3 Days Cooking Vacation near Portofino in Liguria, Italy

Facilities

This culinary vacation is a great opportunity to experience the real Italian lifestyle in an enchanting area at the east coast of Genoa, dominated by Portofino promontory. Anna from Mandilli de Saea is pleased to welcome you to this part of Liguria, offering two different types of accommodation (B&B or independent, self-catering apartment) and leading you to experience this region through her cooking lesson and a morning guided tour in the area, including street food and wine tasting. This package will also include a dinner out with Anna's company at one of the typical local restaurants.

During your cooking lesson you will be introduced to the secrets of the Ligurian simple but savory cuisine, while you prepare its typical dishes yourself. Each workshop will last from 3 to 4 hours in the afternoon, using local products, while Anna, the cook, will provide a relaxed, learning experience, also creating the same atmosphere as found in typical Italian homes. You will have real fun preparing Ligurian dishes such as Pansotti with hazelnut sauce, lasagne with pesto, stuffed vegetables, pizza with anchovies, cheese focaccia, and much more. The cooking session foresees the active involvement of the participants and will end by enjoying a real dinner together, wine included. The meal will be based on the dishes prepared during the class and enjoyed on Anna's cute terraced garden overlooking the gulf.

This culinary vacation includes a local trip in the morning either to Chiavari or Lavagna towns to buy local products for the cooking class. You will be introduced to the local fish markets or to the outdoor Chiavari's typical fruit and vegetables market

This vacation takes place at the small village of Paggi, located on the hill overlooking the valley leading to the coast up to Chiavari and Lavagna towns, east of Genoa. Villa Paggi guesthouse welcomes you in an enchanting green spot, definitely off the beaten tracks but very convenient to the beaches and the coastline of the Tigullio Gulf (only 9 kilometers). The cooking class will be held in Anna's private kitchen instead, in the village of Cogorno, not far from Villa Paggi guesthouse. From Anna's house and garden you will enjoy a spectacular view over the gulf, with Portofino Promontory at a distance.

Dinner or lunch after the cooking session will be based on your cooking class. Anna's cuisine ingredients involve fresh local products, such as fresh vegetables and herbs. Street food or restaurant meals offered in this package will respect the genuineness of the local products and ingredients.

During this holiday, you will have one full day free to sightsee, visiting one or more characteristic villages along the Gulf of Tigullio (Portofino area). Zoagli, Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Sestri Levante are some good choices for your free time, where you can enjoy a good shopping or a good ice cream break, typical restaurants, or relaxation at the beach, or an easy hillwalk immersed in the greenery.

A great variety of outdoor sports facilities is available also along the beaches and in the inland areas, like trekking, horseback riding, sailing, free climbing etc.

A small spa is available to the guests in Villa Paggi guesthouse prividing a

free small gym area with spinbike, crosstrainer and multi-function bench, a wellness area equipped with hammam for two and a four-seat jacuzzi bath. Villa Paggi also offers on request a paying wellness program that includes a Turkish bath with essential oils, a treatment in a hot tub and a final rest with herbal teas on the relaxation loungers. Relaxing or regenerating massages or shiatsu with qualified therapists are available on request at an additional cost.

• 4 hours of cooking lesson with final dinner with wine
• Ingredients, kitchen tools, apron
• Copy of Ligurian recipe book edited by Mandilli de Saea
• Guidance of an expert cook specializing in local Italian cuisine
• A local tour either in Chiavari or Lavagna medieval city center
• Visit to the outdoor fish or fruit and vegetables markets to shop ingredients for the cooking class with street food and wine tasting
• 2 nights accommodation
• 1 dinner out in a typical restaurant
• Daily breakfast

• Airport transfer

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 40% of the total price.
• The deposit is fully refundable if the booking is cancelled up to 30 days before the arrival date.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.