Portofino, Santa Margherita, & Rapallo
Considered to be “three pearls of Paradise Gulf,” this excursion affords the opportunity to see three towns with a wealth of history and charm as well as enchanting surroundings from gulf to mountains. You first arrive to Santa Margherita, where you then take a boat to Portofino Bay. In Portofino, you'll see houses with frescoes, lovely cafes, and yachts. A coach takes you to Rapallo resort with its 16th century. The bridge connecting this castle to land was used, according to legend, by Hannibal when he invaded Italy. These tours may include a snack, and an opportunity to walk about and shop.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $130 to $137.
Booking Advice: Because of the walking involved, these excursions are typically considered to be moderate to difficult physically. Cruise line prices appear to be quite competitive.
Genoa City Tours
These 3 to 5 hour tours may include visits to famous places, such as palaces and galleries, but may only include “passing through” or “driving by.” Sights you will no doubt appreciate on these tours (even from outside) include the Opera Theater Carlo Felice and Palazo Ducale, the Abbey of S. Guilano and quarter of Albaro, and the Piazza Corvetto Castelletto for scenic views of the old town.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $60 to $80.
Booking Advice: For city tours of Genoa, carefully studying tour agendas are a must. Some tours offered by cruise lines actually take to inside some of these marvelous galleries for less expense than “drive by” tours. These tours due include strolling about and shopping as time permits, as well as a walk via Garibaldi, and are thus rated as moderate with regard to physical exertion.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, or the “five lands,” consists of 5 coastal villages protected as a national park. You'll experience Italian culture, architecture, and charm unique to these villages of terraced houses, town buildings, and vineyards. You'll visit Manarola and see the “Street of Love,” experience Vernazza after a boat ride to this town, and then see Monteroso al mare, which is most famous for its history. Lunch is not always included in these tours.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $129 to $132 for 9.5 to 10 hour excursions.
Booking Advice: Cruise line excursions to Cinque Terre appear to be quite competitive with online third party vendors. These tours are considered to be physically strenuous, no doubt due to the walking involved... These towns are literally terraced on the bluffs by the sea.
Portofino
A boat ride takes you along the Paradise coast to Portofino, whose claim to tourism fame dates back to 10th century AD. You'll see quaint cafes, lovely houses, and possibly yachts as you stroll about and shop for about an hour and a half.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $80 to $90.
Booking Advice: While these tours are rated as moderate in terms of physical exertion, it would be fair to escalate that to physically difficult should you choose to scale some of the stairs to S. George Church. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Genoa City and the Aquarium
This is essentially a walking tour combined with a visit to the Aquarium of Genoa. In fact, this aquarium is the last thing you see after your walking tour, which includes highlights such as the Palazzo S. Giorgo, a walk along Via Garibaldi (where you'll see mansions, palaces, and the Town Hall which houses manuscripts of Columbus and Paganini's violin), the Piazza De Ferrari, the Opera Theater Carlo Felice, and the 13th century Palazzo Ducale.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $90.
Booking Advice: These tours are considered to be physically arduous. The walking tour only includes “walking by, not inside” famous buildings. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive. You can see the Aquarium for around 10 Euros (about 14 USD at the time of this writing). While it may not be as big as some US aquariums, this one is a prime attraction in Italy, with 71 tanks, 10,000 square meters, and even a petting zoo.