Description
This Vernazza olive grove tour with oil and wine tasting leaves the usual trails behind. A licensed local guide first leads a quick visit of Vernazza, and then the walk begins up an old mule track, one of the less-known but most fascinating paths in the Cinque Terre.
The climb takes about an hour and ends at the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio, a 13th-century sanctuary, at about 330 meters. On the way the coast opens out below, with terraces held up by dry-stone walls, miles of them, and planted with olives and vines. In the shaded square in front of the sanctuary stand a monumental cypress, billed as Liguria's oldest, and a holm oak.
On the way down the walk stops at the recently restored olive grove of La Bottega Farm, a producer of Ligurian PDO extra virgin oil. Two ponies live there as mascots.
- Cinque Terre olive oil to taste
- Local white wine, plus a liqueur from the farm
- Water and Ligurian focaccia, with local juices for children
Expect an easy hike of roughly three to three and a half hours, with only basic fitness required. Lunch is not included.