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Overview

Splendid Santa Margherita and the Cinque Terre

Currently not available, please see our similar experiences: Culinary Vacations in Liguria, Italy.

Experience the magic of the Italian Riviera with a four night stay in Santa Margherita. Liguria is one of the loveliest and most picturesque regions of Italy. This region is home to captivating seaside villages such as Santa Margherita, Portofino and Camogli and further south to the simply captivating towns of the Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazza, Coniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The coastline is breathtaking, with pastel colored villages crowned with medieval churches and abbeys rising up on dramatic rocky outcrops, and vineyards and olive groves descending vertically down to the turquoise sparkling sea. Lush pine forests hug the coastline, shading many trekking paths between villages. This land is so rich in history, culture, natural beauty, perfumes and mouth-watering cuisine, it will give you an extraordinary Italian experience.

igurian cuisine is the true Mediterranean diet and is characterized by its use of fresh herbs and vegetables such as basil, bay leaves, fennel, marjoram, zucchini (courgette), eggplant (aubergine), seafood (anchovies, swordfish, sea bass, etc) and of course extra virgin olive oil and fragrant wines. Local specialties of the area include Focaccia (delicious flatbread), Pesto Genovese (gorgeous sauce made with basil, pine nuts, walnuts, Parmigiano and Pecorino cheese, and ample olive oil and garlic – all served over pasta), Vegetable quiches, Pansoti (hand made pasta).

Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the most charming and elegant seaside towns of the Italian Riviera, located between Portofino and the Cinque Terre. This small town is worldwide famous for its wonderful natural landscape and historic villas as well as its special style of life. Santa Margherita boasts a range of things to see, from local antique shops to beautiful cathedrals.


Latest Review

We gave this trip 5 stars
Eric & Sandy
Hawaii
Trip taken May 2018
Thank you for creating this wonderful experience for us. We loved it!

Trip Details

The objective of your 2 hands-on cooking lessons is to experience the heart and soul of Liguria through food, history, and culture, more than just a list of ingredients and how to cook them. Your hands-on lessons will take place at a local cooking atelier in Portofino and will feature typical Ligurian cuisine and simple, yet fresh and flavorful ingredients.

Itinerary

Garden of the Continental hotel, your home for your cooking vacation in LiguriaDay One

  • Arrival on your own in Santa Margherita, Liguria.
  • Accommodation at the hotel and welcome cocktail with tasting of typical Ligurian gastronomic fare (anchovies, focaccia, vegetable quiche, pesto).
  • Free time to walk to the ancient city center or along the elegant seaside promenade.
  • Dinner in a typical Ligurian restaurant.

Tagliatelle pasta with pesto enjoyed on a Ligurian cooking vacationDay Two

  • In the morning, you will attend your first hands-on cooking class. Your chef will teach you how to prepare the most typical Ligurian recipes. You can reach the class in Portofino either by public bus, ferry, or taxi (the hotel concierge will help you make arrangements).
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Afternoon on your own: we suggest you spend some additional time in the wonderful small village of Portofino.
  • From Portofino you can reach San Fruttuoso by public boat. San Fruttuoso is another small fishing village in a deep inlet along the coastline of the Portofino promontory, one of the most beautiful places in the Italian Riviera.
    In the late afternoon don’t miss the fish market in Santa Margherita where fishermen sell the catch of the day.
  • Dinner tonight on your own at one of the many wonderful seaside restaurants in town.

View of Manarola in the Cinque Terre and visited on a culinary tour of LiguriaDay Three

  • After breakfast, meet your guide for a full day tour of the Cinque Terre: you will visit the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Manarola which make up this stunning area of shoreline dotted with villages and rocky cliffs.
  • Enjoy a tasting lunch in the most typical restaurant of the Cinque Terre.
  • Visit an organic farm which produces wines, olive oil and grapefruit.
  • Return to Santa Margherita. Dinner on your own.

Typical Italian products enjoyed on a cooking vacation in LiguriaDay Four

  • In the morning make your way again to Portofino for your second cooking lesson, and the chef will teach you how to prepare typical Ligurian dishes.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Afternoon on your own.
  • Dinner in Santa Margherita.

Day Five

  • Check out and departure.

Trip Details

Included in the 4-Night Trip

Accommodations

4 nights accommodation in seaview junior suite at 4* hotel

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 3 lunches (beverages not included)
  • 2 dinners (beverages not included)

Classes & Instructors

The objective of your 2 hands-on cooking lessons is to experience the heart and soul of Liguria through food, history, and culture, more than just a list of ingredients and how to cook them. Your hands-on lessons will take place at a local cooking atelier in Portofino and will feature typical Ligurian cuisine and simple, yet fresh and flavorful ingredients.

Excursions

  • Full day excursion to Cinque Terre, including farm visit

Transfer Details

  • Arrival and departure transfers are not included, but the hotel is within easy walking distance of the train station.

Miscellaneous

  • Train tickets and English-speaking guide for Cinque Terre excursion

Not Included

  • Drinks with meals
  • Transportation to and from cooking classes (the atelier is an easy bus, ferry, or taxi ride from Santa Margherita)

Accommodation Information

The Hotel Continental Santa Margherita lies on the Italian Riviera and offers stunning views of the sea, a private beach, and luscious garden. The 73 rooms and junior suites have been recently renovated and offer all the expected comforts of a 4* hotel.  (If unavailable a comparable 4* hotel will be substituted.)

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Pricing & Tour Dates



Pricing:
February through October

4-night Program

US$2600 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$375 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
  • Subtract US$300 per person when booking 4 or more people

Currently not available, please see our similar experiences: Culinary Vacations in Liguria, Italy.


Tour Dates

Currently not available, please see our similar experiences: Culinary Vacations in Liguria, Italy.

Reviews

We gave this trip 5 stars
Eric & Sandy
Hawaii
Trip taken May 2018
Thank you for creating this wonderful experience for us. We loved it!

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