Road Scholar : Home
Cinque Terre, Carrara and Medieval Hill Towns

Program Number: 14299RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/19/2013 - 5/30/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/26/2013; 5/4/2014 - 5/15/2014; 6/15/2014 - 6/26/2014; 9/7/2014 - 9/18/2014;
Duration: 11 nights
Location: Italy
Price starting at: $3,295.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Meals: 25; 10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Along this jeweled coast, the five villages of the Cinque Terre carve a charming niche where mountains plunge into the sparkling Mediterranean. By land and sea, discover the limitless inspiration of the Cinque Terre and Carrara. Learn why countless artists and authors have found muses in the seaside villages, terraced vineyards and rocky promontories of this area of the Italian Riviera.




Highlights

• Discover how inhabitants carved vineyard terraces along the steep mountainside in the Cinque Terre.
• Walk the scenic Via dell'Amore with breathtaking vistas of the mountains that plunge into the Mediterranean sea.
• Consider the experiences of Romantic English poets who lived in and were inspired by the Gulf of La Spezia.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to 2 miles on some days on uneven terrain and rises. Minimal walking in the small villages of the Cinque Terre. The Via dell'Amore is a paved stone path less than 1 mile long.




Date Specific Information

5-19-2013, 9-15-2013, 5-4-2014, 6-15-2014, 9-7-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Pisa, coach to Lerici, 9 nights; coach to Pisa, 1 night; departure



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Pisa
Coach to Lerici
9 nights
Coach to Pisa
1 night
Departure

The cliff-lined coast of Liguria stretches from the famed Cinque Terre along the Mediterranean to the French border. With a literary expert, consider the rich history of the Italian Riviera and its connection to renowned artists such as Byron, Shelley and D.H. Lawrence. A local expert highlights the Riviera’s ties to the republics of Pisa and Genoa and the medieval fortifications built to protect inland pilgrim routes to Rome and the Holy Land. After traversing the hills above the Gulf of La Spezia to Manarola, savor the views and wines from the terraced vineyards of a local winery. The flawless white marble of nearby Carrara served as Michelangelo’s raw material. In the city’s still-active quarries, trace the exploitation and refinement of marble from the time of the Romans to today. Explore stylish towns in undiscovered Tuscany guarded by medieval castles, and the awe-inspiring panoramas of the Cinque Terre on a boating excursion.




Italy

“Dolce far niente,” the “sweetness of doing nothing.” This ode to leisure is a distinctly Italian phrase, and yet the expression does not do justice to the hard-work ethos of the nation’s inhabitants. The monuments, art and civilization bequeathed to the people of modern Italy are a testament to the industry of their forebears, and the legacy lives on in today’s Italians, who work hard to better enjoy the sweetness of repose.
Accommodations
Lerici: Hotel on the waterfront with views of the Bay of Lerici and beach access; Pisa: Four-star hotel conveniently located near airport.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Jane Bacon
Jane Bacon is an associate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She worked as an editor for the London publisher Eyre Methuen before deciding to move to the Italian Riviera. Settling in one of the small medieval villages on the Gulf of La Spezia, Jane continued to pursue her literary interests including studying the many well-known English and Italian writers who lived in the area. She continues to teach, write and study local history.
 
