Tasty Liguria and Parma
Liguria/Parma, Italy - 7 nights
Available April to October
Attention Foodies! If you are looking for a tasty Italian tour to discover some of the country's most treasured foods then this tour could very well be the one for you. Discover the Cinque Terre and enjoy a pesto making class in the place from where pesto originated - Genoa! You will also participate in a hands-on cooking class in Parma and you will discover the gastronomic delights of this delicious city through tastings in the food capital of Italy!
This seven night program provides an opportunity to experience two great regions of Italy - Liguria and Emilia Romagna. You will stay in two accommodations: a four star boutique hotel in Santa Margherita and a boutique bed and breakfast in Parma.
You will taste incredible wines, different types of focaccia, the famous Parma ham and Parmesan, balsamic vinegar and much more.
Discover the colorful villages of Portofino and Camogli and become immersed in this foodie's paradise!
SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY ONE
WELCOME TO LIGURIA
Arrival on your own and check in to your 4* hotel in Santa Margherita. Recommended arrival time is around 3pm.
Relax and start feeling the Italian "Dolce Vita" way of life.
Overnight in Santa Margherita.
DAY TWO
PORTOFINO & THE LIGURIAN FOCACCIA
After breakfast, meeting at the hotel with your private guide. Together you will discover the elegant coastal resort of Santa Margherita with its gardens, ancient villas and the fishing harbor.
Then you will reach by train the super picturesque fishing village of Camogli. It will fascinate you with its tall and colorful fishermen’s houses aligned along the wonderful pebble beach. Here you will discover the Ligurian Focaccia by visiting our preferred bakery where you will see how Focaccia is produced. You will taste different recipes such as the plain focaccia, cheese focaccia, the one with olives and many more.
In the afternoon you will reach Portofino and take a stroll in the picturesque village, among colorful houses, yachts and design boutiques.
Return to Santa Margherita with a panoramic trip by public boat. Overnight in Santa Margherita.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Light Lunch (rich focaccia tasting)
DAY THREE
DISCOVER THE CINQUE TERRE PICTURESQUE VILLAGES & ITS WINES
After breakfast, meeting at the hotel with your private guide and train transfer to the Cinque Terre area. Through your local expert guide’s eyes you will understand why these villages, which are not an “all inclusive paradise” tourist resort, have been celebrated by writers and poets and quoted as “a paradise on earth!”
Here Mediterranean trees and plants grow up spontaneously representing one of the best preserved natural areas of the Mediterranean, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
You will enjoy an authentic experience through this area and its people and will visit the picturesque villages and reach the beautiful vineyard of a local producer where you will taste the “heroic” Cinque Terre wines paired with local appetizers.
Transfers between the Cinque Terre villages by train. Return to Santa Margherita by train. Overnight in Santa Margherita.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY FOUR
VISIT GENOA & LEARN TO PREPARE PESTO
After breakfast, reach Genoa with a short train ride (roundtrip train tickets are included). You will meet your private guide in Genoa and start a
3 hour walking tour.
Genoa combines noble palaces, a maze of narrow alleyways, a fascinating waterfront and incredible traditional shops still untouched. Accompanied by your insider, today you will discover all of this.
You will take a walk along the medieval alleyways “carrugi”, stopping in the squares and in the Renaissance streets of the historical town. You will hear about stories which talk about how the richest Genoese medieval merchant families have been transformed into families of important bankers during the past centuries. Visiting the districts of the main noble families you will discover odd stories, virtues and vices of men and women who have made the great history of Genoa.
Wandering through the historical center (the biggest Medieval historical center in Europe after Venice!) you will be fascinated by old food and artisans’ shops dating back to centuries ago. Here tradition has been passed down from generations and things are done as in past times. Your expert guide will lead you to traditional food shops such as the old “friggitorie” serving friscieu (fried croquettes filled with herbs), farinata, fried fresh seafood eaten at the counter or to take away, the prestigious old pastry cafè where the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi loved to spend his time tasting the pastries and then, the unique “Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano”, a shop that has been in the city for 200 years.
Around lunch time, the guide will leave and our local culinary expert will welcome you to a magnificent Renaissance palace where, under stuccoes and frescoes, you will have a private pesto class to learn to prepare the typical Genoese sauce with mortar and pestle.
After the pesto lesson you will taste the fruit of your labor with a dish of Trofiette (typical local pasta).
Return to Santa Margherita by train on your own (tickets are included). Overnight in Santa Margherita.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Light Lunch
DAY FIVE
COOKING CLASS IN PARMA
Spend the morning in Santa Margherita maybe doing some shopping in the elegant boutiques or just enjoying a walk along the sea.
In the early afternoon, you will leave the Italian Riviera and reach Parma in less than 2 hours drive (transfer by private driver).
Check in at your boutique BB in Parma.
