Vantage World Travel

Grand Tour of the Calabria 8D/7N

Starting from Morano Calabro, at the foot of the pristine Pollino group, we continue to the archaeological excavations of Sibari, an important center of Magna Graecia and Rossano Calabro, the location of one of the best brands of licorice produced in Italy. Then an imerrsion in Byzantine culture with a visit to the Baroque cathedral and church of St. Mark Evangelista, one of the most important testimonies of the diffusion of the Byzantine culture in Calabria.

Continue to the area of Crotone and Cirò with its renowned cellars. Then along the Ionian coast via Capo Colonna and Capo Rizzuto to Stilo, the first town on the so-called “tip of Italy’s boot”. Next is the area of the Aspromonte, Locri and Gerace, a landscape dominated by the fiumare flowing down from the peaks of Aspromonte to the sea, citrus fruit trees, vineyards,olive, fig, and almond trees typical of the macchia Mediterranea. Along the road to Cosenza, the plain of Lamezia attracts the traveller’s attention with its vineyards, olive trees and orchards. Then to Reggio Calabria to enjoy the beautiful waterfront and National Archaeological Museum housing the famous Bronzes of Riace. Finally to Vibo Valentia, Monte Poro with the splendid scenery of Capo Vaticano and Tropea where the numerous small shops offer colors, odors and shapes which make you appreciate the local onions, peperoncini, chilli pepper, cheeses, sausages and fish.

Art in Calabria - The region has a rich heritage of remains from the local artistic civilization: archaeologic excavations have brought to light ancient colonies in Sibari, Crotone, Catanzaro, Locri, Vibo Valentia. In Cosenza and Reggio Calabria, we can find remains of the Roman Age, such as baths, theaters and bridges. The religious buildings show Byzantine influences, dating back to the period when the region was part of the Empire of Byzantium. The Gothic style had a large diffusion during the thirteenth century. The Renaissance style is present in the paintings. The Baroque influence can be seen in several monuments.

Tour Operation

Transportation:

• Self Drive - For those wanting to explore this region at their own pace as it allows you to be mobile at all times, to stop whenever you want, to visit to your heart’s content. It is also the Best Value available as to cost
• Chauffeur Driven - When only the best will suffice, an exclusive chauffeur-driven limousine will provide the ultimate in service and luxury. Our English-speaking experienced drivers still know what it means to give polite and reliable service, you will find them responsible, caring, discreet and completely dedicated to your enjoyment.

Accommodation: A great variety of properties are available, from quaint small hotels to deluxe accommodation including boutique properties and castles, to suit every taste and budget. Our experts will suggest the best properties for you in each region as required by your itinerary.

Visits: You will have the opportunity to visit local companies and producers where the most distinguished regional specialties are produced and see where the most famous grapes have been grown, with the opportunity to walk among the vineyards - local producers and wineries will be suggested depending on your itinerary

Restaurants: We have carefully selected regional restaurants where you will have the opportunity to experience and taste the very best of the cuisine specific to each region.

Possible Visits on the program: Liquirizia Amarelli, Vini Cantina Librandi, Olio, Vino Ceraudo, Fattoria S.Francesco, Agriturismo la Puzelle, Vino Olio Cantine Lento

Suggested Daily Itinerary by Area:

• Pollino, traditions and archaeology - At the foot of the pristine Pollino group, is the historical center of Morano Calabro surprising us with its natural beauty and architectural glory . Among them are the ruins of the castle, the Collegiata della Maddalena and the church of St. Bernardino from Siena. The naturalistic Centro Studi Il Nibbio, located in the ancient houses of the suburb is also worth a visit. A short distance away is Civita, the center of the arbereshe culture, leaning out from the Gole del Raganello (the gorge of Raganello). Lunch consists of very savoury, local dishes. The afternoon will be devoted to the archaeological excavations of Sibari, an important center of Magna Graecia. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.



