Pesto, Pasta, and the Cinque Terre

Day One

• Arrive at Levanto train station and private transfer to the agriturismo, your accommodations for the week.
• Meet the owner of the farmhouse and get an introduction to the estate and its organic products, olive groves, and vineyards.
• Enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by a light dinner featuring typical Ligurian ingredients, wine included.
• Overnight.

Day Two

• Enjoy breakfast out on the enchanting flower-filled terrace.
• In the morning, a private car will transfer you to Levanto to meet your private guide. In Levanto, visit the ancient church of Sant’Andrea — the symbol of the village with its black and white stripe facade; and visit the local food market to learn about the fresh vegetables and herbs that are a part of Ligurian cuisine, as well as the fish, olive oil, honey, and other typical products.
• Light lunch in Levanto.
• In the afternoon, attend your first hands-on cooking class with the chef of your accommodations. Chef Alberto will teach you how to prepare typical Ligurian recipes, such as foccacia in the Genovese style, vegetable quiches, and the region’s renowned pesto.
• An aperitvo will be served out on the terrace followed by candlelight dinner based on your efforts.
• Overnight.

Day Three

• Breakfast.
• Meet your guide in the morning for a full-day tour of the Cinque Terre. You’ll visit the villages of Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Manarola — these towns make up this stunning area of shoreline and rocky cliffs. Stop for lunch in a typical Manarola restaurant with wonderful views of the sea.
• Dinner on your own. (Return transfer by private car included).
• Overnight.

Day Four

• Breakfast.
• Meet your guide at the agriturismo, and then take a train to Corniglia. Once there, you’ll depart on a hike that follows Volastra’s Ring, passing through typical Ligurian vineyards (that produce Sciacchetrà wine), and ending in Manarola.
• Your guide will make a recommendation for lunch (on your own).
• Return to Levanto by train.
• In the afternoon, attend your second hands-on cooking class, in which you’ll prepare such dishes as pansotti and pesce alla ligure. Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
• Overnight.

Day Five

• Breakfast.
• Today is a day on your own. Perhaps take an excursion by train to Portofino and San Fruttuoso, rest at the agriturismo, explore Monterosso, or visit the other villages of the Cinque Terre. You may also rent a bike and take the bike trail that goes along an old railway from Levanto to the enchanting villages of Bonassola and Framura; biking along the sea, you’ll discover marvelous, untouched bays. (The bike route is very easy as it follows an old railway bed.)
• A farewell dinner in a gourmet restaurant in Levanto, and transfers to/from the farmhouse.
• Overnight.

Day Six

• Breakfast followed by departure to Levanto train station.