UPDATE: For reasons related to travel uncertainty and the need to focus on core business we have decided to cancel out first June trip. Stay tuned next month for possible release of our classic trip this October!

Join chef Paolo Laboa and wine guy Jesse Bania on a tour of Paolo’s home region, Liguria, and neighboring Piemonte. The gorgeous coast overlooking the Ligurian Sea is where age-old cooking traditions were met with passion and inspiration to create much of Paolo’s unique culinary style. Meanwhile, up and over the dramatic mountainous landscape in Piemonte lie equally iconic and historic opportunities for cultural exploration.

Share the best food and taste through a special variety of wines and wine-based beverages at local hidden gems while learning the stories that lie behind it all. If you have a love for Italian food and wine and an interest in learning as you travel, you are in for an amazing vacation!

YOUR CHEF/ GUIDE:

Paolo Laboa’s love for cooking started in his mother's kitchen, where he learned the secrets of real Genovese cooking. After many achievements and adventures, including winning the World Pesto Championship, Paolo has found his new home in Portland, ME. Here he and his wife Mercedes live with their two children and run Solo Italiano, a much-loved pillar of the farm to table tradition in Portland. Paolo is very excited to share his home country and its cultural culinary traditions with you on this special trip!

Jesse connected naturally with Paolo and the mission behind Solo Italiano on the day it opened its doors. He went on to become the wine director of one of Portland’s most exclusive and unique wine lists as well as General Manager and friendly face of the restaurant. He LOVES Italian wine and has built Solo’s program around the cultural connection it has to food, origin and atmosphere. He has traveled extensively around the world. He will be your tasting buddy, translator, travel partner and proud stick-shift driver. Ask him any question you might have along the way; he will be your pocket guide.

ITINERARY:

Sunday, 6/14/20:
Arrive at your hotel, check-in and meet up with Paolo and Jesse for a classic aperitivo hour to meet your traveling companions and review plans for the delicious week to come!

Monday, 6/15/20:
You will head south along the coast to explore Recco and sample their special Focaccia, as served in Solo Italiano as “Focaccia di Recco!” Spend the evening in Camogli and dine at the one of Paolo’s personal favorite restaurants: Cucu.

Tuesday, 6/16/20:
You will head further south to Cinque Terre exploring the fabled five towns that are inaccessible to outside traffic.

Wednesday, 6/17/20:
You will return to and spend the day exploring the city of Genova. In the late morning and for lunch, we will visit Genova’s Oriental Market, sampling Genovese street food. The afternoon will be yours to roam, but we will reconvene that night to have a very special dinner in the city.

Thursday, 6/18/20:
Spend the day in Piemonte and visit two of the lovely vineyards which we source wine from for Solo Italiano!

Friday, 6/19/20:
The final day will either feature a second day in Piemonte (visiting a famed grappa and digestivo distillery and classic vermouth producer) OR feature an adventure up the western coast through Albenga and into the hidden gem of Pornassio.

Saturday, 6/20/20:
Check out of your hotel and savor one last goodbye breakfast with the group.

PRICE:
$3,900 per person
($1500 per person deposit due at sign up, full balance due by 5/1/20)

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
6 nights accommodation including taxes
All meals and gratuities per itinerary
Continental breakfasts as offered by accommodations
All scheduled wine tastings
All ground transportation per itinerary
All sightseeing/admissions per itinerary

DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare or travel to and from Genova and our starting hotel location. There will be some free time built into the schedule for relaxation or personal exploration. All meals and activities therein are the responsibility of the guest(s).

CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Trip guaranteed departure is based on 6 attendees.
Travelers must be at least 21 years of age.

RESERVATIONS:
To reserve your spot on the trip please fill out the form below and call (207) 780-0227 to submit your deposit of $1500 per person.

CANCELLATIONS:
If you must cancel your trip reservation with us before 3/1/2020 you will receive a full refund of your deposit minus a $500 cancellation fee. After 3/1/2020, your deposit will be nonrefundable. Once the final balance is paid, it will also be nonrefundable.

Please consider taking travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. For insurance information please visit InsureMyTrip.

TRAVEL NOTES:

In addition to purchasing travel insurance, we also recommend packing light to the extent that you are comfortable. You may be staying overnight in different towns throughout the week. Having that personal item be a day bag is also helpful for your daily adventures.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Solo Italiano and Paolo & Jesse Bania accept no responsibility for any delayed departures or arrivals, missed connections, loss, damage, or injury to person or property. We reserve the right to change the itinerary and substitute arrangements of any equal value, if circumstances warrant change.