Splendors of the Italian Coastline: Elba Island & Cinque Terre Tour

Pisa was once a maritime power that fought for power along Italy’s Mediterranean seaboard. Most famous for its Leaning Tower, the city of Pisa thrived under the spoils of its naval supremacy as it built structures rich in religious affiliation and artistic interpretation. Your flight will land at Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa, and you will meet your private transfer and embark on the brief journey from the airport to the charming seaside town of Levanto, located at the north end of the Italian Riviera.

Before leaving Pisa, you will have an introductory tour of the city which will highlight the grandeur of its past and the beauty of its architecture, including the Piazza dei Miracoli and beyond. The Leaning Tower of Pisa rises to a height of 186 feet, with its crown reaching the top of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The Cathedral was erected in the 11th-century but consecrated 50 years after the foundation was laid. Marble rows of pillars layer the façade and create a motif that encircles the structure. Frescoes decorate the interior, along with an oval dome that allows for light to spill into the nave.

After your time exploring the city, your private transfer will escort you to Levanto, the first town north of Cinque Terre, separated from the five towns by the coastal mountains. The Mediterranean Sea shines indigo against the beaches of the town, and the waves splash against the boulders of the mountains that move out from the coastline. Surfers catch waves up to 12 feet tall in the distance, and you will reach your gorgeous villa-style accommodation that offers a view of pastel colored homes and the shimmering waters of the coastline.

In the morning, the sunlight spreads over the mountains and across the stone ramparts of Levanto Castle. The medieval structure rises above the hidden cobbled street behind Sant’Andrea Church. The church itself features marbled walls with a Gothic design, highlighted by the verdant serpentine stones used to accentuate the décor. The castle was erected in the 12th century as the seat of the rule for the region under the Republic of Genoa. After breakfast, you can stroll through Levanto before you board the local train to reach the most northerly town of Cinque Terre, Monterosso. The train ride takes less than 10 minutes and takes you through a tunnel that opens to the bright beaming light of the secluded town.

Cinque Terre is known for its spectacular natural beauty, relaxed pace and charm as the meandering trails connect the five towns together. In Monterosso, you will discover the narrow cobblestone streets of the medieval fishing village that edge the pebbled beach. The 16th-century castle stands on the boulders that overlook the coastline as if continuing to protect the town from pirate and naval attacks. The two-toned marble façade of the Church of St. Giovanni Battista glints in the spreading sunlight beneath the elegant rose window. The Sanctuaries Trail travels 12 miles to connect the sanctuaries of the five towns, each built in a display of devotion and spiritual connection.

You can trek for as long as you would like as you traverse the pathways with a stop in each town to experience the distinct culture that separates one village from another. Pass the herbaceous olive trees and towering basil trees as vineyards terrace the cliffs like emerald forests. Near the third town, known as Corniglia, you will reach a steep road that leads down to the Sanctuary of Our Dame of Graces. The interior contains the aroma of frankincense as it lingers against the stone structure of the 19th-century restoration. A painting that depicts the Madonna with Child decorates the altar between paintings of two saints. You will travel next to the town of Corniglia as it stands 328 feet above sea level and includes 382 stairs between the town center and the train station. The hillside location offers tremendous views of the scenic mountains and the tranquil sea.

The best way to experience a culture is to discover the cuisine of the town, city, or region. The villages of Cinque Terre each have a distinctive connection to the land and sea, united by the terrain and their time under the Republic of Genoa. However, they are separated by the subtle shifts in microclimates caused by the sea and the coastal mountains. In the morning, you can wander the streets of Levanto, linger on the beach to bask in the sunlight, or stretch your legs on a bike ride through the mountain tunnels that lead to the towns of Bonassola and Framura.

The beauty of the Italian Riviera extends beyond the indigo hues of the water and the scenic hillsides. Fishermen have returned their boats to the small marina beneath the stunning 45-foot tall statue of Neptune clinging to the cliff as the day passes, and your guide will lead you onto the trails once more to highlight the plump olives and fleshy grapes. The aroma of pine nuts and porcini mushrooms adds succulent layers to the seaside air. In the late afternoon, you will return to Monterosso to meet your private cooking instructor.

Before you enter the kitchen, your instructor will take you into a local bakery acclaimed for its focaccia. You will sample the savory, flaky bread for a better understanding of how true focaccia tastes. Once in the kitchen, your instructor will highlight the connection of Monterosso to the sea by introducing you to the dish of Ciuppin, similar to cioppino. You will slow cook the seafood and add small amounts of herbs, spices, butter, olive oil, and stock until the delicious broth marinades the flavors together.

Now that you have tasted the splendor of true focaccia, the aroma will follow you everywhere as it drifts out of bakeries and charming cafes. The windows of the cafes along the promenade showcase the rich bread, extravagant cakes, and reflect the waves as they brush against the beach. After breakfast, you will step aboard a private boat and venture to the stunning, secluded beach at the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. The structure is accessible through pathways that climb over the mountain ridges, or by boats that travel around the promontories.

