Day 4: The Way to Cinque Terre

Awaken the mind with early morning yoga (if you like) and set off westward toward the Gulf of Genoa. Travel a winding road deep into a mountain to see where celebrated Carrara marble, considered the finest on earth, has been quarried since Roman times. In a hidden gem along the way – the old Toscana village of Colonnata – live like a local and try a lardo at a trattoria. Reaching Portovenere on the Gulf of Genoa, you’ll totally get why this stunning Roman-Byzantine town was named for the goddess Venus. Colorful houses tumble down a hillside against the azure sea… the black-and-white-striped Gothic church of San Pietro perched above...images captured as you cruise by private charter boat from Portovenere to the Cinque Terre village of Monterosso – and not soon forgotten!