Riviera & Portofino

Day 1 (1)* • Arrive in Sestri Levante

Trompe l’oeil painted houses smile across the Bay of Silence; a bustling pedestrian street, flanked with shops and fine palazzi, leads up onto the ‘Isola’, Sestri’s pinecovered peninsula Excellent beaches

HHHH Miramare (std & sup rooms)

Day 2 • Free day in Sestri Levante

Explore Sestri Levante with its picturesque medieval streets and port, tranquil bay and excellent beaches

Optional circular walk (4 miles, 2.5 hrs) or high coastal walk southwards (10.5 miles, 6 hrs).

HHHH Miramare (std & sup rooms)

Day 3 (2) • Sestri Levante to Chiavari

Follow a high, coastal path with fine views, then cross hills to the 12C basilica of San Salvatore dei Fieschi, before continuing to bustling medieval Chiavari with its fine Botanic Gardens (12 3 miles, 7 hrs)

HHHH Monte Rosa

Day 4 (3) • Chiavari to Rapallo

Paved paths through olive groves and small far ms lead past two fine churches before descending to Rapallo (8.3 miles, 4 5 hrs) Alter native high route through remote, wilder country with spectacular views (9 4 miles, 5 5 hrs)

HHHH Tigullio Royal (std & sup rooms)

Day 5 (4) • Rapallo to Paraggi/Portofino

Optional cable-car ascent to Montallegro, with pilgrim path descent (2 8 miles, 2 5 hrs) Then, from Rapallo, quiet paths and alleys lead around the bay to Santa Margherita Ligure and on to the tiny cove of Paraggi –Standard hotel (4 8 miles, 3 hrs) Continue via a wooded headland to the delightful village of Portofino – Superior hotel (1.1 miles, 30 mins).

HH Hotel Argentina (std) HHHHH Eight Hotel (sup)

Day 6 • Free day to explore Portofino

Opportunities to explore this famously picturesque resort, where exotic ‘glitterati’ coexist with the local fishing community, and far mers of the terraces and hidden valleys behind the village (3 1 miles, 2 5 hrs)

HH Hotel Argentina (std) HHHHH Eight Hotel (sup)

Day 7 (5) • Paraggi/Portofino to Camogli

Climb past ruined mills to pine-shaded paths with lovely views and down to the 11C monastery of San Fruttuoso

Visit the monastery and swim to view the famous underwater statue Cristo degli Abissi Ascend through woods and terraces before descending past the church of San Rocco to Camogli (7 6/7 2 miles, 5 5–6 hrs)

HHHH Cenobio Dei Dogi (std & sup rooms)

Day 8 (6)

• Departure day

*Days in brackets refer to 6-day itinerary

Route open:

April-June; Sept-Oct

Airports to first hotel: u Genoa (37 miles)

Train/bus: 1 5 hrs - ~€13

Taxi: 45 mins - ~€160 u Pisa (74 miles)

Train/bus: 2 5 hrs - ~€30

Taxi: 1 hr 15 - ~€290

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English, Italian and conversational Chinese.

Route Book: 131 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information

Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 3 – 3+) See p 8

Terrain: Ancient paths through olive groves and woodland, traversing hillsides above coast A few steep climbs and ascents