WHATSCOOKIN
Discovering in Tuscan Riviera
May 8 - 17, 2025
Program
May 8, Thurs - Day 1
Arrival at Pisa Airport Galileo Galilei and transfer to Casa Piero in Viareggio. The venue in Viareggio is a newly renovated, early twentieth-century town house with five en suites that's just a five-minute walk from the beach and right around the corner from the market and the city's best cafés and restaurants. Viareggio is a seaside resort in northern Tuscany boasting a two-mile-long esplanade lined with decorative Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings, historic cafés and fancy boutiques. When all the guests have arrived, go on a walking tour and enjoy a gelato at one of the many excellent gelaterie in town. Welcome aperitifs and dinner at Casa Piero.
May 9, Fri - Day 2
After breakfast drive to La Spezia to catch a ferry to visit what is arguably the prettiest of all the coastal towns in Liguria. A colorful huddle of old fishermen's homes greet those who visit the picturesque seaside town of Portovenere. Leisurely strolls through winding, narrow streets will disclose spectacular seascapes of emerald waters lapping along the town's rocky shoreline (approximately a one-mile, partly uphill walk). Lunch oyo. Enjoy a wine tasting en route back to Viareggio. Dinner in Casa Piero.
May 10, Sat - Day 3
After breakfast visit the endearing city of Lucca, hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls. Its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination to spend the day and with a ratio of 1 shop per every 3 inhabitants it's a great place for shopping. In the morning go for a walk to see the town's main sites (approximately a two-mile walk). After lunch oyo you can decide to go on an additional walk to explore the town further, or enjoy free time to either go shopping, ride bikes around the tree-lined city walls, or catch a museum. Return to Viareggio. Free time to go for a stroll, shop, ride a bike or go for a dip in the sea before dinner at Casa Piero.
May 11, Sun - Day 4
After breakfast visit Pisa to see what is perhaps one of Italy's most famous symbols, the Leaning Tower. Explore the majestic piazza made up of equally stunning white marble buildings that stand out against the square's green lawns. Be surprised to discover how many other noteworthy sights there are to see in this charming and lively university town. Lunch oyo. In the afternoon take part in a fun, hands-on cooking class preparing a full-course, traditional Viareggio meal to have for dinner.
May 12, Mon - Day 5
After breakfast, visit the Cinqueterre, a Unesco World Heritage site, five ingenuously constructed fishing villages set amid a dramatic coastal scenery. Take a fast train to the town furthest from us, Monterosso, the biggest of all the Cinqueterre. After visiting this delightful village we'll catch a boat to admire the coastline getting off to visit Vernazza and having lunch oyo, before boarding the ferry again to reach the town furthest south. Dinner at Casa Piero.
May 13, Tues - Day 6
After breakfast, visit Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and a city that needs no introductions. Go on a walk to see some of the extraordinary art and architecture the city is packed with. Lunch oyo, (approximately a three-mile walk). On returning to Viareggio have dinner in Casa Piero.
Alternately we can visit the surprisingly little-known town of Sarzana that possesses a remarkable old city center brimming with lots of great architecture, hisotic cafés and elegant boutiques.
May 14, Wed - Day 7
After breakfast visit Forte dei Marmi, a town that could be considered Tuscany's Bel Air. For those who like shopping, you're in luck, as Wednesday is also market day in this chi-chi resort town. Head for the Apuan Alps Regional Park where spectacular mountain ranges and scenic views await. Have a traditional lunch in a local trattoria in the country. See the charming mountain village of Seravezza. wedged between two streams and tiny Isola Santa set in fairy-tale surroundings, the grey-stone homes standing out against the emerald green lake. Return to Viareggio. Dinner at Casa Piero.
May 15, Thurs - Day 8
It's market day in Viareggio so spend the morning browsing through the countless stalls that sell everything from fine linen clothes, leather goods, food products, to kitchenware and bed linens. The second formal cooking class will take place after lunch preparing dinner.
May 16, Fri - Day 9
On your last day in Tuscany spend a lazy day at the beach, sunbathing and enjoying a swim in the sea. Lunch oyo. in the late afternoon visit Pietrasanta, a charming little town that attracts artists from around the world will be our afternoon outing. Beautiful palazzi, churches and lively cafés overlook the vast, open central square that is frequently the site of whimsical sculpture exhibits. If the weather permits we’ll have dinner back in Viareggio in a restaurant on the beach and watch the sun set out at sea.
May 17, Sat - Day 10
After breakfast departure from Pisa international airport.
Gallery
FUN. REAL. ENLIGHTENING.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- ACCOMMODATION
- ALL TRANSPORTATION MENTIONED IN ITINERARY
- ENTRANCE FEES TO ALL ACTIVITIES MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY;
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
- HANDS-ON COOKING LESSONS.
- ALL BREAKFASTS, DINNERS IN VILLA AND MEALS MENTIONED IN ITINERARY.
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
All rooms are double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and wifi.
Click here to see the gallery of Casa Piero in Viareggio
*All activities are subject to change on the basis of which options are deemed to be the most suitable in terms of current culinary standards, the weather conditions on a given day, and other relevant criteria.
Amenities
DOUBLE ROOMS ALL WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM
FREE WIFI
Cost per person
€3200 SHARING ROOM
€3900 SOLO ROOM OCCUPANCY
Tour available for maximum 10 people
All payments must be made by bank transfer or credit cards. Please contact us to receive a booking form with our bank details, along with our terms & cancellation policy.
