DAY 1: ROME – CORIGLIANO CALABRO – ROSSANO “Codex purpureus Rossanensis” km. 540
Departure from Rome – free lunch - in the afternoon arrival in Corigliano Calabro - guided visit of the town (historic centre with the Ducal Castle built by Roberto il Guiscardo in the Norman period) – we will then continue to Rossano, one of the most important Byzantine centres in Calabria - guided visit of the town (Diocesan Museum housing the famous Codex purpureus Rossanensis, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, and the historic centre) - visit to the Giorgio Amarelli liquorice factory and museum - tasting of the product –– arrival at the hotel – dinner at the hotel – after dinner walking tour with tour leader - overnight stay.
DAY 2: ROSSANO - SILA NATIONAL PARK – SAN GIOVANNI IN FIORE – COSENZA km. 160
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for the Sila National Park, one of the most beautiful scenic areas in Italy – stops in Camigliatello Silano and San Giovanni in Fiore (the most populous Italian municipality located at more than 1,000 metres bove sea level, Florense Abbey, Capuchin Fathers' Convent, Lake Cecita and Cupone where you can admire endemic flora and fauna –lunch in a typical restaurant – free time for shopping - in the evening arrival in Cosenza - dinner at the hotel – after dinner Cosenza by night, walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.
DAY 3: COSENZA – PIZZO CALABRO - TROPEA “the Tyrrhenian Sea Viewpoint” – VIBO VALENTIA km 150
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of Cosenza (Old Town, Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Castle – external visit) – we will then continue to Pizzo Calabro – visit to the Aragonese Castle and the splendid rock-cut church of Piedigrotta – tasting of the famous artisanal truffle ice cream - lunch in a typical restaurant – we will then continue to Tropea for a guided visit of the Cathedral and the historic centre with a stop at the Viewpoint (a stunning balcony over the Tyrrhenian Sea) – tasting of typical onion-based products at a local company - in the evening hotel accommodation in the Vibo Valentia area or surroundings - dinner at the hotel – after dinner Pizzo Calabro by night by private coach with tour leader – overnight stay.
DAY 4: VIBO VALENTIA – SCILLA – REGGIO CALABRIA – BIANCO – ROCCELLA JONICA km 220
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning visit to Scilla (the ancient fishing village of Chianalea and Monte San Elia) and Reggio Calabria (guided visit of the National Archaeological Museum with the famous Riace Bronzes and a walking tour along the seafront, defined as “the most beautiful kilometre in Italy”) –lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon we will continue along the Ionian coast - stop in Bianco and visit to a company specialised in the production of the “nectar of the gods”, the highly prized Greco wine - visit to the vineyard and winery with tasting of Greco wine accompanied by pastries and dried fruit, surrounded by the floral scents of the season - in the evening arrival in Roccella Ionica or Siderno – dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guests’ disposal - overnight stay.
DAY 5: LOCRI - GERACE “the Norman and Byzantine town” – SIDERNO SUPERIORE km 60
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit to the archaeological excavations of Locri Epizephyrii – we will then continue to Gerace, the medieval citadel - guided visit of Gerace on board a little train (ancient monumental village rich in characteristic alleys, churches and noble palaces, Cathedral, Church of San Francesco, Castle – external visit -, visit to a craft workshop) – tasting of delicious granita in Piazza del Tocco - visit to a local agritourism farm with its own olive mill and a small breeding of Aspromonte black pigs - typical lunch based on traditional recipes - in the afternoon excursion to Siderno Superiore - guided visit of the ancient village dating back to the 10th century (splendid old palaces such as Palazzo Falletti, the Baroque Palazzo De Moia, Palazzo Englen, the charming Church of San Nicola) - tasting of local specialties and local wine drawn directly from the barrels in ancient cellars - in the evening return to the hotel in Roccella Jonica - dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guest’s disposal - overnight stay.
DAY 6: MAMMOLA “a gastronomic island”– CASIGNANA “the finest mosaics” km 110
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion - departure for Mammola - visit to the Santa Barbara Museum of Contemporary Art, which every year attracts hundreds of artists from all over the world to participate in exhibitions and cultural initiatives – we will then continue to the village of Mammola, where time seems to have stood still - stop at a small company specialised in the artisanal processing of the traditional “ammollo dello stoccafisso” (cod) - typical lunch in a local restaurant where stockfish is cooked in various ways – in the afternoon visit to the remains of the Roman Villa of Casignana, richly decorated with mosaics – in the evening return to the hotel in Roccella Jonica – dinner at the hotel – after dinner folkloric show with traditional Calabrian costumes - overnight stay.
DAY 7: SERRA SAN BRUNO – STILO “La Cattolica” & BIVONGI km 130
Breakfast at the hotel – in the morning guided visit of Serra San Bruno (Abbey – external visit -, Museum, charming park) – typical lunch in an agritourism farmhouse with a menu based on local woodland mushrooms - in the afternoon guided visit of Stilo (the Byzantine citadel with the famous Cattolica) and Bivongi (transfer by jeep to the famous Greek Orthodox Monastery of San Giovanni Theristis) – in the evening return to the hotel in Roccella Jonica – dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guest’s disposal - overnight stay.
DAY 8: JASMINE COAST– ALTOMONTE “one of the most beautiful villages in Italy”– ROME km 700
Breakfast at the hotel – departure for Altomonte – guided visit of the town (ancient medieval village with numerous historic buildings, the Church of Consolation) – tasting of typical liqueurs - lunch in a typical restaurant – departure for the return journey - arrival in the evening.
Please Note: The scheduled visits may be rearranged between the various days according to museum opening times or technical requirements, but the programme remains unchanged.
