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Culinary Tour of the Italian Riviera with Dorothy Tague
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Join Pittsburgh culinary instructor Dorothy Tague and friends on an exploration of the Italian Riviera in this fabulous 9-night trip.
The Italian Riviera is the thin strip of Italian coastline that borders France (and the French Riviera) in Northern Italy. This strip of land is also called the Ligurian Riviera, since it lies in the beautiful region of Liguria.
The Italian Riviera hugs the coast of the Ligurian Sea, giving it and its cuisine a wonderful Mediterranean flavor. The region is narrow, bordered on one side by the sea and on the other by the mountains, which rise up quickly from the coast. The result is a stunning array of perched villages, beautiful beaches, steep cliffs, natural reserves, and an extremely temperate climate.
One of the most famous areas of the Italian Riviera are the Cinque Terre – the famed five linked villages that comprise a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site – but the coastline is full of other gorgeous hamlets and towns as well, not to mention Liguria’s beautiful capital city of Genoa.
Among the most stunning of the famed towns of Liguria is Chiavari, your home for the first 5 nights, and the old fishing village of Portofino, which you also visit. These small town are known for their brightly painted buildings that are clustered around the harbor and beach.
After your fabulous stay in the eastern part of the Italian Riviera, you will head toward the western Riviera, which borders France and Monaco. Your home base for the last four nights will be the famed town of Sanremo. This part of the Riviera is known as the “Riviera di Ponente” (Western Riviera or Riviera of the Setting Sun).
From here you will explore more of the gastronomy of the Italian riviera. You will even enjoy a full day excursion to the nearby French Riviera (just an hour away) and the Principality of Monaco!
During the 9-night journey you will learn all about Ligurian cuisine – from focaccia to seafood stews, from pesto to stuffed pastas, from unique wines and citrus fruits to flavorful olive oil. Your hands-on cooking classes and unique food tastings will be mixed with plenty of opportunity to also explore the cultural sites and beautiful landscapes of the Italian Riviera.
Culinary Vaction in Liguria with Dorothy Tague
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Day One – Welcome to the Italian Riviera
- Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival at Milan Airport, you will meet your private driver and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the Ligurian Riviera, where the sea, pastel-colored villages, and gentle coastal light set the tone for your journey.
- After check-in at your hotel, take some time to relax before gathering for a welcome dinner – the perfect introduction to Ligurian flavors.
- Overnight in the Eastern Ligurian Riviera.
Day Two - Santa Margherita and Camogli Tasting Tour
- After a leisurely breakfast, meet your local guide and take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure. Start the day with an Italian cappuccino or espresso at a historic café, then wander the charming alleys lined with painted palaces.
- Take a scenic public ferry ride to the postcard-perfect village of Portofino and enjoy its famous harbor and quaint “piazzetta.”
- Continue by public boat to Camogli, a picturesque fishing village and the birthplace of focaccia al formaggio. Enjoy a guided stroll along the promenade and harbor before heading to a sea-view terrace for a live focaccia-making demonstration and a light panoramic lunch with local wine.
- In the afternoon, return by train to Chiavari for some rest and relaxation. Dinner is at your leisure.
- Overnight in the Eastern Ligurian Riviera.
Day Three - Chiavari Artisans and Flavors Ligurian Cooking Class Led By a Food Writer
- After breakfast, meet your expert local guide and explore Chiavari, a hidden gem largely untouched by tourism. Wander the historic alleys and vibrant open-air food market, discover artisanal workshops, and pause at a historic pastry shop to savor local cookies.
- Visit a traditional trattoria to taste Farinata, a chickpea flour pancake that delights the palate.
- In the afternoon, meet Valentina, a food writer and cookbook photographer, at her cozy cottage overlooking the hills and the sea. Learn to prepare Liguria’s iconic street food, from cheese focaccette to Torta Pasqualina and the famous Farinata, then enjoy a garden dinner of your creations paired with local wines.
- Finally, return to your hotel for rest and relaxation.
- Overnight in the Eastern Ligurian Riviera
Day Four - Cinque Terre Exploration and Exclusive Cooking Experience
- After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to the Cinque Terre and explore two villages with a local guide, wandering alleys, piazzas, and scenic promenades while discovering hidden gems and local traditions. We will make sure the villages and paths are those that do not require strenuous walking, but still allow you the chance to see one of Italy’s most famous and most beautiful national parks.
- Then head to a beautiful wine estate in the hills for a private fresh pasta cooking class. Learn to prepare traditional Ligurian pasta under the guidance of your expert hosts, then enjoy a lunch featuring your creations paired with local wines.
