This is an expansion of our original trip and our sixth year running them! Join Chef Paolo Laboa and his partner and Solo’s wine guy, Jesse Bania, on a tour of Paolo’s home region, Liguria, as well as neighboring Piemonte, Tuscany and Umbria. The gorgeous coast overlooking the Ligurian Sea is where age-old cooking traditions were met with passion and inspiration to create much of Paolo’s unique culinary style. Meanwhile, up and over the dramatic mountainous landscape in Piemonte lie equally iconic and historic opportunities for cultural and gastronomic exploration and, of course, truffles. Then in Tuscany we will stay in an 800 year old “farm castle” before finishing our journey in Umbria at a winery we work closely with.

By joining us for this experience, you will share the best food and taste through a special variety of local wines and featured producers we work closely with while learning the stories that lie behind them all. If you have a love for Italian food and wine and an interest in learning as you travel, you are in for an amazing opportunity to do so!

YOUR CHEF & GUIDE:

Paolo Laboa’s love for the cucina started in his mother's kitchen, where he learned the secrets of real Genovese cooking. After many achievements and adventures, including winning the World Pesto Championship, Paolo has found his new home in Portland, ME. Here he and his wife Mercedes live with their two children and run Solo Italiano, a much-loved pillar of the farm to table tradition in Portland. Paolo is very excited to share his home country and region and its cultural culinary traditions with you on this special trip!

Jesse connected naturally with Paolo and the mission behind Solo Italiano on the day it opened its doors. He went on to become the wine director of one of Portland’s most exclusive and unique wine lists as well as Co-Owner and friendly face of the restaurant. He LOVES Italian wine and has built Solo’s program around the natural connection it has to food, origin and atmosphere. He has traveled extensively around the world. He will be your tasting buddy, translator and travel partner. Ask him any question you might have along the way; he will be your pocket guide.

ROUGH ITINERARY (Fuller detailing of stays will come by our second email to you in September. During our initial meeting, you will receive an official paper copy to reference during our time together.):

Monday 11/2 through Thursday 11/5:
Arrive at your hotel in Costigliole d’Asti, check-in and meet up with Paolo and Jesse for an aperitivo hour to meet your traveling companions and review plans for the delicious week to come! We will spend two full days here together visiting an esteemed Alta Langa producer, hunting truffles and dining very well. There will be two other wine tastings featured in Piemonte. Thursday we will depart for Liguria.

Thursday 11/5 through Monday 11/9:
We will arrive at our stay in Camogli and be free for the night and some rest. The next three days will include visits to Savona, Recco and Genoa. We will visit an olive oil producer, a winery and lunch at one of the original locations that established Focaccia di Recco DOP. Our dinners here will include a Michelin location where Paolo once worked!

Monday 11/9 through Weds 11/11 or Thurs 11/12:
Monday we will depart Liguria for Toscana where we will stay in a charming Castle. En route that day, we may stop in Florence for lunch and be free for dinner. Alternatively, we would get to Siena first and be free to explore/dinner on our own. Our stay at the Farm Castle will include a tour of Tuscan salami-making, the area’s history and a brief touch on natural wine. We will breakfast and dine on the freshest farm food we have ever had in Italy. We are still considering spending three nights in Umbria and two in Tuscany, which is why there is a variability to the departure date for Umbria.

Weds 11/11 or Thurs 11/12 through Saturday 11/14:
We will drive to Umbria where we will stay at a modern and beautifully sustainable winery that we work closely with at both our restaurant and bakery. We hope to share a meal together with them on night one. Perhaps we could even make some pasta together…Either way, we will certainly taste their wines. We will also visit Perugia and potentially Norcia.

PRICE:
$11,700 per person double occupancy room
$13,200 per person single occupancy room

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
12 nights accommodation including taxes
14 meals per itinerary (incl. gratuities)
All breakfasts offered by accommodations
All scheduled wine tastings
All ground transportation per itinerary
All additional sightseeing/admissions per itinerary

DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare or travel to and from Italy and our initial meeting/departure locations. There will be some free time built into the schedule for relaxation or personal exploration. All meals and activities therein are the responsibility of the guest(s).

CONDITIONS:
Trip guaranteed departure is based on 8 paid attendees. Our group size will be 16 persons max, including Jesse, Paolo and Solo staff—no more than 12 paid attendees.
*Travelers must be at least 21 years of age.

RESERVATIONS:
To secure your spot(s) on the trip please fill out the form below and submit your deposit of $2,500 per person.

Payments can be made by check or major credit card. Credit cards will be subject to a 3.0% processing fee.

CANCELLATIONS:
If you must cancel your trip reservation with us before 5/31/2026 you will receive a full refund of your deposit minus a $1,000 cancellation fee. After 5/31/2026, your deposit will be nonrefundable. Once the final balance is paid, it will also be nonrefundable. Final balance will be due 9/1/26.

Please consider taking travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. For insurance information please visit InsureMyTrip. Your credit card company may also offer trip protection for such a purchase automatically, as another option to explore. In the event that our boarders close anew or other federal restrictions stop us from traveling, we will work with participants where insurance/trip protection doesn’t cover deposits and final balance payments.

TRAVEL NOTES:

In addition to purchasing travel insurance, we also recommend packing light to the extent that you are comfortable. You may be staying overnight in different towns throughout the week. Having that personal item be a day bag is also helpful for your daily adventures.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Solo Italiano and Paolo & Jesse Bania accept no responsibility for any delayed departures or arrivals, missed connections, loss, damage, or injury to person or property. We reserve the right to change the itinerary and substitute arrangements of any equal value, if circumstances warrant change.