Traditional breads of Liguria

The Cinque Terre on a culinary tour of Italy

Tagliatelle pasta with pesto enjoyed on a Ligurian cooking vacation

Sea view from Levanto on a culinary tour of Italy

View of the town of Levanto on a culinary tour of Italy

Olive trees in Italy

Vineyards and olive groves in the Cinque Terre

Exterior and garden at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Double room at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Bedroom at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Room detail at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Vineyard at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Table outside at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

View from the outside of the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Garden at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Terrace of the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Overview

Pesto, Pasta, and the Cinque Terre

This trip is eligible for our Worry-Free Booking promotion.

Liguria may be known best for the Cinque Terre, but travel up the coast and you’ll discover a hidden gem: the charming surf town of Levanto, also known as ‘the northern door of the Cinque Terre.’ Similar to the Cinque Terre — or ‘five lands’ — Levanto is populated with colorful houses, 20th-century villas overlooking the sea, and small vineyards producing Sciacchetrà wine. The cuisine here too hails from the garden, sea, and woods, making any local dish a veritable feast of the senses. From seafood to honey, marmalades, and olive patés, delicacies abound. But don’t forget about the herbs — rosemary, sage, thyme, and most importantly basil — as they play an integral role in the regional cuisine, such as the famous Genovese pesto.

Your Italian cooking vacation in Liguria will introduce you to the flavors and sights of one of Italy’s most beautiful regions!

Latest Review

We gave this trip 5 stars

★★★★★

Richard & Charla

Ohio

We were totally satisfied with the location of the classes. The villa (Villanova) was beautiful and the grounds were perfect. The little Church really set the place apart from other places in Italy! Cant say enough about the owners and staff, so friendly and helpful and wonderful English. The mix of cooking, eating and hiking the villages was perfect for us, we have hiked there before but the additional of a guide was a great idea. The weather was perfect so hiking was exceptional. Levanto was a great little seaside village with a low tourist crowd, we were there at the end of the season so not sure about high season. Having car service included in package was a big plus!! We could not get the hang of the trains. Breakfast at Villanova was perfect and the terrace was fabulous. The rooms were very nice with a kitchen so you can bring back simple food to eat there, we bought all our wine from the villa. We ate the food from the classes or restaurants, there are many, in Levanto all but one night. Lunches were enjoyed in the villages. The International Kitchen staff: Chicago office was very helpful and we were happy with everything they did for us,, especially advising us the day before we left that the contact in Italy had notified them of a train strike that was to occur the day we were to go to Levanto. The car service in Levanto met us at our Hotel in Milan and drove us down. In fact we used a car and driver to go to Bologna at the end of our 5 days in Levanto then to Ravenna for Mosaic school for 5 days and on to Milan airport, we were gone 18 days in all. Thank you Chicago.

Trip Details

During your 2 hands-on cooking classes you will learn about Ligurian cuisine traditions with Chef Alberto, who grew up in the area and previously owned and operated restaurants of his own. Each of your two hands-on cookery courses will focus on typical Ligurian dishes featuring fresh and flavorful ingredients, many of which come straight from the agriturismo’s property.

Itinerary

5 Night Itinerary

Day One

Arrive at Levanto train station and private transfer to the agriturismo, your accommodations for your Italian cooking vacation.
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.
Your Italian cooking vacation continues with a wonderful day in store! 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, your Italian cooking vacation continues with your second hands-on cooking class, in which you’ll prepare such dishes as pansotti pasta 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.)
Your Italian cooking vacation ends with a farewell dinner in a gourmet restaurant in Levanto (transfers to/from the farmhouse included).
Overnight.

Day Six

Breakfast followed by departure to Levanto train station.

