Day 1: Gavi and its hills

You will arrive at Alto Monferrato in the afternoon, which is located in the province of Alessandria’s southernmost region. The tour guide will take you to the Fort of Gavi, an ancient stronghold built on a hill from which you can glance out over Gavi and the surrounding landscape, which is only a few kilometres from the border with Liguria. Then we’ll go to a lovely estate with a historic wine cellar where you can sample wines that have made this region famous around the world. In the evening, we will travel to a delightful Relais with a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills. We will have dinner at a fine restaurant with local specialties like truffle and then there will be an overnight stay.

Day 2: Barolo and Langhe

The day begins with a breakfast at the Relais and we start with a private tour guide for a full day visit to the Barolo and Langhe area, which is located in a very special area that is protected by the Alps to the north, west, and south and is distinguished by an atmosphere with great biodiversity. As a result, the climate is exceptionally favourable for viticulture: the grapes can exalt particularly fine and intense aromas due to the cold continental temperatures and well-defined seasons. Barolo is born in these conditions, and its name means “low place” because, despite being on top of a hill overlooking the valley towards Alba, it is besieged by elevated hills that safeguard it from the climate and excessive flow of air. Following a walking tour of the village, home of the famous wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, you will relish a Barolo wine tasting in a beautiful building with a historical wine cellar where you can also purchase wines and other regional specialties. The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and includes tasting of the most noteworthy wines as well as learning about the history of a wine cellar where this wine was born, in the heart of Langhe and shielded by hills. According to French tradition, this wine was named Barolo after the city where it was first produced. No one could have predicted that it would one day become king: the king of wines, the wine of kings. We then make a stop at the Belvedere of La Morra for a breathtaking view of the countryside. Lunch should be planned independently, and there may be a stop at another wine cellar for a wine tasting. The excursion concludes with a guided tour of Alba, the city of white truffles, where “the white gold” can be purchased. The dinner should be arranged on your own followed by return to the Relais.

Day 3: The Cinque Terre Park

There will be breakfast at the hotel and you will be responsible for your own transportation to La Spezia. The entire day is dedicated to exploring the beautiful Cinque Terre Park with a guided trip, an area where sea and land collide to form a unique and figurative area. For centuries, Cinque Terre has been undetectable from the ground, surrounded by steep mountains and valleys on one side and the sea on the other. Because of its remoteness, this area’s natural beauty has been designated as a World Heritage Site and a National Park. Following the Sentiero Azzurro, you will discover this beautiful coast and its marvellous villages Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso accompanied by our expert tour guide. It is the most iconic and well-known path, mapped over the centuries by those who used it to move around because it connected the five villages, some of which are real mule tracks that wind along the sea. During the day, you will join a local wine cellar where you will gain knowledge about the different stages of production and cultivation and where you will be able to taste typical wines and local products with an opportunity to visit the vineyard. Lunch should be organized on your own, and to conclude the day, you will enjoy a delicious aperitif at sunset aboard a traditional Ligurian boat. We then transfer to a nearby luxury hotel, where dinner and an overnight stay should be arranged on your own.

Day 4: Portovenere and Palmaria Island

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, and the day will be dedicated to the discovery of the wonderful village of Portovenere, with its small harbour and the small church of San Pietro, constructed on the outer side of the village from which you can adore a splendid view of the sea, accompanied by our expert tour guide. You can also learn about the history of the Castle, which dates back to the 12th century, as well as the sanctuary of the White Madonna and Byron’s Cave, where the English poet went to get inspiration for his poems. Lunch should be arranged on your own and in the afternoon you can enjoy a nice boat ride to get to know the Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto Islands. Palmaria Island, the most well-known, is covered in Mediterranean scrub and steep cliffs; Tinetto is completely devoid of vegetation; and Tino, now a military base, has remnants dating back to the eleventh century. 

On your way back to Portovenere, you can unwind with a delicious ice cream with a view of the sea. Dinner should be arranged on your own in the evening, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel.  

Day 5: Sarzana and Luni

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Sarzana followed by a guided tour of the ancient fortified village in the morning, where we can still see the Porta Romana (Roman Gate), the Bastioni Della Cittadella (Citadel Bastions), and the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Then, you’ll stroll through the enchanting streets to explore the many diverse shops in the centre, with a quick stop at a pastry shop to taste the authentic Sarzan Spungata. Following that, we recommend paying a visit to Luni, which has a large archaeological area and a beautiful museum. Lunch should be arranged on your own, followed by departure.