Volunteer eco-travel meets Italian cuisine

An 8-day Italian Riviera tour sponsored by sustainable travel group Peace Through Travel mixes volunteer travel and ecotourism; combining wine, language and regional cuisine with nature paths, volunteer excursions and inter-cultural social events.

Kicking off on September 11, 2009 in Milan, this 8-day, small group tour to Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera – five villages declared as a natural marine area as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site – combines volunteer service in a family-owned vineyard, wine and olive oil tastings, cooking lesson, hiking on eco-protected paths, inter-cultural social occasions, and sightseeing to Portofino and Carrara, among other towns.

In preparation, environmentally conscious travelers will receive four complimentary 90-minute Italian language and culture lessons via webinar, prepared and lead by Linda Rivero, president and founder of Peace Through Travel LLC – rightfully equipping travelers to partake in the local scene as well as assisting a small local vintner in his annual grape harvest.

Guests are also given the delicious opportunity to “assist” their palates with wine and olive oil tastings and a private cooking lesson., inter-cultural social occasions, hiking with a local guide on eco-protected paths, and sightseeing to Portofino and Tuscany, among other destinations.

“We create sustainable tours that support the local economy, environment and community,” said Rivero. “Our guests will stay at a small, charming hotel and dine in village restaurants. They will meet many local residents and be escorted by a local guide.”

“We also believe in giving back,” Ms. Rivero continued. “A major highlight of this tour is the opportunity to work on a small, family-owned winery. We will help harvest the vintner’s crop and lend a hand in crushing the grapes. Our activities will contribute to producing some of Italy’s finest “Big White” wines, typical of the region.”

Serving as the tour’s home base will be the charming village of Vernazza. Founded in 1080 A.D., Vernazza has a population of only 1000. The main church was built in the 14th century, and the town features a 15th century castle designed and built to protect the townspeople from pirate attacks.

The tour will take travelers by boat along the Italian Riviera and by train to a neighboring village. Accompanied by a local guide, they will hike on eco-protected paths to view the breathtaking coastline. A boat trip to Portofino and a day excursion to the famed marble quarries of Carrara are also included. The tour ends on September 19 with a flight from Milan to the States.

Ms. Rivero has been praised for the “insider” feel of her tours.

“Linda Rivero leaves no cobblestone unturned in her search for the perfect palazzo or the trendiest trattoria,” commented Marilyn Goldstein of Newsday. “She’ll send you down roads you won’t easily find on your own.”

For more information, reservations and pricing, visit http://peacethroughtravel.net/italytour.aspx.