Silversea Luxury Cruises À CINQUETERRE (Portovenere)

Indulge your senses with one of the most beautiful natural sights in Italy during this scenic boating excursion along the Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre

After meeting your guide at the tender pier, walk to your boat and commence your picturesque, one-hour coastal cruise to Vernazza. En route, take in the scenic beauty of the Cinque Terre (Five Villages). Tall cliffs dropping down into the cobalt-blue sea, intimate beaches at Riomaggiore and Vernazza, and tiny ports like Manarola highlight the harsh, wild landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the Cinque Terre is also a National Park and protected marine area.

Vernazza

Disembark your motor launch in Vernazza, take a guided tour of this noble and elegant village, which is located on a steep cliff and adorned with loggias and refined arcades. Afterward, some free time is made available to explore Vernazza at your leisure before embarking the boat for the cruise to Monterosso.

Monterosso

The Medieval centre of Monterosso has remained perfectly preserved, with its tower-houses and narrow alleys, or 'carrugi'. The old section of Monterosso also remains unchanged, and maintains the same look and feel of the other villages of the Cinque Terre. During your guided tour of Monterosso, see the castle overlooking the sea and the Aurora Tower. Following your visit, commence the one-hour cruise back to the pier and enjoy a little piece of Ligurian focacia and a glass of white wine.

Experience the panoramic island beauty of Palmaria on-foot during this invigorating, half-day nature hike.

Palmaria Island

Depart the pier aboard a boat for the short ride to Palmaria Island, which lies across the narrow channel of Portovenere on the western side of the Gulf of La Spezia. This largely undeveloped island, along with the Cinque Terre and Portovenere, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival at the ferry landing at Terrizzo, located just across the channel from Portovenere, begin your 3.7-mile (six-kilometre) hike.

Scenic Hike

Along the way, see the hillside tumble of Portovenere, juxtaposition of tiny sailboats and giant tankers, breath-taking cliffs of the Cinque Terre coast, wild goats under umbrella pines, fields, trees, macchia plants, and more. As the trail comes closer to the cliffs, take in exquisite views of sailing ships and sheer drops. From here, walk past a rocky excavated area that opens up to a superb view of Portovenere, its colourful, slender buildings and the Church of St. Peter, perched on a rocky point. Following your hike, return to the ferry landing and embark the boat for the short cruise back to the pier.

Explore the Old World beauty, architecture and landmarks of Italy during this picturesque excursion to Lucca, and a photo stop in Pisa.

Lucca

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximate 1.5-hour drive to the ancient city of Lucca. Founded by the Romans in 180 B.C., Lucca and its historical centre have remained intact through the ages. During your self-guided visit to Lucca, visit the massive red brick walls built between 1504 and 1645 that enclose this Medieval urban structure.

Lucca City Sights

Upon arrival in Lucca, enjoy your free time in town to explore its many highlights, shops, cafeterias and good restaurants. You may visit the Church of San Michele in Foro with its wonderful Pisan Romanesque façade, the tower of the Guinigi family and the Square of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre. Other sights to be seen include the Church of San Frediano, with a splendid, 13th-century mosaic on its façade and beautiful frescoes inside, the Cathedral of San Martino and Via Fillungo, the main shopping street.

Pisa

After lunch on your own in one of the many local restaurants or pizzerias, re-board your coach for the drive to Pisa. Upon arrival, proceed for a photo stop at the Field of Miracles, or 'Campo del Miracoli', where the Leaning Tower, Duomo, Baptistery and Camposanto complete an unrivalled quartet of Medieval masterpieces. Following your visit, re-board your coach for the approximate 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Experience the Old World beauty, charm and flavours of Sarzana during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Sarzana

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Sarzana. Located in the heart of the Lunigiana area on the eastside of the Magra River, Sarzana is home to a medieval city centre enclosed by beautiful, 16th-century city walls. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the city. Along the way, see the Cathedral, which features a Romanesque portal, Gothic fronton, and Baroque altars and vault, and priceless paintings.

Walking Tour

As you walk along Garibaldi Street, your guide points out the beautiful palazzi and churches, including Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Magni Griffi, Palazzo Picedi de Benedetti and the Church of St. Andrew. Once in Garibaldi Square marvel at the 'Teatro degli Impavidi' from the early 19th-century, with its rich façade embellished by wrought-iron decorations it is sure to impress.

