REGION VISITED:
Calabria
PLACES VISITED:
Altomonte, Rossano, Civita, Morano, Catanzaro, Tropea
SUGGESTED DURATION:
7 Days
Step into Calabria, a secret gem where ancient stories and stunning landscapes blend seamlessly. Here, history pulses through rugged mountains and serene shores, bathed in golden sunshine and cradled by two azure seas. This is more than a destination—it’s an experience waiting to be lived.
The heart of Calabria lies in its people and their culinary traditions. Their warmth turns every encounter into a memory, every shared table into a celebration. Savor locally produced olive oil, freshly made cheeses, and the bold flavors of Calabrian wines—each bite and sip a story of this timeless land.
Our itinerary offers more than a tour; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in authentic Calabrian life. Engage with locals, taste ancient flavors, and explore breathtaking landscapes.
Let Calabria’s spirit captivate you, turning every moment into a cherished memory. Join us and discover a place where your heart will feel at home.
Your adventure begins the moment you arrive at Lamezia Terme International Airport or Train Station. Picture this: our team awaits with a private bus ready to whisk you away to an unforgettable stay in the heart of Altomonte’s serene countryside.
Nestled amidst rolling hills, your accommodations, a captivating farm castle, exude rustic elegance and timeless charm. As you step through its historic doors, you’re greeted with a refreshing welcome drink, signaling the start of a truly magical journey.
Take a moment to breathe, unpack, and explore the enchanting surroundings of your castle retreat. As the sun sets, indulge in a sumptuous welcome dinner, lovingly prepared to give you a taste of Calabria’s culinary soul. Every bite tells a story of tradition, flavor, and warmth.
Services included today:
Start the day with a gourmet breakfast before exploring a historic Calabrian village of Altomonte known for its romantic alleys and unique Gothic architecture. Visit its beautiful church and monastery, then head to a traditional olive oil mill to learn about Calabria’s “green gold” with a tasting session and enjoy a rustic organic lunch.
In the afternoon, meet local artisans at a family workshop, masters of traditional pottery passed down through generations.
Later, visit a medieval village in the Pollino mountains with breathtaking views and a historic castle. End the day with a private performance by a master luthier, sharing the sounds of the Lira Calabrese, before savoring an authentic farm-to-table dinner at a Pollino farmhouse. Return to the castle for a restful night.
Services Included Today:
Start the morning with a delicious breakfast before visiting one of Calabria’s oldest artisanal factories, renowned for producing sweet Calabrian liquorice since 1731. Explore the production process and learn its fascinating history at the factory’s museum.
Next, journey to a captivating village that is home to one of the oldest Arbëreshë communities in Calabria. These Italo-Albanians, who settled in Southern Italy in the 1400s, have preserved their unique language, rituals, and culture. Stroll through its enchanting streets, lined with houses whose facades resemble human faces, and admire their distinctive chimneys. This visit offers a time travel experience, immersing you in centuries-old traditions.
Enjoy a traditional Arbëreshë lunch, paired with an exceptional ancient wine, before returning to the castle farm.
The day concludes with a lively Calabrian cooking class, led by a renowned local chef, where you’ll master recipes passed down through generations.
Services Included Today:
After breakfast and checkout, embark on a journey to a small village in the city of Catanzaro area rich in history and passion. Here, you’ll visit a traditional silk farm, where a group of young Calabrians has revived the ancient art of silk-making. Discover the region’s connection to the historic Silk Way and learn how Catanzaro was once Europe’s silk capital. Gain insight into centuries-old techniques and hear inspiring stories from the farm’s founders.
Following this immersive cultural experience, enjoy a tasty organic lunch prepared with local ingredients.
In the afternoon, head to Tropea, known as the Pearl of Calabria, with a stop along the way in Pizzo Calabro. Visit the enchanting church of Piedigrotta, a tiny masterpiece of religious architecture, and indulge in the famous Tartufo di Pizzo, a decadent gelato delight.
Arriving in Tropea by evening, check into your 4-star boutique hotel, located in the historic center and just steps from the sea. Surrounded by Mediterranean charm, the hotel offers a blend of elegance and comfort, perfect for relaxing after the day’s adventures.
The evening is yours to explore Tropea’s ancient alleys, noble palaces, and vibrant atmosphere, enjoying dinner at your leisure.
Services Included Today:
Begin the day with breakfast before heading to a charming countryside farm, where Signora Franca and her “commari” will greet you with warm smiles. These local women will take you on a journey back in time, sharing the ancient art of bread-making in Calabria. Participate in this hands-on experience as you knead, shape, and learn the secrets behind this beloved tradition.
While the dough rises, explore the mystical caves and grottos nearby, uncovering their natural beauty and historical significance.
For lunch, indulge in a rustic Calabrese feast, featuring unique local delicacies that words cannot capture. Afterward, return to Tropea for some well-deserved relaxation and free time to enjoy the charm of this seaside town.
