The Relish Mama tour to Italy – October 2015

Nellie Kerrison

January 19, 2015

, The Relish Mama tour to Italy – October 2015

I invite you to join us for an experience like no other this October as we travel together and experience new and delicious wonders. We are off to Italy everyone and we would be absolutely delighted if you care to join us on this amazing culinary journey.

The Relish Mama food tour to Italy will take part over seven magical days and six glorious nights from the 2nd October through until the 8th October, 2015. We will be residing in the village of Moneglia which is situated in Southern Liguria at the top of the beautiful run of coastal cliffs that leads into the Cinque Terre. The picturesque village is surrounded by green hills and faces a wide sandy beach. Our accommodation is in a luxury award winning guesthouse in former 15^th Abbadia San Giorgio with exclusive use for the guests of the Relish Mama culinary tour. The Abbey is a very special place to stay and is winner of Condé Nast Johansens Readers’ Award 2011 and Most Excellent Luxury guesthouse 2009. Here is one of the reviews from Trip Advisor :

“As soon as you arrive at the Abbadia, you feel at home. The staff are warm and welcoming and nothing is too much trouble. The rooms are well appointed and very comfortable. Breakfast was amazing – from beautiful yoghurt and fresh fruit salad to incredible omletles and awesome cappuccinos. Our stay was simply wonderful. “

Click here to view the gallery of Abbadia San Giorgio.

October is a lovely time to visit Italy and appreciate the unspoiled Riviera lifestyle, sandy beaches and pristine walking trails.

Highlights of the tour:

Luxury award winning guesthouse accommodation and exclusive use for those on the Relish Mama culinary tour.
Three private cookery classes mastering traditional Ligurian recipes which will be held both at the Abbadia San Giorgio as well as local restaurant La Ruota (click for review) famous for it’s food and breathtaking views.
Enjoy visits to wonderful local producers to discover Sciacchetra wine, organic cheeses, Ligurian olive oil, farinata and torrone
Enjoy guided tours to Portofino, Cinque Terre, Chiavari, Sestri Levante and the beautiful Val di Vara.
Memorable dining at both the Abbey as well as carefully selected local Italian restaurants.

Check out our fabulous itinerary that you could be part of :

Day 1 2nd October, 2015 WELCOME DINNER

Arrive at Genoa airport and transfer to Abbadia San Giorgio for welcome drinks as well as a wonderful demonstration mastering how to make Ligurian pesto (surely among the best you will ever taste) followed by a delicious dinner in the Abbey.

Day 2 3rd October, 2015 CINQUE TERRE

We will visit the famous Cinqueterre by train. Cinqueterre is composed of five coastal villages. The region has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Included in this special day is a wine tasting. Upon our return, we will enjoy dinner enjoying traditional recipes by wonderful local restauranteur, Luca Ciceri.

Day 3 4th October, 2015 VARESE LIGURE

See the Vara river valley and the hamlet of Varese Ligure in the Ligurian hills. The valley is notable for its many organic farms. We shall visit an organic cheese producer as well as enjoying tastings and visit a local artisan who crafts the traditional wooden stamps for making corzetti pasta discs before a farm lunch. Your evening is free to enjoy Moneglia.

Day 4 5th October, 2015 SESTRI LEVANTE

We will enjoy a fabulous cooking lesson guided by leading local restaurateur Edoardo Compiano at La Ruota and enjoy lunch as you take in the breathtaking views. During the afternoon in Sestri Levante, we will visit a local olive oil producer and historic candy producer Rossignotti. The evening there will be a wine dinner in the magical hills enjoying Ligurian wines presented by restauranteur, Sergio Circella.

Day 5 6th October, 2015 CHIAVARI

We will travel by train to the markets of Chiavari and see the preparation of traditional Ligurian farinata; a moreish chickpea pizza. We will then enjoy lunch in an historic osteria ** before returning to the Abbey for a fabulous cooking lesson with dinner afterwards.

** In Italy an Osteria was originally a place serving wine and simple food. Lately, the emphasis has shifted to the food, but menus tend to be short, with an emphasis on local specialities such as pasta, grilled meat or fish, and often served at shared tables. They are often where travellers say they have enjoyed their most memorable meal.

