Our kayaking Italy – Cinque Terre and Sardinia trip combines the Mediterranean’s best kayaking, scenery and food. Starting in Genoa this inn to inn trip explores Cinque Terre National Park and Sardinia’s Maddalena Archipelago National Park. With a focus on Italy’s wonderfully rich blend of culture, history, landscape and cuisine our coastal exploration of Liguria and northern Sardinia stays at boutique hotels, small inns and ecotourismo’s that offer authentic locavore food. This trip includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Genoa’s Old City, Cinque Terre National Park and La Maddalena Archipelago. More
ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival Genoa
Your guides will meet you at the Genoa’s airport (GOA) and we’ll transfer to our fist night’s accommodation at and organic farm inn located in the hills above the sea east of the city. A wonderful example of the new European Agritourism movement, the farm produces a range of organic products including olive oil, cheeses and honey. Unwind from your flight with a walk in the hills or swim in the pool and enjoy the sweeping views of the Golfo di Genova. After a sampling of the farm’s products we enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace and discuss details of the upcoming trip before dining at the farm’s popular restaurant. (L, D)
Day 2 Monterosso al Mar – Cinque Terre
Packing our luggage into the support van we’ll drive down to local station and board the train along the Levanto coast of the Italian Riviera to our launch point at the town of Monterosso al Mar at the western end of the Cinque Terre National Park. After getting set up in the kayaks we’ll head out for our first paddle along this spectacular coastline. After a stop at beautiful Vernazza we land at our destination the village of Corniglia. A ten minute walk takes up through the village past unfolding views of the famous terraced vineyards. Tonight we stay at a charming family run hotel and enjoy a glass of local wine on the terrace before a dinner of typical Ligurian cuisine. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Cinque Terre to Portovenere
With an early start we paddle east along the cliffs of Cinque Terre and an unfolding tableau of scenic vineyard topped hills and almost impossibly beautiful villages set on the edge of the blue Mediterranean Sea. We’ll stop for refreshments and exploration at along the way. Rounding a dramatic point topped by castle walls and a 11th century church we enter the harbor of Portovenere the “sixth village” of Cinque Terre (on the New York Times “The 45 Places to Go in 2012” list) . Our ultimate destination is the waterfront Locanda restaurant and guesthouse of famous Ligurian chef Giuseppe Basso located on Isola Palmira a Natural Park Reserve facing Portovenere. Tonight we dine at the locanda’s Michellin Guide rated restaurant on some of the best seafood in Italy. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Cinque Terre to Monterosso
Setting off early with a stop for espresso in Portovenere we set off along the coast en route to Montersso. The morning light reveals colors and details missed on the previous day’s paddle. Moving at a leisurely we explore the villages we passed by earlier and have a change to fully appreciate Cinque Terra’s combination of ancient culture and grandly dynamic natural setting. Arriving in Monterosso al Mar we’ll stay at a boutique hotel in and there will be time to wander the town before dinner at an open air restaurant on the shore. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Genoa and depart for Sardinia
After a leisurely morning we return to Genoa by train. Arriving we’ll have a tour of the Old City, the heart of medieval Genoa and a Unesco World Heritage Site. The balance of the afternoon is free for sightseeing. In the evening we board the overnight ferry to Sardinia and check into our staterooms. (B, L)
Days 6 – 8 La Maddalena Archipelago
We explore the sparsely inhabited La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. With crystal clear water, surreal rock formations and picture perfect coves the Archipelago is regarded as the Mediterranean’s best kayaking. We visit isolated islands, swim in warm turquoise water, stay at tranquil guesthouses and dine on Sardinian cuisine at small restaurants and farmhouses. Short walks take us to ruins that tell the story of a long and varied history. A relaxed pace allows us to experience the life of the “Pastori” and to fully appreciate how Sardinia’s unique blend of land and sea makes it a world apart. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Isola Maddalena
Returning to the town of La Maddalena on Isola Maddalena we have the afternoon and early evening free to explore the town, enjoy the harbor walk or relax in one of the many café bars. In the evening we board the night ferry to Genoa. (B, L)
Day 10 Genoa Arriving in Genoa we check into our hotel located at the edge of the Old City. The balance of the day is a free day to explore some of the many facets of this “City of Culture”. This evening we have a special dinner planned where we’ll learn some of the secrets Genoese food from one of it’s leading proponents. A great meal and, of course, one final gelato wraps up this remarkable trip. (B, D)
Day 11 Departure Transfers to the airport. Ciao. (B)
Departures
2013
June 3 – 13, 2013
September 3 – 13, 2013
September 16 – 26, 2013
2014
May 26 – June 5, 2014
June 10 – 20, 2014
September 2 – 12, 2014
September 15 – 25, 2014
Trip Cost: $4490 US
Single Supplement: Trip cost is based on double occupancy. The supplement for single accommodation for this trip is $500 US
For more information see Trip Notes for Kayaking Italy
Note: This trip is led by Tofino Expeditions founder Grant Thompson.
