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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Rome and Cinque Terre

7-day independent rail trip from Rome to Cinque Terre

Illustration of Rome and Cinque Terre

Railbookers operates this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation between Rome and Cinque Terre, starting and ending in the Italian capital. Two nights in Rome open with a small-group tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's, followed that afternoon by the Colosseum and Roman Forum. A train then travels along the coast to La Spezia and on to Manarola, where travelers check into their own private apartment for three nights, beginning with a wine tasting in an ancient wine cellar. Day 4 is entirely free, with hiking Cinque Terre's famous coastal path, riding the local train between the five villages, or relaxing in the apartment all offered as options. Day 5 includes a Pesto-making course paired with Focaccia and Cinque Terre wine. The trip closes with a train back to Rome for a final night. Because the Cinque Terre days are largely unscheduled, this suits independent travelers who want history in Rome balanced with unhurried time on the coast.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers offers 12 accommodation options across the trip's cities and tiers; in Cinque Terre this means a private, self-catering apartment such as the Studio Lucio or Vignau Apartment in Manarola, rather than a staffed hotel.
  • Rail travel is explicit for day 3 (Rome to La Spezia to Manarola) and day 6 (Cinque Terre back to Rome); day 4's local train between the five villages is presented as one of several optional ways to spend a free day, not a scheduled part of the itinerary.
  • A tour of local vineyards is listed as an optional extra, not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to the Eternal City! On arrival make your way to your hotel and check in for a three-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Make your way to the Vatican for a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and San Peter's. In the afternoon visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Cinque Terre

    Rome to Cinque Terre

    Travel along the coast to La Spezia, then a scenic regional train to Manarola. You will be met and shown to your own apartment, and given a Cinque Terre card. In the afternoon visit an ancient wine cellar in Manarola for tastings.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Cinque Terre

    Cinque Terre

    A day to spend as you please, hiking the famous coastal path, riding the local train to visit the five villages, or relaxing in your apartment.

  5. Day 5overnight: Cinque Terre

    Cinque Terre

    Following a leisurely morning enjoy an hour learning the secrets to a true Italian speciality - Pesto, with tastings of Focaccia and Cinque Terre wine.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rome

    Cinque Terre to Rome

    Wave goodbye to your apartment and take the train back to Rome for your final night.

  7. Day 7

    Your Journey Ends in Rome

    Following breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's in the morning is followed by the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the afternoon.
  • Day 3A scenic train ride along the coast to La Spezia and on to Manarola is followed by an afternoon wine tasting in an ancient wine cellar.
  • Day 4A free day offers a choice of hiking Cinque Terre's famous coastal path, riding the local train between the five villages, or relaxing in your own apartment.
  • Day 5A one-hour course teaches the secrets of making Pesto, with tastings of Focaccia and Cinque Terre wine.

Included

  • Rail travel from Rome to Cinque Terre and back
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 3 nights in a private apartment in Cinque Terre
  • Small group tour of Vatican Museums, San Peter's, and the Sistine Chapel in Rome
  • Small group tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome
  • Meet and Greet service in Cinque Terre
  • 3-day Cinque Terre card
  • Evening Wine tasting in an ancient wine cellar in Cinque Terre
  • One hour Pesto making course in Cinque Terre

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Trenitalia covers Rome to La Spezia to Manarola on day 3, and the return from Cinque Terre to Rome on day 6. A local train between the five Cinque Terre villages is available on the free day 4, using the included Cinque Terre card.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers lists it as an independent rail vacation with small-group tours included, such as the Vatican and Colosseum tours in Rome; day 4 in Cinque Terre is entirely free to spend as you please.
What is the accommodation like?
Railbookers offers 12 accommodation options. In Rome, this includes hotels such as the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and the Kolbe Hotel Rome; in Cinque Terre, travelers stay in a private apartment in Manarola, such as the Studio Lucio or Vignau Apartment.
How much hiking is involved?
Day 4 is free to spend as you please, and the evidence names hiking Cinque Terre's famous coastal path as one option, alongside riding the local train between villages or relaxing in your apartment.
What is not included?
A tour of local vineyards is listed as an optional extra.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $1,969 USD for the 7-day, 6-night trip.

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