The 10 best experiences to do in Cinque Terre on vacation

SUP ride along the cliffs of Portofino, also suitable for those who have never tried SUP.

The experience includes a 45-minute course on how to paddle SUP and a 45-minute excursion in the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

The initial short course takes place in total safety in Paraggi Bay, where the sea is not very rough. The Bay is a wonderful natural setting in close contact with nature and is extremely safe as it is interdicted to boat traffic.

After the course it will be possible to explore the wonders of the Portofino headland and marine protected area from an unusual perspective.

In fact, thanks to the perfectly perpendicular position to the water, it is possible to enjoy breathtaking views, above and below the sea.

The protected area allows the activity to take place in all conditions.

Wine tasting and winery tour in Sestri Levante è a unique experience!

During the guided tour of the wineries and Ligurian wine production facility, you will have the opportunity to understand how wines are made and feel the love and passion with which they are produced. The guided tour will continue with a tour of the underground Caveau which will be followed by a tasting of the most representative wines.

The Classic tasting includes 3 glasses: Il Bianco Trevigne / Bianchetta “U Pastine” Portofino DOC / Il Musaico Portofino DOC.

The Special Tasting includes five glasses: Il Bianco Trevigne / Bianchetta “U Pastine” Portofino DOC / Cimixà l’Antico / Portofino DOC / Il Musaico Portofino DOC / Granaccia Colline del Genovesato.

To pair with the wines will be offered a generous board with cheeses, cured meats, vegetable pies and garden delicacies (subject to change throughout the seasons).

After the wine tasting you can enjoy a lunch (not included) that can take place either on the premises inside the winery from the large windows – that let you admire the beautiful vineyard – or outdoors.

A clothing appropriate for the low temperatures of the wineries is recommended for this experience.

Explore a beauty of Portofino and the surrounding landscape with this kayak tour followed by a delicious Ligurian aperitif.

Kayak tour (1 1/2 hours)

This tour departs at 10:30 a.m. from Paraggi, a quiet little beach near Portofino, where you will be provided with a kayak, paddle and life jacket. During the kayak tour you will visit Niasca Beach in Paraggi Bay.

From there, the excursion continues to the Portofino Lighthouse, surrounded by unspoiled nature. Stops are provided to allow you to dive into the crystal clear waters of the area and relax.

It is recommended that you bring sunscreen and a bathing suit for this excursion.

Sunset tour (2 hours)

Departure for this tour is at 5:30 p.m. from Paraggi, a quiet little beach near Portofino, where you will be provided with a kayak, paddle and life jacket. During the kayak tour you will visit Niasca Beach in Paraggi Bay.

From there the excursion continues to the Portofino Lighthouse, surrounded by unspoiled nature. Stops are planned to allow you to dive into the crystal clear waters of the area and relax.

The tour ends with an aperitif of Ligurian products and local natural wine. The tour is available only in summer, from June 1 to September 30.

This horseback ride on the High Way of the Ligurian Mountains begins with an hour of learning and lesson on the basics of getting in the saddle and getting to know the horse.

This is followed by an hour-long horseback ride with fantastic views of the LigurianMountains High Way. The riding stables are surrounded by spectacular natural scenery; an entire hillside is available for those who want to explore nature on horseback!

The horses alternate between life in the pastures, in their natural state with immense spaces at their disposal, and life in the riding stables for constant care and training.

Comfortable clothing, long pants, closed shoes, gloves and riding helmet (provided on site) are recommended for the horseback riding trip.

For daily insurance, €3 will have to be paid on site.

Your flyboard experience in Rapallo will begin with a 10-15 minute briefing on land, during which you will receive an introduction and practical advice on how to get started flying.

Next, you will move to the sea and enter the water. The instructor will be the one wearing the Flyboard to show you more accurately what it is all about. After that, it will be your turn to begin the lesson.

During the lesson you will be supervised by Paul, who will be on the jet ski and provide you with the power you need for the Flyboard. The instructor will be on another bike and will follow you closely to ensure safety.

Overall, the experience will last about 30 minutes and you will be immersed in the thrill of flying above the water.

In case of more than one participant, the experience will still be done one at a time.

The jet ski tour in Rapallo consists of renting a jet ski that you can drive independently, even without a boat license, as there will also be a guide as a passenger who will give you directions and help if it is the first time for you.

The vehicle is versatile and allows you to visit the Tigullio Gulf, Paradise Gulf, Camogli, Portofino, Santa Margherita and many other small locations on the cliffs of Liguria.

