Tranquil Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera

The Quiet Side of the Italian Riviera
 
The Cinque Terre | Your chance to explore these famous villages with fewer crowds.
Moneglia | Your charming base – a serene, seaside town.
Fabulous food | Liguria is the cradle of pesto, focaccia, and ravioli.
Sentiero Verde Azzurro | Hike a section of this world-renowned path.
The flexibility | Your holiday, your choice how to spend each day.
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 2 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • wine-tasting session with tapas
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 2 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • wine-tasting session with tapas
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 

Holiday information

 

A single-centre walking holiday on the Ligurian Coast

Perfectly positioned between the dramatic coastline of the Cinque Terre National Park and the glamorous village of Portofino, the serene seaside town of Moneglia is fronted by a glorious Blue Flag beach and hemmed in on either side by fragrant, maquis-coated headlands.
Out of sight of the coast, facing the hills that lie inland, yet only a five-minute stroll from the beach and just a couple of minutes from the town’s railway station, is the stylishly avant-garde Villa Edera e La Torretta with its restaurant (where two dinners are included) and elegant swimming pool.

This fragrant oasis of chic Italian style and gourmet cuisine, away from the Cinque Terre crowds, is the ideal base from which to discover the alluring villages of the Ligurian Riviera on a variety of relatively short self-guided walks that explore this picturesque, undulating coastline.

Around Moneglia, traverse the lower slopes of rugged peaks on quiet, shaded paths to reach lofty viewpoints that showcase the awe-inspiring Italian Riviera; or walk over a wooded peninsula to reach the pretty village of Portofino in time for lunch. Head further afield into the Cinque Terre to wander labyrinthine cobbled streets of tiny villages whose pastel-faced buildings cling to craggy rocks above the sea like spectators jostling for the best view; or follow a section of the magnificent Sentiero Verde Azzurro path from Vernazza to Corniglia through some of the most magnificent scenery imaginable. For something slightly more challenging, ascend well-maintained stone stairways that climb then descend through ancient olive groves and scented vineyards to reach the small fishing village of Deiva Marina and Framura’s rocky and quaint harbour. On this Ligurian holiday the highlights just keep on coming.

 

Walking & more

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of our suggested walking routes as the mood takes you.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 11 11 15 17 22 25 28 28 24 20 15 11
    mm 104 69 85 118 88 55 63 32 77 135 170 107
  • An introduction
    The Ligurian Riviera provides endless opportunity for exploration, and its inexpensive and frequent train, bus and boat services (pay locally in all instances) enable you to tailor routes as you wish. We supply notes for four walks close to your base, three within the Cinque Terre National Park (including the classic Sentiero Verde Azzurro) plus another coastal walk nearby, and one a little further afield incorporating the celebrated town of Portofino. We also provide notes for a walking tour in Genoa, capital of the region.

    Although our route distances are short, the terrain can be tough going on some of the coastal sections with multiple ascents and descents.
  • Moneglia Bay Headland: 3km / 1hr 15mins; total ascent/descent 150m 
    A short stroll out towards the headland at the north end of Moneglia bay; after a short sharp climb up the road from the hotel the route heads in to woodland, traversing the lower slopes of Monte Moneglia until you come out of the trees approaching the headland to give you a lovely view back to Moneglia and the bay.

    Moneglia Bay Headland
    Moneglia Bay Headland: 3km
  • Choice of routes: 3.8km to 7km
    Riva Trigoso to Sestri Levante: 6.8km / 2hrs 45mins; total ascent/descent 275m
    After a very short train ride to Riva Trigoso, climb steeply up on to the Punta Manara headland. The peninsula gives the impression of walking a wild coast at times, while also offering views far up and down the riviera coastline. Note that the ascent from Riva Trigoso is very steep at times; the good news is that the steepest sections are stepped, but the steps are often very big, so may require a good stretch of the legs! Return by train from Sestri Levante.

    Monte San Nicolao: 7km / 3hrs; total ascent/descent 355m
    A short bus ride from Moneglia takes you to Casa Marcone, from where this is a lovely walk up around the slopes of Monte San Nicolao, on quiet paths, away from the crowds. The summit itself affords some far-reaching views towards the coastal riviera; just below, nestled in the woods, is the archaeological site of the church & hospital of San Nicolao. Much of the route is in woodland, offering good shade, though there are plenty of spots for good views from up high. Return from Casa Marcone by bus.