Pasticceria and Shopping

Next, proceed to Pasticceria Gemmi, a family-run pastry shop since 1934, for assorted snacks accompanied by a cup of cappuccino, coffee or tea. The shop is located in a 17th-century palazzo and former convent. It is highlighted by a charming old open gallery, and offers splendid vistas of a medieval church tower from its loggia. Following your visit some free time is made available to browse the area shops before commencing the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Indulge your senses with the beauty of the Italian Riviera, Portofino and Santa Margherita during this picturesque, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Santa Margherita and Cruise to Portofino

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately two-hour drive to Santa Margherita. Upon arrival, embark your boat for the short coastal cruise to Portofino. Through the centuries, Portofino functioned primarily as a fishing village and, occasionally, a small naval port. Today, it is a classy resort-village. Portofino's tiny bay is neatly-packed with pricey yachts, common pleasure boats and, as a vestige of its past, some fishing boats.

Free Time in Portofino, Colourful Buildings and Green Hillsides

Upon arrival in Portofino, ample free time is made available to explore the village at your leisure. The waterfront is lined with multi-coloured pastel buildings, lovely shops, canopied outdoor cafes and a quay that's ideal for a scenic stroll. Its surrounding hills are dotted with bougainvillea-garnished villas owned by the rich and famous. Photo opportunities abound at virtually every turn. The town is striking, with its brightly-coloured antique buildings hovering over sparkling blue water. The luxuriant green hillsides of the Portofino Promontory surrounding the town are equally stunning.

Flora and Fauna, Church of San Giorgio and Portofino Lighthouse

A very pleasant walk heads up to the right as you face the harbour. Located here is a very attractive walking path through one of the largest concentrations of flora and fauna in the Mediterranean. A walk up the hill to the Church of San Giorgio offers spectacular views of the entire bay and Tigullian Gulf. Perched high above the town, this church contains relics of St. George brought over by crusaders from the Holy Land. From here, you can walk to another great lookout point at the Punto del Capo, the Portofino Lighthouse.

Return Cruise to Santa Margherita and Free Time

Following your visit to Portofino, embark your boat for the cruise back to Santa Margherita. One of the most important towns of the Levante Riviera, Santa Margherita is an elegant international tourist destination with a unique atmosphere. Nestled around the port, its special charm lies in the unusual mix of Nautical and Belle Epoque styles. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to explore the charming waterfront independently. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately two-hour drive back to the pier.

Explore the 'panoramic miracle' of the Gulf of La Spezia on-foot during this picturesque sightseeing excursion.

Portovenere, Gulf of La Spezia

Depart the pier for a scenic, approximately 1.5-hour guided walking tour of Portovenere, the 'panoramic miracle' of the Gulf of La Spezia. The exquisite beauty of the city inspired Petrarch to write the following passage about it: 'To those who arrive by sea, it appears on the shore of the port of Venus and there, among the olive-cloaked hills, it is said that even Minerva was led by so much sweetness to forget Athens, her homeland'.

Gulf of Poets, Portovenere Harbour, Brightly-Coloured Houses, Narrow Medieval Streets, Castle

An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Portovenere sits on a rocky peninsula on the Gulf of Poets, an area in the Gulf of La Spezia once popular with writers such as Byron, Shelley and DH Lawrence. It is southeast of the Cinque Terre at the end of the Italian Riviera, in the region of Liguria. Portovenere Harbour is lined with brightly-coloured houses and narrow, medieval streets leading up the hill to a castle.

City Gate, Carugion Cappellini, Church of San Pietro, Byron's Cave

Enter the main street, which is lined with shops, through Portovenere's ancient City Gate. Pass by Carugion Cappellini in the old town centre of Portovenere. See a picturesque church on the promontory (Church of San Pietro), once the site of a temple dedicated to Venus (Venere in Italian), from which the village gets its name. Nearby, view Byron's Cave, located in a rocky area leading to the sea where the poet Lord Byron used to swim. At the conclusion of your walking tour, return to the pier on-foot.

Explore Cinqueterre or Lucca or Pisa at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hours) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Cinqueterre or Lucca or Pisa at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hours) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver in an air-conditioned car, meet your English-speaking guide on site and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Cinqueterre or Lucca or Pisa at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Cinqueterre or Lucca or Pisa at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver in an air-conditioned van, meet your English-speaking guide on site and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.