- Return to your accommodation.
- Optional:: PRIVATE PORTOVENERE AND THE GULF OF POETS SUNSET BOAT TOUR
Enjoy the magic of sunset aboard a comfortable motorboat. You’ll be welcomed by an expert captain and set sail along the stunning Cinque Terre coast, admiring the colorful villages from the sea. Onboard, savor a delicious Italian aperitivo as you take in the views. Whether you’re seeking a romantic moment of relaxation or want to dance with friends while sipping Cinque Terre wine, this experience adds a special touch to your day. (Cost for the experience is $900 – max 8 people.) - Dinner in Chiavari.
- Overnight in the Eastern Ligurian Riviera
Day Five - Genoa Old Town and Cooking Class a Palazzo
- Today, take the train to Genoa accompanied by your local guide. Spend the morning discovering the labyrinth of narrow streets in the medieval old town, the largest in Europe after Venice. Be captivated by its authentic charm and striking contrasts, and explore traditional shops that have been passed down through generations.
- Your day continues with a special pesto class. A local culinary expert will welcome you to a noble historic palace and teach you to make pesto using a traditional mortar and pestle, just as generations of locals have done. After the class, enjoy the fruits of your labor, tasting your freshly made pasta along with other regional specialties.
- Finally, return to Chiavari by train, and spend the evening enjoying dinner and relaxation at your hotel.
- Overnight in the Eastern Ligurian Riviera
Day Six - Towards the Western Liguria Riviera
- Breakfast and check-out
- Enjoy a private transfer to Sanremo, with a stop en route to visit and have lunch in the well-preserved medieval village of Finalborgo. With a private guide, wander its picturesque alleys and lively squares, admiring centuries-old painted facades that have remained untouched.
- In the afternoon, continue to Sanremo, check in at your hotel, relax, and enjoy a welcome aperitif.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight on the Western Ligurian Riviera
Day Seven - From Market to table: Italian Home Cooking
- Today is dedicated to the joy of home-cooked meals, always delicious, full of warmth and authenticity. In typical Italian homes, there is always plenty of food to welcome guests and share memorable moments together.
- Your day begins with a leisurely stroll through the charming, family-run shops and stalls of the Sanremo Fruit and Vegetable Market, where you can discover the freshest local ingredients in season.
- In the afternoon, you head back to the kitchen, where a local expert will guide you through the art of preparing a complete Italian meal, sharing tips and techniques along the way. The experience also includes an Italian aperitivo with Prosecco and the opportunity to taste local specialties such as extra virgin olive oil and Taggiasca olives.
- The day concludes with a relaxed, family-style lunch, followed by your afternoon and evening at leisure.
- Today you might want to head to the Sanremo Casino, or enjoy a promenade by the sea, or dine in “La Pigna,” the medieval Old Town.
- Overnight on the Western Ligurian Riviera
Day Eight - Nice Food Tour and Monte Carlo Stop
- Enjoy a full day exploring the culinary delights of Nice, followed by a stop in Monte Carlo on the way back to Sanremo.
- A private transfer will take you from Sanremo to Nice, where you’ll meet your local guide for a food tour of the city. During the tour, you’ll have the chance to taste some of Nice’s specialties, including Socca, Pissaladière, and Farcis Niçois, accompanied by a refreshing glass of rosé.
- After the food tour, enjoy a bit of free time for lunch at your leisure in Nice.
- In the afternoon, the private transfer continues to Monte Carlo, where you can explore the glamorous city. An optional visit to the Monte Carlo Casino is available.
- At the end of the day, the transfer will return you to Sanremo.
Day Nine - Sanremo's Olive Grove Escape: Visit to a Family Olive Mill
- Today, leaving the lively coast of Sanremo behind, you’ll journey into the gentle Ligurian hills, where terraces of olive trees stretch across the landscape.
- Nestled among the groves, a historic family-run olive mill awaits, where the tradition of producing Taggiasca olive oil has been lovingly passed down through generations. During a guided tour, you’ll explore the mill, learn about its workings, and gain insight into the culture behind this prized oil. Your tour will be followed by a tasting of their exceptional extra virgin olive oil, paired with local beer and regional specialties.
- After a leisurely lunch at a nearby trattoria, you’ll return to the hotel to relax before the farewell dinner.
- Overnight on the Western Ligurian Riviera
Day Ten - Arrivederci Day
- After breakfast and check-out, private transfer to Milan Airport for your departure.
