Italy Express: Cinque Terre & the Tower of Pisa
Italy Express: Cinque Terre & the Tower of Pisa
The trip in a nutshell
Prepare your trekking boots for an unforgettable journey! Embark from Pisa and venture to the stunning gems of the Ligurian Sea – the Cinque Terre. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts five captivating villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Here, coluorful houses cascade down to the sea, while scenic pathways wind through terraces and vineyards, creating an authentic haven for nature and culture enthusiasts. Along the way, we'll explore Levanto, a quaint Ligurian village, and delve into the local gastronomic scene with a pesto-making course to uncover the secrets of this renowned delicacy. But the adventure doesn't end there! On our return journey, we'll visit Pisa, a Tuscan treasure brimming with history and culture. Marvel at the iconic Leaning Tower in the "Piazza dei Miracoli," and immerse yourself in the splendor of the Baptistery and Cathedral. Stroll along the picturesque Lungarno, taking in historic bridges and breathtaking scenery. By the tour's end, Pisa and the Cinque Terre will have captured our hearts with their unparalleled charm and authenticity.
Trip type
Express: jam-packed itinerary to make the most of the few days of holiday allowance you have.
Physical rating
MODERATE - this itinerary may involve hiking or other activities that require a moderate amount of physical effort. Be prepared for some potential long transfers and early wake up calls!
Entry requirements
Please visit your country's official government website to find out the necessary requirements for entering the country of destination.
Arrival and departure
This trip will begin and end in Pisa. Aim to arrive on the first day by 5pm - on the last day you are free to leave whenever!
What's included
4 nights accommodation in shared rooms
Welcome drink
All breakfasts
Trek the Cinque Terre - five ancient fishing villages nestled on the Italian Riviera south of Genoa.
Return train ticket from Pisa-La Spezia
"Local Experience": Learn to make pesto in an authentic local cooking class
Ferry from Riomaggiore to Porto Venere
Transfer from Porto Venere to Pisa
Transfer from Porto Venere to Pisa
Travel coordinator services
Cancellation up to 31 days before departure — 100% refund (deposit refunded as a gift card) or option to change trips.
Itinerary
Welcome to Italy
Check in
Round trip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. This is to give you maximum freedom of choice!
We find ourselves in Pisa where our adventure will start! After reaching our accommodation and dropping off our bags we will get ready to enjoy our first Tuscan dinner among our new friends!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast and welcome drink
Not included: meals and drinks
Cinque Terre
Monterosso and Vernazza
After a hearty breakfast we leave Pisa and take the train to La Spezia. Here, we begin our Cinque Terre tour from Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five picturesque coastal villages. Let's explore the historic centre of Monterosso, with its charming streets and typical colourful houses. We admire the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which dates back to the 14th century, and enjoy a pleasant walk along the seafront. We follow the coastal path that takes us to Vernazza, a panoramic walk that offers breathtaking views of the sea and the cliffs. Vernazza is characterized by cobbled streets and pastel-coloured houses! We admire the Belforte Tower, a medieval defensive tower that offers a panoramic view of the bay.
Levanto: who will prepare the best pesto?
In the afternoon we head to Levanto, a delightful coastal town in Liguria, famous for its sandy beaches and authentic Italian atmosphere. Here our pesto lesson awaits us! Genoese pesto is traditionally prepared by crushing the ingredients with a pestle inside a mortar. This method allows you to preserve the fresh flavour and aroma of the ingredients, creating a rich and aromatic pesto. We stop for dinner here in Levanto.
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, Cinque terre card, pesto cooking class, train ticket from Pisa-La Spezia
Money pot: any extra activities
Not included: meals and drinks
Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Porto Venere
Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Porto Venere
Good morning friends! We start the day with a beautiful morning trek. Along the way, we breathe in the fresh air and admire the beauty of the surrounding nature. We arrive in Corniglia and immerse ourselves in the authentic atmosphere of the village. We visit the Church of San Pietro, a charming Romanesque church with frescoes and enjoy a break at local restaurants. We take the train to Manarola, famous for its breathtaking panoramic views and its romantic ''Scalinata dell'amore'' and then to Riomaggiore the last of the five charming villages of the Cinque Terre. We visit the historic centre and the picturesque Old Port.
Later in the day, we take the ferry to Porto Venere where we will enjoy dinner in a typical tavern.
Included: overnight stay with breakfast, Cinque Terre card
Money pot: any extra activities
Non included: meals and drinks
Pisa
A day in Pisa!
Today we take the train to Pisa. The first unmissable stop is the Tower of Pisa. Construction began in 1172 before they realised the ground they were building on wasn’t stable. Over 200 years, they tried to fix it, but it wasn’t possible in the end. Now, measures are taken to prevent its collapse, but its sharp tilt has become a bucket list photo moment for almost every traveller!
Then we can admire the Piazza dei Miracoli, explore the historic centre, visit the National Museum of San Matteo, climb the Clock Tower, walk in the botanical gardens, savour the Tuscan cuisine and enjoy the amazing atmosphere of this stunning city.
Included: overnight stay with breakfast, transfer to Pisa
Money pot: any extra activities
Not incuded: meals and drinks
Goodbye Italy
Check out and goodbye
Check-out and goodbye – until your next WeRoad adventure!
End of services. The itinerary may undergo some variations that differ from what is stated above. These variations may not be predictable nor depend on WeRoad’s will, i.e. climate conditions, national holidays, strikes, etc.

