The spectacular coastal path linking the five Cinque Terre villages offers some of the best coastal walking in Italy. The ancient fishing villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manorola and Riomaggiore cling to the rocky cliffs, and are surrounded by steep terraced vineyards. Guided walks follow the coastal path and ascend using cobbled mule tracks onto the aromatic hillsides above. Regular trains and ferries provide access along this spectacular stretch of coastline.

Slightly to the north, and just a few minutes away by train, lies the charming seaside village of Bonassola, an ideal base from which to enjoy the popular coastal path and peaceful trails through the unspoilt hills.

• Visit the five unique coastal villages of the Cinque Terre
• Outstanding coastal walking from the charming resort of Bonassola
• Two-centre option with Bagni di Lucca and San Quirico
  

Detailed information

	Classic Walking programme details
	Footpath information
	Dates and prices
	Climate Information
	Travel to resort
	What the holiday includes

Classic Walking programme details

On these holidays there is a choice of two guided walks of varying difficulty each day. ITINERARY Day 1: arrival day

Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

Day 2: explore the tiny hamlets above Bonassola, with their superb views over the resort, or continue over the headland to the nearby town of Levanto. Day 3: follow the Via dell'Amore, through tunnels and along walkways cut into the cliff between the villages of Riomaggiore and Manorola. Continue beneath the terraced hillsides to Corniglia, set atop a headland and surrounded by vineyards and the picturesque village of Vernazza. Day 4: take the train north to Framura and from here enjoy a delightful wooded path that contours through sea pines and chestnut trees. Day 5: free day - perhaps take the coastal train to Genoa, rich with the history of Columbus, or to the naval port of La Spezia, home to the Amedeo Lia art collection. Day 6: walk along the dramatic path to the tip of the peninsula at Portovenere before admiring this remarkable stretch of coastline on the return journey by boat. Day 7: ascend on cobbled mule tracks from the colourful harbour at Vernazza to the Santuario della Madonna di Reggio, set high on the aromatic hillside, with panoramic views of the Cinque Terre villages below. Day 8: departure day

Local transport to and from the walks
Local transport is not included in the cost of your holiday. Please allow €45 (approx £35) per week for local transport.

Maps
Your leaders will of course carry all the neccesary maps, however if you would like a map for your own personal enjoyment then the best is the Kompass 1:50,000 sheet 644 'Cinque Terre'. Maps can be obtained from The Map Shop, Tel: +44 (0) 1684 593 143, or from local shops in Bonassola.

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Footpath information

	Easier Walks: 4 to 6 miles with 600ft to 1,300ft of ascent.
	Harder Walks: 5 to 9 miles with 1,800ft to 2,700ft of ascent.

There are few level paths along this stretch of coast. Most walks include steep ascents and descents sometimes on stone steps.

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Dates and prices

Single room supplement: none

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Average temperatures

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Travel to resort

Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday 'with flight' you will arrive at Pisa airport. The onward journey to Bonassola by coach takes around 2hrs.

Latest HF Holidays flight information updated 19/10/08 (provisional).

British Airways
Gatwick - Pisa
Out 08:10 - 11:20
Return 12:05 - 13:15

Jet 2
Manchester - Pisa
Out 07:00-11:00
Return 13:50-15:20
Manchester flight supplement: £35

Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Making your own travel arrangements

Flights to Pisa: The nearest and most convenient airport is at Pisa.

www.ryanair.com flights from Bournemouth, Doncaster Stansted, Liverpool &d Glasgow Prestwick.

www.easyjet.com flights from Bristol & Gatwick.

www.jet2.com flights from Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds/Brafford, Manchester & Newcastle.

www.ba.com flights from Gatwick.

•  The easiest option is to join the HF Holidays' transfer (supplement £20 single). Please contact our Reservations Dept to book your place. The HF Holidays coach is timed to connect with the flight times above.

•  Pisa Airport has its own railway station and you could travel by train from here to Bonassola. Trains take approximately 2½ hours and involves changing at Pisa Centrale and La Spezia. Italian trains are very cheap and a single ticket should cost about €10. For train times and further information visit the Italian railways website: www.trenitalia.com, select 'English' on the top line. Upon arrival at Bonassola station it is just a couple of hundred metres walk to the hotel.

Flights to Genoa: Genoa Airport is equally convenient but has a smaller range of flights:

www.ryanair.com flights from Stansted.

•  From Genoa Airport you would first need to take the number 100 bus to the central railway station. Buses run every 30 minutes and currently cost €3 per journey - see www.airport.genova.it . From Genoa trains take between 1½ to 2 hours to reach Bonassola, depending on the number of stops. For train times and further information visit the Italian railways website: www.trenitalia.com. Upon arrival at Bonassola station it is just a couple of hundred metres walk to the hotel.

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What the holiday includes

• Return economy class air travel - 'with flight' option.
• Airport transfers - 'with flight' option.
• 7 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms.
• Half Board - Breakfast & evening meals
• Services of two HF Holidays' leaders.
• 5 guided walks.

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