Day 6 7 OCTOBER 2015 MONEGLIA

The morning is yours. You are free to relax or enjoy Moneglia a little further.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy our final cooking lesson in the Abbey followed by a very special farewell dinner in the Abbey.

Day 7 8th October, 2015 DEPART

After breakfast, our group will depart for Genoa, where our wonderful tour comes to a close.

Price :

The price is $3695 (AUD) per person based on shared accommodation of a classic double room and includes:

6 nights bed and breakfast at Abbadia San Giorgio, Moneglia
4 cooking classes / lessons –
- 1 cooking demonstration, Moneglia
- 3 cooking lessons, Moneglia
3 lunches, including wine and mineral waters.
5 dinners, , including wine and mineral waters.

(Most meals are included from dinner on 2^nd October through to breakfast on 8^th October, with the exception of one evening meal and two lunches which are independent).

Food visits as described above to the likes of wineries, organic cheese makers, market visit and a visit to olive oil producer, Sestri Levante.
Excursions to stunning locations such as Cinqueterre with guide and tour host, Varese Ligure with guide and tour host. Sestri Levante with guide and tour host, Chiavari with guide and tour host.
Rail excursions on 2 days
Group transfer by coach as described on other days
Relish Mama tour host, Nellie Kerrison

Supplements and upgrades (we are happy to assist you on guidance on rooms).:

Upgrade to large double (Custos or Bibliothecarius) $215.00

Upgrade to romantic room (Librarius or Mulier Benefica) $385.00

Sole occupancy: $795.00

All rooms enjoy private en suite bathroom with shower, telephone, satellite TV, room safe, hair dryer, mini bar and air-conditioning.

Singles— single travelers are invited to share rooms with friends, if possible, or to pair up with like-minded same gender travelers. If availability permits on arrival we will upgrade sharers to a room for single occupancy, giving preference by booking date.

Classic double rooms are furnished with a double bed (54in. x 75in.). The room size is approximately 150 sq. ft.

Double rooms are furnished with double beds (69in. x 77in.) and are suitable for couples or sharers as the beds are divisible. Rooms are larger than standard at approx. 215 sq. ft.

Large Doubles are furnished with larger doubles (70in. x 78in.) and are suitable for couples or sharers as the beds are divisible. Rooms are larger than Junior Suites at approx. 300 sq. ft.

Romantic rooms are furnished with double beds (69 in. x 77 in.) and have canopy beds. The rooms are the largest in the property at approx. 355 sq. ft.

Not included are Flights, Insurance, Meals not listed, Extras and personal spending such as optional excursions and gratuities.

How to book:

We ask you to call Relish Mama on 03 9553 4846. Following your reservation by phone we can hold it for you for 7 days. We will send you a booking form. Within the 7 days, we ask that you complete and return the booking form to Relish Mama together with your deposit payment of $1000 per person. Please note that telephone reservations can only be held for 7 days.

What will the weather be like?

The weather is likely to be warm to cool – the average maximum temperature for Liguria in October is 22°C and the average minimum 16°C.

What travel documents do I need?

Your flight tickets, passport, a copy of your travel insurance policy making a note of the number for medical emergency overseas.

What about the accommodations?

Further details of the accommodations used can be found at:

Abbadia San Giorgio http://www.abbadiasangiorgio.com

What about meals?

Most meals are included from dinner on 2^nd October through to breakfast on 8^th October, with the exception of one evening meal and two lunches which are independent.

How much walking?

If you suffer limited mobility, please contact us for advice before booking. A coach or train is used for most excursions but on disembarking visits to markets, food and wine producers and historic sites will be on foot, averaging approximately 2 hours.

Who are Tastes of Italy?

Since 2000 Tastes of Italy has been creating bespoke trips in Italy, France and Spain for private parties, wine clubs and individuals.

Tastes of Italy specialises in gourmet arrangements. Our aim is to provide excellent service, genuine hospitality and enrichening travel through careful selection of the people we work with.

I would dearly love for you to be part of the magic and join us on this incredible journey to Italy this October. Interest should be expressed early and we are here for any questions you may have as well as to send your booking form.

Warmest wishes to you & here’s to exciting adventures,

Nellie

To put you in the mood…..pour yourself a glass of red wine as you listen (or dance) to this fun tune ‘Mambo Italiano’ featuring Gérard Darmon & the Muppets. It’s a whole lot of fun!