The jet ski allows you to quickly and agilely reach different locations along the coast, get on the saddle and discover the thrill of riding it in one of the most picturesque locations in Italy.

The capacity of the motorcycle is 3 people (2 passengers + 1 guide). Fuel is not included, as it varies by speed and distance covered, you can ask the guide directly for approximate costs.

Depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions, the stages may vary. A minimum age of 18 is required.

The Argentario e-bike tour from Porto Santo Stefano, in the province of Grosseto, begins at 10:00 am. There you will meet the guide, who will hand over the mountain bikes and help you get ready for departure (rental is included in the price!).

Once you leave the center of town, you will start climbing the promontory of Monte Argentario, facing hairpin bend after hairpin bend until you reach a paved alley road that will lead you to the Capo d'Uomo tower, located 350 m above sea level.

The last part of the climb will require considerable effort, but the spectacular views of the coast below will repay the effort.

The route will continue through hairpin bends and dirt roads in the direction of Porto Ercole, a town that has been part of Italy's most beautiful villages since 2014. During the lunch break you will stop near Forte Stella, a 16th-century defensive fortification characterized by its distinctive shape.

In the afternoon you will cross the Orbetello Lagoon, which is a WWF oasis and an important habitat for many species of waterfowl, including the wonderful pink flamingos. You will return to Porto Santo Stefano at 3 p.m., having completed a 41-km route that includes quite challenging uphill and downhill sections.

The Argentario catamaran and snorkeling day will begin at 9 a.m. in Porto Santo Stefano, in the province of Grosseto, where you will meet the crew who will accompany you on the catamaran excursion.

The boat ride will take you along the coast of the Monte Argentario promontory, past sandy bays, inlets, cliffs and coves of great natural beauty.

During the trip you will make several stops to snorkel at the most beautiful spots, including Cala del Gesso, Cala dell'Olio and Cala Mar Morto. The crew will provide you with all the necessary equipment. You can also relax in the sun and enjoy the open bar with water, soft drinks, red and white wine.

During the first stop you will be offered a selection of mixed bruschetta by the captain, prepared with fresh tomatoes, tomato puree and Tuscan olive oil.

At lunch, delicious rice alla pescatora or pasta dishes with fish will be offered, with vegetarian options available. At the end of the meal, you will be offered coffee, and in the afternoon there will be a Nutella party for everyone to recharge their energy and keep diving and swimming.

The day will end with the return to Porto Santo Stefano scheduled for 6 pm. The excursion is confirmed with a minimum of 15 participants.

A vintage gozzo excursion along the coast of the Argentario promontory departing from Porto Santo Stefano.

During the navigation, you will skirt the coast and visit some of the Argentario's most beautiful coves, where you can stop for a swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters.

The boat is made entirely of wood, and is equipped with a large sundeck and awning. A small snack will be offered on board.

The activity can be booked for a morning or afternoon ride. It is also possible to book the boat in private mode.

Maximum capacity: 7 people.

Don't miss a unique opportunity to sail Argentario, Giannutri Island or Giglio Island aboard a boat, enjoying lunch on board and snorkeling in excellent company.

Departing from Porto Santo Stefano, the destination will be chosen according to weather and sea conditions, and during the trip, you will be accompanied by the crew who will guide you through corals, volcanic rocks and gorgonians, telling the story of these picturesque places.

You will enjoy the sunshine and an onboard lunch of pasta, fruit, wine, soft drinks and coffee.

The itinerary will be determined by marine weather conditions, with at least 4 stops for swimming and snorkeling activities. Return is scheduled in the afternoon between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., with a total excursion duration of about 8 hours.

Two boats are available. The Negis boat carries up to 18 people, while the Gigliola boat carries up to 28 people.

The horseback ride behind Forte dei Marmi, in the middle of Versilia, is easy and suitable for everyone. The ride starts from Montignoso, a town a few kilometers from Forte dei Marmi, and continues to Lago di Porta, next to the Forte Golf Club.

This walk is quiet and even those who have never ridden a horse, or have little experience, can do it. Very nice to explore Porta Lake on horseback.

Half-day quad bike excursion in the Val di Lima, in the mountains above Florence in Tuscany. An activity that brings the nature of the Tuscan Apennines to life in a fun way, along with Yamaha Kodiak 700 performance quads.

