Journey to the heart of Italy and to the birthplace of pizza in a weeklong culinary adventure! 

8 Guests | 7 Days | 2 Chefs

Take a trip to the birthplace of pizza, to the city of romance and passions— Naples, Italy and the Sorrento Coast. Go beyond the typical tourist experience and explore Italy like a real chef –   Matthias Merges and Jason Hammel will lead you through the ancient city of sunlight and sea, to a place where beauty spills from every balcony and piazza. Set beneath the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, we will travel to the cradle of southern Italy’s soul—where art, music, and food have flourished for centuries. 

Experience the romance and unparalleled culinary history of this extraordinary city as the PL Chefs lead you behind the scenes, to the producers who make the famous mozzarella di bufula, to the limoncello groves of the Sorrento coast, to extraordinary fish markets: experiences interwoven with the history and culture of this ancient metropolis.  

Your accommodations will also be unique and steeped in history: you’ll stay two nights in Naples in a grand hotel of the 19th century. Then, you’ll travel to a 16th century castle where we’ll roam the countryside in search of the people and products that make for the world’s greatest food. Finally, we’re off to a villa on the Sorrento Coast where you’ll enjoy a boat excursion, a trip to the fish market, a limoncello tasting, all culminating in a multi course dinner prepared by the Pilot Light Chefs themselves!  This is more than a trip. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel alongside two chefs who have shaped American dining, who see food as both culture and community. Together, Jason Hammel and Matthias Merges will guide you through Naples and the Sorrento Coast in a way no guidebook ever could—through flavors, friendships, and stories that linger long after you return home.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Naples

Arrive in Naples, where the city hums with life under the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. Check into your grand 19th-century hotel, a historic retreat in the heart of the city. As the sun sets, meet Jason and Matthias for a rooftop aperitivo overlooking the Bay of Naples. This first evening is a chance to settle in, raise a glass, and prepare for the week ahead.

Day 2 – The Soul of Naples

Today you’ll dive into the living history of Naples. Walk beneath the city streets on a private tour of the WWII underground tunnels. Step back into the sunlight for a leisurely stroll through the storied city center, past churches, piazzas, and palazzos echoing with centuries of art and music. Lunch is pizza at 50 Kalò, a temple to Neapolitan tradition. Evening brings another chef-curated seafood experience, where flavors of the region shine.

Day 3 – Countryside & Mozzarella

Leave the bustle of Naples behind for the hills of Caiazzo. Visit Mimmo La Vecchia at Il Casolare, one of Italy’s most revered producers of mozzarella di bufala, and taste this delicacy at its source. As dusk approaches, gather for a rustic dinner at a family-run agriturismo, where fields and kitchen blur into one. Tonight you’ll sleep in a 16th-century castle, surrounded by history and countryside charm.

Day 4 – Sorrento & the Sea

Journey south toward Sorrento, the cliffs falling away to reveal the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea. Settle into a private villa overlooking the coast. Sip limoncello beneath fragrant lemon trees, then board a boat to cruise along the coastline, seeing the Amalfi horizon from the water. Return to your villa for a relaxed evening, the sound of the sea your companion.

Day 5 – Pompeii & a Chef’s Feast

Rise early to follow Jason and Matthias through the lively fish markets of Pompeii, learning how chefs source ingredients at their freshest. Explore the ruins of ancient Pompeii with a private guide, where history stands frozen in volcanic ash. Tonight, the Pilot Light chefs transform the market’s treasures into a multicourse dinner in your villa’s kitchen—an unforgettable evening at the long table, the culmination of your culinary journey.

Day 6 – The Pasta of Gragnano

Travel to Gragnano, birthplace of Italy’s finest dried pasta. Visit a local producer, see the traditional bronze-die process, and taste pasta that has fed generations. Over lunch, toast to the week of discovery. In the evening, the chefs take their leave, and you carry forward the flavors and memories of the journey.

Day 7 – A Day at Leisure

Your final day is yours to savor. Wander Sorrento’s sun-washed streets, sip espresso in the piazza, or embark on an optional excursion to Capri or Amalfi. Gather once more with your fellow travelers to reflect on the week, before parting ways the next morning.

Day 8 – Departure

Depart for home—or onward to new adventures—carrying with you the tastes of Naples and Sorrento, and the friendships forged around the table.