8 DAYS • 7 NIGHTS
GROUP SIZE: 8 – 12
activity level: MODERATE
FROM € 4,150
DATES & AVAILABILITY
14 – 21 September 2027
SOLD OUT
CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR OTHER DESTINATIONS
FOR PRIVATE GROUPS
OR OTHER INFO
Our small group walking tour of the Cinque Terre & North of Tuscany is a journey of diversity between land and sea.
Explore the historic hill-towns of Etruscan Tuscany, admire fresco paintings in their original settings and look up at the skylines of medieval towers. Walk on an ancient system of footpaths connecting fishing villages snuggled into coves, past churches clinging to the rocks, through terraced vineyards, lemon orchards and olive groves overlooking the azure Mediterranean sea.
Our walking tour of the Cinque Terre and Northern Tuscany journeys from the towered hill-towns of the Etruscans to the vibrant cliffside villages of the Italian Riviera. We traverse a diverse landscape of terraced vineyards, ancient marble mountains, and azure coastal paths.
PICK UP: 14.00 Florence, Villa Costanza parking, coach & tramway station
DROP OFF – 10.00 La Spezia train station.
We can usually also arrange a drop off at Florence Villa Costanza tramway T1, for direct trams into Florence.
Before the tour starts, we recommend you spend a few days in the beautiful city of Florence.
We meet at 14.00 at the Villa Costanza tramway Meeting Point before heading into the heart of the Vernaccia wine country.
We enjoy a panoramic walk through the countryside, arriving in San Gimignano as the afternoon light begins to fade. Known for its fourteen medieval towers silhouetted against the sky, this is truly one of Tuscany’s most striking towns.
After settling into the hotel, we gather for a welcome dinner to meet the rest of the group.
Meals: Dinner
Hike: 8km, 2.5h
Overnight: San Gimignano
Our day begins on the gravel roads that crisscross the open countryside, leaving the towers of San Gimignano behind us.
We walk through olive groves and vineyards, eventually arriving at a small family winery for a lunch of traditional local fare.
In the afternoon, we follow a shaded wooded trail to find the ruins of an abandoned fortified medieval village hidden deep in the forest of a national park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hike: 14 km, 4h (option to opt out after lunch and return to the hotel)
Overnight: San Gimignano
A short, scenic drive takes us to the atmospheric town of Volterra.
We take a walking tour through its historical heart, with free time to visit the many art galleries and local workshops famous for their alabaster.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue our journey to the elegant walled city of Lucca.
The evening is yours to begin exploring this charming town at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Walk: 4 km, 1.5 hrs stroll in town
Overnight: Lucca
Today is dedicated to the discrete charm of Lucca, the birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini. We start with an introductory walk along the city’s Renaissance walls, which serve as a 4 km elevated garden boulevard offering bird’s-eye views of the Romanesque churches and pedestrian streets below.
In the early evening, we gather for an aperitif and a concert of famous opera arias before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Walk: 4km, 1h walk on city walls
Overnight: Lucca
We leave the verdant Lucca valley behind and head into the mountains (1hr journey) to tour the exciting marble caves where Michelangelo found a perfect white slab for his ’David’. They are still active and situated at 450 m above the sea!
In the afternoon we travel on to the Cinque Terre (1hr). Weather and time permitting we can walk from Telegrafo down to Riomaggiore, the most northerly of the 5 villages. On arrival, take off your boots and cool your feet in the sea or sit and a enjoy a gelato.
At dinner we mustn’t forget to try a glass of the local Sciacchetra wine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hike: feels like 6 km, Elev. – 315m, 1.5h
Overnight: Monterosso al Mare
Today the real magic of the Cinque Terre begins, with a breathtaking succession of land and sea. Man and nature have worked together for thousands of years. The exhilarating Cinque Terre is made up of ancient stone stairways linking high, terraced vineyards.
We begin in Monterosso and walk to Vernazza, a picturesque, bustling town where you can explore before lunch. In the afternoon we can reach other towns by train. Manarola has long, narrow streets with fishing boats resting on the pavements. Corniglia is a village with Roman origins and sits on a high promontory overlooking the sea.
Back in Monterosso’s charming old town in the afternoon, you are free to relax or walk out for dinner to taste the local dishes in the atmospheric restaurants in town.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hike: feels like 14km; Elev.+/- 250m, 3-5h depending on erosion
Overnight: Monterosso al mare
We walk a beautiful section of the high trail above the Cinque Terre with pine, oak and chestnut woods, remote villages and churches overlooking the sea. The trail undulates as it snakes along the contours and then descends steeply (incredible views) to reach the Roman-Byzantine town of Portovenere, a picturesque town and a delightful place to stroll around.
In the evening we get together to enjoy a farewell dinner party.
Option: If you do not wish to walk today you can take the ferry to Portovenere* (*weather permitting) or simply enjoy the views from the minibus.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hike: feels like 16km, Elev. +100/-600 mt (lots of down!), 5h
Overnight: Portovenere
8 DAYS • 7 NIGHTS
GROUP SIZE: 8 – 12
activity level: MODERATE
FROM € 4,150
DATES & AVAILABILITY
14 – 21 September 2027
SOLD OUT
CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR OTHER DESITATIONS
FOR PRIVATE GROUPS OR OTHER INFO
This tour offers an extraordinary journey of diversity, transitioning seamlessly between the medieval hill towns of Etruscan Tuscany and the dramatic cliffside villages of the Italian Riviera. You will experience a unique blend of high culture and natural beauty, from attending a concert of Puccini Opera Arias in Lucca to venturing deep into the active underground marble quarries of Carrara where Michelangelo sourced his stone. Our route follows an ancient system of footpaths that link colourful fishing coves, terraced vineyards, and lemon orchards, providing a complete immersion into the landscapes of the Mediterranean.
We meet at 14.00 on Day 1 at the Florence Villa Costanza parking, coach, and tramway station. This location is easily accessible from the city centre via the T1 Tramway.
Use the Tramways.
Tramway T2 takes you quickly and cheaply into the city centre from the airport.
Tramway T1 takes you out to Villa Costanza Parking, coach park and our Pick-up point.
For international travellers arriving from the US, Canada, or Australia, there are several convenient options:
We highly recommend arriving in Firenze at least two days before the tour begins to adjust to the time zone and explore the “birthplace of the Renaissance”.
We rate this tour as Moderate to Challenging, featuring a mix of rolling countryside and steep coastal paths.
The cuisine is a celebration of Tuscan land and Ligurian sea.
We stay in a curated selection of high-quality, locally owned hotels that reflect the character of each stop. You will enjoy stays in the heart of medieval San Gimignano, the elegant walled city of Lucca, the seaside charm of Monterosso, and the picturesque fortress town of Portovenere. Each location is chosen to provide a comfortable and authentic retreat after a day on the trails.
We schedule our departures during Late Spring (May/June) and Early Autumn (September/October).
How do I book this tour with Caspin Journeys?
To book, click on the BOOK NOW button next to your preferred departure date on our website or contact us via inquiries@caspin.com
A deposit reserves your spot, and the balance is due ahead of the tour.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. All participants must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, evacuation, and loss/damage of personal items.
Can I join as a solo traveller?
Yes — solo travellers are welcome. In the moment of booking, choose the single room option.
What about tips?
This question comes up a lot. Tips and gratuities for most services during the trip such as restaurant staff, porters etc. are included and handled by Caspin Journeys.
As for your tour leaders we at Caspin leave this gesture to your discretion.
If you have already booked to travel with us,
the link below will redirect you to your WeTravel account — our secure booking platform — where you can manage your booking, check your payment status, and much more.
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