The travel coordinators
Our travel coordinators are chosen because they are people like you. Not only are they the best travel buddy you could hope for, but they're trained professionals guaranteed to show you a travel experience like never before
Available dates
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
About Italy
About WeRoad
Round-trip flights are not included in any of our trips because we like to give you autonomy and flexibility: you can choose the airline you want to fly with, the departure airport that suits you best, and how many and which stops you want to make.
Since flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: if possible, you can arrive at your destination a few days earlier or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!
This is the question of all questions, and here’s the answer, broken down into points!
The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator.
It is used to streamline paymentsfor extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
You’ll find the amount of the money pot on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the money pot’ – how do you get there? Look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money pot? Click here’, and you’ll find the details.
The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
It is used exclusively for group expenses that ALL participants decide to take part in.
It is estimated based on the experiences of other groups but can vary depending on the needs of the group itself. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
If not all of the money pot is used, the difference will be returned to all participants at the end of the trip in equal amounts.
The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the money pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
If you pay in advance part of the money pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded in case of trip cancellation.
We offer several payment methods to fit every need:
1. Credit or prepaid card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Scalapay up to €4,999 (only available with the “Full trip payment” option – not available with the “Deposit and balance” option; pay in 3 instalments up to €1,200 or in 4 instalments over €1,200);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account;
5. Welfare credit – BEFORE BOOKING, reach out to us at [email protected].
If you choose the deposit and balance option, you’ll also be able to pay the balance via bank transfer from your Personal Area.
Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. (Deposits will be refunded in the form of a gift card valid for 365 days from issue date.) If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.
If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. Deposits will be refunded in the form of a gift card valid for 365 days from issue date.
How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.
In general, we always choose local accommodations, avoiding large hotel chains, because we love to experience the culture of the place and, whenever possible, contribute to the local economy. Typically, our accommodations are hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels run by local entrepreneurs, with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.
For our Collection trips, which are our premium category, the accommodations are always 4 or 5-star or carefully selected boutique hotels.
The list of accommodations for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator between 5 and 3 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!
If you're wondering why WeRoad trips have a money pot, we’re assuming you already know what it is. If not, or if you have any doubts, we invite you to read all the information here!
Let’s quickly recap: The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator. It’s used to speed up payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
But let’s get to the point: why the money pot? First of all: it gives us a lot of flexibility. In all WeRoad trips you will have a bunch of Must See/Must Do activities already included - these are experiences, places or activities that simply cannot be missed! Any extra activities is decided by the group, why? Because each group is unique and may have particular wants or desires and the Money Pot allows each group to customise their trip to make it perfect for their requirements!
It also helps us speed up payments – imagine being in the subway in New York City, one by one purchasing the ticket...a nightmare right? Thanks to the Money Pot, the Travel Coordinator can simply purchase the tickets for everyone making the entire processes smoother! Any leftover money will be returned at the end of the trip and split equally amongst all participants.
In some destinations, buying goods or services on site is more economical as you are able to negotiate the price - places like Morocco, or South East Asia, bargaining is part of the culture. As such, our Travel Coordinators will be able to secure the best deal for all participants.
The amount of the money pot is specified in each trip – look for this button
which will take you to a detailed breakdown for each trip, like this:
Even if we don't know the flights of all WeRoaders, there are several ways to find out which flights your travel companions have purchased.
1. Each WeRoader has the ability to communicate their flight details after booking within their personal area so that other travel companions can see the details anonymously. Enter your booking and you will find this section:
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2. If you want to find out before booking, instead, you can contact us and we will support you in your search or you can ask your travel companions for direct information by joining our Facebook group 'WeRoad... let's get to know each other before leaving! (official)' – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weroadit) look for a post associated with your trip, or ask the group administrators for help in getting in touch with your future adventure companions!
If the coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you are interested in, you can easily find his/her presentation post in the group through the site: in the shift list click on 'Ask the coordinator', or in the trip tab, in the coordinator section, click on 'Ask [coordinator name] about this shift in our Facebook group'. For both cases, see the screenshots below!
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In all our groups, the Travel Coordinator and participants speak English – knowing how to speak and understand English is therefore a fundamental requirement to participate in our trips.
On average the groups are made up of 6-15 people, with a minimum of 3/4 participants and a maximum of 15.
All our travellers are in theirs 20s, 30s and 40s. If you're very curious to know the age range of the group for a tour you're interested in, you can see this by finding the trip on our website, and clicking the down arrow to see the ages & genders of participants. You'll need to have created a WeRoad account with us to do this.
Any issues finding this info just give our team in the office a call, we're always happy to help!
Regarding the male-female ratio, this is not guaranteed and varies trip by trip.
Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking – although, in our opinion, that kind of spoils the surprise! You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!
Yes, in all our trips you will share a room with other same-sex travellers, and the bathroom will either be private or shared only with fellow participants of the trip. The rooms we select can be doubles, triples, quadruples, or multi-bed (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.
There are never dorms with people outside the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodations like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.
During the booking process, you can also choose to opt for a mixed room: in this case, if needed, only those who have agreed to this option may share a room with travellers of a different sex. If you are booking for multiple people together and select this option, the room will not be exclusive to your group but may be shared with other travellers in the group.
The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller and will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will be available for any eventuality and will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary (transports, timings, accommodations, meeting points, etc.), so you can enjoy the trip without any worries!
You will have the chance to get to know them when the WhatsApp group is created approximately 2 weeks before departure - this will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking – their details will be specified in the schedule or on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your Personal Area, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.
When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'Once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you, even if you no longer travel with us.
But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. We can also meet up for a dinner or a trek together at one of the events organised by our coordinators around the world!