Liguria, Italy Overview
Come with us on our immersive deep dive into beautiful Liguria beyond the tourist hot spots. Discover the less traversed, yet equally impressive, people, places, and food of this incredible northern Italian region.
Our six day experience takes you from the city of Genoa, resplendent with palazzi built on the gains of the city's maritime prowess, to the nearby hills where basil and marjoram grow wild and are the basis of the region's iconic dishes. Of course no trip to Liguria would be complete without time spent at a pastel colored town overlooking the sea. Our favorite hidden spots in Liguria enchant and delight every visitor and we can't wait to share them with you.
SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE - 10 guests maximum
Our group trips are small and intimate. With a maximum of 10 guests on tour, we can reach smaller towns and enjoy more personal experiences than is possible with larger groups.
Learn more about what to expect on tour
TOUR LEADER AND HOST: OLIVIA WINDSOR
Leading your food and wine adventure in Liguria your host Olivia is an Australian woman living in Italy, who has a huge love for the land of la dolce vita, cooking, food and wine. She has spent the last few years learning Italian (not to mention some Piemontese dialect!), immersing herself in the culture, and working on organic farms, wineries and agriturismi across Italy. Check out Olivia's adventures in Italy on her Instagram @livguine
THE MAGIC OF PESTO
Pesto is the celebrated sauce of Liguria. This delicious mixture of fragrant basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil and pine nuts is a staple of the region and we're going to find out why. We visit an organic basil farm where the herb is lovingly cultivated and learn how to make our very own batch of tasty, green pesto to eat over lunch.
ITALY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWNS
Liguria is famous for the Cinque Terre but it is also home to some of the most charming towns in all of Italy that most visitors never see. From colorful coastal hamlets to hilltop towns surrounded by olive groves, each with cobbled streets and Medieval charm, you're sure to fall in love with at least one of the beautiful hamlets we explore on tour.
LOCAL FOOD AND WINE
Ligurian cuisine is fresh and tasty and influenced as much by the nearby mountains as the sea. Expect fragrant dishes that take full advantage of the abundant herbs growing throughout the region - basil (of course) and also marjoram. Anchovies and mackerel are marinated and vegetables served stuffed with cheese and potatoes, while a typical meat protein is local rabbit. Olive oil is used in abundance in Ligurian cooking and we'll find out why this light variety is perfect for creating both savory and sweet dishes. Wine varieties of the region include Pigato and Granaccia, made from vines cultivated on mineral rich hills.
GENOA - REGION CAPITAL AND FORMER MARITIME POWER
Location : Genova, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy
Once one of the famed and powerful maritime republics of the Italian peninsula, Genoa is now the capital of the region of Liguria. Birthplace of Christopher Columbus and home to many wealthy citizens who made their fortunes thanks to the new world discoveries, the city's palazzi are testament to their influence and prestige. Today Genoa is a bustling port city in the center of Italy's Riviera coastline with a proud food and wine tradition. We'll taste our way through its colorful streets and markets and meet some of the locals who keep Genovese traditions alive.
PASTA COOKING CLASS
Each region in Italy is proud of their local pasta dishes and Liguria is no exception. Here the dough is the perfect foil for delicious basil pesto or cheese filled ravioli with walnut sauce. Making (and eating) pasta is one of life's great pleasures and you'll learn how to make a delicious Ligurian pasta dish with which you can later impress family and friends. Buonissimo!
ITINERARY DOWNLOAD
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