• Licorice and Byzantine culture - After breakfast we will drive to Rossano Calabro, the location of one of the best brands of licorice produced in Italy. We will visit the company and its nearby museum and sample some of its products, known for their intense and delicate taste. After lunch, we will visit the Museo Diocesano which houses the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, a rare 6th century Greek Gospel with silver lettering and splendidly detailed miniatures. The Baroque cathedral contains the Madonna Acheropita fresco, a much venerated Byzantine relic of the 8th or 9th century. Together with the beautiful church of St. Mark Evangelista, this is one of the most important testimonies of the diffusion of the Byzantine culture in Calabria. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
• The treasures of the Crotonese and Cirò - Also Santa Severina, in the Marchesato, preserves treasures of the Byzantine culture, such as the district of the Grecìa or the little church of Santa Filomena. But the beauty of the neighborhood is summarized in the tallest part of the hill on which the settled area rises, where the Norman Castle and the Cathedral are united by a set square that opens up onto hills of wheat. The day continues with a visit to the renowned cellar of Cirò. In the afternoon we will visit Crotone, the administrative center of the province, in order to discover its treasures and the possibility of a pleasant walk on the waterfront. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Capo Colonna, la Cattolica and an orthodox oasis - After breakfast we will drive south arriving at the promontory of Capo Colonna. This offers us striking panoramic views of rare beauty, embellished by the archaeological ruins of the sanctuary of Hera Lacinia. We continue on to Capo Rizzuto and the famous fortification on the Sea of Le Castella. The road is along the Ionio Sea, and leads us into the province of Reggio di Calabria. We arrive at Stilo, the first town on the so-called “tip of Italy’s boot”. Here is the splendid architecture of the small Byzantine church, “the Catholic”, located near the monastery of St. Giovanni Theresti, and still managed by orthodox monks. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.



• The Aspromonte, Locri and Gerace - This landscape is dominated by the fiumare flowing down from the peaks of Aspromonte to the sea, citrus fruit trees and vineyards, and the olive, fig, and almond trees typical of the macchia Mediterranea, as a well as a few new communities nestled in the mountains.. The ancient beauty of the places attracted various invaders: the wide archaeological area of Locri testifies the importance of the fortifications dating back to the VIII century BC. With its three very beautiful suburbs melted into one, and embellished by churches and fortifications, Gerace is another lovely town worth visiting. It is important to note that here grow the rare grapevines of Moscato, a famous local dessert wine. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
• The Bronzes of Riace and Scilla - Today will be spent visiting Reggio di Calabria and we will enjoy the beautiful waterfront praised by D’Annunzio, the elegant Corso Garibaldi animated with shops, and the Castle and churches which offer a good occasion to spend some time waking and window shopping. The National Archaeological Museum is a must-see monument. Among its treasures, deriving from several sites in the region is the famous Bronzes of Riace. In the afternoon we will make an excursion to Scilla, a beautiful, placid suburb overlooking the Sicilian coastline. The panorama on the Stretto, the channel, is enchanting. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Capo Vaticano and the succulent flavors of Calabria - After breakfast, we will visit Vibo Valentia and the town’s castle which contains an interesting archaeological museum. Afterwards we will reach the ample promontory of Monte Poro, which ends with the splendid scenery of Capo Vaticano. In the afternoon, we will visit Tropea that dominates the sea from its elevated position. We will also visit the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, the Cathedral and the narrow passages of the town center. Its numerous small shops offer colors, odors and shapes which make you appreciate the local onions, peperoncini, chilli pepper, cheeses, sausages and fish. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Fruits of the earth and the ancient Cosenza - Along the road to Cosenza, the plain of Lamezia attracts the traveller’s attention with its vineyards, olive trees and orchards. A visit and tasting in a wine cellar is an excellent opportunity to discover the Lamezia DOC, a bold red wine. We will continue to Cosenza and its historical center, dominated by the ruins of an ancient castle. Its intertwining roads staircases, buildings, squares and houses create a very fascinating picture.The church of St. Domenico and of St. Francis also certainly deserve a visit. In the evening we will arrive at our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Contact us for your Own Itinerary

We know each region inside out and can prepare “the” specific itinerary you desire with the exact services you need.

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