Genoa & Cinque Terre Discovery: Wine, Handcraft and Nature

"Day 1: Genoa Arrival in Genoa (nearest airports: Genoa, Pisa, Milan). Pick up from the airport or the central station and transfer to the hotel 4* centrally located. In the evening welcome from our local buddy and aperitif in the old harbor. Welcome dinner in typical trattoria. Tonight you will take part to the celebration of the Patron Saint San Giovanni including procession and bonfire. Return to the hotel and overnight. Day 2: Genoa: Old shops & Gold Leaf Gilding Laboratory After breakfast, meet again our local “buddy” for an interesting walking tour along the narrow alleys of the historical centre. Here you will discover the real “heart” of the city, old shops, Noble palaces and Churches from the XVIII C that preserves incredible works of art. For lunch you will taste some of the specialities of the Ligurian cuisine in one of the oldest “osteria” of the city Sa’ Pesta. Farinata, anchovies, vegetables pie and the famous “pansotti” together with a glass of local white wine “il bianchetto”. After lunch visit to a Gold Leaf Laboratory. Here the Master Craftmen will show you the ancient techniques of gilding and lacquering. After that a 2 hours workshop will follow, during which you will create your own gold frame to take home as a very special souvenir!THE LABORATORY Master Craftsman Pozzo Marco continues a long family tradition – his father Luigi started his apprenticeship as a Church Restorer and Gilder in Genoa in 1960. Trough the years the laboratory has gained the reputation of commitment to excellence in all projects through the versatility, experience and skills of the gilders led by Mr. Pozzo and his staff. Projects, whether commercial or private, have included major churches and heritage buildings.The workshop facilities deliver gilding and restoration of antiques and art objects as well as painting and decoration of furniture both antique or modern. Now the Laboratory is open to friends, art lovers and visitors who desire to learn more and practice the art of gold leaf gilding and lacquering. Free time at disposal. Dinner at leisure. Overnight. Day 3: Cooking class & Aperitif on the beach with the sommelier In the morning check out and departure for a hands-on experience. In a small village on the seaside, you will learn from the grandma how to recognize different herbs and how to use them to prepare the “pansotti” , then you will prepare the nuts sauce and finally a real “Cheese focaccia” DOP. Arrival in charme B&B. Free time at disposal for lunch and for some relax on the beach or in the beautiful garden of the house. In the evening aperitif on the beach including a taste of wines with sommelier accompanied by local tapas. Proceed for a fish dinner on the beach and back to the hotel for the overnight. Day 4: Easy trekking to Portofino Natural Park:, light lunch with tasting of wine and focaccia, visit of San Fruttuoso Abbey In the morning departure for a trekking excursion on the Promontory of Portofino. Meet your buddy guide at the hotel and together you will reach San Rocco, here you will proceed with an easy walk through maritime pines, chestnuts trees and oaks. You will stop for lunch in a rural house overlooking the amazing Ligurian sea. Here among olive trees, you will taste the real focaccia and some of the typical dishes while sampling a glass of local wine. Time for relaxing and getting to know the young owners that will be pleased to show something about their hard work to preserve this enchanted place. After lunch, continue your walk to San Fruttuoso bay. Here time seems to stop… crystalline waters, an ancient abbey, fishermen boats. The right place for a refreshing bath before going back to Camogli by boat. Free time for relaxing. Dinner at leisure. Overnight. Day 5: Portofino, Santa Margherita & Cinque Terre After breakfast, check out and departure. Arrival in Portofino and visit of the famous “piazzetta”, Castle Brown and the small Church overlooking the Gulf. Enjoy an aperitif at the old lighthouse facing an incredible panorama! Proceed to Santa Margherita for some free time to get around and discover this fascinating and elegant village on the sea. Lunch at leisure. In the late afternoon departure to Cinque Terre, arrival in La Spezia area and accommodation. Free time to relax and dinner at hotel’s restaurant, overnight. Day 6: Cinque Terre, Trekking with the wine grower After breakfast, discover the Cinque Terre by train. From La Spezia train station departure to explore the beautiful sea villages of Vernazza , Monterosso and Rio Maggiore. Free time for lunch and proceed to Manarola. Time to walk along the beautiful promenade climbing on the sea and for a refreshing bath. In the afternoon departure for an hiking experience among the vineyard with an enchanting view on the gulf. Discover the viticulture traditions of Manarola with Alessandro, a young winemaker native of this beautiful village of Cinque Terre. You will leave from the centre of Manarola and walking through the main road leading to the small harbour you will have the opportunity to admire the typical colorful houses and the fishing boats parked along the street. Then you will go up to the cemetery which is located in a fantastic panoramic position from which you can appreciate Manarola and even a partial view of Corniglia. Through an ancient path in the midst of gardens you will reach the vineyards of Alessandro where he will teach you to distinguish the grape varieties and the different methods of pruning and grape growing. The path leads you in front of the Church of San Lorenzo and with an extra effort you will be in Alessandro’s wine cellar where you will taste his white wine Cinque Terre DOC accompanied by the typical Ligurian focaccia. Alessandro is also a member of the Foundation of Manarola Cinque Terre, created in 2014 in order to protect the cultural heritage of the village. With your participation of the tour you support the project of the Foundation with a little charity. Time at disposal in Cinque Terre and dinner at leisure (our buddy guide will suggest the best place for a romantic aperitif or a special dinner). Return by train to La Spezia and overnight. Day 7: Market tour & Cooking class In the morning transfer to La Spezia for a Cooking lesson of Ligurian Fish Specialities with visit to the market . Your culinary experience starts with a short stroll through La Spezia and a visit to its beautiful market: see the fish sellers with the fresh fish and seafood, find the regional vegetables: depending on the season there are juicy tomatoes, green asparagus, aromatic mushrooms or the precious artichokes. With your cook, you buy freshly the things you’ll need to prepare your lunch. After the market visit in the morning you go on to the nice little restaurant where this beautiful lesson takes place. During the preparation of delicious seafood meals, the chef gives you the idea of this particular job: to create traditional dishes using local ingredients as much as possible and with the lowest environmental impact. That sounds complicated but the results are incredibly mouth-watering dishes! You will be surprised by the simple finesse of the dishes you are going to prepare – using only few but high quality ingredients. At the end you will enjoy one of the most delicious lunches of your life – prepared by yourself! Day 8: Goodbye or Extension to Tuscany After breakfast, check out and departure. (Transfer to Genoa or Pisa airport, or to Tuscany for extension – not included)"