The Italian Riviera

Day 1: UK/Genoa
Depart on your scheduled flight to Genoa today. On arrival you’ll transfer to your hotel in Rapallo or Sestri Levante dependant on your departure date, for your seven-night stay. Relax before enjoying dinner here this evening.

Day 2: Portofino
After breakfast join us on our included three-quarter-day tour to Portofino which we reach by local boat service along a pretty coastal stretch. What used to be a tiny fishing port is today the Italian Riviera’s most exclusive resort offering designer boutiques and a fine selection of cafés and bars. Take a stroll among its snaking streets to the Church of St Georgio, which is a short distance from the harbour. From here the views across the bay are quite spectacular.

Day 3: Rapallo
Spend today at leisure in the beautiful medieval town of Rapallo. Although relatively unknown, the town is teeming with character. From the old port to its pretty piazzas there are plenty of places to explore, and a cable-car ride will reward you with stunning views of the area. Why not enjoy a lunch of fabulous seafood in a restaurant by the harbour.

Day 4: Cinque Terre
Today’s included full-day excursion by train, takes you to the enchanting area known as the Cinque Terre. This translates as Five Lands and refers to the five villages which perch precariously on the cliffs high above the Mediterranean Sea and are almost all inaccessible by road. This excursion includes a train ride to Riomaggiore from where you can stroll along the famous Via dell’Amore, or Lover’s Path, to the beautiful village of Manarola.

Day 5: Pisa & Lucca
Spend today at leisure or why not join our full-day excursion by coach, which takes you firstly to Pisa where you will see the famous Leaning Tower. One of four buildings which make up the cathedral complex and what is known as the Field of Miracles, the tower took 176 years to complete and began to lean shortly after construction. After admiring this world-famous landmark you’ll continue to Lucca, which boasts some of Italy’s finest examples of medieval and Renaissance architecture and is said to be one of Tuscany’s best kept secrets. The town is also famous as the birthplace of the composer Puccini and as the home of the Volto Santo relic which is kept in its beautiful cathedral.

Day 6: Sestri Levante
Enjoy breakfast this morning before our included three-quarter-day excursion by train to the enchanting town of Sestri Levante. Famous children’s author Hans Christian Andersen was so charmed by the area he made it his home and during his time here he gave the town’s two bays their names – the Bay of Fables (Baia delle Favole) and the Bay of Silence (Baia de Silenzio). As you explore at your own pace you’re sure to be charmed by this picturesque town too. Admire the historic villas of the old town and venture into one of the charismatic cafés of the new town where you can relax and enjoy a bite to eat before you return to your hotel. Please note: If your departure date means that you will stay in Sestri Levante, your excursion on this day will be to Rapallo.

Day 7: Rapallo
Enjoy some free time in Rapallo on the final day of your holiday. You could explore the surrounding area, spend a lazy day on the beach or why not mix with the locals in one of the many welcoming cafés and restaurants.

Day 8: Genoa/UK
After breakfast you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Please note
The holiday includes walking in areas with rough ground, gradients and steps.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Hotel Europa in Rapallo
Built in 1600 as the private residence of the Marquess Serra, the newly refurbished 4-star Hotel Europa is situated in central Rapallo opposite the castle and just a few steps from the seaside promenade and pretty beach. Its elegantly furnished rooms have a TV, mini-bar, telephone, safe and en suite facilities. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, spa and fitness centre.

Passengers travelling on 23/05, 13/06 and 10/10 departure dates will stay at:

4-star Hotel Grande Albergo in the resort of Sestri Levante
This classic hotel is located on the Waterfront Promenade and was one of the first on the Riviera and has been recently restored. Guest rooms feature air-conditioning and en suite facilities. There is an attractive restaurant as well as several lounges and a roof-top swimming pool (June-Sept weather permitting).

Half-board accommodation is available at both hotels for a supplement. Please speak to one of our Holiday Advisors at time of booking.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Portofino (three-quarter day)
Cinque Terre (full day)
Sestri Levante or Rapallo for those staying at the Grande Albergo (three-quarter day)

Optional excursions

Pisa and Lucca (full day, moderate walking) £56
For full details of this excursion please see page 18 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, plus 1 dinner
The services of a Travelsphere Tour manager and Local Guide
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All state and local taxes
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All airport taxes and security charges

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”