The Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre offer a breathtaking coastal landscape perfect for kayaking. Paddling along the azure waters of the Ligurian Sea, you'll glide past colorful fishing villages perched on rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and secluded beaches. The five iconic towns of Cinque Terre - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore - reveal their terraced vineyards and pastel-hued houses from a unique vantage point on the water. Kayaking allows you to absorb the region's essence at a leisurely pace, away from the crowds, as you navigate around rocky outcrops, under ancient stone bridges, and through sea caves. The gentle lapping of waves against your kayak and the scent of lemon groves and wild herbs carried on the breeze create an immersive sensory experience that captures the true spirit of this enchanting stretch of Italian coastline. On the New York Times list "52 Places to Go in 2019"
Genoa has a rich legacy as one of Italy's Maritime Republics. Like Venice, it has a history of military might, economic dominance, and staggering wealth. Now a thriving commercial port city, Genoa is often eclipsed by more popular cities in Italy. Still, it boasts churches to rival those of Naples and aristocratic palaces that compare in magnificence and number to those of Rome, along with one of the most intact medieval centers in all of Europe.
To explore this area by kayak is to experience the life of the sea that is at the heart and soul of this special place. Warm water, sun-drenched beaches, great food, and the harmony of life at the sea’s edge has attracted artists, poets, and writers for over two centuries. Byron, Shelley, D.H. Lawrence, Hans Christian Andersen, and Virginia Woolf came here to write, and today, visitors from all over the world are drawn by the Riviera lifestyle.
Kayaking the Riviera allows us to observe both the subtle details and the grand vistas of this unique place at a pace that also gives us the time to immerse ourselves in the culture. With a focus on locally sourced Mediterranean cuisine, this trip is really a feast for the senses. We take time to enjoy crisp, warm, freshly baked focaccia scented with rosemary, a glass of chilled local white wine, and the very best reward at the end of a paddling day – a frosted cup of gelato!
To kayak the coast of the five villages in the Cinque Terre is to step back in time – tiny medieval villages tucked into ravines of this steep coastline thatched with vineyards, where each of the Cinque Terre has a distinct dialect and atmosphere. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in large part because of the extensive system of contoured terraces and muretti (low stone walls) that span this dramatic landscape, you’ll also visit the sixth “Terre” – Portovenere – and the jet-set haven of Portofino, both of which date back to Roman times. Arriving by kayak is the best way to experience these villages, which are inextricably linked to the sea and a culture of small boats.
The true essence of Cinque Terre reveals itself from the water, where each paddle stroke draws you deeper into its timeless beauty. Gliding along the coastline, the crystal-clear Mediterranean becomes an irresistible invitation for refreshing swims that punctuate the day's journey. As evening approaches, the scent of basil and garlic guides you to small family trattorias hidden along cobblestone passages, where generations-old recipes come to life—delicate trofie pasta bathed in emerald pesto, fresh-caught anchovies dressed simply with the region's olive oil, and local wine that tastes of the terraced hillsides above.
This is travel at the pace of your own rhythm, where the gentle cadence of paddling becomes meditation, and each day unfolds as an intimate encounter with a coastline that has captivated travelers for centuries.
“It was the best trip we have ever taken. Cannot wait to go on another one! Have been telling everyone how great it was and recommending it. You may get some people I referred next year on your trips."
