Cooking Vacations in Genoa and Portofino, Italy
Genoa, the capital of Italy’s Liguria region, is a paradise on earth and one of the most beautiful destinations for our cooking vacations in this country. The region of Liguria is a thin strip of land that runs along the coast of the Ligurian Sea and borders the French Riviera. The result of this is a land defined by its incredible coastline, and, due to the mountains that lie just beyond, its temperate climate and lush vegetation.
While many know of the Ligurian towns of the Cinque Terre, less known are the towns of the Western Riviera, which you will explore on your Genoa and Portofino culinary vacations. All the towns of this region are brightly colored, perched along the coastline, and characterized by picturesque centers, which you can explore on our tours.
The region is also known for its sunshine–some 300 days of it each year!–which is key to its production of fruits and vegetables, olive trees, and vineyards.
In fact, Genoa cuisine is dictated by the climate, making it one of the most distinctive of Italy. From the abundance of produce to the fresh seafood harvested from the Ligurian sea, to the native products like Genovese basil and “chinotto”–the indigenous citrus fruit of the Western Riviera–local cuisine will delight and beguile.
Genoa is a beautiful place full of old-world charm. Genoa divides the Italian Riviera into its eastern and western sections, and in addition to the famed town of Portofino you will explore the “Riviera di Ponente,” or the Riviera of the Setting Sun, on this amazing 4-night cooking vacation.
Genoa, called Genova in Italian, has for centuries been one of Italy’s most important ports. As such it has also been a key player in the commerce and culture of Italy’s storied history. Part of Genoa’s city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it boasts the largest medieval city center in Europe. The old town center is comprised of a dizzying array of tiny, ancient cobblestoned alleys called “caruggi.” To travel from there to the old port is to understand Genoa in an instant.
Genoa is a perfectly wonderful destination to explore on its own, and it is also a great place to set off from when exploring the Italian Riviera on our Genoa culinary vacations. You will head out from Genoa to visit such towns as the famed Portofino, Finalborgo, and Noli.
Whether it is your first time in Italy or whether you have visited it many times before, our Genoa and Portofino Food Tour will reveal a truly amazing corner of Italy, full of wonderful local dishes, native fruits and vegetables, beautiful scenery, and plenty of sunshine.
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Portofino and Genoa Food Tour Details
Our top cooking vacations in Genoa and Portofino include exactly what you would expect from a culinary tour with The International Kitchen! Hands-on cooking classes, beautiful accommodations, and unique, authentic tours. Our food tour n in Genoa and Portofino includes:
- 5-star hotel accommodations
- private tours with a local expert of Genoa and the Western Riviera
- cooking classes in Portofino and Genoa
- meals as indicated
- transportation
- and more!
Itinerary
Sample itinerary, subject to modification depending on season and weather.
Day One
- Arrive in gorgeous Genova and check in to your boutique hotel. (Transfers can be arranged on request, but your hotel will be an easy taxi ride from the airport or train station).
- Dinner tonight at a local restaurant recommended by the Slow Food guide.
Day Two
Day Two- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Today your Liguria cooking vacation begins with an exploration of Genoa “from market to market” accompanied by your local guide, who will give you an insider’s perspective to this wonderful city.
- Start at the picturesque Mercato Orientale, one of the largest markets in town and a true food lover’s paradise.
- Then, head to the historical center of Genoa to discover its ancient food shops. Genoa has the largest medieval old town in Europe. Your guide will show you the authentic medieval alleys, the squares and Renaissance streets. You will explore the traditional food shops, such as the “friggitorie,” which serve friscieu (fried croquettes filled with herbs), farinata, and fried fresh seafood eaten at the counter like the locals. Discover the prestigious old pastry café beloved by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, and the “Pietro Romanengofu Stefano” confectionary shop, which dates back to the 1700s.
- Enjoy some free time to explore the markets and do some shopping, and grab lunch on your own with suggestions from your guide.
- In the late afternoon, head to the gorgeous salon of a private Renaissance palace where our culinary expert will teach you to make the most typical pasta from Liguria: pansotti. This hand-made pasta is a type of raviolo stuffed with wild herbs and dressed with a walnut sauce prepared the traditional way, with mortar and pestle. After the lesson enjoy dinner based on your efforts along with other Ligurian specialties, all accompanied by local wines.
- Overnight.
Day Three
Day Three- Breakfast at the hotel.
- After breakfast, your Liguria culinary vacation continues with one of the most picturesque towns of the Italian Riviera–Portofino. You will travel there on your own with a short train ride followed by a panoramic trip by public boat (tickets and directions are included).
