About the location: Chiavari is one of the charming seaside towns of the
Italian Riviera, in a prime location to reach the elegant towns of the
Riviera as well as the extraordinary Cinque Terre. This small town boasts
a range of things to see, from local antique shops to beautiful
cathedrals. The Hotel Monte Rosa is in the heart of the arcaded
medieval town center and just a few yards from the sea. The Bacigalupo
family has renovated the Monte Rosa to provide all modern comforts and
has been providing outstanding Italian hospitality since the beginning of
the twentieth century. Rooms include amenities such as satellite TV and
air conditioning.
About the lessons: For almost a hundred years the Ristorante Monte Rosa
has been on of the most well-known restaurants in the area. You will
have the opportunity to learn Ligurian cuisine from Chef Roberto
Dal Seno, with twenty years experience in Italy and abroad.
Roberto started his apprenticeship one of the best hotels
in Liguira. However, his
passion for haute cuisine convinced him to leave the beautiful area and
move to Paris where he sought the roots of cooking and learned the basics
of French cuisine. A few years later, he took the opportunity to further
expand his gastronomical background and rode the wave of the Oriental vogue.
He moved to Tokyo with an important assignment and his love of fusion cuisine was born.
Upon finishing his Japanese experience, his broad professional background
gave him the opportunity to become executive chef in one of the most famous
and largest hotels in Trentino at a very young age. Having further enhanced
his professional background, he left the mountain air to return to the sea
and finally entered the world of Starwood Hotels, first as a chef for the
restaurant Pescatore in Porto Cervo and later became the “right hand man”
for the executive chef of Cala di Volpe, Franco Guardone.
Roberto always makes time for his real passion; showing people happiness through food.
He does this by developing cooking classes and enhancing restaurant quality all over the world.
With the little time he has available between consulting and cooking,
he spends time with his family and manages to work on fulfilling a childhood
dream; writing his first book — which concentrates on his own personal cooking
style — to be released sometime in 2008.
If Chef Roberto is unavailable, your cooking classes will be with
Chef Ave,
the Bacigalupo matriarch, who will share with you her forty years of
experience in regional recipes.
A Taste of the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre
Chiavari, Liguria
Itinerary
Day One
- Transfer from the Chiavari train station to the Hotel Monte Rosa.
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Welcome dinner at the Ristorante Monte Rosa, wine included.
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Day Two
-
Following breakfast, a half-day guided driving tour of some of the most
elegant towns of the Italian Riviera: Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita,
and Camogli.
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Lunch on your own.
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In the afternoon, your first hands on cooking lesson, followed by dinner
based on your efforts.
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Day Three
- Breakfast.
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In the morning, your second cooking lesson,
followed by lunch based on your efforts.
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In the afternoon, a visit to a local wine shop in the center of Chiavari,
complete with tasting and degustation.
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Dinner on your own tonight. The hotel can assist you in making a
reservation at Ristorante Monte Rosa or another characteristic local
restaurant.
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Day Four
-
Breakfast.
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We have left this day on your own to explore at your leisure the charming
towns of the Cinque Terre. You can easily go from one town to another
by train or boat, or take an invigorating hike through the trails that
connect them. Your hotel can assist you with any arrangements (including train and boat schedules).
-
Return to Chiavari by train in the evening for your farewell dinner at
Ristorante Monte Rosa.
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Day Five
- Breakfast and departure on your own.
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US$1360 per person based on double occupancy
US$160 single supplement
Private airport transfers available upon request
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2008 Tour Dates
Available on request for a minimum of 2 people. Preferred start dates are Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday,
but other start dates
may be available on request.
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Included in the program
- Four nights accommodation in an extra comfort double room
- Daily breakfast
- Two hands-on cooking classes
- Three dinners and one lunch, local wine included
- Excursions as per itinerary
- Wine shop visit with tasting
- Arrival transfer from train station
- Hotel apron
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Cooking Vacations 
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