What I love about this part of Italy is that you are on the Mediterranean Sea while surrounded by mountains. You can hike from village to village (from 30 minutes to 3 hours). If you are tired, we can take the train back or stop for lunch. The beach is beautiful for swimming or relaxing.  The Cinque Terre wine is crisp, dry and delicious.  Cinque Terre is pronounced chink-way tear-ay. The local shops are filled with interesting items from hand made pottery to jewelry and specialty food items. If we have an unusual rainy day we can take a short train ride to Santa Margherita for shopping (clothing, shoes, linens, leather), Chiavari or Portofino. Those interested can take a cooking class, make pesto overlooking the sea, ride bikes thru a train gallery from the 1800's, visit the local market which comes to town each Thursday offering clothing, tablecloths, fresh produce, cheeses, dried porcini mushrooms and much more. A typical day might be: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, meet up with me for a  two hour hike to the next village, visit a local vineyard for a tasting & explore the town, have lunch at an old fortress overlooking the sea, take a five minute train back to our town,  relax at one of the local cafes and have dinner on your own at a spot that I can recommend.