Ligurian Cooking Demo

Discover the joys of Ligurian cuisine by browsing a gourmet shop, watching a cooking demonstration and then dining on several classic regional dishes.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a carefree drive south to Rapallo, a resort town where literary figures such as poet Ezra Pound and novelist D.H. Lawrence once lived. The town is as inspiring today as it was in their time, particularly along the seaside promenade, where you will begin your exploration of Rapallo.

From there, you will walk to nearby Parla Come Mangi, a gourmet shop that sells a variety of olive oils, pastas, cheeses and wines. Browsing the merchandise will offer insight into the local cuisine, as will a stop at a small farmers market not far away.

A short drive will then take you to seaside Recco, another town revered for its distinctive cuisine. At Da O Vittorio restaurant, the owners will welcome you and the master pasta chef will lead you to a private area for a cooking demonstration. You can expect the chef to cook sweet fritters, a Ligurian specialty.

Don’t fill up too much, as a full meal in the restaurant will follow. Although the menu will be determined the day of the excursion to ensure the freshest seasonal ingredients, chances are you will dine on pasta with pesto sauce, baked fish and crisp-crust soft-cheese focaccia. Local wines will also be served.