Custom Culinary Vacation in the Italian Riviera with Dorothy Tague Trip Details
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Included in the 9-Night Culinary Vacation on the Italian Riviera
Accommodations- 5 nights 4* hotel in Chiavari with breakfast (Hotel Monte Rosa: Deluxe Rooms)
- 4 nights 5* hotel in Sanremo with breakfast (Hotel Europa Palace: Rooms with a view of the casino)
Food & Beverages- 9 breakfasts
- 5 dinners (wine included)
- 7 lunches (wine included)
- Additional food tastings as per program
Classes & InstructorsYour exclusive culinary tour of Liguria includes four hands-on cooking class featuring local chefs and specialties. During your excursion to Chiavari, you will meet Chef Valentina in her home, a cozy cottage overlooking the hills and the sea. Valentina is a celebrated food writer and cookbook photographer who will teach you to cook delicacies associated with Liguria’s iconic street food, such as cheese focaccette, Torta Pasqualina, and the famous Farinata. Afterward you will dine together in her garden and enjoy a wine pairing. Your second cooking class will take place in the Cinque Terre at a beautiful wine estate in the hills. You will take part in a private class focusing on the art of perfecting fresh pasta. You will learn to prepare traditional Ligurian pasta with the help of your expert hosts, followed by a lunch featuring your creations along with a wine pairing. Your next class is very special and will take place in Genoa, where you will have the opportunity to make a classic pesto from scratch. A local chef will welcome you to a noble historic palace and teach you to make pesto using a traditional mortar and pestle in the classic style. Finally, in Sanremo, you head back to the kitchen for your best work yet. Your chef instructor will guide you through the steps of preparing a complete Italian meal, with all the accoutements. During your class, you will also enjoy an Italian aperitivo with Prosecco and the a tasting of local specialties such as extra virgin olive oil and Taggiasca olives.
Excursions- Private guide in Santa Margherita, Portofino & Camogli.
- Half-day guided visit in Chiavari.
- Full-day private guid in Cinque Terre.
- Full-Day Excursion to Genoa with Guide
- Tastings in the old shops of Genoa
- Half-day private guide in Finalborgo
- Food Tour in Sanremo
- Excursions to Nice and Monaco with Private Guide
- Food Tour of Nice
- Visit to an Historic Olive Mill
Transfer Details- Group transfers are included to and from the Milan Airport.
MiscellaneousDue to circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary and activities may be subject to change without notice and be replaced with similar tours and activities of equal or greater value
Not Included
- Meals and beverages other than those mentioned above
- Transfers other than those mentioned above
- Entrance fees
- City tax (a few Euros per person, per night)
Accommodation Information
The 4* Hotel Monte Rosa in Chiavari is a historic building located at the center of town, just a stone’s throw from the sea. The accommodations feature a pool and jacuzzi, with multiple dining options including a restaurant and a more casual bistro. The hotel’s chef is an expert in regional dishes with a dedication to honoring Mediterranean cooking traditions in his dishes. Your deluxe room includes typical luxury amenities as well as a waterfall showerhead and air conditioning.
Enjoy time in the jacuzzi or pool between activities
Your deluxe bedroom
Get cozy in your deluxe accommodations
Enjoy a premium view with luxury amenities
Each room features a unique interior design
Spacious bathroom with waterfall shower
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Hotel Europa Palace will be your home away from home during your time in Sanremo. The iconic 5-star hotel has been a landmark of Riviera hospitality since 1874. The building has been fully refurbished in an elegant, contemporary style, and it is now a destination within a destination in the city of flowers and music. The hotel offers several dining options, with terrace dining available as well as a restaurant on the ground floor. Guests may choose to book spa or wellness services, and may enjoy access to the on-site gym at their leisure. You will stay in a room overlooking the famous Sanremo Casino, built in the early 20th-century with a strict adherence to the Art Nouveau style, making it a beautiful and complex feat of modern architecture.
Your historic accommodations in Sanremo
You will enjoy a premium view of the casino
Room includes plenty of storage and space to relax
Deluxe bathroom with waterfall shower
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Custom Culinary Tour on the Italian Riviera
See the pricing and tour dates of our custom tour of the Italian Riviera and book your vacation today!
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The Italian Riviera 9-Night Tour Pricing
See moreUS$6485 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$1260 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!Gastronomic Tour on the Italian Riviera with Dorothy Tague Tour Dates
See moreOne Time Departure – October 6 – October 15, 2026
This trip requires a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 12.
We can help plan your dream vacation on the Italian Riviera!
Whether you need help planning additional nights, transfers, or excursions, we are available to help you plan the very best cooking holiday in the Italy.
