Italy
Cinque Terre, Carrara and Medieval Hill Towns
Program No. 14299RJ
Explore the Cinque Terre — the Italian Riviera’s colorful villages carved above the Mediterranean Sea — and learn about medieval life, Michelangelo and the history of nearby Lerici.
Participant Reviews
Based on 43 Reviews
SHOWING
This tour was outstanding in every way. The numerous correspondences we received from Road Scholar were very informative and helped us prepare for our trip. Laura Gregis, our tour director, was exceptional. From the moment we met her in the Hotel Byron lobby until the last day of our trip, she made sure that every part of the trip ran smoothly. She was personable, organized and caring. She even facilitated arranging for us to have our luggage that was left behind, forwarded to our hotel in Venice. Her passion for and knowledge of the area further enriched our experience. All the meals in the restaurants we visited were well-planned, enabling us to sample a wide variety of delicious local cuisine. The local tour guides and lecturers were engaging and informative. The diversity of the tour, ranging from the Cinque Terre towns, to the medieval villages, the vineyard, the agriturismo and the marble quarries further added to our enjoyment. This was an amazing trip and we highly recommend it.
— Review left June 13, 2025
This should be in everyone's bucket list. Educational, fun and very beautiful.
— Review left May 29, 2025
We’ve traveled with my family for years and always book tours. This one was exceptional. The program organizers were incredibly helpful, organized, and responsive. The numerous updates before the trip, including videos, made it truly great. Despite the chaos at Heathrow Airport, I have nothing but positive things to say. Michela Ceccarini, our tour director, was exceptional. Her attention to detail, organization, and care were unmatched. She was always there for us from the moment we met her at the Hotel Byron lobby until the very end of our trip, when we boarded the bus going to the airport to go back home. Ms. Jane Bacon, her daughter Ms. Olivia Fiori lectures were very interesting and informative. They’re both hilarious! We totally enjoyed their lectures. Our local guides Mr. Umberto Cattani, Chef Luca Maffei, and his sister Barbara, Mr. Franco Ressa, were all exceptional local guides. We learned a lot from them. The Byron Hotel was clean, the staff was friendly, and the breakfast buffet was delicious. All the restaurants we visited were also great. This trip was the best and most fun vacation I’ve ever had because of Michela the local guides and the beautiful Cinque Terre. We were also lucky that everyone in our travel group is friendly, happy, and punctual. We also got exceptional weather. I traveled with my 3 sisters and my sister-in-law and had requested for our rooms to be assigned next to each other. I’d like to thank the staff who listened and grant us our request. The convenience of being able to visit each other was great.
— Review left May 29, 2025
I have to say that this trip was outstanding in every way possible. The scenery in this part of Italy is breathtaking, the food is incredible, our guides were all so interesting and engaging, the hotel we stayed at for 8 nights with a balcony overlooking the beach all contributed to a dream like experience. You definitely need to be prepared for walking a good bit most days, anywhere from 5 to 7 miles depending, with some uphill and downhill but there are also options for those who may wish to take a bus or do an alternative town visit. I can’t say enough about our main guide, Michela, who took such great care of the group and the other local guides, Humberto, Franco, Jane, and Olivia brought an incredible perspective to the job based upon their personal experiences living there and knowledge base. We were very fortunate to be a group of 14 which also added a special camaraderie among us. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to anyone wishing to see a unique area of the country and learn about it’s history and culture.
— Review left May 28, 2025
I loved this program very much.Cinque Terre and Lunigiana are both beautiful.
The program was enhanced by our guides Michela,Umberto and the historical background(lectures) provided by Jane.
— Review left May 22, 2025
Awesome, beautiful trip. I highly recommend it if you want Italy but not the crowds and business of Rome.
— Review left May 10, 2025
This program introduced me to a part of Italy I barely knew. It was a joy to discover Liguria and its natural beauty and cultural treasures.
— Review left May 10, 2025
This was an exceptional trip in spite of the weather thanks to the careful preparation and outstanding execution (very evident throughout) by the team of Jules, Giulia, Jane, Umberto, Franco et al. Kudos to Trinity College and Road Scholar! Giulia is a real pro, so personable and dedicated. I was delighted to hear she has been brought on in a full-time role.