Trip Details

5 Night Details

Included in the 5-Night Trip

Accommodations

5 nights in a junior suite at a farmhouse in Levanto

Food & Beverages

Daily breakfast
2 lunches
3 dinners
Local products tastings on day 1 (wine included)

Classes & Instructors

Excursions

Half-day guided visit of Levanto: the church of Sant’Andrea and a local market
Full-day tour of the Cinque Terre
Half-day visit of Corniglia and hike of ‘Volastra’s Ring,’ ending in Manarola

Transfer Details

Private transfers between Levanto train station and your accommodations on arrival and departure

Miscellaneous

Return transportation from dinner on day 3
Train ticket to Corniglia

Not Included

Beverages with meals (except where specified)
Local tourist tax (a few Euros per person per night), paid locally

Accommodation Information

Located just a short drive from the Cinque Terre and 1.5 kilometers from the sea, this 17th century agricultural estate was once the summer home of a Baron. Today, guests can relax on the 15 hectare property, admiring views both of the surrounding olive groves and vineyards but also of a variety of villages in the valleys. Guests from The International Kitchen will stay in junior suite accommodations that feature elegant decorations and antique furniture. Amenities include satellite TV, telephone, heat, and room safe; some rooms have air conditioning. Each and every room has their own garden or terrace with beautiful panaromic views.

View from the outside of the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Terrace of the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Table outside at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Vineyard at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Bedroom at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Double room at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Room detail at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Garden at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

Exterior and garden at the agriturismo during your culinary vacation in Italy

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Pricing & Tour Dates

5 Night Pricing

Looking for tour date information?

Pricing:

5-night Program
US$2875 per person based on double occupancy

30% deposit due to confirm booking.

This trip is eligible for our “Worry-Free Booking” promotion*, which means your deposit is fully refundable up to 31 days prior to the trip start date. Questions? Please contact us!

*See our terms & conditions for details and exclusions.

Single occupancy: please inquire.

Tour Dates

Available the following dates March through October for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates possible, please inquire.

Closed November through February.

2021
May 2-7
May 9-14
May 16-21
May 23-28
May 30-June 4
June 6-11
June 13-18
June 20-25
June 27-July 2
July 4-9
July 11-16
July 18-23
July 25-30
August 1-6
August 8-13
August 15-20
August 22-27
August 29-September 3
September 5-10
September 12-17
September 19-24
September 26-October 1
October 3-8
October 10-15
October 17-22
October 24-29

2022
March 7-12
March 14-19
March 21-27
March 28-April 2
April 4-9
April 11-16
April 18-23
April 25-30
May 2-7
May 9-14
May 16-21
May 23-28
May 30-June 4
June 6-11
June 13-18
June 20-25
June 27-July 2
July 4-9
July 11-16
July 18-23
July 25-30
September 5-10
September 12-17
September 19-24
September 26-October 1
October 3-8
October 10-15
October 17-22
October 24-29

Reviews

We gave this trip 5 stars

★★★★★

Richard & Charla

Ohio

We gave this trip 5 stars

★★★★★

Virginia & Nancy

Massachusetts

Trip taken May 2015

We had a wonderful experience! Alberto, our chef, greeted us upon arrival and made us feel welcome from the start. Our room was upgraded to a junior suite which was a nice bonus. The classes were fun and informative and the results delicious. Andreas, our driver was wonderful and was very responsive to our transportation needs. Julia, our guide in Levanto was great adjusting the schedule to accommodate us. She was also very knowledgeable about Cinque Terre and provided much local color. The only disappointment was the dinner at the Tratteria Cavour on the last night of the program. While the staff was attentive and the service was great, we were somewhat disappointed in the food. We had plenty of food to sample but it wasn't as good as some of the food at other restaurants where we had eaten in Levanto. I'd say the highlights were our meals on the terrace at the Agriturismo Villanova. The setting was so beautiful. Regarding The International Kitchen staff: The staff was very responsive to questions and requests, especially with regard to post planning. I loved everything. Alfredo is a delightful person. We had a lot of fun. The villa is beautifully located. Room was great, very comfortable. Giulia, our guide, was knowledgable and personable. Having cab service was a big help. [Regarding The International Kitchen staff:] It was all fabulous - class, teacher, location, food. The Baron and his staff were courteous, warm, and friendly.