Lucca, Portofino & the Cinque Terre

Lucca, Portofino & the Cinque Terre

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Lucca, Portofino & the Cinque Terre

8 Days Starting in Province of Lucca, Italy and ending in Portofino

Visiting: Lucca, Pisa, Porto Venere, Genoa, Cinque Terre, Portofino

Tour operator:

Riviera Travel

Tour code:

LP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

0 - 50

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

9-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

8 Days - European Tour

Highlights

  • Discover Lucca, birthplace of Puccini, on a guided tour

  • Take a private boat cruise along the Cinque Terre

  • Experience the majesty of Pisa’s historic centre on a guided tour, visiting the cathedral and the marble baptistry

  • Explore Genoa and find out more about its illustrious maritime history on a guided tour

  • Sail to Portofino, with its breath-taking waterfront and celebrity visitors

  • This Signature Tour includes all of the above as well as the following: Savour an enhanced dining experience at one of Lucca's authentic restaurants

  • Discover the secrets of centuries-old pesto recipes that have lasted through the ages, using Genoese basil and traditional methods

  • Enjoy stunning harbour views and sip a refreshing Italian aperitivo in the charming ambience of Portofino’s exclusive Piazzetta

  • Enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group with an average of 22 guests

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1

Location: Lucca

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Guinigi

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Lucca from where you will be taken to your hotel.

Day 2

Location: Lucca

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Guinigi

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we take a tour with a local guide who will bring the story of Lucca to life. The city was founded by the Etruscans, and its well-preserved walls date from the Renaissance. As we explore the centre, you’ll notice the rectangular grid pattern which originated with the street plan of Roman times, while the oval Roman amphitheatre is another evocative reminder of millennia past.

This afternoon you can experience more of Lucca’s wonders, exploring its cobbled streets, strolling along its shady promenades and relaxing in its elegant piazzas. As the birthplace of Puccini, Lucca hosts numerous concerts celebrating his work. You can often hear talented vocalists during rehearsals, which adds a wonderful acoustic dimension to your enjoyment of this beautiful city.

Day 3

Location: Pisa, Lucca

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Guinigi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, it’s just a short drive to Pisa for a guided tour that takes you to the heart of this historic city.

You’ll marvel at how such a relatively small space can accommodate such magnificence. The Leaning Tower – one of the world’s most instantly recognisable silhouettes – is your iconic introduction to the rest of the piazza.

We conclude our visit with the Camposanto, a huge cemetery reputed to contain soil from Golgotha – the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. The great and good of Pisan society wanted to be laid to rest in holy ground and the arched Gothic cloister is lined by sarcophagi and huge frescoes, some in the process of being restored to their former glory.

In the afternoon we return to Lucca for you to relax or explore at your leisure.

This evening we dine at a local restaurant serving traditional Tuscan cuisine.

Signature Expereince:

Enjoy an upgraded dinner at a local restaurant. Indulge in a delicious dining experience at one of Lucca's authentic restaurants, where you can enjoy some of the region's local delicacies paired with a glass of Tuscan wine.

Day 4

Location: Porto Venere, Genoa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Savoia

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our morning drive north takes us past Carrara’s enormous gleaming quarries, source of the finest marble, which has been used in masterpieces by sculptors from Michelangelo to Henry Moore and fashioned since Roman times into the great monuments now dotted across Italy’s landscapes and beyond. Our exploration of the extraordinarily arresting coast of Liguria brings us to the Gulf of the Poets, an evocative name for an inspiring area.

One of its highlights is the picturesque village of Porto Venere, its fortress high on the hillside overlooking an array of colourful multi-storeyed houses lining the harbour. A stroll along the promenade reveals a network of narrow medieval lanes leading to the church and castle. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Genoa, where we stay for the rest of the tour.

Day 5

Location: Genoa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Savoia

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Genoa, followed by free time in the afternoon. Known as 'La Superba' at the height of its maritime power, Genoa was one of Italy's four major maritime republics and it is still home to Italy's largest Port.

