Day 1 - Lamezia Terme
Arrival in Lamezia Terme. Transfer to the hotel. Meet the tour guide. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 2 - Lamezia Terme / Diamante / Paola / Cosenza Region
Breakfast. Departure for Diamante and guided tour. Especially known for its murals that characterize much of the town center, as well as being famous for the chili pepper festival. Stroll through the streets of the historic center, visit to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Chili pepper tasting before lunch. In the afternoon, arrival in Paola for a visit to the Sanctuary of St. Francis, featuring the Path of Miracles, the saint’s relics, and the places of worship. After the visit, we will continue to Cosenza. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 3 - Cosenza / Morano Calabro / Cosenza Area
Breakfast. Departure for Morano Calabro, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Visit to its historic center, including the Church of St. Bernardino and the Church of the Magdalene. Lunch during the excursion. In the afternoon, visit the historic center of Cosenza, including the Cathedral and the tomb of Isabella of Aragon, the Church of Santo Domingo, the former high school named after Telesio, and the exterior of the Rendano Theater. Stop at the historic Café Renzelli for a tasting of coffee and traditional pastries. Return to the hotel and dinner.
Day 4 - Cosenza / Sila / Santa Severina / Le Castella / Catanzaro Region
Breakfast. Departure for the Sila Plateau, with a stop to visit the National Park in the town of Cupone. Brief visit to Camigliatello and on to Santa Severina. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the historic center of Santa Severina and its castle. At the end of the visit, departure for the Ionian coast with a stop in Le Castella for an exterior tour of the splendid and imposing Aragonese fortress that stands on a small islet. Arrival in the Catanzaro region. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 5 - Catanzaro / Scolacium / Soverato / Gerace / Reggio Calabria Region
Breakfast. Departure for the Scolacium Archaeological Park, which tells the story of Skylletion, the ancient city of Magna Graecia, which became one of the most prosperous Roman colonies. Continue to Soverato, a brief stop with the option to swim in one of the most beautiful spots on the Ionian coast. Late morning, departure for Gerace, one of the most beautiful villages in Calabria. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit Gerace. Departure for the hotel in the Reggio Calabria area. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 6 - Reggio Calabria / Scilla / Vibo Valentia / Lamezia Terme Area
Breakfast. In the morning, visit Reggio Calabria and the National Archaeological Museum, home to the famous bronze statues. Free time to enjoy the “Falcomata” promenade, described by Gabriele D’Annunzio as “the most beautiful kilometer in Italy.” Return to the hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon, departure for Scilla, a village known for Homer’s mythology and dominated by the promontory featuring the Ruffo Fortress, the Marina Grande, and the famous “Chianalea” (also called the Venice of the South), with fishermen’s houses built directly over the sea. Departure northward with a scenic stop at Monte San Elia, from where we will enjoy one of the most evocative views of the Costa Viola and the Strait of Messina. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Day 7 - Lamezia Terme Area / Tropea / Pizzo Calabro / Lamezia Terme Area
Breakfast. Morning dedicated to a visit to Tropea, considered the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea.” Tour of the historic center featuring the Norman cathedral, elegant palaces, narrow streets, Piazza di Hercules, and the Church of Santa Maria dell’Isola. A small tasting of typical Calabrian products. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit to the coastal town of Pizzo, featuring the small church of Piedigrotta, entirely carved out of tuff, the Aragonese castle also known as “Murat,” and the historic center. Tasting of Pizzo’s famous artisanal ice cream, called “Tartufo.” Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation in the Vibo Valentia, Lamezia Terme area, or nearby.
Day 8 - Lamezia Terme
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.