- Upon arrival in Portofino, meet your driver and travel to an old mill immersed in a natural setting surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and other vegetation of the region. Here you will be welcomed at the Portofino Natural Park by a local culinary expert who will teach you the classic Ligurian pesto sauce.
- Lunch after the lesson based on your efforts, accompanied by local specialties and paired with a glass of wine from Portofino.
- Transfer back to Portofino’s center to have time to explore this beautiful village on your own.
- Return on your own by boat to Santa Margherita, and then by train to Genoa (tickets included).
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Four
Day Four- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Today your culinary tour will take you to a different part of the region. Meet your guide and depart for the western side of the Italian Riviera. Travel first to Finalborgo, an untouched village that is part of the “secret” Riviera, a beautiful town completely surrounded by medieval walls. Visit a chinotto (citrus) grove and taste one of the rarest and most precious of citrus fruits: the chinotto. This bitter orange grows only in this area of the Italian Riviera and was used in past centuries by sailors for its rich vitamin content. The chinotto fruit is protected by the Slow Food Presidia, a project that works to save artisanal food products and native animal breeds and plant varieties. The producer you will visit is one of the few that transforms the fruit into delicious jams, candied fruit, and liqueurs. Visit the citrus grove, hear his family’s story, and taste the products made by the expert hands of his wife.
- Enjoy a traditional lunch in the historical center of Finalborgo, then continue on to the medieval hamlet of Noli, with its beautiful sandy beach. Here you will discover the “gozzi,” the typical boats of the local fishermen.
- Transfer back to Genoa, dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast and depart on your own for the Genoa train station or airport.
- Or, are you interested in staying on another day and visiting the famed Cinque Terre? Please inquire for a special 1-night extension including guided tour!
Details of Genoa and Portofino Foodie Tours
Included in our 4-Night Food and Wine Tastings Tours in Genoa & Portofino
Accommodations
Four nights in a 5* hotel in the center of Genoa
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 2 lunches
- 2 dinners
Classes & Instructors
Your two cooking classes will feature traditional local dishes, including the regional pasta dish “pansotti” and, of course, homemade pesto.
Excursions
- Half-day private guided tour of Genoa
- Full-day private guided visit of the Western Riviera including Finalborgo (with Chinotto plantation) and Noli
- Private cooking class in Genoa
- Private cooking class in Portofino
Transfer Details
- Transfers are not included but can be arranged on request for an additional cost. However, your hotel will be within an easy taxi ride from the Genoa airport or train station.
Miscellaneous
- Train and public boat tickets between Genoa and Portofino
Not Included
- City occupancy tax, paid locally at your accommodation
- Meals not indicated
- Transfers
- Gratuities
Country:
Italy
Region:
Liguria
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose April through October for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
4 Nights
Starting at
$3,150
Accommodation Information
Enjoy four nights in an elegant 5* hotel in the heart of Genoa. The Bristol Palace is a historical luxury hotel dating back tot he Nineteenth Century and boasting a Liberty and Decò style, with plenty of old-world charm. The elegant and sound-proofed bedrooms feature high ceilings, mini-bars, flat-screen TVs, room safes, private en suite baths, and air conditioning. The hotel offers a restaurant with a seasonal terrace, as well as two bars. (If unavailable a comparable property will be proposed.)
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Genoa and Portofino Cooking Vacations Pricing & Dates
Find pricing and dates for our cooking vacations in Italian Genoa and Portofino below, and contact us for availability or to plan your trip.
Genoa and Portofino Culinary Vacations 2024 Pricing:
4-Night Genoa and Portofino Food Tour Pricing
US$3150 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$600 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Dates of Genoa Culinary Tours
Our cooking vacations in Italian Genoa and Portofino are available April through October for a minimum of 2 people. If you are interested in an off-season food tour in Genoa, please inquire.
2024
Available periods follow – program can start any day of the week.
April 1-20 – available
April 21-26 – please inquire
April 27-June 19 – available
June 22-September 11 – available
September 12-28 – please inquire
September 29-October 31 – available
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Explore Our Culinary Getaways Beyond Genoa
Country:
Italy
Region:
Liguria
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose April through October for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
4 Nights
Starting at
$3,150
Want more flexibility? We can customize all of your trip details for you, including:
- Trip length and Itineraries
- Hotels and Tours
- Transfers and Airfare
Let us show you how we can create a complete package just for you. Contact Us