Parma is the capital of the Italian Food Valley, where Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma were born and is also a beautiful town with a magnificent Medieval cathedral and baptistery besides the famous Teatro Regio. You will immediately be immersed in the traditional flavors of the local cuisine with a special cooking class held in a beautiful family villa of the early 1900's.
In a large kitchen, you will learn to make the dough and the filling with the help of a nice traditional cook, the hostess. You will learn how to prepare tortelli d'erbetta (pasta that is stuffed with ricotta and spinach and seasoned with butter and parmesan) and another specialty, the Rosa di Parma, a preparation of meat with Parmesan cheese and Parma ham. Finally a delicious dessert, the Sbrisolona, made with almonds and corn flour. You will then have the satisfaction of sitting at the table to taste what you have prepared together with other products from the territory and a good glass of local wine. You will experience a unique and fun experience with three doughs, pans, good food and a good mood!
Roundtrip private transfer from the hotel to the cooking class location is included. Overnight in Parma.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY SIX
PARMESAN CHEESE, PROSCIUTTO & BALSAMIC VINEGAR
After breakfast, meet your local guide and private driver.
The morning will begin with a visit to the dairy that will show you how one of the most famous Parma gastronomic delicacies in the world is produced. You will see how the milk is processed and transformed into Parmigiano Reggiano, you will discover why this cheese, without any chemical additives, can be preserved for years improving its quality and finally you will learn to distinguish the various maturations thanks to the tasting guided by our expert.
Then you will reach a family-run ham factory where the real Parma Ham is born. You will visit the various departments and see the phases of the work in progress. From the raw material to the aromas of the seasoning rooms, you will discover the secrets of this famous salami and savor its incredible sweetness.
At lunch, you will be welcomed in a simple but very authentic “Osteria” on the hills around Parma where you taste the local recipes (you will see they are different from the ones you may have tasted in Bologna).
Your day continues with a visit to a local producer of balsamic vinegar. He will unveil the secrets of the production of this precious nectar and you will have the possibility to taste it. It’s all a matter of time, care and family traditions...it will fascinate you.
Overnight in Parma.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY SEVEN
PARMA – ART & FOOD - 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR
Meet your private guide at the hotel.
You will dedicate the morning to the visit of Parma starting from the imposing Ducal Palace that housed the Farnese court. Inside, you will visit the splendid Farnese Theater, a unique theater built entirely of wood and marble. You will continue the journey among the art jewels of Parma, painting, frescoes and the amazing Piazza Duomo where the Cathedral and the Baptistery awaits you.
During the tour your guide will tell you about some of the nicest anecdotes, such as why the violet has become one of his symbols of Parma.
You will finish your tour with a delicious lunch in a very authentic local “trattoria”.
Afternoon at your disposal. Overnight in Parma.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY EIGHT
ARRIVEDERCI DAY
Check-out and departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
*The content or order of the itinerary may change depending on dates, availability of services or activities, local festivals/holidays, weather constraints, etc.
*Menus are samples and may vary according to the season
GROUP SIZE
A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour in limited to a maximum of 6 participants. Please inquire about larger groups.
(The number of participants refers to how many persons are required to run the tour, not to how many persons you must have in your party. Please inquire.)
HOW TO ARRIVE
CLOSEST AIRPORTS/TRAIN STATIONS:
For Arrival:
Genoa Airport - Less than one hour from Santa Margherita Ligure
Milan Airport - Guests can take a direct train to Rapallo or Santa Margherita (about 2 hours from Milan Centrale train station)
*These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour.
2024 Fees Per Person
Double Room/Starting From US$4325
Single Supplement/Please inquire
*Please inquire about lower pricing based on 4 or more persons
*Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation
Deposit
After availability is confirmed, a 30% non-refundable deposit and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 75 days before your arrival date.
2024 Dates
Available April to October. Based on availability.
Included
*Four (4) nights' accommodation in a 4* boutique hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure, breakfast included (based on availability)
*Three (3) nights' accommodation in a boutique B&B in Parma, breakfast included (based on availability)
*Full day private guide on day 2, 3, 6
*Half day private guide on day 4 and 7
*Focaccia tasting
*Private wine experience in Cinque Terre
*Private pesto class in Genoa
*Private cooking class in Parma
*Private visit to the Parmesan cheese, Parma ham and balsamic vinegar producers Lunch in Parma
*Private transfer from Santa Margherita to Parma
*Full day private transfer on day 6
*Roundtrip private transportation to the cooking class in Parma
*Train transfers on day 2, 3, 4
*Roundtrip ferry tickets from Santa Margherita - Portofino
Not Included:
*Airfare
*Arrival and departure transfers (transfers can be arranged upon request - please inquire)
*City tax
*Meals not included in the above list Flights
*Travel insurance
*Personal expenses
*All that is not included in the above
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Furnished upon request.
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This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE.
*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.
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