We start exploring the heart of Medieval Genoa, famous for its narrow lanes called 'caruggi', interspersed with imposing late-Renaissance palaces built by Genoa's wealthiest families in the 16th and 17th century. Today, it is a vibrant and eclectic city with so much to offer, from the regenerated port area or ornate palazzi and museums.

Signature Expereince:

Discover the secrets of traditional pesto recipes from Genoa by visiting the basil greenhouses where Genoese basil has been cultivated for centuries. Here, we'll learn why this region produces the best basil before discovering for ourselves how pesto is traditionally made with a mortar and pestle and enjoy a tasting of pesto and focaccia paired with local wine.

Day 6

Location: Cinque Terre

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Savoia

Meals Included: Breakfast

We spend the next two days exploring the splendours of the surrounding coastline in the manner to which local people have been accustomed for millennia – by boat. Our private charter takes us to the extraordinary Cinque Terre, which translates as ‘Five Lands’. We visit a selection of these five villages – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – cut off from the landward side by rugged terrain and steep coastline, making them almost unreachable by car. The dramatic locations, the vivid colours and the way the villages seem to fuse organically with the rugged topography make this one of Europe’s principal scenic highlights. Seafood dominates menus here, anchovies being a local speciality, while steeply terraced hillsides produce fine olives and the ingredients for pesto. Immerse yourself in your surroundings and a lifestyle that has changed very little over time

Day 7

Location: Portofino, Genoa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Savoia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

You can watch fine watercraft quietly going about their business on the shimmering waters as we sail the short distance to Portofino. Arriving here by boat gives you a real sense of the way in which this historic fishing village established itself and thrived around its own superb natural harbour, with a setting of cypress trees and olive groves. A walk to the headland offers a life-affirming view and the scents of thyme, pine and wildflowers hanging heavy in the air.

We return to Genoa in the afternoon, where you will have a bit more free time to enjoy this intriguing coastal city, or simply relax and seek out a local restaurant for dinner.

Signature Expereince:

Unwind and enjoy a delightful Italian aperitif while gazing at the charming harbour view of Portofino's Piazzetta. You can relax in the serene surroundings and catch a glimpse of the harbour where boats are moored.

Day 8

Location: Genoa

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for our flight home.

What's Included

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • Tipping and Gratuity

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    Return flights from a selection of regional UK airports

  • What is the maximum group size?

    50

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes, 9 years old and above

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For almost 40 years

  • I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?

    We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns

  • Do I require travel insurance?

    It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.

  • What is my luggage allowance?

    You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.

Reviews of this operator

David Clarke (Google Reviewer)  

This review is for the...

08-Aug-2023

This review is for the italian Lake Como trip Aug 1-8 Wow what a trip. Riviera from start to finish were excellent the booking and help line answering questions were very good and clear. The travel booklet you get is laid out that it is simple to read and follow with step by step info from booking in to flights to meeting the guides. Our guide Matt Purse was just the best guide and real credit to Riviera with his knowledge and straight forward approach to running the trips. Matt kept us informed and told us all the sort of info you want to know without going over the top....This chap should teach other reps ..thank you so much. The coaches they use are all clean and well equipped with usb chargers and have aircon. The places chosen to visit were well researched even down to where coaches park or drop you off. The Bernina Express was the highlight for our family and matts photo tip was welcomed. The only down point was the hotel,a little dated and evening meal in main restuarant was a bit of a let down. I think we were lucky with our room on level 7 and with balcony as the walls are very thin and noise travels. We would book again with riviera

Barbara Shillaker (Google Reviewer)  

I have been on three...

11-Jan-2024

I have been on three trips with Riviera Travel so far, with two more booked during 2024. Highly recommended. Excellent tour guides. Great program of visits. Great hotels used.

Julie Berry (Google Reviewer)  

What a fantastic holiday to...

29-May-2024

What a fantastic holiday to Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise. If you are thinking of booking this do it right now. From start to finish everything was great. The hotels, the transport and the cruise. The rep was absolutely fabulous. If you have ‘B’ as your rep you will make a friend. She is so full of knowledge. We went on this trip with strangers and left it as friends.

