How do you prepare for this adventure? First you walk, and practice stopping suddenly. So that you'll be ready for the spontaneous views - colorful villages clinging to cliffs with waves crashing below. The scenery will arrest you mid-step, so be ready. Then pick the most delectable Chianti you can find. It won't match the Classico you'll sip in Panzano but it's good practice. Finally get your fill of just-off-the-boat fresh seafood, hearty pork and beef, friendly people, rows of cypress, warm sunlight, patch-work hills and the blue Mediterranean. And you've got a good start.
Days 1-2 Two distinct regions of Italy in one amazing trip
Hike through the dramatic landscape to Portovenere, taking in sweeping vistas of the Golfo della Spezia Boat to Palmaria Island for a feast of fresh seafood 
Sip crisp Ligurian white wines at a fun and informative tasting Explore the Cinque Terre's spectacular coastline, a World Heritage site, by foot, boat and train Well-groomed paths lined by ancient stone walls lead from stunning Riomaggiore through cliffside Manarola, quiet Corniglia, colorful Vernazza to inviting Monterosso al Mare
Days 3-4 Stroll through quintessential Tuscan villages,
vineyards and cypress-flanked lanes Pass trompe l'oeil-adorned villas en route to pretty Portofino, playground of the rich and famous A walk along Portofino's postcard-perfect waterfront is a must before heading inland to Chianti Explore historic Greve in Chianti, shop for local delicacies and taste the region's best wines at a renowned enoteca.
Days 5-6 Savor full-bodied Tuscan reds
and Chianti's simple hearty fare Bold balsamic vinegars dance across your tongue in ancient ridgetop Radda, of Chianti Classico fame Visit Volpaia, a medieval village-turned-winery Soak up grand pastoral panoramas from the strada bianca, surrounded by vineyards.
Trip Highlights
- Two distinct and beloved regions of Italy in one amazing trip
- Hike the Cinque Terre's spectacular coastline, with brightly colored cliffisde villages
- Outstanding seafood by the Mediterranean and simple hearty fare in Chianti
- Stroll through archetypal Tuscan villages, vineyards and cypress-flanked lanes
- Taste crisp Ligurian white wines and full-bodied Tuscan reds
Casual Inns
Hotel Belvedere (1 night): This modest seaside hotel offers superb vistas of Palmaria Island and the Gulf of La Spezia from its terrace and balconies.
Hotel Jolanda (2 nights): Enjoy the tranquility of this family-run hotel, within walking distance of the sea.
Villa Le Barone (2 nights): Owned by the same family since the 1500s, this former manor house offers vistas of the surrounding countryside, olive groves and vineyards of Chianti Classico. (pool, tennis)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 2.1, 6.6 miles
- 200 - 250 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 7.6, 11.7 miles
- 650 - 1290 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 5, 8 miles
- 590 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 6.3 miles
- 900 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 4, 9.5 miles
- 600 - 1050 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 0.5, 2.4 miles
- 30 - 290 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Seaside village paths with occasional exposed cliff views, stone steps. Please note: The hilly terrain makes the routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests.
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests
and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the
next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 4/22-27Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 5/6-11Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 5/20-25Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/3-8Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/10-15Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/24-29Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/8-13Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-20Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/26-31Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/2-7Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/9-14Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/16-21Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/23-28Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/30-10/5Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/7-12Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/14-19Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES+SOLOS TRIPS
- 5/27-6/1Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Days 4 & 5 we stay at Hotel San Niccolo in Radda in Chainti. - 8/5-10Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Days 2 & 3 we stay at Hotel Tigullio in Genova, and on Days 4 & 5 we stay at Hotel San Niccolo in Radda in Chainti. - 9/18-23Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Days 4 & 5 we stay at Hotel San Niccolo in Radda in Chainti. - 10/2-7Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $890 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Days 4 & 5 we stay at Hotel San Niccolo in Radda in Chainti.
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Terrific experience. The locales were beautiful, food was amazing, hikes were challenging but gorgeous, ferry opportunities gave a nice water option, a great blend of seaside and Tuscan experiences.- Cary, NC
I had a lovely time and saw some of the most spectacular views and scenery in my life.- Westmont, IL
We love Backroads! Everything we heard about it was true - fun, professional and great service, wonderful food, super nice people on our trip that we loved getting to know, and beautiful scenery. Thank you for our first spectacular trip to Italy. We aren't sure we could have done all that on our own because it enabled us to go to small towns, meet with local people, eat at local restaurants, and workout pretty extensively (hiking) every day yet have the option to sightsee instead. I cannot recommend it enough to others.- Atlanta, GA
Leaders were fantastic and Backroads trips continue to give great value. The consistency of the product continues to give me no reason to look at any other adventure travel company for future trips. Food and wine were a highlight. Very special boating over to Locanda Lorena.- Cary, NC