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Northern Italy &...
 

Northern Italy & Cinque Terre Walking Tour

11 days |  13 days with Florence extension
11 days |  13 days with Florence extension
Group size1222 travelers
Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

94
Physical activity
people walking on the street between pink and orange buildings cinque terre
green hills and mountains outside of bolzano
hand holding a cone filled with seafood by the water in cinque terre
woman walking down stairs overlooking the town of vernazza
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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This is the different Italy—a region bursting with the pleasantly unexpected.

Go north and step into a land where rock spires rise above lush landscapes, Austrian influences characterize the village streets, and tranquil lakes and perfumed vineyards are always on the horizon. An epic coastline runs alongside towering cliffs and terraced vineyards. From Lake Maggiore and the staggering Dolomites to the “Five Worlds” tucked within the Riviera’s Cinque Terre, tread through Italian landscapes at their most surreal and surprising on this small group Adventure Tour.

Your tour package includes

  • 9 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 9 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 1 wine tasting
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Included highlights

  • Sacro Monte
  • San Giulio Island
  • Valpolicella wine tasting
  • The Dolomites
  • Bolzano
Read more
Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Talk to a Tour Consultant

Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Milan today.

Lake Maggiore Region3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Italy
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Milan Malpensa and transfer to the Lake Maggiore region. Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Lake Orta & Sacro Monte walk
Included meal: Breakfast

Travel into a region famed for its classic Italian landscapes as you make your way to picturesque Lake Orta.

  • Explore the UNESCO-recognized Sacro Monte, a series of small, fresco-lined chapels and ornate statues dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi.
  • Walk along the lakeside trail to the village of Orta San Giulio where you'll enjoy free time.
  • Hop aboard a water taxi and cruise to San Giulio Island, which is home to a massive, ancient monastery now serving as a convent for cloistered nuns.
Day 4: Free day in the Lake Maggiore Region
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in the Lake Maggiore region or add an excursion.

Lake Maggiore Cruise & the Borromean Islands

From $175 per person

Dolomite Region3 nights
Day 5: Valpolicella vineyard walk & wine tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Light lunch, Dinner, Wine tasting

Leave the waters of Lake Maggiore behind for the rolling vineyards of Valpolicella, a countryside region acclaimed for its olive groves and superior wine vintages.

  • Embark on a Tour Director-led walk along a path surrounded by beautiful vineyards and olive trees.
  • Head to a local wine estate to have lunch and taste some of the region’s most famous labels: Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto.
  • Continue to Bolzano, the region’s capital, set against the UNESCO-listed Dolomite mountain range.
Day 6: Dolomites walk
Included meal: Breakfast

Experience the Dolomites from Seiser Alm, a sprawling meadow set amidst the surreal limestone peaks. (Please note: Depending on local weather conditions, the activities and sequence of your included walk may change)

  • Board a cable car and ride to the village of Compatsch to begin your walk on the scenic Bullaccia Ring Trail (Please note: Depending on the season, Compatsch may be reached by bus.)
  • Take in panoramic views of the surrounding stone spires and mountain valleys.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Bolzano
Included meal: Breakfast

Discover Bolzano, or Bozen in German, a city comprised of two distinct cultures.

  • Starting in the main city square, Piazza Walther, make your way through the famous open markets to the Gothic-style cathedral.
  • Step into Piazza del Grano, the heart of Bolzano’s medieval village.
  • Tour the main streets, including Via dei Portici-Laubengasse.
  • Enter the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to see Ötzi the Iceman.

Enjoy a free afternoon in the Dolomite region or add an excursion.

Bolzano Castles & Santa Maddalena Wine Tasting

From $149 per person

Italian Riviera2 nights
Day 8: Transfer to the Italian Riviera
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wave goodbye to the Dolomites as you travel south to the Italian Riviera.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Cinque Terre
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Get a taste for the unique villages of Cinque Terre on a Tour Director-led walk along the upper trails and a coastal boat ride.