As evening falls, your private bus will take you to the hills overlooking Tropea for an unforgettable wine and culinary experience. On a country terrace with breathtaking views of the Aeolian Islands, savor fine wines and traditional Tropea specialties as the sun sets in a palette of stunning colors, creating a magical atmosphere to end the day.
Services Included Today:
Start your day with breakfast before heading to Scilla, known as the Venice of the South. This charming fishermen’s village, nestled between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aspromonte slopes, will captivate you with its breathtaking views and unique atmosphere. Stroll through quaint alleyways, where fishermen mend their nets or prepare their boats, and admire the waves lapping against the seaside homes, a scene straight out of a painting.
Enjoy a delightful seafood lunch, featuring the freshest catch from the Strait of Messina, served at a romantic table overlooking Scilla’s picturesque coast.
After lunch, visit the Museum of Reggio Calabria, home to the magnificent Bronzi di Riace, ancient Greek bronze statues shrouded in mystery. A private guided tour will reveal the fascinating history and artistry of these 5th-century BC masterpieces.
Return to Tropea for a grand finale: a farewell dinner at local osteria. Savor a culinary adventure crafted from locally-sourced ingredients, where the chef brings traditional flavors to life with passion and creativity. The perfect ending to an unforgettable journey.
Services Included Today:
After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, a group transfer will be arranged to take you from Tropea to Lamezia Terme Airport, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey as you bid farewell to Calabria.
Important Note: A specific time has been scheduled for the group transfer service. For participants requiring drop-off at different locations or at alternative times, a separate transfer service can be arranged upon request. Please note that this additional service is not included in the standard tour package and will incur an extra fee.
Services Provided Today:
To initiate a tailor-made tour with Vita Calabra Tours, travelers should first complete our survey (CLICK HERE) to gather essential travel information. After submitting the form, a Vita Calabra Tours travel specialist will contact you within 24-48 hours. While not mandatory, a follow-up phone call, which we may invite you to, can be incredibly useful for understanding your needs. Within 7-10 days of your request, you’ll receive a customized tailor-made tour proposal, tailored to the information gathered in the initial phase.
If the proposal from our travel designer meets your needs, we will proceed to the booking phases, which include signing the travel contract and making a 30% deposit of the total tour cost.
There’s no minimum or maximum duration for our tailor-made tours. As this service is fully customized, travelers have complete freedom to decide the length of their journey according to their preferences.
For Tailor Made tours, there’s no set rule for how far in advance you need to book. However, last-minute bookings may face limitations in terms of availability of accommodations, experiential activities, drivers, and other services. Moreover, costs for last-minute requests might be higher. Our advice is to book your tailor-made journey well in advance to enjoy all the possible advantages that come with ample planning time.
Our cancellation policies are stated in the booking form and in the travel terms and conditions, which are as follows:
30% non-refundable deposit due at the time of confirmation.
50-46 days before arrival: 50% penalty.
45-31 days before arrival: 75% penalty.
30 days or less before arrival: 100% penalty.
Note: Cancellations must be requested via email at [email protected] and it is necessary for the tour operator to respond with an official confirmation of receipt of the cancellation request. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours of your cancellation request, please contact the tour operator again, either via email or by phone at the number listed in our contacts, to ensure that your request reaches our office. Once the cancellation receipt is confirmed by email, the cancellation policies included in these FAQs and in the travel contract will apply.
At Vita Calabra Tours, we do not charge a fee for creating a tailor-made tour proposal. We believe in offering a seamless and enjoyable planning experience without additional costs. Once you reach out to us with your ideas and preferences, we’ll work diligently to design an itinerary that suits your interests and budget. This initial proposal is our way of introducing you to the unique experiences we can create, with no obligation on your part until you decide to book the tour.
A tailor-made tour by Vita Calabra Tours is entirely customizable to meet your needs, whether you are a solo traveler or planning a trip for your entire family, friends, cousins, and neighbors. We are always happy and able to accommodate your specific requirements. However, for optimal tour experience, we recommend not exceeding a total of 20 people.
The inclusion of a tour leader in our tailor-made tours is not automatic but can be requested. We are flexible in accommodating this feature based on your specific needs and preferences for the tour.
Flights are not included in our tours. Nonetheless, we are more than willing to offer necessary information and guidance, ensuring clients can secure suitable flight options through their trusted travel agents.
During our tours, we offer private transfers, including minivans, minibuses, sedans, or SUVs, ensuring comfort and convenience. Vita Calabra Tours employs only qualified professionals with the appropriate licenses, adhering strictly to current passenger transport regulations. In some cases, particularly in destinations with robust transportation infrastructure, our travel specialists might recommend using high-speed trains or domestic flights for transfers between distant locations, to optimize your travel experience.
