Our one-week trip is based at the picturesque Cinque Terre town of Monterosso al Mare. Featured during the tour will be some standard tour activities like welcome drinks, a few walks, a boat trip or two but the draw card is the water and the spectacular swimming that we will do on the trip. Swimmers of all levels will enjoy pre-breakfast group swims plus swims between towns and an island circumnavigation.

Dates and schedules may vary due to weather conditions.

Pleae contact Cousins Tours & Travel for more information.

Day 1

Arrive Monterosso al Mare and check into your hotel. Delightful Monterosso al Mare is the most visited Cinque Terre town, largely because it has the only sizable sand beach and the biggest hotels. The old town area, separated from the more modern resort area by the Aurora tower, is home to the ruins of a medieval castle and San Francesco church, which houses an important Van Dyck painting of the crucifixion. It is also the first of the five towns on the famous walking path. As people are arriving all day we don’t have any planned activities until the afternoon when we meet for a swim to blow away any jetlag. For those who are keen there will be a light swim from Monterosso beach in front of the hotel. If you arrive later, come down and join us when you can. After your swim please make your way to the hotel terrace for an Aperetivo. This is a chance for the group to meet and introductions to be made. We will brief you on what to expect for the week. The following itinerary outlines the proposed swims – please note that all arrangments can change due to weather conditions.
Day 2

Meet on the beach for our daily pre breakfast swim. After breakfast we will transfer to the next town, Vernazza, where we will meet with our swim escorts Franco 1, Roberto & Franco 2. Discover Cinque Terre from the sea with an escorted swim from Vernazza to Monterosso (approx 2.5k) followed by typical Italian post swim refreshments- pizza, home-made pasta and wine! Non-swimmers can walk the coastal path or take the train and still be part of the experience.
Day 3

Pre breakfast swim. Today use your Cinque Terre card to discover the 5 towns, sample a gelato or two, or just sit on the beach and relax. Remainder of day at leisure. After a busy day we will walk to a local pizza restaurant for dinner. Share stories of your day’s adventures with the group.
Day 4

After a leisurely swim, breakfast, and a cappuccino or two we will make our way to Riomaggiore to meet our Italian friends. Our swim today is the “Love” swim Riomaggiore-Manarola-Riomaggiore. On the walking path above the water is the famous place young (and old!) lovers attach their locks.
Day 5

Morning swim. No escorted swims are organised for today. We will take the train to Santa Margherita. (approx. 40 mins). If you prefer, stay at the hotel, sit on the beach, or explore more of the Cinque Terre. Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the best known and most renowned tourist resorts in all of Liguria. This coastal town, located in a protected bay in one of the most beautiful stretches of the coast, is considered the Pearl of Tigullio. From Santa Margherita we will walk along the scenic footpath (approx. 2 hours) to Portofino, the playground of the rich and famous. Don’t forget to bring your bathers for a casual swim in one of the many bays. From Portofino we will board a ferry for a quick trip back to Santa Margherita and train back “home” to Monterosso.
Day 6

After breakfast we will take the ferry to Porto Venere and the Gulf of Poets. This is the “big” one. You will have the chance to circumnavigate nearby Palmaria Island. The distance is 7km. If you do not want to swim the distance, you can swim for as long as you want then jump into one of the escort boats and help cheer on those still swimming. The first part of the swim is the most spectacular. If you would like to swim the distance but need some assistance, bring fins. The Gulf of La Spezia is called the Gulf of Poets because of its attraction to some of the world’s most celebrated poets who came, stayed, and even died here. One such story is of Shelley who lived in the village of San Terenzo and died when his boat was hit by a storm. Both Dante and Petrarch spoke of the natural beauty of the Gulf. Refreshments after our swim then board the ferry back to Monterosso Evening at leisure. You deserve a big meal at one of the many great restaurants in the old town.
Day 7

Today we will take the train to Sestri Levanti then walk to the gorgeous Baia del Silenzio (bay of silence) where we will meet our swimming friends Carlo and Aussie ex-pat Sarah for a swim from the bay out along the dramatic coast. After our swim we will indulge in a sumptuous lunch at a nearby Trattoria. Train back to Monterosso.