  • Travel to Levanto and board a train to Riomaggiore.
  • Set off on a scenic uphill trail walk from Riomaggiore to the pathways above the town of Manarola.
  • Learn about the eroding seaside paths and why walking on the upper trails is a more sustainable way to see the beauty of the area.
  • Enjoy sweeping views of the villages and coastline from above.
  • Meander through vineyards and farmland built on steep terrain, known as heroic agriculture.
  • Stop at a vineyard or olive oil press to sample local products grown on the hillside.
  • Walk down into Manarola and board a boat to the town of Vernazza, enjoying stunning views of the coastline and villages from the water.
  • Enjoy free time to eat lunch and shop in the seaside town before taking the train back to Levanto.
  • Admire the Liguria region’s varied landscape as you transfer back to your hotel by bus.

Please note: Depending on the season and weather, today’s activities may vary.

Florence1 night
Day 10: Florence via Lucca
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

On your way to Florence, join a local guide in the town of Lucca for a bike tour.

  • Bike along a section of the almost three-mile Renaissance-era walls.
  • Take in impressive views of Guinigi Tower, as well as the classic red-tiled rooftops and cypress trees below.
  • Descend into the center of town for a walking tour to view Lucca Cathedral, the Church of San Michele in Foro, Piazza dell' Anfiteatro, and Via Fillungo.
  • Enjoy free time to peruse the local shops.

Please note: You’ll bike along flat, paved paths without cars during the tour of the Lucca city walls. Travelers can opt to take a self-guided tour of the walls by foot instead of biking.

Continue to Florence and celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home or extend your stay in Florence.

Extension to Florence
Not ready to say arrivederci? Continue your trip in the Tuscan capital of Florence, where Renaissance beauty and really (really) good food are practically everywhere. See the highlights alongside a local guide, then lean on your Tour Director’s expert recommendations to seek out even more.
Florence2 nights
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Florence
Included meal: Breakfast

Set off on a walking tour of Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance, with a local guide.

  • Admire sweeping views of the city’s skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo, a local-favorite hilltop outlook located on the south bank of the Arno River.
  • Walk downhill to the medieval Ponte Vecchio.
  • Stroll along the Arno River and through the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery to Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life.
  • Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial site of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo.
  • Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
  • View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo.

Enjoy a free evening in Florence or add an excursion.

Fiesole Villa Dinner

From $129 per person

Day 12: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Florence or add an excursion.

This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Tuscan Vineyards Walk & Chianti Wine Tasting

From $149 per person

Flight Home
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home.

Show full itinerary
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Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.8 out of 5

Based on 94 authentic traveler reviews
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    5 out of 5 stars

    Northern Italy and Cinque Terra Walking Tour
    9/13/23 by 1st-time traveler John

    So, I recently went on this amazing walking tour in Northern Italy and Cinque Terre, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! Not only did I get to indulge in some mouthwatering food and wine, but I also got some much-needed exercise while enjoying breathtaking scenery, exploring beautiful chu...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/21/23

    WOW! Thank you for painting a beautiful picture of...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    Prepare to be WOWED!
    10/4/23 by 2nd-time traveler Teresa

    Where to start?! One word OUTSTANDING! Outside adventure with walking, hiking, lovely boat rides fresh air and outstanding views! The itinerary does not prepare you for the WOW of this tour! Our Tour Director Elena, was a GEM, going over and above to ensure our group experienced the full potential ...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    Another stellar tour with GoAhead
    10/4/23 by 3rd-time traveler Steve

    This was our 3rd trip with GoAhead. It was a smaller tour with a more active agenda, which was very fun for me. It's amazing to me how much we saw in 10 days, and yet I never felt rushed.

    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Hotel Simplon
    Hotel Simplon

    This upscale hotel is located in the town of Baveno on Lake Maggiore’s western shore. Guests enjoy a large outdoor pool, access to a lakeside beach, a...

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    Mondschein Hotel Luna
    Mondschein Hotel Luna

    This traditionally styled, family-run hotel is located in the historic center of Bolzano. Guests enjoy the private park and gardens, free wellness are...

    Read more +
    Hotel Canali Rapallo
    Hotel Canali Rapallo

    This charming hotel is located in the Rapallo neighborhood on the Italian Riviera. Guests enjoy sea views, a terrace, and bike rentals. Nearby you’ll ...

    Read more +
    Hotel Diplomat
    Hotel Diplomat

    This charming hotel is located near the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find t...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

    Print FAQ

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