Mrs Bodnarec (Google Reviewer)  

Thankyou Riviera and all the...

28-Apr-2024

Thankyou Riviera and all the staff on the William Wordsworth Danube River cruise. My husband and i have just travelled on the Danube to celebrate my husbands 60th and we had such a lovely experience. We were younger than most of the travellers but we met so many lovely people so this wasnt a problem. The staff were so lovely and professional. The service we experienced was so high. The boat was beautiful, the food amazing and the excursions were informative and well managed. I would definately recommend riviera as a company. In fact we are now considering their Japan holiday.

Jean Libaert (Google Reviewer)  

Fantastic small boat cruise from...

29-Sep-2024

Fantastic small boat cruise from Split to Porec and then by catamaran to Venice. Well done Riviera for another wonderful holiday. Would recommend this company and all their small boat cruises (just completed our 3rd!).

Paul Carpenter (Google Reviewer)  

First River Cruise and the...

25-Aug-2024

First River Cruise and the first time with Riviera but it won't be the last. The holiday exceeded our expectations. From the reps we spoke to when booking, to the staff and crew on board, they were all very friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Everything was well organised and made for a very enjoyable holiday. The boat was very clean, plenty of space in the cabin and on deck and the food was some of the best I have ever tasted. Plenty to see along the Rhine, with castles, towns passing by at a nice sedate pace and watching the other craft using the Rhine. Highly recommend.

Jeff Aliño-Abbott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a wonderful time...

17-Sep-2024

We had a wonderful time in a beautiful area. The tour was so well organised and supported by charming and knowledgable Riviera guides. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Really excellent and will definitely book again.

Valerie Pascoe  

We would go again in a heartbeat

22-Jan-2022

Oh my goodness, what a relief it was to actually get away! Full marks to all at Riviera for keeping us up to date before our trip and for the help so cheerfully and patiently given with the extra admin that Covid brought our way. We felt totally safe with the measures taken on board, thank you very much for this. Without exception, Staff were fantastic and our every need was attended to. The additional Covid testing ran smoothly, organised by our Riviera Reps. The guided tours were most interesting: the guides very knowledgeable and more importantly, interesting to listen to. We loved this trip and would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you again Riviera, you were FAB!

Lynn Grant (Google Reviewer)  

Lake Maggiore tour was spectacular!...

18-Sep-2024

Lake Maggiore tour was spectacular! Made even better by having Matt Purse as our guide. We stayed at Regina Palace and only comment I'd make is that we riviera peeps were fed together at 7.30 pm. The service was slow and we didn't often get out until 9.30 or 10 most evenings leaving no time to wander into Stresa for a digestif or coffee. Not a fault of Riviera and we will ensure we ask the appropriate questions next time we book. The tour itself was fabulous, SO much packed in! One minor quibble is that the day we did Cannobio and then Locarno (to take Centovalli train, which was brilliant)was that we would have preferred to have spent much longer in Cannobio which was delightful rather than 3 hours in Locarno which was not as delightful and we found ourselves kicking our heels somewhat in a very large place when Cannobio was much picturesque (in my opinion). But, it may be a logistical issue with the coaches, I don't know but certainly this needs looking at. Overall fab trip made even better with our guide Matt. I really hope we meet him again, he's a real treasure to the company.

Barbara Parkes (Google Reviewer)  

Presently in Croatia staying at...

22-Sep-2023

Presently in Croatia staying at Arauana Hotel, supposedly a 4 star property, but wouldn't give it any star rating. Rooms are small and dirty. Wallpaper blistering. Meals served in a shed like lean-to. Food like warm, greasy and always self service. Second holiday with Riviera this year and neither at standard advertised. Have travelled with them previously and everything was fine, but standards have really dropped. Have booked a holiday with them next year and now dreading it. Certainly don't provide the standard advertised. We have never stayed in such a hovel and have visited youngsters in back packers accommodation which was far better than this supposedly 4 star accommodation. There are no indoor bars or lounges only a shed as a so called restaurant. Absolutely disgusting. Won't be boking with them again

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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