you can be consulted:
Viktoriia
Embark on a hiking trip along the Cinque Terre with Kuluar, which will take you through five picturesque villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. This region is known for its colorful houses standing on the cliffs above the turquoise waters of the Ligurian Sea. Every day we go for a walk from a villa located at a height and overlooking the sea. During the hikes, we will see natural landscapes that amaze with their perfection. The mild freshness makes hiking more comfortable and less exhausting than in summer, and each village offers its own special appeal: quiet streets, cozy cafes with hot drinks and traditional fish dishes to enjoy after the walk.
The trip will allow you to visit the opening of one of the most interesting nativity scenes in the world, which annually adorns the slopes of Manarola, the charming town of Cinque Terre. The nativity scene is a Christmas decoration, a real celebration of light, art and traditions that come to life in the open air. Numerous festive events, a fair and traditional Christmas dishes add a special charm to our hike.
The coolness of winter makes hiking between the villages of Cinque Terre more comfortable and less tiring. You can enjoy hiking along the trails, avoiding the heat and the large flow of tourists that characterize the summer months.
In winter, Cinque Terre lives its normal life, which allows you to dive deeper into the local culture and way of life. We will be able to taste traditional dishes in cozy restaurants, socialize with locals and feel the atmosphere of the region without commercial noise.
December is a time of celebration. Manarola is home to the world's largest open-air Christmas nativity scene, which attracts with its scale and beauty. The villages are decorated with Christmas lights, creating a magical holiday atmosphere.
Staying in a villa gives comfort and privacy to our group. Spacious rooms, beautiful views create the perfect conditions for a vacation, and hiking with just a small backpack won't make you tired.
We will visit Cinque Terre in the low season, which means peace and quiet. After the second day of the nativity scene, when most tourists leave the region, we will be free to walk the streets, enjoy the views and find convenient places to take pictures.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If you have been approved for a ticket, you can buy it. We will not cancel the program due to our fault
You are advised by travelers who have visited many countries and tell you about the details from their personal experience!
Most participants will arrive in Genoa, from where they can easily reach the picturesque Cinque Terre region and our villa, which will be home for the next six days. Check-in is scheduled for 15:00, followed by a team meeting. Then we will go for a walk to the nearest viewpoint, where we will enjoy the view of the Ligurian coast in the last rays of the sun. We will go down to a small town, where we will stroll through its cozy streets and visit a famous restaurant to taste delicious local cuisine.
This day we will go on our first hike. The morning will start at ~9:30, we recommend everyone to have a good rest after the flight, hoping that yesterday's gatherings were successful. We have plans to walk until late at night! We will go down from the villa to the train station and take a train that will take us to the picturesque town of Riomaggiore.
A walk through Riomaggiore in December is full of special magic. The town is quiet and peaceful, its narrow streets are decorated with festive garlands. Fresh sea air brings the aromas of local cuisine from small cafes and restaurants. Colorful houses cascading down to the sea create an incredible view. After a walk around the town, we will start to climb up to walk six kilometers to Manarola, where the nativity scene opens in the evening.
At this time of year, Manarola is filled with people who have come to experience the Christmas atmosphere. The nativity scene in Manarola, known as the "Presepe di Manarola," is a unique tradition that gives the village a fabulous Christmas atmosphere every year. The opening ceremony will begin at 17:30. Our team will find a place along the Via Beccara route to enjoy this event. After the fireworks, we will take the train back to the villa. The most hardy among us will stay in the living room with a glass of wine, discussing the day's experiences.
The third day of our trip will begin with breakfast on the cozy veranda of the villa. Today we do not plan to travel by train, as most tourists will leave Cinque Terre after the holiday celebrations. But for us, everything is just beginning! We are preparing our backpacks for hiking to Cape Mesco, which is about 8 km away. The cape offers one of the best panoramas of all five Cinque Terre towns. After lunch, we will return along a different path, completing the circular route to our town, and will be able to sit in a local coffee shop. After buying food in the supermarket for dinner, we return to the villa.
In the morning, we head to the medieval city of Portovenere, which is known for its picturesque landscapes and historic architecture. Portovenere, located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Cinque Terre and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. It takes about an hour to get to this city and it is the southernmost point of our trip.
The city is known for its ancient fortresses, Romanesque churches and charming narrow streets that wind through the old town. We will walk through these streets, climbing to the viewpoint trail around the town, which offers breathtaking views of the sea and the islands. After a cup of cappuccino and some delicious treats in a cozy coffee shop, we will go hiking to Riomaggiore.
