Semi-Private Cinque Terre Day Trip & Vineyard Tour from Florence
Discover the best of Cinque Terre with seafood lunch, wine tasting, and transportation included
Looking for a VIP Cinque Terre experience? Want to enjoy fresh seafood straight from the Mediterranean? With private transportation and easy pickup in central Florence, head to the Italian Riviera in style! Join a knowledgeable local trip leader and a small, intimate group for a day indulging in fresh seafood, wine tasting, hiking through stunning cliffside vineyards, and exploring the riviera by boat. It’s the perfect way to see this stunning stretch of Italy’s coast!
- Meet your guide at Piazza Mentana
- Roundtrip
- Manarola
- Via dell'Amore
- Lunch in Vernazza
- Boat ride
- Corniglia
- Your tour will end at the meeting point
Enjoy a VIP Cinque Terre experience, with comfortable climate-controlled transportation from Florence and a maximum group size of 8. After you're picked up in central Florence, you'll join your expert local trip leader for a scenic day out in Cinque Terre. Head through the five towns of the Cinque Terre enjoying the iconic views and travelling on the local trains, get off the beaten path as you take a light hike through Cinque Terre National Park, then cruise along the coast by boat. You'll also enjoy a delicious feast of fresh seafood and tasty local wine to cap things off!
Semi-Private Cinque Terre Day Trip Description
Your 12-hour full day tour includes:
Round-trip transportation from Florence by comfortable A/C Minivan
Train tickets to travel between Cinque Terre villages
Light hiking through cliffside vineyards
Boat ride along the coast (weather and sea conditions permitting)
Full seafood lunch and wine tasting at a local restaurant (for tours before 1st March 2025)
Local English-speaking trip leader/driver
Maximum group size of 8
If you're vegetarian or just not a seafood lover, please let us know in advance so we can arrange another delicious lunch option for you.
Meet Your Driver in Florence
Your day begins in the heart of Florence, not far from the Ponte Vecchio bridge. You'll meet your friendly local trip leader who'll explain your itinerary for the day, and share some of the region's history as you drive to Cinque Terrace in your comfortable minivan. Relax, enjoy the scenery, and get to know the rest of your small group as you travel to the coast in style.
The UNESCO Villages of Cinque Terre
Only a few decades ago, these five quaint fishing villages on the Ligurian coast were isolated and unknown to most of the world. On this trip you'll explore the wonderful natural harbors and streets of brightly painted houses that used to guide the fishermen ashore. Overlooking the pristine Mediterranean Sea, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Monterosso each have their own unique character and beauty to admire.
To get between the five villages, you'll experience the local train that is an impressive feat of 19th century engineering. Cut into the cliffs that separate the towns, these impressive tunnels allow for travel in only a few minutes.
You'll have plenty of free time to shop, swim, or simply relax and enjoy the views. Depending on the time of year, you may wish to traverse the Via dell'Amore. This stunning pedestrian only path connects Riomaggiore and Manarola along the coast and below the cliffs.
Enjoy Fresh Seafood Lunch with Local Wine Tasting
After all that exploring, you’re bound to be hungry! For tours running before March 1st, 2025, your trip leader will take you to a beloved local restaurant on the coast where you’ll enjoy a classic lunch of Ligurian staples, along with delicious regional wines.
The residents of Cinque Terre have made their livings as fishermen for centuries, so it’s no surprise that the fish and seafood you’ll find here are truly excellent. Pesto is also a specialty around this part of Italy—the basil sauce that originated in nearby Genoa has become world famous and pairs perfectly with local wines.
Not a seafood fan? No problem. Just let us know your dietary requirements in advance so we can arrange an alternative.
For tours after March 1st, 2025, you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch in one of the charming villages at your own pace.
Hike Through Cliffside Vineyards and Cinque Terre National Park
High up on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean below, walk through cliffside vineyards that have been a feature of the coast for centuries. Take in the best views from above as your trip leader give you an insight into the historic winemaking traditions of the area.
Due to the natural resources and limitations of the area, the cliff sides of the Cinque Terre have been irrigated and chiseled to develop an intricate system of farming. Today, you'll see why the extensive network of "muretti" have even been compared to the Great Wall of China by scholars.
Boat Ride Along the Coast
For a different perspective on this beautiful coastline, you'll hop on a short boat cruise. As you cruise along the Mediterranean water, you can really appreciate the unique landscape that has made Cinque Terre such a famous part of Italy.
If weather or sea conditions are poor, the boat trip may not operate. In this case, your trip leader will arrange alternative transport for this part of the tour.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
10 total reviews
Leave a reviewEnjoyable day!
Jacqueline Konop
Our tour guides were enjoyable and knowledgeable. We had a group of 15 people divided into 2 vans. Our drive from Florence to Cinque Terre was 2 hours. Along the way, our tour guide pointed out different area of interest. We visit 3 of the 5 villages in Cinque Terre. Did some hiking and walking but nothing to strenuous. If you were wanting to spend more time in Cinque Terre, this tour may not be what you are looking for. It just gives the highlights of the villages. We enjoyed a lunch. Transportation between the villages was by ferry or train
Thomas Joseph Ryan
JAMIE FLAXMAN
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and comfortable shoes. You'll also have some time to swim from the beach if you'd like to, so come prepared! A light jacket is also recommended in cooler months.
Will we have a tour guide the whole day?
You'll be accompanied by a trip leader throughout the day who will ensure you arrive and depart at the right stops. They'll also have lots of recommendations of places to explore during your free time. While they are not a dedicated tour guide, they are knowledgeable about the area and will help ensure a smooth day trip through Cinque Terre.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
This tour does require a fair amount of walking and also some light hiking. Please also bear in mind that these villages are very old, with some steep inclines and uneven streets, so we don't recommend this tour for people with significant mobility issues.
How will I travel between the villages?
Your tour includes tickets for the local train between villages, which your trip leader will provide. One of the journeys will also be by boat, weather allowing.
What if I don't like seafood?
Please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs. We will work with our tour partners to provide you with an alternative when possible.
What to bring?
We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and comfortable shoes. You'll also have some time to swim from the beach if you'd like to, so come prepared! A light jacket is also recommended in cooler months.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, this tour is run by one of our trusted and thoroughly vetted partners in Florence.