FLAVORS OF SOUTHERN ITALY:
Day 1. Saturday, June 5
Arrival – Tartufo di Pizzo – Welcome dinner with chef Gregorio Spinzo
• Arrival at the airport of Lamezia Terme (SUF), or train station, transfer and check-in to our hotel in Tropea
• 1:00pm Lunch in Pizzo, followed by an introduction to the tour with chef Gregorio
• Tartufo Gelato in Pizzo. Exploring the historic Castello Murat and treating yourself to an authentic Tartufo di Pizzo (molten chocolate gelato bomb) in the main piazza of Pizzo
• 5:30pm Return in Tropea
• 7:30pm Pizza party pairing with local beers, admiring one of the most breathtaking sunsets, where the sun sets behind the Stromboli volcano
• Overnight in Tropea
Day 2. Sunday, June 6
Relaxed aka “piano piano” morning, a summer day like an Italian – Authentic Calabrian dinner
Tropea is situated on a steep cliff about 60 meters high overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the center of the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods). A well-known tourist center, Tropea is part of the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy and has been awarded the blue flag for the quality of its waters. Exploring Tropea’s medieval core, perched high on a sheer sea cliff. Climb up to the iconic Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’ Isola, then head down to Rotonda Beach for a swim in turquoise waters
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 10:00am Exploring Tropea’s medieval core, perched high on a sheer sea cliff. Climb up to the iconic Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’ Isola, then head down to Rotonda Beach for a swim in turquoise waters
• 1:00pm Seafood lunch at a seaside restaurant and relaxing afternoon at the private beach in Tropea, or shopping in Tropea’s historic center
• 4:00pm Return to the hotel
• 6:00pm Heading to Spilinga The ‘Nduja Capital. The history and economy of the village are deeply linked to the production of Spilinga ‘nduja. This traditional cured meat is prepared by mixing selected pork cuts (such as pancetta) with salt and a generous amount of spicy Calabrian chili pepper, which also acts as a natural preservative. Nduja and cheese tasting
• 7:30pm Dinner at Agriturismo (a farmhouse restaurant). Organic and fresh produces
• Overnight in Tropea
Day 3. Monday, June 7
Coastal Boat Cruise & Capo Vaticano – ‘Nduja and cheese tasting – Dinner at Agriturismo
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 10:30am Boat excursion with a local captain to explore hidden coves, snorkel near Praia i Focu, and see the dramatic granite cliffs of Capo Vaticano from the water. Prosecco and light lunch on the boat
• 2:30pm After the boat excursion, return to the hotel for rest and free time
• Free time in Tropea for shopping, gelato, tartufo di pizzo and cockatails
• Dinner open
• Overnight in Tropea
Day 4. Tuesday, June 8
Ionian Coast – Soverato – Badolato
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 10:00am Departure for Soverato. Soverato, known as the “Pearl of the Ionian,” is one of Calabria’s most renowned towns and tourist destinations, located in the province of Catanzaro. Nestled in the picturesque Gulf of Squillace, the town is famous throughout Italy for its long white beaches and crystal-clear waters, which are consistently awarded the Blue Flag.
• Check-in to our hotel in Soverato
• 1:00pm Lunch at “Brezza fish and Chill”
• 3:00pm Relax afternoon at the pool or beach
• 5:30pm Departure for Badolato. This town has several Byzantine churches arranged in the shape of a Latin cross, and many small alleyways characteristic of medieval towns. It is an agricultural center for the area on the Ionian side of the Calabrian mountain range, located on the north-western slopes of Mount St. Nicholas. It occupies a spur between two valleys which open out to the coastal plain below
• 6:15pm Artisanal gelato tasting in Badolato
• 8:00pm Dinner at a local restaurant “Il Catojo dello Spinetto” in Badolato
• Overnight in Soverato
Day 5. Wednesday, June 9
Cooking lesson with chef Gregorio – Sea-side Mediterranean dinner
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 9:30am Departure for Torre di Ruggiero. Cooking class in a mountain cottage with Chef Gregorio and his team, followed by a traditional family-style lunch
• 4:00pm Return to the hotel for rest and free time
• 6:00pm Departure to Squillace primarily known for its ancient tradition of terracotta and graffito ceramics, its striking Norman Castle, and its deep roots connecting back to the ancient Greek and Roman city of Scylletium. Visiting the local ceramic workshops.