We did and saw so much and the guided tours and lectures were excellent. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if we had only seen the five towns of Cinque Terre because of the crowds, but to combine it with other carefully curated towns, a vineyard, an agritourism venue, the Stele and Via Francigena and marble quarries was brilliant. Umberto had us laughing so much we never noticed the rain. Giulia also deftly navigated the weather, making last minute adjustments to enable us to get the most out of each locale/experience.
It was great to be based in Lerici. My room at the Hotel Byron was perfect with its beautiful view and superior housekeeping (shout out to Sophia there). I would not have been able to stay in my room at the Hotel Bologna for more than one night however. It was dark and musty with only a tiny window looking right at a wall, but the bathroom was large, and its location so close to the center of town and Tower of Pisa made up for that.
The various modes of transportation we took (bus. train, boat, etc. ) added to the experience and went smoothly. I appreciated the flights the travel desk chose for me which worked out well. The meals were beautifully planned so that we got to taste a diverse selection of delicious regional specialties and wines. Breakfasts had lots of choices. I appreciated seeing a copy of our menus as well as the other handouts with maps, etc. So well thought out. All in all a wonderful and very worthwhile trip. Voglio tornarci... ancora e ancora!
— Review left October 16, 2024
This trip was a wonderful complement to Hiking the Cinque Terre. More in-depth cultural experiences and visits to museums and churches. The Cinque Terre villages we visited as well as the villages in the Tuscan region were absolutely charming. Very colorful homes rising from a crystal blue sea. We were provided history on the area which was very informative. Our Road Scholar guide and the local guides were wonderful--very informative and organized. Italian cuisine can't be beat! We took local trains and learned to navigate village streets and terraced vineyards...so much fun! Our Road Scholar group was the perfect small size and every person added something personal and cherished to the trip. Thank you!
— Review left June 26, 2024
May be the best way to navigate the heavily touristed Cinque Terra if you don't have a relative or BFF who lives there.
— Review left June 25, 2024
This was an excellent trip. There were some minor scheduling changes, but we all expected that and just went along having fun the entire time. This was an incredible group of people. I wish we could all get together for a trip on a regular basis. Michela did a great job as our group leader. Road Scholar finds some incredibly good specialist tour guides. I learned a great deal about northern Italy and really enjoyed the process. The accommodations, while not always top of the line, were surprisingly good, especially when you consider the cost of the trip. I was very pleased with the entire trip.
— Review left June 15, 2024
Breathtaking views, lovely accomodations at a waterfront hotel and great food make this an outstanding trip.
— Review left May 17, 2024
This is a must do program! The itinerary is very well thought out, the towns visited fascinating, the lectures very informative and the local guides were wonderful! Lerici is a lovely seaside town with just the right amount of activity and things to do after the very busy Cinque Terre. It’s so nice to stay in one very picturesque spot with rooms facing the water for the week! The food was so much fun! Lots of wonderful seafood dishes, pasta and the wine flowed! The small group size of 14 partipants was just right! Our tour leader Giulia was exceptional, so fun, energetic and engaging. She really makes the trip memorable!
— Review left May 15, 2024
This is a fabulous and diverse immersion into the culture, food, history, people and environment of this region which is so much more than just a beautiful Mediterranean hiking location. I highly recommend the program to anyone who is fit enough to participate fully...but take the challenges seriously.
— Review left May 3, 2024
This was an amazing trip, especially because of the trip leader, Laura. She was extremely helpful, insightful, and handled some difficult situations such as a lost iPhone on a trail. The town of Lerici is gorgeous and the hotel there was very comfortable.
One huge disappointment was the lack of hiking between any of the towns in the Cinque Terra that was advertised on the website and also contained in our final itinerary. It was stated we could "embark on a scenic journey along the park path that winds its way between Monterosso and Vernazza". It was advised to bring poles, hiking shoes, water etc. for a serious hike. This did not happen for no reason given and the hikers in the group were quite disappointed.
we could hike from
— Review left May 2, 2024
You will fall in love with Italy on this trip! And you will want to go back.
