The road winds and twists and turns as you travel toward the Gulf of Genoa. Take 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 Poets, you’ll instantly get why this stunning Roman-Byzantine town was named for the goddess Venus. Colorful houses cascade along a hillside against the azure sea… the black-and-white-striped Gothic church of San Pietro perched above... images captured as you cruise Portovenere to the Cinque Terre village of Monterosso – and not soon forgotten...
Hotel: Hotel Porto Roca, Monterosso al Mare, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner
Activity Level: Minimal walking on a hillside paved with stones.