A perfectly paced Italy escape blending Florence’s food-and-art soul with the Ligurian coast’s cliffside beauty, olive oil tastings, markets and monuments, seafood by the sea, guided Cinque Terre walks, hands-on cooking, and a glamorous Portofino day.
Florence & 5 Terre Culinary Delights Tour
7 Days/6 Nights
Starting from
$
per person*
Unforgettable Italian Journeys, Designed for You
Curated by passionate Italy experts, this sample itinerary is just the beginning of your Italian adventure. Every journey we design is unique, crafted around your interests, pace, and dreams so you can experience Italy’s beauty and culture like a true insider. Let us transform your vision into a one-of-a-kind travel experience, filled with authentic moments and lasting memories
Day 1
FLORENCE
Ponte Veccio Welcome
- Meet your private driver at Florence airport or train station
- Private transfer to your 4-star hotel near the Ponte Vecchio
- Time to relax and settle in
- Meet your hostess for a walk through Florence’s historic center
- Visit an oleoteca for a guided olive oil tasting
- Dinner in a ristorante favored by Florentines
Day 2
FLORENCE
Markets and Renaissance Masterpieces
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning guided walk to Sant’Ambrogio Market, Florence’s oldest food market
- Experience traditional Italian shopping among produce, cheeses, salumi, and flowers
- Light lunch in a typical osteria
- Afternoon guided tour of Florence’s major historic-center monuments
- Highlights include the Duomo area (Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Baptistery doors)
- Visit Piazza della Signoria, plus Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce
Day 3
FLORENCE, CINQUE TERRE
Seaside Magic Awaits
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Meet your private driver for transfer to Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Scenic drive from Tuscan hills to the Ligurian coast
- Stop in Portovenere, a picturesque seaside town
- Board a water taxi to reach a spectacular seaside restaurant
- Enjoy a seafood lunch featuring some of Liguria’s best flavors
- Continue to your 3-star hotel in Monterosso al Mare
- Free time and dinner at leisure
Day 4
CINQUE TERRE
Coastal Paths, Ligurian Lunch and Hands-on Cooking
- Meet your private guide for a half-day tour of Cinque Terre walking paths
- Easy walk showcasing terraced landscapes and seaside views
- Travel from Monterosso al Mare toward Vernazza and Manarola
- Light lunch in a traditional osteria with Ligurian specialties (olives, anchovies, focaccia)
- Afternoon return to the hotel
- Cooking lesson: pesto alla Genovese and pesce spada alla Ligure
- Dinner is what you prepare during class
Day 5
PORTOFINO
Boutiques and Harbor Views
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Train to Santa Margherita Ligure
- Public transportation onward to Portofino
- Free day to explore Portofino independently
- Options: boutique shopping, wandering narrow alleys, scenic viewpoints, or a boat trip
- Receive suggestions for hidden shops, overlooked restaurants, and best photo spots
- Return to your hotel in Cinque Terre
Day 6
CINQUE TERRE
Riomaggiore and a Seafood Cooking Finale
- Travel by public boat to Riomaggiore, one of Cinque Terre’s most picturesque villages
- Explore the 13th-century town with its colorful homes and boats
- Lunch on your own
- Return to your hotel for your cooking class
- Prepare zuppa di pesce and orata al cartoccio for dinner
- Enjoy your final night in Cinque Terre
Day 7
CINQUE TERRE, FLORENCE
From the Ligurian Coast Back to Florence
- Private transfer from your hotel to Florence airport
- End of services
MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS
Turn this sample itinerary into your dream Italy vacation – tailored to your pace, passions, and budget.
Day 1
FLORENCE
Ponte Veccio Welcome
Arrive in Florence and meet your private driver for a smooth transfer to your 4-star hotel ideally located near the Ponte Vecchio. After time to unwind, meet your hostess and step into the Renaissance city’s enchanting historic center. Your evening includes a special stop at an oleoteca to taste a selection of Florence’s “liquid gold” olive oils, followed by dinner at a beloved local ristorante—an authentic first night that feels distinctly Florentine. Overnight in Florence.
Day 2
FLORENCE
Markets and Renaissance Masterpieces
After breakfast, begin with a deliciously local experience at Sant’Ambrogio Market, where Florence shops the old-fashioned way—fresh produce, artisan cheeses, salumi, and flowers creating a feast for the senses. Enjoy a traditional light lunch in a cozy osteria, then spend the afternoon discovering Florence’s greatest treasures: the Duomo complex beneath Brunelleschi’s soaring dome, the Baptistery’s beautifully carved bronze doors, and the statue-filled grandeur of Piazza della Signoria—an open-air museum in the heart of the city. Continue with visits to Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce, rounding out a day that balances everyday Florentine life with world-class art and architecture. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Florence.
Day 3
FLORENCE, CINQUE TERRE
Seaside Magic Awaits
After breakfast, meet your private driver and travel from Florence through rolling Tuscan landscapes toward the Ligurian coast and the Cinque Terre. Pause in postcard-perfect Portovenere, then take a water taxi to one of the most spectacular restaurants on the sea, where a memorable seafood lunch showcases the best of Ligurian cuisine. Continue to Monterosso al Mare, your base in the Cinque Terre, and settle into your 3-star hotel—where sea views and the town’s relaxed coastal energy set the tone for the rest of the day. Enjoy the evening at leisure, with dinner on your own. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
Day 4
CINQUE TERRE
Coastal Paths, Ligurian Lunch and Hands-on Cooking
Meet your private guide in the morning for a half-day exploration of the Cinque Terre’s famed walking paths—routes that once served as the only connections between villages. This easy, scenic walk reveals the region’s simple glory: terraced farming carved into the hillsides, the sparkling sea below, and small boats bobbing in the harbors. Enjoy a light lunch in a traditional osteria, savoring classic Ligurian flavors like olives, anchovies, and focaccia Ligure. In the afternoon, return to your hotel for a fun, hands-on cooking lesson where you’ll learn to make pesto alla Genovese and pesce spada alla Ligure—then enjoy your creations for dinner. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
Day 5
PORTOFINO
Boutiques and Harbor Views
After breakfast, ride the train to Santa Margherita Ligure and continue by public transportation to glamorous Portofino. The day is yours to enjoy at your own pace—browse chic boutiques, wander the narrow lanes, relax by the harbor, or choose a boat trip for a different view of the coastline. You’ll be equipped with insider-style suggestions, from hidden shops and restaurants many tourists miss to the best viewpoints and photo-worthy corners. Return to your hotel in the Cinque Terre for the evening. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
Day 6
CINQUE TERRE
Riomaggiore and a Seafood Cooking Finale
Start the day by boat to Riomaggiore, a jewel of the Cinque Terre dating back to the 13th century. Its candy-colored houses stacked above the harbor and the small boats along the water create a classic Cinque Terre scene—perfect for photos and a leisurely wander. Enjoy lunch on your own, then return to your hotel for a second cooking experience, where you’ll prepare zuppa di pesce and orata al cartoccio. Savor dinner made by your own hands and toast your final night in this Mediterranean paradise. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
Day 7
CINQUE TERRE, FLORENCE
From the Ligurian Coast Back to Florence
After breakfast (time permitting), depart the Cinque Terre with a private transfer back to Florence airport. Your journey concludes with memories of Florence’s flavors and masterpieces, plus the unforgettable beauty of the Ligurian coast.
