This is our original trip and sixth year running it. Join Chef Paolo Laboa and his partner and Solo’s wine guy, Jesse Bania, on a tour of Paolo’s home region, Liguria, and neighboring Piemonte. 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.

By joining us for this Ligurian-oriented 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:

Thursday, 10/29/26:
Arrive at your hotel in Camogli, 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 share our first dinner together that night with a seafood forward meal where we start each of our trips. This is always Jesse’s favorite meal, and he will be sure to explain why!

Friday, 10/30/26:
We will Lunch in Recco to sample their special DOP Focaccia, as served in Solo Italiano as “Focaccia di Recco.” A brief respite at the hotel (and perhaps a visit to their picturesque patio bar before dining at our favorite local restaurant in Camogli.

Saturday, 10/31/26:
We will travel up the Ligurian Riviera coast to have lunch with and visit our friends at bio Vio in Savona. Dinner at a Michelin-rated restaurant in Genova.

Sunday, 11/1/26:
This is all Saint’s Day and Paolo’s birthday. It will thus be your one free day to explore the coast and Santa Margherita or Cinque Terre, take a hike to Portofino or simply relax in Camogli.

Monday, 11/2/26:
We will travel north into Piemonte, beginning the day visiting a local Salumeria before a late lunch/early dinner and maybe another affogato with Paolo’s wonderfully charismatic friend, Fabrizio. We will then depart for Asti and our Agriturismo.

Tuesday, 11/3/26:
Following a stunning breakfast, we will embark on our truffle hunt! Then we will lunch back our accommodations, prepared by our truffle hunter himself! Dinner will be at our truffle hunter’s favorite local venue (another Michelin spot) flush with the season’s best white truffles!

Wednesday, 11/4/26:
Begin the day with bubbles at the UNESCO property of Contratto followed by light lunch at their restaurant. Potential visit to Moscato producer OR Canelli vermouth producer. Final night and dinner together!

Thursday, 11/5/26:
Check out of your accommodation in Asti and savor one last meal (breakfast) with the group. We will be transporting the group to Milan’s Airport.

PRICE:
$7,150 per person double occupancy room
$8,150 per person single occupancy room

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
7 nights accommodation including taxes
10 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.