Colourful Cinque Terre, Italy

Discover a Ligurian treasure of clinging coastal villages, scenic trails, and fresh cuisine

Private Itinerary
5 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

Discover the magic of Liguria’s coastline, where colourful villages cling to dramatic cliffs and the sea sparkles below. Wander the timeless streets of, explore the enchanting cliffside towns, and soak in the glamour of Portofino. With guided discoveries and leisurely moments, this journey is pure Italian romance.

  • 4 nights in an exquisite 4-star hotel
  • 4 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L)
  • Full day excursion with private guide to three villages of the Cinque Terre
  • Excursion to Santa Margherita and Portofino with guided touring
  • Private pesto making workshop with lunch at a local restaurant
  • Boat, train and private car transfers as indicated
  • Note: hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included

Discover The Itinerary

Explore your itinerary in detail, featuring carefully selected hotels, unique experiences, and premium inclusions designed to elevate your travel experience.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

DAY 1: Genoa – Sestri Levante

Welcome to Italy’s Ligurian coastline that includes the five UNESCO villages of the Cinque Terre. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the day at leisure to explore the charming town of Sestri Levante.

Grand Hotel Miramare

Overnight Hotel / or similar

DAY 2: Sestri Levante– Cinque Terre – Sestri Levante

After the Cinque Terre National Park was declared a UNESCO world heritage site, the villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso have become a bucket list destination. Enjoy a full day excursion with a private guide to visit three of the five villages by train and discover the town’s narrow alleyways, secret corners and wonderful views.

Grand Hotel Miramare

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 3: Sestri Levante– Santa Margherita Ligure – Portofino – Sestri Levante

Travel by local train to visit Santa Margherita Ligure, one of the most charming towns on the Ligurian coast. Enjoy a guided walking tour to learn about its transformation in the 19th century when the Italian aristocracy began holidaying here and admire highlights such as Villa Durazzo and the baroque Basilica of St. Margaret of Antioch. Continue by ferry to Portofino, a postcard-perfect fishing harbour renowned for its pastel-hued buildings, luxury yachts and serene beauty. Your guide will share tales of its Roman roots as “Portus Delphini” and its rise as a jet-set destination. Afterward, enjoy a delicious local lunch with wine before returning to your hotel.

Grand Hotel Miramare

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 4: Sestri Levante

Immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Liguria with a hands-on pesto-making workshop. Under the guidance of a local expert, learn the art of crafting authentic Pesto alla Genovese using a traditional mortar and pestle, fragrant basil, and regional ingredients. Following the workshop, indulge in a delicious three-course meal, complemented by a glass of local Ligurian wine. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Grand Hotel Miramare

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 5: Sestri Levante

Extend your stay or depart for your ongoing journey.

Breakfast

Meals Included

Upcoming Departures

Enjoy your private itinerary

Experience the freedom of a private, fully customisable itinerary with Ormina Tours. This itinerary can start on any date, with options to adjust activities, upgrade experiences, and tailor every detail to suit your travel style, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey designed just for you.

  • Depart on any date you choose
  • Fully customisable
  • Unique activities
  • Comfort and privacy
From $3,390 AUD PPFrom price (Private driver)

Upgrade Options

  • Upgrade by basing your stay in the town of Santa Margherita Ligure at Grand Hotel Miramare 5-star or similar
  • Upgrade to a 5-star hotel: recommended – Grand Hotel Portovenere (Portovenere), Excelsior Palace (Rapallo) or Belmond Splendido (Portofino)
  • Add a day excursion with guided touring and typical lunch experience in Genoa comprising trofie pasta with pesto sauce, cima alla Genovese and panera
  • Experience the coastline between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino and into Portofino Bay by private yacht
  • Extend a day and experience mountain biking on the ancient trails of Mount Portofino, stop for a light lunch at the Old Mill and enjoy an afternoon kayak for caves and hidden coves in Portofino Marina
  • Extend a day with private driver to discover Liguria. Visit a winery for a tasting, have time to explore the cute village of Tellaro and enjoy a seafood lunch with wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Ormina Tours provide?

Ormina Tours provides land services in Europe. We cover most of Europe and are continually expanding. If your destination is uncommon, please contact us to confirm availability.