Raffaella Cecconi
Raffaella Cecconi, a native of Genoa, holds a degree in art history from the University of Genoa and a postgraduate degree from the University of Florence. Raffaella illustrates the history and geography of Liguria for Road Scholar participants and leads a visit to the Museum of the Castle of San Giorgio in La Spezia.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
  Lerici, Italy 9 nights
   Hotel Galilei
  Pisa, Italy 1 night
 Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The hotel is located in the center of the small town, on the waterfront overlooking the castle and bay of Lerici. All rooms have a terrace with view of the bay. Roof top breakfast room, lounge and bar on ground floor. Access to private beach.
  Contact info: Lungomare Biaggini, 5
Lerici, NA 19032 Italy
phone: +39 0187 967 127
web: www.hotelshelley.it
  Room amenities: Satellite TV, direct dial telephone, hair dryer, complimentary toiletries, safe box for valuables in the room
  Facility amenities: Free Wi-Fi connection throughout the hotel. Large terrace on the 5th floor. Bar and comfortable lounge in the lobby. Laundry service available through a cleaner very close to the hotel. 24 hour reception.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: varies by season To book additional nights at the hotel, email Lavinia Tour, Trinity College’s partnering agency in Rome, info.reserv@laviniatour.it. Another option is to book directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelshelley.it. Indicate to the hotel or agency at the time of your booking that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Hotel Galilei
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The hotel is a modern business class hotel located .62 of a mile from the Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei). Shuttle bus to the airport.
  Contact info: Via Darsena, 1
Pisa,  56121 Italy
phone: +39 050 507 111
web: www.hotelgalileipisa.it
  Room amenities: Private bath, individual control for air conditioning and heat, room safe for valuables, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, minibar, hair dryer and toiletries.
  Facility amenities: WiFi in the lobby area. Business Center. Restaurant. Shuttle bus to the airport.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after:  The hotel is a staging for departures from Pisa Airport.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Lunch provided for morning arrivals. Hotel check in 2:00 pm. Late afternoon Welcome Reception followed by dinner. You will be staying at Hotel Shelley e delle Palme that night.
  End of Program:
After breakfast, morning transfers to airport. Hotel check out by 11:00 am. You will be staying at Hotel Galilei the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Train from Pisa Airport to La Spezia Centrale (fare EUR 7) and public bus (EUR 2) or taxi (EUR 25) from La Spezia to Lerici.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Lerici
  Nearest city or town:  La Spezia
  Nearest airport:  Pisa
  Transportation to site: To reach the program site on your own, you can book a private car and driver or ride public transportation. Book private car service at www.airports-shuttle.com/pisa-transfers/taxi-from-pisa-airport-to-lerici.html. The fare is approximately EUR 150 per vehicle (up to 3 persons). The ride takes 1 hour. For public transportation options, Lerici does not have a train station, so you need to take the train to La Spezia and then a taxi to Lerici. In the Pisa (Galileo Galilei) Airport terminal ask at the land transportation service window for the next train to La Spezia and purchase a train ticket. You may have to change trains at Pisa Centrale. The fare from Pisa to La Spezia is approx. EUR 7, the ride is about an hour, depending on the category of train. Fare for rapid trains is approx EUR 10, + 4 for express trains. Trains may be less frequent on Sundays and after 8 pm. Be sure to validate your ticket at the green and grey box at the beginning of the platform. Please note as well that you are responsible for handling your own luggage on and off trains. There are elevators to assist the change of tracks at the railroad stations in Pisa and La Spezia. Proceed to the taxi stand at the exit of the La Spezia train station for a taxi to Lerici. The taxi fare from La Spezia to the hotel is about EUR 25. Prices subject to change.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Pisa
  Nearest city or town:  Pisa
  Nearest highway: N/A
  Nearest airport:  Pisa Galileo Galilei
  Transportation from site: The final program site hotel provides shuttle bus service to the nearby airport terminal.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departure from points in North America
(Sunday, May 19)
   
 In Transit: Overnight flights cross the Atlantic Ocean and arrive the following day.

Day 2: Arrivals/Welcome Reception
(Monday, May 20)
   
 Morning: Arrival Pisa Airport. Transfer for group travelers to program site.
 Lunch: A buffet lunch served at the hotel.
 Afternoon: After settling in, meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Reception.
 Dinner: Dinner at Ristorante Il Fagolo.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Orientation Session and Walk / San Terenzo
(Tuesday, May 21)

Note: The seafront promenade connecting Lerici and San Terenzo is about 1 mile long.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Enjoy the view of the marina and castle of Lerici from the 6th floor breakfast room.
 Morning: An information session covers the details of the program activities and excursions. A walk in and around the seaside town of Lerici follows.
 Lunch: Scenic walk along the seaside promenade to San Terenzo. Enjoy lunch at Straluna', a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: A lecture focus on the unique rock formation, river valleys and natural harbors that form the eastern end of the Italian Riviera. Learn how inhabitants created vineyard terraces along the mountainside in the Cinque Terre.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local pizzeria in Lerici's main square.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Cinque Terre Winery and Via dell'Amore
(Wednesday, May 22)

Note: From the coach drop-off point, an optional 15 min. walk along a narrow uneven path of a terraced vineyard. No railings on the narrow dirt path. If you suffer from heights, you can wait for the group on a park bench. The village of Manarola is traffic-free. The walk down the paved road is graded. The Via dell'Amore is .63 mile. There are about 35 steps at the end of the path from Manarola to Riomaggiore.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: Coach to the hills above the Gulf of La Spezia. Vineyard walk above Manarola at Volastra. Visit a winery and experience first hand the terraced vineyards and local wine products. Reboard coach for short ride to Manarola, one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: After lunch, explore Manarola's sea walk and the scenic Via dell'Amore with breathtaking vistas of the mountains that plunge into the sparkling Mediterranean sea. The stroll leads us to Riomaggiore, easternmost village of the Cinque Terre. The Via dell'Amore, a flat and wide path, affords dramatic vistas, but be prepared for inclines and steps as you explore the villages. From Riomaggiore take a train to La Spezia (10 minutes) and board our private coach to return to Lerici (30 minutes)
 Dinner: Dinner at Ristorante Al Cantiere in Lerici's main square.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: San Giorgio Fortress / Portovenere
(Thursday, May 23)

