Granted, there are many ways to visit Italy but experiencing the real authentic Italy can be rare. If boarding a bus at dawn each day, seeing tourist attractions and returning home exhausted is not what you are looking for, then this Italy travel itinerary is for you.
In other words, you may want to experience the “real” Italy and to live its lifestyle on a fully guided tour with me – an Italian speaking citizen of Italy at a pace that’s naturally relaxing.
Plus, group size is small for this trip – 20 people adding to this unique experience!
Watch this video for trip highlights:
Monday - Departure from the U.S.A. flying overnight to Italy
Tuesday - Arrive at Reggio Calabria Airport. After luggage delivery and immigration formalities, your private coach takes you to your hotel. We will check in to the hotel and begin to enjoy the surroundings of beautiful Calabria
After spending a little time to “settle in,” we’ll enjoy dinner at a local trattoria for a “meet and greet” dinner and group introductions.
The rest of the time is on your own to relax and rest after our long journey, or to take an evening “passeggiata” (walk) in the area.
Wednesday – Immersion in the history and Culture of Reggio Calabria
After a delicious leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we’ll leave for a guided walking tour with an English-speaking guide where you will learn about the rich history of Calabria and the begin to enjoy the beauties of the vibrant city of Reggio Calabria settled by the Greeks in 8th century BC.
We’ll enjoy the Promenade on the sea, known as the most beautiful kilometer in Italy with breathtaking views of the Strait of Messina, visit the Graecia Museum, home to the legendary Riace Bronzes, discover the Aragonese Castle and much more as we a dive into the city’s glorious past.
We’ll depart in the afternoon in our private motorcoach for our historical adventure to the abandoned town of Pentedattilo, offering a unique experience transporting you to another time with its history as a Greek and Roman settlement dating back to 640 BC.
We’ll finish the day with dinner experiencing a Slow Food gourmet dinner, promoting sustainability and local tradition and tasting the traditional Reggio Calabria gelato, considered among the best in Italy.
A new day begins with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. Following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and depart for the beautiful village of Scilla on the sea. You’ll be fascinated by this beautiful village and the story of the tsunami that almost destroyed the entire village and the rebuilding of the town.
We’ll tour the Scilla Castle, not only offering a history lesson but a place to enjoy the spectacular sea views.
You’ll have time to relax by the sea to enjoy Marina Grande, with its crystal-clear waters and typical small restaurants along the coast, perfect for an afternoon stroll.
You won’t believe the experience of having dinner right on the sea in the fisherman’s village of Chianaela. The cultural experience and fresh seafood are not to be missed!
Return to Reggio Calabria for the night.
Start the day with a delicious and leisurely breakfast before leaving Reggio Calabria for the Deliba experience at the farm!
Exploration and History: Start with an educational walk among the olive trees, where stories about the company's history and its evolution from traditional olive growing to the adoption of innovative practices will be shared. Take a tour of the olive grove.
Symbol of Peace: Planting ceremony of an olive tree by participants as a gesture of friendship and peace, enriched with an explanation of the cultural and environmental significance of olive trees.
Immersion in Local Cuisine: Guided visit to the family gardens to pick fresh ingredients, followed by an interactive cooking lesson on homemade pasta preparation and preparation of Typical Dishes. Lunch among the olive trees!
Lunch of Longevity: Savor the prepared dishes, learn about the principles of the Mediterranean diet and longevity. We will put into practice the Deliba concept, namely enjoying food and conviviality.
Check in to Uliveto Principessa hotel and resort in the town of Cittnova in the Aspromonte mountains where the climate conditions have allowed the development of a luxuriant vegetation typical of the Mediterranean area.
Enjoy another delicious Calabrian breakfast in the beauty of the Calabrian countryside before checking out of the hotel and departing for another wonderful day with the Deliba family at the farm.
Introduction to EVO Oil: A comprehensive introduction to the world of extra virgin olive oil, from cultivation to production.
Natural Creations: Practical workshop on the production of soap using extra virgin olive oil and natural ingredients, highlighting the beneficial properties of the oil.
Lunch Among the Olive Trees: An outdoor lunch immersed in the beauty of the olive grove, with a menu that celebrates EVO oil in every dish.
Tasting Course: An educational experience on olive oil tasting, learning to recognize its qualities and nuances.
At the end of the day, depart for Tropea and check in to our hotel
Tropea is one of the most spectacular seaside towns in the Mediterranean. Its beach is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world — yet it’s almost undiscovered by tourists outside Europe.
Tropea is called the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea! It’s a visually spectacular destination.
Check into the hotel in Tropea.
The panoramic terrace of Nicotera is on one of the most beautiful spots in Italy and captivates all who visit with its beaches and the clear waters of Nicotera Marina The historic center is also particularly impressive. Walking through the narrow streets of Nicotera, you can admire Castle Ruffo, rebuilt after the 1783 earthquake.
Nicotera is another homeland of the discovery of the Mediterranean diet where Ancel Keys studied the dietary habits of the local population leading to the origin of the most studied, copied and scientifically cited way of eating and living - the Mediterranean diet.
We return to Tropea in the evening for dinner.
Morning: Depart for another town by the sea - Pizzo
Pizzo is one of those quaint seaside towns that offers the charm of southern Italy. Imagine tiny streets, a hotchpotch of red rooftops, an abundance of ice cream parlors and sweeping blue sea views.
Along Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast we’ll visit Pizzo for its historic attractions and the charming center of the town with a piazza that overlooks a charming marina.
Day dedicated to visiting Pizzo and tasting the famous Tartufo ice cream, a must try delicacy of the region.
We’ll return to Tropea to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Thursday: Free Day to enjoy the beauty of Tropea and its idyllic town. A day to stroll, shop and/or relax in this magnificent location of Tropea overlooking expansive sandy beaches with clear turquoise water. This coastline is called the Coast of the Gods — la Costa degli Dei
Celebratory group dinner in the evening.
After a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, we’ll say our goodbyes to new friends, new experiences and to Italy and to return home with new perspectives on living life well.
Depart for Lamezia Terme Airport (about 1 hour travel from Tropea).
Hotel accommodations
Private transfers to and from airports upon arrival and departure
Dedicated comfortable motorcoach for the entire itinerary as described above
Private guided walking tours with local English speaking guides
Dinner and wine tasting at winery near Tropea
Interactive cooking class at Deliba farm
Breakfast each day
4 Dinners
3 lunches
1 tasting of local foods at Deliba Farm
Complete Land Package – airfare is separate:
4200.00 per person, double occupancy
4700.00 per person, single occupancy
If interested in travel insurance, learn more here: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/
Pace of the trip.
This is not a trip where we will be up at dawn, looking at tourist attractions all day and returning at night exhausted. We will fully experience authentic Italy at a pace allowing us to absorb the beauty, culture, food and people while enjoying the Italian lifestyle. Time traveling on the motorcoach is kept to a minimum.
Experiencing Italy requires walking.
With that being said, Italians walk, and we will be walking a lot. Streets in Italy are not smooth and paved, escalators do not exist, many times there are steps.
We will not be taking taxis. In fact, they are rarely available. Experiencing another country as Italy requires living and moving about like a local.
If you are not a fan of walking this likely is not the trip for you.
The “Authentic Italy” excursions are a rich and lasting experience in the lives of those who experience it by gaining a new perspective on life and on living well.
It is all part of whole health longevity
Photo Credits: Giovanni D’Anca
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