3-hour (half-day) excursion - Monte Prato Fiorito:

• Departure: Livizzano Base Camp, 600mt altitude
• Trail Duration: 33km - average 3 hours
• Altitude: 600mt - 1200mt Elevation gain: 600mt

You will start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of 'Livizzano', then continue along wooded trails that will allow you to reach the spectacular views that await you on the slopes of Mount 'Prato Fiorito' at 1200mt altitude.

There is a briefing and an initial test to explain how to use the quad bike, so that you can ride it with ease and in complete safety.

This horseback riding tour in Garfagnana is suitable for beginners and even the most experienced, always accompanied by experienced staff.

During these rides, nature is explored in all its magnificence and splendor, the route takes in heterogeneous and picturesque scenery between forests and open countryside, ideal for all those who love nature.

Recommended clothing for the horseback riding trip includes closed shoes and long pants. The facility will provide you with all equipment for horseback riding, including helmet.

If you choose to participate in the Garfagnana rafting experience on the Lima, you will have the opportunity to decide between 2 different experiences, classic rafting and packrafting.

Classic rafting This experience consists of a 4 km long descent on the Lima stream. During the adventure there will be a rafting guide who will allow you to learn more about the river environment and the magical world of rafting. The activity includes a stop at the footbridge waterfall for photo ops, 5m plunge at the old hydrometer and aquatics test in rapid. Technical equipment is provided and helmets have attachments for your action-cams. You can have the experience from November to May.

Packrafting

The activity consists of an easy perscorso of about 3.8 km duration with the "Packraft," a portable, lightweight and surprisingly sturdy one-person inflatable boat designed to navigate in any type of aquatic environment.

Experience the thrill of riding a Packraft through rapids and nature in the beautiful Mediavalle of the picturesque Serchio River just a few steps from the renowned Devil's Bridge. Clear water, thrills, breathtaking views and rapids await you.

All technical and safety equipment for activities is provided on site.

Open from March to July and September to November.

Riverplay in Garfagnana at Strette di Cocciglia is a guided tour of a wild and natural canyon.

You will be completely immersed in nature, the route is characterized by three scenarios; the upper part of the "Golette" basins with clear water carved by the force of the stream into the rock, the middle part where the narrows open up and we meet the small rapids and finally the final large canyon the "Blue Lagoon" with crystal clear water and underwater caves up to 12m deep.

Along the way you will have the opportunity to go diving, natural slides, the "washing machine" slide, small rapids, swimming, playing in the waterfall bubbles, adventure and lots of fun.

If you choose to go rafting in Bagni di Lucca on the LimaIl River, you can rent a packraft, a lightweight boat that is practiced solo or in small groups. Four different tours are available for this experience:

Rafting 3h

3.5Km long excursion with a duration of 3h30minutes. Children can participate from 5 years old. You will raft on the Lima where you will find rapids and can take dives.

Rafting 4h

5Km long excursion from the duration of 4h. Children can participate from 5 years old. You will start this adventure from Lake Gioviano, continuing along the Serchio River and ending under the Devil's Bridge. June through October.

Packrafting 3h

3Km hike with a duration of 3h. This is one of the most exciting hikes in Tuscany, during which you will immerse yourself in the beauty of the Middle Lucchese Valley while diving and sliding.

Packrafting 4h

5Km hike with a duration of 4h. Children from 16 years old can participate. During this hike you will pass through second grade rapids, take dips and play fun aquatics games.

Enjoy a fantastic snowmobile ride in Prato Nevoso, reaching Chalet il Rosso amid snowy landscapes and breathtaking views. You have a choice of two different experiences.

Aperitif Tour

The tour takes about 1 hour. Departure is at 5 p.m. near the Rosso Panoramica chairlift on Corona Boreale Street, from where you will depart by snowmobile and reach Chalet il Rosso from where you can enjoy an evocative sunset with an aperitif. At the end of the aperitif, the guide will take you to the meeting point.

Tour with dinner

Departure is at 8 p.m. near the Rosso Panoramica chairlift on Corona Boreale Street. The guide will take you on a very scenic route until you reach Chalet il Rosso. Here you will stop to enjoy a dinner of local products. The menu includes an appetizer, a first course and a second course, while drinks are not included.

Among the hut's offerings you will find chopping boards, polenta, gnocchi and much more. At the end of the dinner the guide will take you to the meeting point.

This is a super fun opportunity to explore Snowy Meadow from a different perspective. Rent a snowmobile and you can drive on the snow and reach places where it is difficult to get to on foot or even by lifts.