— Review left April 27, 2024
What a wonderful trip! So much we were exposed to from marble mining and carving to chestnut roasting to wine tasting to amazing food to medieval towns to Farm to Table. An acquaintance with locals and imports who have made their way in this unique place. What an adventure!! Guilia coordinated everything well with a much needed break or two to re-vitalize us. The other tour guides were fantastic as well- Jane, Umberto, and others who shared their expertise. Thank you, thank you for a most memorable trip!!
— Review left November 20, 2023
This was my first Roadscholar experience and I thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to the next time.
— Review left October 21, 2023
This is a marvelous program, a captivating combination of Italy's coastal and inland (mountains) beautiful landscapes with expert leaders and guides. I was sick for part of the program so missed some experiences but even so I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
A couple of particular comments: First, I appreciated the central location of Lerici. It's a charming town on its own but it allows for investigation of the Cinque Terre without living among the crowds typical of that area. Second, the Tuscan hill towns are a real treat: places that, unlike the Cinque Terre, one might not find on one's own. Third, I can't say enough about the staff: expert guides who really know the land, the culture, the people. And a trip leader who could not have been more committed to the group's experience. Bravo!
— Review left October 12, 2023
Continue to bring in the best local guides and educators and I will always come back for more programs! It is these experts that Road Scholar brings in that make Road Scholar programs superior to other tour companies.
— Review left October 5, 2023
If you are looking to truly understand Italian history and the country’s current lifestyle, this program is for you. The variety of experiences in this program made every day enjoyable.
— Review left September 27, 2023
Great program!
- Wonderful group
- So nice to stay in charming Lerici, away from the beautiful, but very crowded, Cinque Terra towns
- Guides (Laura, Jane, Franco and Umberto) were fabulous
- What a gift to explore the lovely hill towns, as well as Carrera.
I highly recommend the experience in this beautiful area of Italy!
— Review left September 25, 2023
A good way to experience Italy that is not Venice, Rome and Florence. Lerici is a great base with many good food options and fewer tourists than many places in Italy. The hotel used is definitely in need of an upgrade, which I believe has been corrected going forward in 2024.
— Review left September 23, 2023
A great program to truly beautiful and peaceful areas of Italy and exceptional value
— Review left June 6, 2023
After my first trip with Road Scholar, I will be back. Their program was amazing and is excellent value for what you pay.
— Review left June 1, 2023
Cinque Terre is definitely the place to visit in Italy if you love the small countryside feel and the beauty of both the people and landscape. The history of this area is amazing.
— Review left May 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this program. The guide (Giulia) is marvelous. She is warm, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The place where we made our home for the length of the program, Lerici, is a great location. It is a bit off the beaten path which made restaurants very accessible, and it was a nice town to walk around and get to know. The daily excursions were lovely and the local guides were informative. We had a bit of rain several of the days but Giulia figured out on the fly how to make the most of each day. The food provided is fantastic! Lovely lunches and dinners most days featuring the special types of food from the area, accompanied by local wines. Our group was small (14) and particularly cohesive.
— Review left May 18, 2023
A fine trip. Food wasn’t highlighted in the catalogue, but it was abundant and delicious. Laura is simply the best leader!
— Review left May 10, 2023
This was a fabulous trip - well-designed and executed. Sure, we spent some time in the over-crowded Cinque Terre that are on so many people's bucket list, but the real thrills of this trip were the excursions into the hills and valleys with their stunning medieval towns and the marble quarries of Carrara and the agriturismo sites and castles and fabulous food! Bravo to our wonderful guides and instructors, Laura, Jane, Umberto and Franco, and to the wonderful group of fellow travelers whose enthusiasm, curiosity and stories added a nice dimension to the trip. Highly recommended.
— Review left May 5, 2023
This is an amazing program. Giulia our leader was fantastic and she saw to all our needs. The instuctors were wonderful and interesting. The medieval villages were scenic and I learned so much. This is a mountainous region so be prepared for some uphill walking.
— Review left April 21, 2023
A bang-bang program with good logistics in which everything promised by the brochure was delivered, and more.
