Sample Itinerary - Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre

I love the scent of fresh basil and the Mediterranean sea! I am thrilled to have found a fantastic location in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. Our home for the week is Hotel Pasquale in Monterosso al Mare, owned by the wonderful and welcoming Pasini family. We will use the professional restaurant kitchen for our hands-on cooking classes. We'll be cooking just a few feet from the beach! The villa has an organic garden that we'll pull our ingredients from for each class. We'll cook classic Ligurian meals including Focaccia al Formaggio (delicious warm focaccia with creamy melted cheese), Homemade "Butterfly" Pasta with Peas, Ham and Parmigiano,  Fritto Misto with Salsa Verde, Lasagne with Pesto, Lamb Chops with Artichokes, Baked Stuffed Peaches, and Warm Walnut Cake with Mascarpone, just to name a few. We'll tour the five villages of the Cinque Terre, visit a bakery to learn how to make authentic focaccia, taste all the best local wines, and of course a boat excursion to the stunning resort town of Portofino for lunch and some shopping!

This itinerary gives an overview of a typical weeklong course in the Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre. Please note that itineraries are subject to change at anytime.

If you have questions, contact us. Specific terms and conditions are detailed on the reservation form.

Day One

Our bus and my Italian Riviera assistant meet everyone at the train station in Pisa in the late afternoon and transfer to the Hotel Pasquale. Arrive at the hotel to a grand welcome and sumptuous dinner prepared by Joanne and her assistants.

Day Two

First hands-on cooking class with Joanne in the Hotel Pasquale professional kitchen, followed by lunch al fresco. Free time to tour the village of Monterosso al Mare or just relax by the pool. Afternoon cooking class followed by dinner at the Hotel Pasquale.

Day Three

All day excursion to explore the five breathtaking villages of the Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore. We'll stroll the “Via dell’Amore” and enjoy a gelato on the way home. Return to Hotel Pasquale for third cooking class with dinner.

Day Four

Morning cooking class at Hotel Pasquale followed by lunch. Afternoon visit and tour of a local winery followed by a tour of an olive oil mill. Return to Hotel Pasquale for dinner.

Day Five

Visit to a local bakery to see how traditional focaccia is made. We'll then head to the docks where we'll prepare a fresh-off-the-boat fisherman's stew (with our focaccia to dip in) and enjoy the scenery. We'll go out to dinner at one of Joanne's favorite trattorias.

Day Six

After breakfast we'll board a boat for an excursion to the beautiful town of Portofino. We'll enjoy lunch outside then some free time for shopping. Return to the Hotel Pasquale for a celebration dinner prepared by Joanne and her assistants!

Day Seven

Goodbye breakfast and farewells! Bus will transfer you to the train station in Pisa.

Questions? Contact us.