5-Night Ligurian Highlights — Portofino to Portovenere

Day 1 — Portofino: Embarkation

Board in Portofino — the essence of the Italian Riviera in a single harbour. An afternoon exploring the famous piazzetta, the Castello Brown and the walk to the lighthouse. Dinner at Puny or Il Pitosforo overlooking the bay.

Day 2 — San Fruttuoso & Camogli

Morning by tender to San Fruttuoso — the medieval abbey in its perfect cove, with the Christ of the Abyss dive site just offshore. Afternoon at Camogli — one of the most beautiful fishing villages on the Ligurian coast, with a remarkable beach of large round pebbles and an extraordinary Sunday fish fry (Sagra del Pesce, first Sunday of May).

Day 3 — Cinque Terre: Vernazza & Manarola

Anchor off Vernazza for a morning visit — the small harbour, the Doria castle above and the church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia. Afternoon at Manarola — the most photographed of the five villages, with a natural swimming pool cut into the rocks and excellent pesto made from the local Genoese basil.

Day 4 — Riomaggiore & The Via dell'Amore

The southernmost of the five villages — Riomaggiore's colourful houses cascade down the hillside to a tiny working harbour. Walk the recently reopened Via dell'Amore (Path of Love) to Manarola — 1km of clifftop path with continuous views of the Ligurian Sea. Return by tender and sail south to Portovenere.

Day 5 — Portovenere & Palmaria Island

A full day at Portovenere — the medieval striped Church of San Pietro at the very tip of the rocky headland, the Grotto Byron (where the poet supposedly swam to his mistress) and a walk along the old Genoese walls. Tender to the island of Palmaria for snorkelling on the pristine reef.

Day 6 — Disembarkation

Farewell breakfast before disembarkation at Portovenere or La Spezia. Pisa Airport is 1 hour south.