    Bonassola & Levanto: 7km / 2hrs 40mins; total ascent/descent 200m
    Take the train to Bonassola, then ascend from the beach to Salto della Lepre, a superb viewpoint, before looping back to the village and following the old railway round the coast to elegant Levanto. Return by train

    Monterosso to Vernazza: 4.3km / 1hr 55mins; total ascent/descent 250m
    Take the train to Monterosso to walk this justifiably popular section of the Sentiero Verde Azzurro in the Cinque Terre National Park. This is the classic route, climbing from Monterosso, with breathtaking views up and down the coastline as it traverses the steep hillsides high above the sea, before descending to incredibly picturesque Vernazza. While a head for heights isn’t essential, be aware that the climbs are often very steep, albeit stepped (big steps, unfortunately for those with shorter legs!). Return from Vernazza by train.

    Vernazza to Corniglia: 3.8km / 1hr 45mins; total ascent/descent 245m
    Take the train to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre National Park, to walk the Sentiero Verde Azzurro to Corniglia. Ascend from Vernazza, with far-reaching views up and down the coastline, traversing steep hillsides before descending to Cornigila perched on a headland high above the sea. While a head for heights isn’t essential, be aware that the climbs are often very steep, albeit stepped (big steps, unfortunately for those with shorter legs!). Return from Corniglia by train.

    Santa Margherita to Portofino: 6.2km / 2hrs 35mins; total ascent 280m, total descent 315m
    Take the train to bustling waterfront town of at Santa Margherita Ligure. The route heads up into the peaceful wooded hills of the peninsula, on well-maintained paved and cobbled paths – making it an accessible walk even in wet conditions. Winding in and out of small valleys with views back down towards the bay, then head downhill to Portofino, where you might stop and enjoy some lunch or an afternoon snack overlooking Portofino harbour and bay. Return from Portofino by boat or bus, and then train.
    Riva Trigoso to Sestri Levante: 6.8km
    Monte San Nicolao: 7km
    Bonassola & Levanto: 7km
    Monterosso to Vernazza: 4.3km
    Vernazza to Corniglia: 3.8km 
    Santa Margherita to Portofino: 6.2km
  • Choice of routes: 5.8km to 11km
    Moneglia to Framura: 11km / 4hrs 30mins; total ascent 495m, total descent 660m
    After a very short bus ride, cross wooded slopes to reach the small fishing village of Deiva Marina. Ascend again through olive groves for far reaching views before a series of stone steps lead down to the coast at Framura. Return by train.

    Corniglia to Manarola: 5.8km / 2hrs 40mins; total ascent/descent 380m
    Take the train to Corniglia, the smallest of the Cinque Terre villages set on a tiny headland perched above the sea. It’s a single steep but shaded climb up to around 350m above sea level from here, after which the route contours across the steep, terraced hillside and vineyards, with views back down to Corniglia, and on a clear day as far as Corsica. Descend through olive groves, before taking the ‘panoramic’ path, a spectacular approach to Manarola, arriving right on the tiny waterfront. Return by train.
    Moneglia to Framura: 11km
    Corniglia to Manarola: 5.8km
  • Explore Genoa
    To gain an even more rounded view of Liguria, you may wish to visit Genoa, the regional capital and historic port city. We'd recommend adding a stay in the city at the end of your holiday (see Extend Your Stay) to do it full justice and to have time to follow our self-guided walking tour, but it is also possible to take the train from Moneglia for a brief visit. Delve into its rich past as you explore the narrow alleyways, ancient churches and Renaissance-style palaces of the Old Town, and maybe pick up some of the city’s renowned pesto Genovese and freshly baked focaccia.
 

Accommodation

The epitome of Italian elegance, style and good living, the boutique Villa Edera & La Torretta is your base for the entirety of this holiday. With so much glorious surrounding coastline to explore, you might need to book an extra night to ensure you don’t miss anything. Included in your stay is a wine-tasting session accompanied by Ligurian tapas, plus two dinners in the hotel restaurant.
Villa Edera & La Torretta

Bedrooms

 

Options to extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter

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  • 7 nights: 01 April 2025 - 15 July 2025, 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025, 01 April 2026 - 15 July 2026 & 01 September 2026 - 31 October 2026