Note: The coach leaves you off at the gate of the San Giorgio fortress. A graded walkway leads to the entrance of the fortified complex. Inside the castle there are more graded walkways to the exhibition area. Portovenere is closed to traffic. Uneven paved road. Graded rise and uneven steps (no railing) to visit the church on the promontory.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast
 Morning: Coach to La Spezia to the castle of San Giorgio where a local historian gives an illustrated presentation on the prehistoric monoliths (which have a surprisingly modern 'look') found in the area. From the terrace of the fortress enjoy the panorama of the natural port of La Spezia. Inside the museum, discover the small but rich and well displayed collection of ancient artifacts.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own. Cafes and snack stands offer a variety of menu options in the Mirabello marina in La Spezia.
 Afternoon: Coach ride along the west side of the Gulf of La Spezia to Portovenere. Stroll past the tightly stacked houses, colorful and tall, that were constructed in a row as an impenetrable fortress. Our expert-led walk continues to the marina and to the 12th century chapel set on the promontory that juts out into the sea. See the rocky grotto dedicated to Lord Byron who once swam the waters of Portovenere. The heart of Portovenere is closed to traffic and has a mix of shops, art galleries and cafes. Boat ride across the gulf to Lerici.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant that specializes in Ligurian cuisine.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Discover Lunigiana: Pontremoli and Malaspina Castle \ Winery Visit
(Friday, May 24)

Note: The small town of Pontremoli is traffic-free. Roads and sidewalks, paved with. At the Malaspina Castle, the coach drop-off point is at the bottom of the graded ramp of low steps leading to the entrance. Stairs to the upper floor for panoramic view of the valley below.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet
 Morning: In a classroom session learn how the tradition of booksellers in Lunigiana dates back to the middle ages and still flourishes today. After a break, board a coach to Pontremoli, town in the northwest area of Tuscany know as Lunigiana (about 30 miles from Lerici).
 Lunch: Sample a variety of local Tuscan dishes at Antica Trattoria Pelliccia in Pontremoli.
 Afternoon: Excursion continues with a coach ride through the Lunigiana hills to Fosdinovo. Expert-led visit of the medieval Malaspina Castle. Nine hundred years of history are rooted in the watchtowers and pathways, courtyards, crenellations, and cornerstones of this well-preserved fortress where the Marchesi Torrigiani Malaspina family resides to this day.
 Dinner: Sample local wine and enjoy an early dinner at the winery. Coach back to Lerici.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Cuisine of Liguria and Lunigiana
(Saturday, May 25)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast
 Morning: Enjoy leisure time in the morning. Explore the colorful Saturday morning market in Lerici. Vendors sell clothing, accessories and household goods. Later in the morning learn about the culinary traditions of Liguria and the Lunigiana.
 Lunch: Lunch at Piccola Oasi, a restaurant that specializes in regional dishes.
 Afternoon: Free Time.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Poets of the Gulf / Tellaro
(Sunday, May 26)

Note: The walk between Lerici and Tellaro is a paved road 2.5 miles long. There are no sidewalks but the traffic is very light and pedestrian-friendly as the road ends in the small village of Tellaro.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: After a morning classroom session on the English poets and writers who lived in the Gulf of La Spezia and for whom the natural harbor is called the "Gulf of Poets," board a coach for Tellaro, colorful village at the eastern end of the Gulf of La Spezia. A leisurely stroll along the narrow paved path to the small church dedicated to St. George winds down to the marina.
 Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant in Tellaro.
 Afternoon: Return by public bus or walk the paved road that connects Tellaro and Lerici. The walk takes 1 hour including stops for panoramic vistas of the sea below. In one of the small inlets reflect on the spot described by D.H.Lawrence in 1913, ". . .there is a little tiny bay half shut in by rocks, and smothered by olive woods that slope done swiftly."
 Dinner: Some free time before dinner at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Boat Excursion to the Cinque Terre
(Monday, May 27)

Note: Tourist boat has open-air and inside seating. Easy walking in the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza. Approx. 30 steps to the train stations.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast
 Morning: Weather permitting, on a boat ride from Lerici marvel at the sight of the rocky coast and terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terre to Monterosso, the northernmost Cinque Terre town. Free time to test the waters at the sandy beach or visit the shops in the center.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: In Monterosso, board the boat for Vernazza. The New York Times lists Vernazza among the top places to visit in 2013. After the devastating mud slide of October 2011, townspeople are gathering once more to pass leisure time at the newly restored marina. Free time to continue your exploration of the Cinque Terre. For those accepting a physical challenge, a local guide will lead a trail walk on a hiking path. Alternative is a leisurely afternoon in Vernazza or Monterosso with the group leader before catching the boat to Lerici.
 Dinner: Dinner a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Life in Italy Today \ Free Afternoon
(Tuesday, May 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet
 Morning: In a classroom session learn about the traditions and institutions that shape the lives of people in Italy today.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: Free Afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Carrara Marble Quarries / Transfer to Pisa
(Wednesday, May 29)

