Liguria & the Cinque Terre

SEVEN NIGHT HOLIDAYS | 12 MAY & 15 SEPTEMBER 2023

One of the most beautiful coastal regions in Italy, stretching between Monaco and Tuscany and with a dramatic range of mountains as its backdrop, Liguria is also one of the least visited. Its main city, Genoa, was a great maritime centre ruled by powerful Doges for 500 years. It became one of the wealthiest cities in Europe and this legacy is apparent today in its historic centre with magnificent palaces built for powerful mercantile families. We will take time to explore the rugged coastline, including le Cinque Terre – the five ‘lands’, or villages – a UNESCO World Heritage site of terraced vineyards, olive and lemon groves, and brightly painted fishing villages which cling to the cliffs. We stay in the centre of the picturesque harbour town of Rapallo overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio, at the elegant 5* Hotel Excelsior Palace. The palm trees, pastel-coloured villas and beautiful gardens of this stretch of coastline make it one of the most exotic and opulent in the entire Mediterranean.

Vernazza

the itinerary

We fly from London to Pisa and transfer to Rapallo where we stay for seven nights at the 5* Grand Hotel Excelsior Palace.

Our first visit will be to the Palazzo Durazzo, a stunning Renaissance palace and garden filled with delicate plants and fine statuary. In the afternoon we will sail to the Benedictine monastery at San Fruttuoso, accessible only by boat.

We make the first of two visits to Genoa today. We will go to via Garibaldi and see some of the town mansions including the Palazzo Rosso and the Palazzo Bianco. Later we will go to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo with its typical Ligurian striped façade.

We travel eastwards to Vernazza, the prettiest of the Cinque Terre. There will be some free time to explore the town square and its attractive harbour where we take our private boat to Lerici, another pretty resort. We will pass by the Casa Magni in San Terenzo where Mary Shelley lived.

We drive to Chiavari and visit a private villa, the Palazzo Ravaschieri located in the heart of the mediaeval centre of the town. Lunch will be included before returning to Santa Margherita, where the remainder of the day is free.

TOUR LEADER

CHARLIE HALL

Charlie Hall has known Italy intimately since 1965 when his father set up the excellent John Hall Venice course for gap year students who wished to become enlightened by many aspects of Venetian and Italian culture. He now runs the programme with his father and spends almost half of the year working in Italy. He has designed courses for the Christie’s Education ‘Collecting and Great Collections’ programmes and the Serpentine Gallery ‘Collectors Circle’ as well as for The Soho House group of members’ clubs. Charlie has now led many Italian tours for Kirker, to destinations including Rome, Florence and Venice, and has proved to be very popular with our clients.

DAY 6

We return to Genoa and this time visit the Palazzo del Principe Doria Pamphili, built for Andrea Doria. This huge palace has beautiful 16th century frescoes and tapestries and a portrait of Doria as Neptune by Bronzino. Other visits include the National Gallery at the Palazzo Spinola with its fine picture collection.

7

We stop at Cervara, originally a small Benedictine abbey with a superb split-level garden overlooking the bay. Afterwards we drive to Portofino, one of the smartest and most picturesque resorts in Europe, where we will have lunch at the fabled Hotel Splendido.

We drive to Pisa airport for the return flight.

DAY

DAY 8

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE

PRICE SINGLE SUPP 12 May £3,594 £498 15 September £3,997 £550

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.00, arrive Pisa 15.10 Depart Pisa 12.50, arrive London Heathrow 14.10 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Four dinners • Two lunches including one at the Hotel Splendido, Portofino • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer