Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, or the “five lands,” consists of 5 coastal villages protected as a national park. You'll experience Italian culture, architecture, and charm unique to these villages of terraced houses, town buildings, and vineyards. You'll visit Manarola and see the “Street of Love,” experience Vernazza after a boat ride to this town, and then see Monteroso al mare, which is most famous for its history. Lunch is not always included in these tours.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $139 for 9.5 hour excursions.
Booking Advice: Cruise line excursions to Cinque Terre appear to be quite competitive with online third party vendors. These tours are considered to be physically strenuous, no doubt due to the walking involved... These towns are literally terraced on the bluffs by the sea.
Portofino, Santa Margherita, & Rapallo
Considered to be “three pearls of Paradise Gulf,” this excursion affords the opportunity to see three towns with a wealth of history and charm as well as enchanting surroundings from gulf to mountains. You first arrive to Santa Margherita, where you then take a boat to Portofino Bay. In Portofino, you'll see houses with frescoes, lovely cafes, and yachts. A coach takes you to Rapallo resort with its 16th century. The bridge connecting this castle to land was used, according to legend, by Hannibal when he invaded Italy. These tours may include a snack, and an opportunity to walk about and shop.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $99.
Booking Advice: Because of the walking involved, these excursions are typically considered to be moderate to difficult physically. Cruise line prices appear to be quite competitive.
Santa Margherita, Genoa's Cathedral, & Palace
Following a boat ride to Santa Margherita, your coach trip brings you to Genoa where a walking tour of the city begins. Highlights in Genoa include seeing the 12th century Cathedrale di San Lorenzo, a visit to Piazza de Ferrari, shopping and strolling about Via Venti Settembre, and then you're off to the Ducal Palace Courtyard which now boasts bars, restaurants, crafts shops, libraries, and galleries. You'll go to Rapallo at this point, and visit the Piazza Cavour and see the 16th century Chiesa di San Stefano and Oratorio dei Bianch before lunch. Opportunity to explore and shop will occur in Santa Margherita before your return trip by boat.
Price: Adults expect to apy around $139 for 8.5 hour tours including lunch.
Booking Advice: Because of the walking involved, this excursion is rated as moderate in terms of physical exertion.
Genoa- the San Lorenzo Cathedral and Chiesa del Gesu
A trip by boat takes you to Santa Margherita, and then you reach Genoa by coach. Your walking tour of the old city begins via Porta Soprana. You'll pass the house where Columbus was born,and see the Teatro Carlo Felice, among other highlights. At the Piazza Matteotti, you'll see the Chiesa del Gesu, a 16th centru church that also houses paintings by Rubens and Guido Reni. At the Ducal Palace Courtyard, you'' find restaurants, galleries, bars, and crafts shops. Later, you'' see the Cathedrale di San Lorenzo, the Piazza Caricamento, and the Palazzo di San Giorgio (circa 1400's). Typically, time is allotted for strolling about and shopping along Via di Sottoripa.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $80.
Booking Advice: These tours last around 5 hours, and, because of the walking involved, they are considered to be physically strenuous. Cruise line prices for these excursions appear to be competitive.