WHATSCOOKIN
Discovering the Tuscan Riviera
April 22 - May 1 2023
Program
Day 1 - Sat, April 22
Arrival in Pisa, Galileo Galilei international airport, and transfer to venue in Viareggio, 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.
Day 2 - Sun, April 23
After breakfast take part in a fun, hands-on cooking class preparing lunch. Free time in the afternoon to explore Viareggio, walk the esplanade to admire the architecture, people watch at one of the outdoor cafés, and/or go window shopping. If it's a warm, sunny day, you could go for a swim in the sea. Walk down the pier for a great view of the sea and majestic mountain stretch rising in the background. Rent bikes and ride through Viareggio's shady parks or on one of the town's many bike trails. These are just some of the many activities you can enjoy in this seaside resort. Ride out to the countryside for a wine tasting, followed by dinner in the winery.
Day 3 - Mon, April 24
After breakfast visit the Lunigiana area, the picturesque town of Pontremoli where you can see the mysterious, prehistoric statues housed in the Stele Museum. Have lunch in nearby Bagnone set in an idyllic location. Finish the outing in the afternoon visiting Fosdinovo. Have drinks overlooking the fabulous panorama with the allegedly haunted castle looming behind you. Return to Viareggio for dinner.
Day 4 - Tues, April 25
After breakfast drive through the lovely Lucca countryside to visit the stunning Villa Torrigiani and its ancient gardens. Have a wine tasting at what is considered one of the best wineries in the area. Return to Viareggio in the evening.
Day 5 - Wed, April 26
After breakfast visit Pietrasanta, a charming little town that has attracted celebrated artists from around the world to come work and sometimes live here. Artists like Henry Moore, Joan Mirò and Niki de Saint Phalle have at some point been drawn to this tiny artists' mecca. Beautiful palazzi, churches and lively cafés overlook the vast, open central square that is frequently the site of whimsical sculpture exhibits. Peak inside one of the over 50 bronze foundries and marble or mosaic workshops as you wander through the town. In the afternoon drive up the mountains to gawk at the spectacular Carrara marble quarriesbefore heading back to villa for dinner.
Day 6 - Thurs, April 27
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. After lunch 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.
Day 7 - Fri, April 28
After breakfast, visit the Cinqueterre, a Unesco World Heritage site, five ingenuously constructed fishing villages set amid a dramatic coastal scenery. Spend the day train hopping from town to town before returning to villa in time for dinner.
Day 8 - Sat, April 29
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. Return to Viareggio. In the evening, have a fish and seafood dinner in a restaurant overlooking the sea.
Day 9 - Sun, April 30
After breakfast enjoy a second hands-on cooking class preparing a full-course meal to have at lunch. Visit what is arguably one of the prettiest of the historic fisherman's villages on the Ligurian coast, Portovenere, one of poet Byron's favorite haunts, perched dreamily in the Gulf of Poets. Back to villa for dinner. Dinner in Viareggio.
Day 10 - May 1
After breakfast departure from Pisa international airport. Check out time at villa is by 11 am. We recommend you book a flight that leaves before noon.
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;
- TWO HANDS-ON COOKING LESSONS.
- ALL BREAKFASTS, DINNERS IN VILLA AND LUNCHES MENTIONED IN ITINERARY.
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
All rooms are double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and wifi.
*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
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.