• 8:00pm Dinner in Squillace
• Overnight in Soverato
Day 6. Thursday, June 10
EVOO and Wine tasting at “Cantina Statti” – Dinner by Chef Gregorio
The ancient name of Calabria, “Enotria Tellus” (Land of Wine), offers a straightforward introduction to this fascinating land, which has always been dedicated to producing wines.
For over two thousand years the agricultural history of Calabria has been entwined with wine and since 1700 the family of Barone Statti has been living in the same five hundred hectares. The great variety of the local vines represents a great heritage to be found and valued again.
Statti’s family has played an important role in the Calabrian economy and since now Alberto and Antonio Statti have been choosing to value the deep bond with the history and the tradition of their own land with a look always towards the future and the innovation
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 10:00am Morning departure to Cantina Statti
• Visit the olives grove. Return to the cantina and wine tasting
• 1:00pm Traditional Italian sandwiches and fresh salads
• 3:00pm Return to the hotel for rest or spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach
• 7:30pm Calabrian dinner in Satriano. Trattoria “A Picocca”. An intimate 20-seat restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team, where the timeless traditions of Calabrian cuisine are celebrated with care, authenticity, and heartfelt hospitality
• Overnight in Soverato
Day 7. Friday, June 11
Open-air Friday market of Soverato – Aperitivo Italiano
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 8:30am Visit to “mercatino” of Soverato: a typical Italian open-air market offers culinarians an insight to the country’s most traditional aspects as well as an opportunity to browse foods, cheeses, wines and cured meats that are still produced by artisans. Participants compare and taste the differences between these products and those of the industrial sector
• Food shopping at the market
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Free time to explore town or relax at the beach
• 7:00pm Elegant Italian aperitivo featuring cocktails and refined finger food
• Overnight in Soverato
Day 8. Saturday, June 12
Gerace – Stilo – Italian family dinner by chef Gregorio and his team
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 10:00am Departure to Gerace, a perfectly preserved medieval hill town. Explore its massive Norman Cathedral and take in panoramic views of the olive-filled valleys below
• 1:00pm Lunch in Gerace. Traditional Calabrian food
• 3:00pm Departure for Cattolica of Stilo. Head north along the Ionian highway. Twist up into the mountains to Stilo to visit the Cattolica of Stilo, a tiny, breathtaking 9th-century Byzantine church built into the rock
• 5:00pm Return to the hotel for rest
• 7:30pm Dinner at “La Palapa”. Here you will meet chef Gregorio’s huge family, but get ready to speak some Italian with them, or just use your hands
Day 9. Sunday, June 13
The Pine Forests of Sila National Park – Farewell dinner
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 9:30am Leave the coast behind and head up into the fresh mountain air of the Sila Plateau. Walking among the Giganti di Fallistro, a grove of 400-year-old giant pine trees. Lake Arvo and lunch on hearty mountain fare like wild porcini mushrooms, steaks, sausages and local cheeses
• 4:00pm Return to the hotel
• 7:30pm Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Soverato
• Overnight in Soverato
Day 10. Monday, June 14
Departure. Arrivederci!
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Departures from the hotel with transfers to the airport SUF (Lamezia Terme) or trani station
Single Occupancy
Double Occupancy
PAYMENT OPTIONS & INFORMATION:
To sign up for the trip, a 50% deposit is due at registration. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure date.**
Bank transfers are accepted for deposit and final payment.
*Price does not include airfare or expenses during “free time.”
**Payments are refundable minus a € 250 administration fee until 60 days prior to start date.
PRICE INCLUDES:
9 nights accommodations at 3-4 Star hotels in Calabria; Transfers from and to the airport or train station; International breakfast every morning; Aperitivo all’Italiana; 8 Lunches (includes wine pairings with meal); 8 Dinners (includes wine pairings with meal); Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; Dinner at a special location; Dinner at Agriturismo; Mediterranean Dinner Feast; Dinner at local trattoria; Pasta and Pizza party; Dinner “alfresco” at the Organic Farm; Wine tasting; All ground transfers listed in the itinerary, including airport transfers; All tours and dining listed in the itinerary; Transfer to Puglia; English/Italian speaking guides throughout the trip; All cooking lessons; Tax and VAT included; All gratuities are included.