Embark on an adventure with a snowmobile excursion in Limone Piemonte. Guided tours can be an hour or two long starting from Limonetto, and will give you an experience immersed in the beauty of the Maritime Alps.

The tour lasts one hour and offers an experience through snow-covered landscapes, allowing you to savor the adrenaline rush as you traverse silent forests and admire breathtaking views.

The snowmobiles are designed for a maximum of 2 people and please note that a B driver's license is required to ride them, ensuring a safe and engaging experience among alpine wonders.

A wonderful panoramic snowshoe hike that will take you through the picturesque snowy landscapes of Prato Nevoso in the province of Cuneo.

You will walk on soft white snow with views of pristine winter scenery, the colors of winter and the tranquility of the mountains. A unique experience that will repay the effort (not too much) of snowshoeing! There are several ways to perform the snowshoe outing:

Panoramic snowshoeing
You will meet the guide and once you have your snowshoes on, you will set off on the approximately two-hour hike that will run along fresh snow in the Trucca Sape' forest. Thursday through Monday, start in the morning or afternoon.
The total elevation gain of the walk is approximately 300 mt.

Snowshoeing with Aperitif
If you prefer instead a shorter hike and end with an aperitif in the fresh air among the snow, you can choose the pre-summer outing "apericiaspola" starting at 5 p.m. and lasting 1 h 30 min (snowshoeing about 1 h).

Snowshoeing with lunch at the Refuge
A fantastic snowshoeing experience to Chalet il Rosso in Prato Nevoso with lunch included. Once lunch is finished you will then descend from the lodge back to the starting point.

If there is a lack of snow, the snowshoeing can be moved to higher elevation by adding the cost of the gondola.

Snowshoe in Prato Nevoso, one of the most beautiful winter resorts in Piedmont.

The visit, followed by a tasting, allows visitors to immerse themselves in the historic local winery of the Luzi Donadei winery in the heart of the Langhe.

The duration of the experience is about 2 hours and, with favorable weather conditions, the visit will conclude with a walk through the streets of the village to discover the estate's vineyards. It is also possible to conduct the visit in English and French.

The visit is suitable for all ages and animals are also allowed.

Piedmont Classics.

Tasting of 3 local wines:

• Langhe Doc Chardonnay
• Dogliani Docg
• Langhe red

The tasting is accompanied by a mixed platter of cured meats and cheeses.

Piedmont's top wines

Tasting of 4 local wines:

• Donna Cecilia Dogliani Doc Sup.
• Claves Januae Barbera d'Alba doc Sup.
• Barolo docg
• Ester Ferrero Brut Metodo Classico

The tasting is accompanied by a mixed platter of cured meats and cheeses.

Choose horseback riding in Lurisia Terme and aperitif, and spend a pleasant and peaceful horseback ride through the woods and beautiful landscapes of the area in the province of Cuneo.

A horseback ride is a panacea for body and mind. In the company of equestrian hiking guides, you will have an unforgettable experience, discovering the treasures of the area and experiencing the authentic emotions of a ride in nature.

Also in the two-hour horseback riding tour, you can choose, after the excursion is over, to enjoy a fantastic aperitif in the open air!

The horseback ride begins at the riding school in Lurisia Terme, a hamlet of Roccaforte Mondovì, in the province of Cuneo. For beginners, there will be a time to approach and become familiar with the horses.

An itinerary of varying length (depending on the level of the participants and the duration chosen) will be covered on wooded trails around Lurisia. This is a very interesting area from a naturalistic point of view, offering valuable spring waters for wellness and spa treatments.

The horseback riding excursion will take place on a trail totally surrounded by greenery, of great relaxation and coolness, particularly suitable for those who are new to horseback riding, but very enjoyable for the more experienced as well.

A snowshoe hike in Limone Piemonte will allow you to immerse yourself in pristine snowy landscapes while walking gently on a deep blanket of snow.

You can decide between the longer 6-hour day tour or the shorter half-day tour of about 3 hours. Based on weather and snow conditions, your guide will determine your snowshoeing destination a week in advance.

The easiest destinations, but without losing the beauty and scenery of the Maritime Alps, proposed by the guide are the Forts of the Colle di Tenda, the centuries-old Beech Forest in Palanfrè, the Capanna Chiara tour, the tour in the Vallone di San Giovanni, and the tour to the Alpe di Papa Giovanni.

Winter clothing is recommended. Snowshoes and wands will be to rent on site for 10€ for groups of more than 4 people.