How To Plan A Week In Cinque Terre
Why join a Riviera Dreamer tour?
Each Riviera Dreamer tour itinerary has been carefully curated through years of exploring, building local relationships, and dialing in what truly makes this place special. From finding the best restaurants and authentic experiences to mastering the logistics behind the scenes, every detail is there for a reason.
We’ve designed these tours to share the true Cinque Terre experience in a way that feels equal parts adventurous, relaxing, and meaningful.
The Perfect Week in Cinque Terre
When planning a week in Cinque Terre, it’s important to find the perfect balance between adventure and leisure. Furthermore, timing is everything.
Cinque Terre, a once known “hidden gem” has blown up as a destination worldwide, and for good reason. These spectacular villages bring in tourists from all over the world each summer, and at certain times of the day the towns can become notoriously crowded. We recommend having accommodations in Cinque Terre to utilize the best two times of the day: early mornings and peaceful evenings after dinner.
Nothing beats waking up slowly and sipping a Cappuccino with a pastry as the sun slowly rises over the mountains. The crowds are still hours away, the water is in plain sight, and the calm of Cinque Terre settles around you.
When planning an itinerary for an immersive, small-group tour, we factor in a few key components. Traveling solo, or not joining a group tour? No worries…this applies to anyone looking to make the most out of their trip!
Unique Adventures
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO world heritage site primed for exploration. After years of searching for off-the-beaten-path experiences, we’ve added our very favorites to the week including a boat tour and swim in the Ligurian sea, hiking to an aperitivo with a view, a leisurely seaside bike tour, and much more!
Authentic Dining
Every region in Italy has its own unforgettable cuisine, and Liguria is no exception. Fresh seafood, crisp white wines, incredible pasta dishes, and the world’s best pesto are only a few of the local favorites we can’t wait to share with you. For those visiting outside of our group setting, try to avoid places with giant pictures of their food outside. If there’s an employee actively trying to recruit you to sit down, you should also probably avoid the place. Look for the osterias and trattorias in the nooks and crannies. In our experience, the Google reviews typically hold pretty true.
Local Experience
After years of building relationships here, we’ve been lucky to connect with some truly incredible local business owners, chefs, guides, and residents…the people who help bring the true spirit of La Dolce Vita in Cinque Terre to life. Most of the locals speak English, so don’t be afraid to ask someone at a shop what they’d spend their free time doing. Typically, you’ll get some really good recommendations!
Rest & Relaxation
The perfect balance of activity and free time is key to truly enjoying a week in Cinque Terre. We design our itineraries with that in mind, giving you plenty of free time to relax on the beach, wander through local shops, or dive into another adventure…whatever feels right in the moment.
