BIG NEWS!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m teaming up with the stellar folks at Ciao Andiamo (a tour company featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Forbes and more—though their most compelling selling point is that guests rave they finish their trips feeling like part of an Italian family) to experience la dolce vita in a whole new way…together!

Mark your calendars, from October 14-20, we’re headed to the Italian Riviera!

“Travel Write to Travel Right”— People are always urging me to write a travel guide. Not because they want my restaurant recs, but because they want to learn my knack for open-hearted travel. Well, it’s not a secret…I travel with the lens of a travel journaler. A journaler isn’t concerned if this town or meal or experience is “better” than any other. No, a journaler must stay present in the moment, to soak up the details of a place, to pay attention to sensations, to pay attention to heart, so as to later translate those experiences onto paper. If you want to keep an evocative journal of your travels, in this roving workshop you’ll hone not just your ability to write, but your ability to see. And if you, like me, enjoy making those journal public, I’ll be happy to tell you my experience as a memoirist and blogger.

Our writing group will travel to LIGURIA with Max, a son of Genoa and one of Ciao Andiamo’s co-owners. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to unearth the treasures of Liguria, with shoulder season, accompanied by a local who knows where to linger over lunch; all while learning to let that experience resonate and fill you.

What You’ll Do in the Italian Riviera

(in brief, full and fully fabulous itinerary below!)

We’ll explore the dramatic beauty of Liguria that most people miss in their quest for open water—from the shimmer of Portofino to the medieval lanes of Genoa (the biggest medieval city center in the world!) to faded fishermen villages to mountain respites. And how can you write about a place without digging into all your senses, especially flavor? We’ll taste the unique wines of the region and make local foods in Genoa, all the while deepening our respect for ancient traditions.

Here’s Ciao Andiamo’s brochure, or keep on reading below!

Why You’ll Love It:

• Enjoy immersive experiences like a guided walking tour of Genoa’s historical city center, sampling its many markets and learning how to make a pitch perfect pesto before celebrating it all with a scenic aperitivo

• Stroll through the fishing villages of Camogli and Boccadasse, explore the colorful Cinque Terre and stylish Portofino, and admire the Ligurian coast from the water on your way to a former convent, only accessible by sea

• Elevate your travel journey with daily guided writing lessons, practice, and sharing (no writing experience required!)…plus loads of talking about wanderlust literature over meals!

• By documenting your experiences, you’ll become better at experiencing—opening your senses, seeing poetry in the everyday, and transcending your assumptions

Italian Riviera Itinerary highlights

DAY 1 - JOURNEY TO THE RIVIERA

Benvenuti in Italia! Meet Max (your dedicated group leader) and ME, in central Milan this morning and begin your journey to Genova and the Italian Riviera. Along the way, stop in Vercelli to tour a historic rice farm and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local risotto. Then continue to Genova, settle into your accommodations and enjoy a welcome dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

DAY 2 - EXPERIENCE LIGURIA’S PAST
Following breakfast, start today in one of Genova’s hidden gems: Boccadasse, a former fishing village that still maintains its charm, even as the city has grown around it. Step into the region’s past as you explore the neighborhood’s picturesque alleyways and walk along the shore. Following a group lunch together, return to Genova in the afternoon for a guided tour of the largest medieval city center in the world. See the original house of Christopher Colombus and stroll down the historic renaissance streets which feature many noble palaces and unique carruggi – (historic alleyways that wind through the city). Cap the tour off with a refreshing aperitivo overlooking the city and port, before heading off to sample food stands at the Mercato Orientale.

DAY 3 - EXPLORE GENOVA

Get to know Genova a bit more this morning with a visit to the fresh vegetable and fruit market. Afterwards, enjoy a cooking class where you’ll learn how to prepare some of the most iconic plates of the Genovese tradition, such as pesto sauce, vegetable pie, focaccia, and many more tantalizing dishes (please note - the exact menu items featured will depend on what is in season and can be adjusted for group preferences). Spend the evening relaxing or exploring the town further on your own.

DAY 4 - HEAD DOWN THE COAST

Say “Ciao!” to Genova with a celebratory farewell breakfast at one of the oldest historical cafes in the heart of town (a true genovesi tradition for special occasions). From there, your journey continues down the coast. Enjoy scenic views along the way and a stop in the charming town of Camogli to explore and enjoy a group lunch together. Then arrive in Sestri Levante, where you’ll check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the vibrant town center near your hotel, and enjoy dinner on your own.

DAY 5 - DISCOVER SAN FRUTTUOSO

Today you’ll visit Portofino and spend some time in this famous jet-setting destination. Wander through the alleyways as you make your way up to the church of San Giorgio to admire the spectacular views of the entire village. Then enjoy a tasty lunch together right on the beach. Following lunch, climb aboard a boat and make your way to San Fruttuoso, a former convent only accessible by sea. Hear fascinating stories about this unique site and savor the gorgeous views of the coast from the water. Then return to Portofino for your drive back to Sestri Levante where you’ll enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner on your own.

DAY 6 - EXPLORE CINQUE TERRE

Travel early in the morning to the Cinque Terre where you’ll have plenty of time to walk around and enjoy the unique atmosphere of these colorful, world-renowned villages. Take in breathtaking views of the Ligurian coastline as you explore towns like Manarola, Monterosso and Vernazza; do a little shopping and eat a delicious seafood lunch. Following your return to Sestri Levante this evening, regroup for a memorable farewell dinner at a favorite local spot.

DAY 7 - CIAO TO THE ITALIAN RIVIERA

Following breakfast and check-out, stop in Gavi on your way to Milan for a wine tasting lunch at a local winery. Gaze at the rolling hills that separate Piemonte and Liguria and feature an astonishingly different environment, food, language and history from the coast, showcasing the complexity of the Italian cultural melting pot. From there, you’ll return to Milan where we bid you arrivederci until our next adventure together!

*Note: This is a sample itinerary and may change according to the season, weather and/or the interests of the group and the availability of certain private venues.

Isn’t all that just too swoon-worthy?

Now, this tour filled up within a week of my announcing it, but we’ve opened up a seventh spot (we want to keep it small for an intimate experience), so contact Ciao Andiamo at info@ciaoandiamo.com to sign up! They’ll require a 25% deposit from you to secure a spot.

Cost for the 6 night tour: €6,250 per person with double room occupancy (does not include single room supplement of €1,285—if you’d like to share a room, let Ciao Andiamo know when you sign up and if someone else is also interested in sharing, they’ll let you know…or you can invite a friend to join us!).

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Six nights stay in NH Genova Marina (or similar) and Hotel Vis a Vis (or similar) with daily breakfast

• Nine meals (lunch and/or dinner, depending on daily itinerary) featuring regional specialties and local wines

• Hands-on cooking class

• Private guided tour in Genoa with admissions

• Private half-day boat excursion in the Riviera

• Full day excursion to the Cinque Terre

• Dedicated English-speaking tour leader with daily

• excursions and ground transportation

• Pick-up and drop-off in center of Milan (If you’ll be arriving to Italy through a different airport, Ciao Andiamo can help you figure out how to get to the meeting point)

NOT INCLUDED aforementioned single supplement, airfare, travel insurance, personal expenditures, meals and transfers on your own, guide gratuity (optional)

Now, I should point out that the tour will include a lot of walking on uneven terrain (this is Italy after all!) so you’ll want to arrive fit and ready and with good shoes!

Who is in????

Sign up today by contacting Ciao Andiamo…the brochure tells you all about it how to reserve your spot!

(Below you’ll find the Instagram Story Slideshow I put together to describe the tour, full of images from Liguria!)