Our route will take us along picturesque paths along the Ligurian Sea, through protected areas with magnificent views. This is the longest hike of the day and is about 12km with an elevation gain of 505m. In the afternoon we will take the Campiglia - Sella Derby trail, which leads to the Bocca dei Cavallini viewpoint at an altitude of 358 meters. At first, the trail goes along a rocky road, climbing up, offering breathtaking panoramas of Porto Venere, where we were, and the islands of Palmaria and Tino.
We will finish our trekking in Riomaggiore after 18:00, from where we will leave for the villa.
Our hiking between the cities of Monterosso, Vernazza, San Bernardo and Corniglia is one of the most scenic journeys in the Cinque Terre region and a real highlight of the trip. So, in the morning, we set off on a walk, passing through forested areas, vineyards and olive groves. The entire route runs along the coast of the Ligurian Sea. The total length of the trail is about 11 km, and it takes an average of 4-5 hours to complete, depending on the pace of our group.
The first town, Monterosso al Mare, is the northernmost in the Cinque Terre. It is known for its long beach, an ancient Capuchin monastery and a statue of the giant Neptune, which symbolizes the maritime heritage of the region. It has preserved ancient fishing quarters and medieval architecture.
On the way to Vernazza, we will pass through the slopes and the already familiar and numerous vineyards. This town is considered one of the most picturesque in the Cinque Terre thanks to its colorful port and towers towering over the harbor.
From Vernazza, the route continues to San Bernardo, a small mountain village located at an altitude of 385 meters above sea level. It offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and coastline, and there is an opportunity to visit an ancient sanctuary.
Next, we go to Cornilla through the hills and vineyards, admiring the magnificent views. This town is known for its hilltop location and charming streets, which offer great views of the sea and neighboring towns. It is the only town in Cinque Terre that does not have direct access to the sea, located at an altitude of 100 meters.
We return to the villa around 19:00, ending our last evening of the trip with a celebration :)
Over the past few days, we have accumulated many unforgettable experiences, made exciting walks and spent wonderful evenings in the company of new friends. But it's time to move on and leave Cinque Terre. Participants head to the railway station and take a train to one of the cities with an airport - Pisa, Genoa, Milan or Florence. See you on the trek!
In winter, most summer trails above the sea are closed for the safety of tourists. Our route is designed with this in mind and has a slightly longer mileage, bypassing closed areas.
The teamleader has the right to make changes to the route depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group.
Ukrainian citizens who have a biometric passport do not need a visa to visit Italy. At the border, you may be asked to provide an insurance policy.
To participate in the trip, you must not have any diseases incompatible with active tourism: the list is here.
After the trip, we recommend trekking routes:
If the cost of the group's accommodation is already included in the price, it is advisable to spend about €200 on food.
Breakfasts are already included in the price and are prepared by the team leader in the houses, participants can help him and speed up the process. You can choose individual meals by buying the food you want in the stores, or go out to a restaurant or bar every night. Approximate cost per person: Lunch during the hikes from 7€ to 25€; Dinner in the house ~ 13€; Dinner in a cafe ~ 27€;
Sea cruises and excursions: Even in winter, you can go on a boat trip to see the picturesque coastline and the five villages of the Cinque Terre on the other side. It is possible to choose a cruise with lunch and wine on board, stops at beaches accessible only from the sea.
Cooking classes and tastings: The Cinque Terre is famous for its cuisine and in winter we can take part in cooking classes where we will learn how to prepare local dishes such as pesto pasta and various seafood. Tastings of local wines are also available, including the white wine Vernaccia from Corniglia.
Visiting museums: If you are interested in history and culture, you can visit local museums, such as the Cinque Terre Museum in Riomaggiore, where you can learn more about the history of the region and the way of life of the locals. The cost of the visit is included in the price of the Cinque Terre Train Card.
To participate in the programme you need insurance covering active sports up to 800m altitude in Italy.
The total amount of mandatory expenses not included in the price is from 300 € + airfare.
You will need money to travel to the start of the route and return to the airport: from Pisa or Genoa, a one-way train ticket costs €10-13, from Milan - about €20. Also, daily train journeys between the villages along the route will cost about 35 € for the whole trip. Entrance to the Via dell'Amore trail costs 18 €.
Depending on your desires, you will need money for souvenirs and the main expense item - food.
*Please note: it is not the responsibility of the consultant to select a separate flight for each participant to/from the start/finish point. He gives general recommendations based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants so that you can fly together. The participant is responsible for selecting and purchasing a convenient air ticket or you can contact our partners. Find contacts and recommendations here
To reserve a place in the group, you need to make an advance payment of 450 euros. You can make an advance payment here. The rest of the amount can be paid by card transfer (no later than a week before the start) or handed over to the team leader on the first day of the trip. If you leave the route, the money is not refundable.