Note: Miminum walking from the coach drop-off area to the observation terrace overlooking the marble quarry. Some walking and standing on the brief visit in the center of Carrara.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast
 Morning: Following a classroom presentation on Michelangelo and Carrara Marble, board a coach for the 30 minute ride to Carrara, at the foot of the Apuan Alps. An expert guide takes us to the still active marble quarries of Carrara, where centuries earlier Michelangelo chose the pure white stone blocks for his statues. Learn the fascinating technique of modern stone excavation.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant and wine bar in the heart of Carrara.
 Afternoon: A local guide leads an informal walk through Carrara. Board the coach for late afternoon check-in at the hotel in Pisa.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Galilei
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Transfers to Pisa Airport
(Thursday, May 30)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast
 Morning: Transfer to Pisa Airport. The hotel has a shuttle van for the short (5 min) ride to the airport.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Lerici Hike the Cinque Terre
Hike the paths of the Cinque Terre. Maps available at train station La Spezia For additional information, visit www.aptcinqueterre.sp.it/english/home_eng.htm
  La Spezia Museums
The Naval Museum has a collection of ancient and modern model ships as well as interesting figureheads. The Lia Museum houses a unique collection of seals used to render documents official and authentic. For additional information, visit www.castagna.it/musei/mal/ ; www.castagna.it/musei/museodelsigillo/
  San Terenzo
A half hour stroll along the seaside walking path to San Terenzo, charming seaside town of the bay of Lerici where Shelley and his family had a home. In 1822 Percy Bysshe Shelley set sail from San Terenzo and died in a boating accident.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Ligurian Kitchen, Recipes and Tales from the Italian Riviera


Author: Laura Giannatempo


Description: A charming, personal cookbook with an abundance of authentic Ligurian recipes that can easily be replicated in an American kitchen.



Cinque Terre Map


Author: Litographia Artistica Cartographica


Description: A detailed shaded relief walking and road map of the Cinque Terre at a scale of 1:40,000.



Enchanted April


Author: Elizabeth Von Arnim, Cathleen Schine (Introduction)


Description: In this delightful book, four Englishwomen are awakened by self-discovery and the power of their friendship on a stay in Italy in the 1920s.



Extra Virgin, A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera


Author: Annie Hawes


Description: A memoir of travels and life in Liguria, where the Hawe sisters ventured and stayed. In this refreshingly candid account, the English sisters end up buying a house and learning the local customs and eccentricities of their neighbors in Diano San Pietro.



Eyewitness Guide Italian Riviera


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: A handsome, beautifully illustrated and informative compact guide to Liguria. It covers places, recommended excursions, hotels and attractions from the border with France east to La Spezia.



Food Wine The Italian Riviera & Genoa


Author: David Downie


Description: A renowned food writer's highly selective guide to Liguria's authentic small eateries, culinary traditions, wine, wineries, food artisans and gourmet shops.



Italy in Mind


Author: Alice Powers


Description: A terrific collection of some of the best literary writing on Italy, including pieces by Melville, Lawrence, Henry James, Mary McCarthy and many others.



Italy, A Short History


Author: Harry Hearder


Description: Elegantly written, generous and informative, this compact book takes in the sweep of Italian history from the Roman Republic through the Renaissance, World War II and up to the present.



Italy, A Traveler's Literary Companion


Author: Lawrence Venuti (Editor)


Description: Not just a literary companion, this anthology is also a who's who of contemporary Italian writers that captures the spirit, history and allure of the country.



La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind


Author: Beppe Severgnini


Description: Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses the apparently never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.



Liguria Regional Map


Author: Touring Club Italiano


Description: A map of the region, including Cinque Terra, at a scale of 1:200,000.



Recollections of the Last Days of Shelley and Byron


Author: Edward Trelawney


Description: The lives and deaths of these two most romantic of Romantic poets are lovingly recounted in this memoir by Edward Trelawny. Trelawny was a fascinating figure in his own right, and his tribute to his two lost friends bears all the marks of his own generous, wild personality.



The Portable Romantic Poets


Author: Norman Holmes Pearson, W.H. Auden (Editor)


Description: This is the anthology to take along on a trip to England's Lake District, Italy's Cinqueterre or any other classic haunt of the romantic poets. This selection includes works by all the masters (and even an occasional mistress).





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