Excursion Pasta & pesto cooking experience at osteria "i coppelli" tour at Genoa

Get ready to dive into the deep green of the Monte di Portofino, in Liguria. The region's peculiar shape - a strip of land squeezed between the sea and the mountains - makes for incredible vistas. One of the best can be enjoyed from La Portofinese.

Begin with the 10-15 minutes drive through the woods of the Portofino natural reserve on special porters, the only vehicles allowed on this private road, which twists and turns taking you higher and higher, past secluded cottages (the high-profile residents value their privacy) and secret gardens, up where only few lucky ones can go.

Osteria "I Coppelli"

You will arrive at the Osteria “I Coppelli”, that rises from the ancient walls of a drying room used in the past to dehydrate chestnuts, corn on the cob and other products collected from the Portofino hill sides. The owners decided to transform it while still keeping its main identity and characteristics. The Osteria is now equipped with an ecologically-sustainable system which will become energy self-sufficient quite soon, all the while fully respecting the environment.

Inside the Osteria there is an olive oil press mill and the cold crusher ensures the success of the most delicate phase of the entire process when producing the extra virgin olive oil. There is also a multifunctional laboratory for the processing and production of the local products, like the honey and the beer. Surrounding the building there are a beautiful olive grove integrated with young olive trees, where their poultry ranges free, and an aromatic garden where the basil for the pesto grows.

Cooking Experience: Corzetti Pasta & Pesto Sauce, Lunch with a View

In your Cooking Experience you will learn how to make the fresh Pasta “Corzetti” and the Pesto.

The “Corzetti” are one of the oldest kinds of pasta, which is part of the Genoese and Liguria tradition since medieval ages. The Corzetti, or Croxetti, are small circles of pasta with a flowery decoration stamped on them. It is said that originally the stamp was done by pressing a coin on the pasta. Only afterwards this edible art developed and the pasta makers started to use elaborate wood stamps, especially done for embossing any kind of design or noble family coat arm. Today you can find Italian Corzetti already prepared and packed in regional food shops or in few typical restaurants. Making them at home is quite unusual, it takes time and finding corzetti stamps is not that easy.

However, there are still few artisan woodcarvers, especially in the East Italian Riviera, who work to preserve this ancient art and carves gorgeous garnishing stamps just like centuries ago.

After making the pasta, you will prepare the Pesto, the most famous Italian sauce, typical from Liguria, made with basil, garlic, cheese, olive oil and pine nuts.

At the end of the cooking class, you will enjoy a lunch where you will taste the Corzetti with the Pesto and some other tasty local products from the farm's own land and kitchen.

After lunch, you will go back to the piazzetta in Portofino by Porter Van.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Panoramic drive up the private natural reserve of the Monte di Portofino; Osteria "I Coppelli" reserved exclusively for you; a breath-taking view of the Gulf from the top of the Monte di Portofino; a vegetable garden tour; a Cooking class with Preparation of fresh Pasta & Pesto; Lunch with a view;

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of activity, including approximately 1.5 km of walking over uneven and natural ground, inclines and approximately 30 steps, making this tour less suitable for guests with walking difficulties and not accessible for those in wheelchairs. Guests must be able to board the Porter van (a small and basic special vehicle suitable for the tiny steep road) and stand for the cooking class. The drive to the Osteria will be along a tiny, steep panoramic road and guests who suffer of fear of heights or easily gets car sick should consider taking part to this tour. Children as young as 10 may participate on this tour accompanied by an adult. Guests are recommended to wear comfortable closed toe walking shoes, comfortable clothing, sunscreen and a hat and expect some sun exposure. Guests are advised to inform of any dietary restrictions ahead of time, as accommodating restrictions may be limited by the nature of the experience. Space on this tour extremely limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Tour itinerary order may vary.