A 16th-century watchtower overlooks the collection of houses, the main Abbey, and the water. Greek monks built in the Abbey in the 10th century and as your boat reaches the small dock, you will find a painting of the saint welcoming you to the thin stretch of pebbled beach located in front of the Romanesque structure. The water receded in the past centuries, but once reached beneath the arched base. Wandering through the Abbey offers a unique view framed by the stone-arch windows and barrel-vaulted cloister. After you bask in the sunlight and the history of the small bay, you can continue to the town of Tellaro, located on the Gulf of Poets. The hidden gem retains its culture through its seclusion and is graced with narrow cobbled streets and brightly painted homes that overlook the small harbor.

In the morning, the rich aroma of espresso blends with the semi-sweet scent of the Mediterranean. The umbrellas along the beach open to shade the lounge chairs as they fill up. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Galileo Galilei Airport for a quick flight to the city of Portoferraio on Elba. The streets have ancient roots that date back to the Roman Empire, under whose charge the port thrived through iron exports. In the 16th century, Cosimo I de’Medici acquired the harbor and shaped the distinctive walls and towers around the coastline. Fishermen stand at stalls along the waterway and offer freshly caught sardines to passersby.

The aromas of garlic and lemon combine with the scent of grilled fish. The island once held Napoleon during his imprisonment after the Napoleonic wars and the villas where Napoleon lived continue to grace the cliffs. The Palazzina dei Mulini was the general’s official residence and erected in the 18th century under the patronage of the Grand Duke Gian Gastone de’Medici. The décor highlights the decadent taste of Napoleon through a series of apartments, a lavish library, the original furniture, and a stunning ballroom. In the garden, you will find two magnificent statues, one that depicts the Galatea of the Canova, and the other ancient Greek statue of Minerva.

The luxurious villas of the Napoleonic age match the beauty of the boats as they set sail along the early morning horizon. The rugged pale hues of the fortress contrast with the verdant trees as they drape over the hillside. At breakfast, the sweet scent of freshly baked brioche lingers in the swirling sea breeze, and your guide will meet you in your hotel ready to show you the gorgeous landscape and splendid cuisines of the island during your private food and wine tour.

The ancestral flavors of the Roman Empire, along with the traditional ingredients of the sea, have shaped Elba’s cuisine through the millennia influenced by the climate and migration of peoples across the Mediterranean. You will travel south to the commune of Capoliveri, famous for its sandy beach, typical Mediterranean foliage, and vibrant lifestyle. The water is cool, refreshing, and crystalline. Capoliveri is also the land of vineyards, as it was once a sacred hill devoted to the god Bacchus. The 17th-century fortress of Focardo lingers along the cliffs that overlook the Gulf of Mola.

Vineyards span the plateau and lead your eye to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Your guide will lead you through a private vineyard with views of the coastline. Passito wine is made from raisins and has been cultivated on the hilltop terraces since ancient Greece. Harvesters leave the handpicked grapes to wilt in the sun for up to three weeks before processing the raisins as the perfect dessert wine. The aroma of honey emanates from the glass during your tasting, and the flavor fills your palate with a lingering spice.

The summit of Monte Capanne, one of the highest mountains on Elba, reaches a height of 3,340 feet above sea level. The sunlight spreads across the peak to expose an array of colorful plants and emerald trees. A chairlift ferries people from the rugged base to the splendor of the mountaintop, allowing for optimum views of the island’s ridges as they lead out to the sea. Today you will immerse yourself deeper in the culture of Elba and the beauty of the landscape, beginning with a visit to the town of Rio Marina. The town was settled in the 15th century along the mouth of the Elba River, and a trail leads upwards to the peak of Cima del Monte, a peak that reaches a height of 1,692 feet above sea level.

The trail begins at the heart of the main square in the village and winds through the colorful homes and into the foothills of Volterraio. Bushes and cypress border the trail that leads to the imposing castle known as the Eagle’s Nest. The castle was built by the Republic of Pisa and helped to protect the shoreline from pirates. The structure was integrated into the rocks to help defend the island and the ports, hiding the powerful stronghold amongst the northern rock face. A drawbridge continues to lead through the main gate, and you can walk to the square tower to enjoy the unparalleled view and unique history.

The weekly market opens its stalls in Portoferraio on Fridays in the Marina di Campo. The masts from the moored boats in the harbor wade in the serene water as vendors call out to passersby with happy smiles and bright eyes, eager to share the story of their handmade garments and antique wares. Local jewelry shops highlight the precious stones that have been uncovered on the island, including the shimmering ores and lapis lazuli. Perfume stores embrace the subtle but intimate aromas around the island and imitate the sea and sandalwood. After one last wander to take it all in over breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Elba Island Airport with plenty of time to check in for your flight home.