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2025 £1015 £585
    1 - 20 May 2025 £1080 £645
    21 May - 8 Jul 2025 £1145 £660
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £1095 £635
    1 - 6 Oct 2025 £950 £575
    7 - 24 Oct 2025 £940 £575
    1 - 30 Apr 2026 £1075 £620
    1 - 20 May 2026 £1145 £680
    21 May - 8 Jul 2026 £1215 £695
    1 - 30 Sep 2026 £1160 £670
    1 - 6 Oct 2026 £1010 £605
    7 - 24 Oct 2026 £1000 £605
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 01 April 2025 - 15 July 2025, 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025, 01 April 2026 - 15 July 2026 & 01 September 2026 - 31 October 2026

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2025 £1345 £585
    1 - 20 May 2025 £1485 £645
    21 May - 8 Jul 2025 £1610 £660
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £1580 £635
    1 - 6 Oct 2025 £1300 £575
    7 - 24 Oct 2025 £1290 £575
    1 - 30 Apr 2026 £1425 £620
    1 - 20 May 2026 £1575 £680
    21 May - 8 Jul 2026 £1705 £695
    1 - 30 Sep 2026 £1675 £670
    1 - 6 Oct 2026 £1380 £605
    7 - 24 Oct 2026 £1370 £605
    3rd & 4th person discount -£26 to -£27
    Single traveller supplement £25 to £26

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK
    Outbound: UK-Nice** via Paris (Eurostar/TGV), approx. duration 9h30. Nice-Moneglia via Genoa (French/Italian rail), approx. duration 4h50, plus walk (0h05).
    Home: walk to Moneglia station (0h05), Moneglia-Nice** via Genoa, approx. duration 6h. Nice-UK via Paris, approx. duration 10h30.

    **An overnight stay in Nice is required for this rail route, in each direction.
    The holiday price does not include overnight accommodation in Nice but we can arrange an add-on stay in Nice for you.

    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Villa Edera & La Torretta, Moneglia
    Design: 01 Apr - 11 May 2025 £26
    Design: 12 May - 27 Sep 2025 £36
    Design: 28 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £26
    Design: 01 Apr - 11 May 2026 £27
    Design: 12 May - 27 Sep 2026 £38
    Design: 28 Sep - 31 Oct 2026 £27

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Villa Edera & La Torretta, Moneglia (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 11 May 2025 £103 £194
    12 May - 29 Jun 2025 £124 £236
    30 Jun - 31 Aug 2025 £111 £210
    01 Sep - 27 Sep 2025 £126 £240
    28 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £103 £194
    01 Apr - 11 May 2026 £109 £205
    12 May - 29 Jun 2026 £131 £249
    30 Jun - 31 Aug 2026 £117 £222
    01 Sep - 27 Sep 2026 £133 £253
    28 Sep - 31 Oct 2026 £109 £205
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Genoa or Pisa

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly via an airport not listed below. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Pisa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Genoa (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Pisa jet2 
    Birmingham - Pisa (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Bristol - Pisa easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Pisa Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Edinburgh - Genoa (via Paris) Air France 
    Edinburgh - Pisa Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Pisa Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Pisa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Pisa Ryanair 
    Leeds Bradford - Pisa jet2 
    Leeds Bradford - Pisa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Pisa Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Genoa British Airways,  Vueling 
    Gatwick - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Gatwick - Pisa British Airways,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Heathrow - Genoa (via Rome Fiumicino) Alitalia 
    Heathrow - Pisa British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Pisa easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Genoa Ryanair 
    Stansted - Pisa Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Genoa Ryanair 
    Manchester - Genoa (via Paris) Air France 
    Manchester - Pisa easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Genoa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Pisa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Genoa (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Teesside International - Pisa (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly via an airport not listed below. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Genoa

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Genoa PP to Moneglia station (1h40), walk station to hotel (0h05) £11 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to station (0h05), rail Moneglia to Genoa PP (1h40) £11 1200

    Connecting travel options - flying via Pisa

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Pisa Centrale to Moneglia station (2h30), walk station to hotel (0h05) £24-£25 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to station (0h05), rail Moneglia to Pisa Centrale (2h30) £24-£25 1200
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Italy, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal official language is Italian, though some regions have a second official language, such as South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken. The currency is the Euro. Italian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Price from
£940pp | 7 nights
Tranquil Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera. 7 nights
Price from
£940pp
Last fetch time is : 6/4/2025 6:49:34 PM

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