Top Cinque Terre Classes & Workshops

Do you love pasta, pesto and tiramisù? This class is the perfect opportunity to learn how to make our local handmade pasta (Trofie), its traditional condiment (Pesto Genovese), and the creamy tiramisù, prepared following my experience, the traditional technique, and my grandmother’s original recipe. The experience takes place in my private 16th‑century home in Riomaggiore (Cinque Terre), located in the heart of the village. My dog Ettore and I will welcome you with a glass of prosecco before the class begins. After a few steps inside the building, you’ll reach the roof terrace on the third floor, where you can enjoy a stunning view over the village and the sea. The iconic colorful tower‑houses, built along the steep hillside, offer a unique and picturesque panorama—especially when admired from above or from the water.

Since 2019, we are the first to offer Vernazza an experience dedicated to preparing pesto in the mortar, combining cooking, territory, conviviality, and tasting. You will learn to prepare pesto by hand, using selected ingredients. The experience takes place in a typical Cinque Terre cellar, with stone and wood, reminiscent of the atmosphere of old Vernazza. 12:30 - PESTO CLASS We will start with wine, focaccia, cheeses, and extra virgin olive oils. You will prepare your pesto in the mortar while tasting a second wine. The pesto will then be used to dress the gnocchi which you will eat with a third wine. We will conclude with limoncello and chocolate. 3:00 PM or 5:30 PM – PESTO SNACK CLASS After a taste of wine, you will prepare the pesto in the mortar while tasting a second wine. We will accompany it with focaccia, cheeses, oils, and a third wine. Finally, a real little shoe with bread and focaccia directly in the mortar! If you want the class in French, communicate it at the time of the reservation.

In the charming village of Vernazza, immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Cinque Terre with a hands-on pesto and pasta class. Craft your own "mandilli"—a delicate fresh egg pasta—using simple ingredients like flour, egg, and water (or "sugeli" with no egg). While your dough rests, you'll create authentic pesto from basil, pine nuts, and garlic, pounding it to perfection in a traditional mortar. After boiling your pasta, enjoy it paired with the fresh pesto right from the mortar. Complete your meal with a glass of local white wine or a soft drink for the kids, and savor a refreshing Limoncino on the rocks to top off this delightful Italian experience.

Watch the sun set over Cinque Terre with this small-group boat tour. You'll head out from the Monterosso Pier, passing by colorful villages such as Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore for photos along the way. You'll also stop in the village of Vernazza, where you'll have some time to explore before hopping back on your boat and heading back to Monterosso.

Learn how to prepare two kinds of homemade pasta and a classic Italian dessert during this half-day culinary workshop, capped at only 12 people. Get hands-on instruction in mastering two pasta recipes—followed by tiramisu—in the private home of a local cook. Cooking workshops include a sparkling wine aperitivo and complimentary soft beverages. You’ll also get to taste your creations.

You will step into a traditional Ligurian kitchen and begin by discovering the ingredients that form the foundation of authentic Genoese pesto: fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. You will be guided step by step through the preparation process using the traditional marble mortar and pestle. You will learn the proper techniques and work the ingredients until you create your own pesto entirely by hand. Once it is ready, you will move on to the most convivial part of the experience: sitting down at the table to enjoy the freshly made pesto served with a plate of gnocchi, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Throughout the experience, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, share conversations, and enjoy an authentic moment centered around cooking, tradition, and togetherness.

Learn how to make authentic Italian pesto with a local chef who grows all the ingredients themselves. Discover more about local culinary traditions from your teacher as you grind the fresh ingredients on a mortar and pestle. Relax and enjoy your handiwork with a glass of crisp white wine and homemade focaccia at the end of the class.

Discover the art of making traditional Ligurian pesto in an engaging one-hour class set in the charming Cinque Terre. Using a marble mortar and wooden pestle, you'll learn to blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheeses to craft this iconic sauce. Your host will share fascinating stories about Ligurian cuisine, enriching your understanding of the local culture as you prepare your own pesto from scratch. As the class wraps up, enjoy a delightful aperitivo featuring your homemade pesto paired with local delicacies and Cinque Terre white wine, making for a perfect way to savor the region's flavors.

Manarola wine tasting experience is a nice walk through the Manarola vineyards among panoramic points to take beautiful photos, good local wine and flavors, snacks and an exclusive moment in an amazing old cellar from the 1800s, relax and sharing at the convivial table, nice music.

the course is interactive, you will use the marble mortar. You will receive information on the history and origins of pesto and the best ingredients we will use. You will learn to make pesto like you have never tasted before, and you will be able to make it again at home, which is why it is a unique and unforgettable experience. If you've been good, there will be a little surprise for you at the end.

The Ligurian coastline is famous for its flavorful pesto alla genovese, so there's no better place to learn how to create this local specialty from scratch. With this hands-on cooking class, discover the secrets to preparing authentic pesto and traditional gnocchi with a passionate host at their home overlooking the sea. Enjoy the personal attention only a small-group experience provides, plus feast on your handiwork over lunch or dinner.

Learn the secrets of Ligurian cuisine with a private half-day cooking class in a local home in Cinque Terre. Join a Cesarina—an ambassador of Italian culinary tradition—to prepare three authentic regional dishes. Choose a morning or afternoon session, enjoy hands-on instruction, and savor your creations paired with local wines, ensuring an authentic and delicious experience.