Couldn’t have been better.
— Review left September 21, 2022
The trip includes a fascinating variety of sights and experiences - ranging from the hill towns of the Cinque Terra and the medieval castles of Lunigiana to the quaint Agriturissmo village in Apella and marble quarries of Carrara. It is a nicely-paced set of excursions through a beautiful and historic region of Italy, shepherded by experienced, expert, energetic guides.
— Review left September 17, 2022
The tour of Cinque Terre could not have been better. Our guide was exceptional, the lectures were excellent. Great accommodations and the food was unbelievable. I really would not have changed a thing!!
— Review left September 8, 2022
Early May was ideal weather and relatively uncrowded trails and towns to explore the coast. Our instructors enhanced the beauty of the area with their information, variety of experiences, and memorable personalities. A GREAT pace filled with variety made for a great trip. I am so happy to have chosen to visit the Cinque Terre.
— Review left June 8, 2022
How did this remarkable coastline remain a secret until 30 years ago! These coastal villages perch on the end of the earth overlooking the bluest of seas. With the outstanding leadership of guide Giulia Misgli, we explored this northern Italian coastline, and inland, too. A bonus was staying put in the Hotel Shelley in Lerici which served as our home base as we explored. This small city was delightful offering many very good restaurants and a picturesque harbor.
— Review left May 4, 2022
Intense exploration of a small part of Italy, physically demanding but adaptable to the individual. Nice mix of academics, demonstrations and much walking. Very happy we picked this adventure.
— Review left April 25, 2022
I was a first time group traveler and Roadscholar was the perfect choice in every aspect. I will definitely now be a group traveler and will choose Roadscholar again.
— Review left April 17, 2022
FIVE STARS ***** What a FAB Road Scholar program. I'd been wanting to visit this area for decades, and this program helped me fulfill that dream efficiently and pleasantly. The hotels and food were very good to excellent. The variety of foods presented was amazing. Giulia, our group leader, was simply wonderful - warm, enthusiastic, welcoming, knowledgeable, helpful - I would love to do another program with her as group leader. One of the best RS programs we've done.
— Review left April 16, 2022
I enjoyed this very active & thorough tour of the Cinque Terre. The Group Leader (Giulia) was fantastic, and the local experts were great. They introduced us to the history, culture, and to a variety of excellent local foods & wines. I will carry beautiful memories--and photos--of the Cinque Terre always.
— Review left April 16, 2022
If you enjoy lovely sea-side scenery, great local wines and the freshest of seafood... then consider this trip to Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets.
RS guides Gulia and Umberto will treat you like family! KLS
— Review left April 15, 2022
It had been 55 years since my last visit to Cinque Terre. Staying in Lerici was a great location to visit the Cinque Terre and the surrounding area towns and areas. The hiking in Cinque Terre was very limited due to weather and previous slides that have destroyed or closed several of the connecting paths between the towns. Flex time allowed us to visit several other towns, churches, and parts of Tuscany during this program. We made use of trains, local buses, taxis, and occasional coaches to explore this region with RS and on our own.
— Review left November 22, 2019
If I could go back today for more lectures, more field trips, more local meals, and more guidance from Giulia, I would! So much history, geography, and culture. So little time.
— Review left October 28, 2019
Although the Cinque Terre gets the most press, and it is certainly worth seeing, RD's choice of staying in Lerici is an excellent one. Perhaps if one were to stay for the night in one of the five towns, the crowds would be less objectionable. We enjoyed Lerici as a good compromise between a tourist trap and being isolated in the middle of nowhere. It is a small town, some tourists and decent-to-good restaurants, easy access to the C. T., inland and Portovenere, "real people" live there. One can see people jogging along the waterfront, children playing in the local square. The hotel isn't the fanciest but is more than adequate and every room has a lovely view. Great, walkable location. One might want to bring along a seat cushion as the hotel chairs are uncomfortable in the lecture room. Lerici gives one the feeling of being in "real Italy", not just another tourist destination. Jane Bacon, of course is marvelous in attitude, accomodation to everyone's needs, knowledge.
— Review left February 16, 2019