town. The 119 bedrooms are comfortably furnished and the ‘Lord Byron’ restaurant offers panoramic coastal views and serves excellent Ligurian dishes.
  • Day 2 - Palazzo Durazzo

    Our first visit will be to the Palazzo Durazzo, a stunning Renaissance palace and garden filled with delicate plants and fine statuary. In the afternoon we will sail to the Benedictine monastery at San Fruttuoso, accessible only by boat.
  • Day 3 - Palazzo Rosso & Palazzo Bianco

    We make the first of two visits to Genoa today. We will go to via Garibaldi and see some of the town mansions including the Palazzo Rosso and the Palazzo Bianco. Later we will go to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo with its typical Ligurian striped façade.
  • Day 4 - Vernazza

    We travel eastwards by train to Vernazza, the prettiest of the Cinque Terre. After exploring the town square and its attractive harbour, we enjoy lunch at a local trattoria. Afterwards, there will be free time to discover the string of old fishing villages using the local train network, the Cinque Terre Express, which provides links to Monterosso, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
  • Day 5 - Palazzo Ravaschieri

    In Chiavari, we visit a private villa, the Palazzo Ravaschieri located in the heart of the mediaeval centre of the town. Lunch will be included before returning to Santa Margherita, where the remainder of the day is free.
  • Day 6 - Principe Doria Pamphili

    Returning to Genoa today, we visit the Palazzo del Principe Doria Pamphili, built for Andrea Doria. This huge palace has beautiful 16th century frescoes and tapestries and a portrait of Doria as Neptune by Bronzino. Other visits include the National Gallery at the Palazzo Spinola with its fine picture collection.
  • Day 7 - Cervara & Portofino

    We stop at Cervara, originally a small Benedictine abbey with a superb split-level garden overlooking the bay. Afterwards we drive to Portofino, one of the smartest and most picturesque resorts in Europe, where we will have lunch.
  • Day 8 - Flight to London

    We drive to Pisa airport for the flight back to London.

Flight Details

Flights with British Airways:

Depart London Heathrow 08:45 arrives Pisa 11:55
Depart Pisa 12:45 arrives London Heathrow 14:00

Departure Dates and Prices

10 May 2024

Status Available

Price from£3797

Single Supp.£498

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13 Sep 2024

Status Available

Price from£4248

Single Supp.£560

Book Now Enquire

Included Hotels

Ligurian Riviera, Italy, Europe

Overlooking the colourful marina and just 500 metres from the centre of picturesque Rapallo and its beach, the Excelsior Palace is the grandest hotel in town.

Charlie Hall

Charlie Hall

Tour Leader

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Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.

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