We offer Small Group Journeys on set departure dates (max. 10 guests for 2025 and max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customized European travel, we cover everything, except flights

Where is Ormina Tours based, and do you serve clients worldwide?

We are an Australian company with offices in Sydney and Perth, as well as a team in Europe to ensure seamless service delivery. While based in Australia, we cater to clients globally and partner with over 250 travel agents across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

When is the best time to visit Europe, and do your tours operate year-round?

Europe offers charm year-round. May and September are popular for Australians, while beach destinations are busiest in August. Most Small Group Journeys run between April and October, while private journeys are available year-round. Early planning (at least 6 months) is recommended for busy regions like the Amalfi Coast.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we require all clients travelling to have travel insurance as this is a requirement for Tour Operators Insurances, otherwise guests must sign a release and discharge of liability waiver for us to accept the booking. If you need assistance arranging insurance, just ask.

Do you cater to travellers with mobility challenges?

We tailor all journeys to our client’s travel preferences and needs, including any mobility challenges whether it is special vehicles, travel scooters, hotel rooms with accessible showers and hoists. We also have expertise on most attractions and towns to know which are more accessible than others.

With our Small Group Journeys, any significant mobility challenge requires an accompanying minder/helper to attend on the tour as it is not always possible for our Tour Directors, drivers and guides to offer continuous care in a group environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is the group size, and what happens if only two people book the tour?

Our Small Group Journeys are designed for a maximum of 10 guests (12 guests in 2026) to ensure an intimate experience. A minimum of 2 guests is required to guarantee departure (4 guests in 2026).

Should fewer than four guests be booked, you will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy the same itinerary as a private journey at a preferential rate, giving you the confidence and certainty to book in advance. If you do not wish to undertake the small group journey itinerary as a private journey and we advised within the require deadline as disclosed, we will provide you with a full refund.

What is included and excluded in a Small Group Journey?

Our itineraries include accommodation, transportation, guided activities, and meals as marked – B (breakfast), L (lunch), or D (dinner). Exclusions typically include flights, city taxes, personal expenses, and any items not explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. After booking you will be provided with some tipping guidelines should you choose to do so.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each guest can bring one standard checked bag and one carry-on. Please inform us if you need to bring extra luggage.

What is a private journey?

Private journeys (named City Breaks and Regional Discoveries) are not tours with other people. They are suggested itineraries for the city/region that can be fully customised with prearranged services, allowing independent exploration.

Can I choose my hotel?

For private itineraries, we recommend hotels in our itineraries, we can certainly work to accommodate your preferences.

Hotels are set for Small Group Journeys but you can opt to upgrade your room.

What currency are your tours priced in?

Tours (that is our Small Group Journeys) are priced in AUD for Australian residents, NZD for New Zealand residents, and USD for US residents. Other nationalities will pay in AUD unless otherwise arranged.

Prices are fixed once paid in full. In rare cases of significant currency fluctuations, unpaid bookings may be subject to price adjustments. If this occurs, we will contact you or your travel agent to advise you and you will have the option to either pay the full tour price by a certain date or accept the increase.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, though credit card fees may apply. Domestic wire transfers are also accepted.

What deposit is required?

Deposit amounts vary on the size of the booking and whether the booking includes tickets and admissions that maybe non-refundable or non-transferable after purchase. Full payment is due 3 months before your first service date.

Can I change or cancel my booking after making a deposit?

Changes incur a $100 fee per request unless additional services are added. Cancelling more than 50% of services is considered a cancellation, and fees will apply.
Any cancellation made by you prior to your travel (including any changes to your departure date) will result in the following cancellation fees:

Days of notice from notification to first date of service:

  • 91+ days: Loss of deposit
  • 90–75 days: Loss of Booking Deposit and 50% of the balance of the Tour Price
  • 75 days or less: Loss of Booking Deposit and 100% of the balance of the Tour Price

We always advise our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen cancellations.

What are Ormina Tours’ COVID-19 guidelines?
  • Follow local laws, wear masks, and maintain social distancing as required.
  • Do not travel if you are symptomatic, recently exposed, or COVID-positive.
  • Stay updated on airline and country-specific protocols.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Reach out to our team for personalised assistance and start planning your next European adventure with Ormina Tours.