Experience the magic of Italy in a stunning cliffside location overlooking the sea in Cinque Terre, as you immerse yourself in a private cooking class at a local's home. Gain insights into the secrets behind Italy's most famous dishes while savoring the fruits of your labor, accompanied by local wines. During the lesson, your hospitable host will share expert tips on crafting three authentic recipes. Have fun testing your culinary skills at a workstation stocked with utensils and ingredients for each dish. Afterward, indulge in your homemade Italian feast, paired with a selection of local red and white wines. What could be better than enjoying delightful Italian cuisine, engaging in lively conversation with a warm Italian family, and sipping wine amidst a picturesque setting? Every host serves treasured local specialties from their family cookbooks to narrate the story of traditional regional cuisine.

Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Italian coffee culture with a practical workshop that reveals the secrets of this beloved ritual. Discover why coffee is an integral part of life in Italy while learning to prepare it with the classic moka pot and to make the perfect espresso using a La Pavoni lever machine. Catch the difference between Arabica and Robusta by tasting your freshly brewed espresso. Explore the delicious pairing of coffee and chocolate through a guided tasting and conclude the experience by preparing the beloved Italian dessert: tiramisu. This engaging workshop invites you to prepare, savor, and celebrate Italian gastronomic excellence.

Craft authentic Genoese focaccia in a two-hour baking experience led by Francesco, a passionate local baker deeply rooted in Ligurian traditions. As you mix flour, water, yeast, salt and olive oil, Francesco shares invaluable techniques and stories that highlight the significance of focaccia in everyday Ligurian life. Savor freshly baked focaccia paired with local products and a glass of Ligurian wine during a convivial aperitivo. This intimate class is perfect for both novices and experienced bakers looking to replicate the flavors of the Cinque Terre at home.

Discover the charm of Riomaggiore, one of the idyllic villages that form Cinque Terre, through a captivating culinary journey set against a mesmerizing sunset. Our evening begins with a hands-on Spritz masterclass. You'll learn the art of crafting a perfect Spritz, understanding the balance between prosecco, bitter liqueur, and soda water. You'll be introduced to various twists on the classic recipe, empowering you to impress friends and family with your newfound mixology skills once you return home. As the sun sets, prepare to indulge your senses further with a delectable two-course dinner. Our carefully crafted menu showcases the richness of Cinque Terre's produce, featuring dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. This unforgettable sunset Spritz masterclass and dining experience is more than a meal; it's a celebration of Italian lifestyle and gastronomy.

Get a taste of Cinque Terre on this 4-hour tour from Manarola, Cinque Terre, that combines a pesto demonstration, a boat cruise along the coast, and lunch. Travel to Cinque Terre via train with your group, then end the tour in Vernazza with a Cinque Terre trail pass to explore further if you wish.

Book a private Cinque Terre boat cruise, and see the region’s coastline in the soft, early evening light. As a skipper navigates the boat, you’ll sit back and admire sights of the Cinque Terre’s fishing villages on a 2-hour route from Riomaggiore. Sip on wine, enjoy olives and focaccia, and watch the sun slip into the sea. Food and drinks are at your own expense.

Get off the tourist track and get an insider’s immersion into a local wine producer and vineyard. Discover hidden wonders of Manarola on foot, enjoying views of the sea and surrounding hills. Then, head to a centuries-old wine cellar for a sommelier-led tasting of two local varieties of white wine, paired with traditional Ligurian delicacies like focaccia and pesto.

The focaccia you cook will be so good that you will want to give it back at home, and you will succeed because we will teach you how to make it at home. For pesto I'll teach you all the secrets to give it the best, trust me

Boost your Italian cooking skills by taking the time to focus on a special Italian sauce—pesto. Take a deep dive into the history of pesto from La Spezia, and then learn how to make it through two methods—the electric blender method, and the pestle and mortar method. Then, at the end of the class, you can take away a very special souvenir—your own pot of homemade pesto.

Your Wine School is nestled above the Ligurian Sea in Monterosso, offering an intimate, educational tasting experience led by one of the town’s oldest families. Sessions begin daily at 12:30 PM and include a warm family welcome, with an introduction to the region’s rugged terroir, traditional winemaking methods, and the history of Cinque Terre wines. Enjoy a curated tasting flight featuring two local Cinque Terre white wines, a delicate Cinque Terre wine, regional red, and the renowned sweet Sciacchetrà, all paired with freshly prepared Ligurian dishes such as focaccia, anchovies, fried cod fritters, polenta fries, and seasonal favourites, made daily using organic or local ingredients. You’ll also receive food-pairing guidance in a relaxed setting, followed by a Q&A wrap-up and time to enjoy sea views or explore Monterosso al Mare. Held on the sea-view terrace, this 2 to 2½-hour experience includes café at the end, ideal for couples, small groups, or special occasions.

Guided by knowledgeable experts, you'll explore the lush rows of grapevines in Riomaggiore, soaking in the breathtaking vistas and learning about the winemaking process from vine to bottle. After your enlightening vineyard tour, indulge in an exquisite cellar tasting session that promises to tantalize your taste buds. Sample a curated selection of at least three dry wines, showcasing the diverse terroir and varietals of the region. Additionally, you'll have the privilege of savoring the rare and precious sciacchetrà, a renowned sweet wine cherished for its complexity and depth of flavor. To elevate your tasting experience, we'll accompany these fine wines with a delectable focaccia, freshly baked and bursting with the flavors of the region. As you sip and savor, our passionate hosts will provide insights into each wine's characteristics, origins, and ideal pairings, enriching your understanding and appreciation of Ligurian winemaking.