Self-Guided Walking the Cinque Terre & Ligurian Rivera

After checking in to your hotel base for the first two nights of the holiday, we recommend spending time exploring the first Cinque Terre village of your trip.

Visible from all parts of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso's convent is worth visiting due to its wealth of historical and artistic treasures, including works by Van Dyck and Luca Cambiaso. Monterosso is also home to the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre, which, unsurprisingly, proves popular with tourists and locals alike.

Public transport and taxis to Monterosso is available from both Genoa Airport (GOA) and Pisa Airport (PSA). Stay: Hotel Marina (Comfortable)

This morning, a short train ride takes you to the start of today's walk in Riomaggiore. From here, the views of the coastline and cliffs are spectacular as you walk along the edge of the mountain chain bordering the Cinque Terre region until you reach Portovenere. Along with the Cinque Terre villages, this settlement has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status for its scenic and cultural value.

For your return to Monterosso, you have the choice between taking a bus to La Spezia and then catching a train, or taking a direct ferry.

You can expect today's 13 kilometre walk to take approximately six hours. Stay: Hotel Marina (Comfortable) (B)

Gently climbing along a narrow footpath, today's route contours through terraces and vineyards to Punta Mesco before descending to the stunningly-located village of Levanto. After spending time exploring its warren of narrow, ancient lanes and perhaps enjoying lunch in one of its cafes, your route continues along a converted railway track. Walking through tunnels and across bridges, you will soon reach the beach town of Bonassola - your base for the next two nights.

You can expect today's 10 kilometre walk to take approximately four-and-a-half hours. Stay: Hotel Villa Belvedere (Comfortable) (B)

Today's walk from Bonassola provides fantastic views over the northern Ligurian coast as you pass through the hills of the Eastern Riviera to Deiva Marina. From here, you will return to Bonassola by train. It is also possible to shorten today's route by ending in Framura.

You can expect today's 11 kilometre walk to take approximately four hours, with the shorter route covering five kilometres over two-and-a-half hours. Stay: Hotel Villa Belvedere (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end.

Public transport and taxis from Monterosso are available to Genoa Airport (GOA) and Pisa Airport (PSA). (B)