Tour description
12 DAYS CALABRIA, AEOLIAN ISLANDS, SICILY SMALL GROUP TOUR
SCENIC BEAUTY OF CALABRIA,THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS & WESTERN SICILY
Experience the Southern Italy lifestyle with a small group of 12 participants only! Distinctive and delightful, with crystalline seas, pretty countryside and endless sunshine, Calabria is a land of natural beauty, warm hospitality and amazing food and wine. A unique, much-loved southern region.Dramatic mountains, Byzantine rock-hewn churches, sun-baked olive groves, stunning Romanesque architecture and some of Italy’s best beaches are tempting more and more visitors to the exciting little-known regions. Calabria has an otherworldly landscape of tremendous mountain ranges, dark forested valleys and villages so melded with the rock face that they seem to have grown there. Its extensive coastline bears the marks of many conquering invaders:the Normans, the Spanish, the Turks, the Swabians and the Greeks. Yet, despite its diverse influences, Basilicata has its own distinct and authentic identity.
Calabria contains startling natural beauty and spectacular towns that seem to grow out of the craggy mountaintops. This is where to head for an adventure into the unknown.
We have a real passion for Calabria & Sicily regions and look forward to sharing it with you! Trust the locals…
12 DAYS SCENIC CALABRIA,AEOLIAN ISLANDS & WESTERN SICILY TRAVEL ITINERARY TOUR LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS FROM LAMEZIA TERME TO PALERMO Day 1: WELCOME TO CALABRIA & CHARMING ALTOMONTE Arrive at Lamezia Terme Airport or train station where you’ll be met at midday by your driver and local tour director and travel to the splendid hill town of ALTOMONTE in Calabria which boasts centuries of glorious architecture and art treasure for your first two nights at the family run “HOTEL BARBIERI“ located a short walk from the village center. After an opportunity to rest and freshen up in your beautiful valley-view bedroom, you’ll be treated to a welcome aperitif at the hotel bar followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.Overnight stay in ALTOMONTE Day 2: BACKROAD ALTOMONTE, OLIVE OIL FARM & COOKING SCHOOL Your day begins with a walking tour in the historic center of Altomonte, where you’ll discover medieval alleys and traditional life of Calabrians. The historical center is characterized by cobbled streets, stone houses, beautiful historic buildings and superb views of the valley and mountain ranges. Altomonte has several attractive Gothic-style churches and there is a Civic Museum housed in the old convent adjacent to the Duomo. The latter is the main monument and dominates the town. The present-day construction has a beautiful portal, bell tower with mullioned window and Baroque interior modifications. You will see the main city churches and the museum that contains among other works the famous “San Ladislao” of the school of Giotto.After an included lunch, we’ll depart for a visit to a local FARMHOUSE in Altomonte where you learn the process of olive oil pressing in Calabria. At 6.30pm meet a member of the Barbieri family for a fun cooking lesson of a typical Calabrian dish. Dinner is included in our cosy family restaurant.Overnight stay in ALTOMONTE Day 3: ALBANIAN VILLAGES OF FRASCINETO, CIVITA & PIZZO CALABRO Breakfast in hotel.We depart this morning for a drive to discover the enchanting Pollin Day 4: SPIRITUAL SERRA SAN BRUNO & THE RIACE BRONZES IN REGGIO CALABRIA The day starts with a visit to the fairy tale-like mountain village of SERRA SAN BRUNO,the spiritual, artisan and agricultural center of Calabria, located between the Sila mountains and the Aspromonte National Park. Enjoy a walk to its miraculous lake and explore the site of the CERTOSA, the Cartusian Abbey where the Cartusian monks still live today. After an included street food experience, we’ll drive to REGGIO CALABRIA to visit the National Museum which houses a fine collection of artifacts from ancient Rhegion- a Greek city on the site of the present town-and from other Greek sites.Chief among its treasures are the GREEK BRONZES, larger-than life statues of warriors dredged from the sea off Riace Marina in 1972.It is possible that the statues originated from an Athenian shrine at Dephi built to celebrate the victory of Marathon.Spend the rest of the afternoon in Pizzo maybe visiting the intriguing CHIESETTA DI PIEDIGROTTA, an underground cave full of carved stone statues.Pizza Dinner is included in a local restaurant in the center of Pizzo. Overnight stay in PIZZO CALABRO Day 5: TIMELESS TROPEA WITH WINE TASTING One of the most picturesque towns on Calabria’s largely built up Tyrrhenian coast, TROPEA ‘s town architecture reveals medieval Norman and Arab touches as well as a more austere Baroque style than that of Rome or Naples. It also offers superb views of the sea and beaches. The old town hangs on to a cliff-side facing a large rock, formerly an island. The rock is topped by SANTA MARIA DELL’ISOLA, a former medieval Benedictine sanctuary. The CATHEDRAL is of Norman origin, although it has been rebuilt several times. Upon arrival, we set off on a walking tour of the town center, appreciating not just the charm of the brick and stone houses hugging the steep lanes, but greeting the local people we meet and witnessing their daily routines.We stop for lunch in a well know winery near Tropea before returning to Pizzo Calabro for enjoying the Calabrian Dolce Vita! Overnight in PIZZO CALABRO Day 6: WELCOME TO LIPARI & THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS Breakfast in hotel. The Aeolian Islands are a little piece of paradise. This morning you’ll take a ferry to the island of LIPARI, the largest and most developed of the Aeolians. Along the way, we stop at VOLCANO ISLAND, with its yellow sulphurous baths and volcanic craters.Spend the next three nights on LIPARI ISLAND at the charming “GRAND HOTEL ARCIDUCA” or similar, located a short walk from the town center.Before dinner on your own, meet your tour director for an included aperitif in one of the local bars.Overnight in LIPARI Day 7: ENCHANTING LIPARI & THE EOLIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Lipari town is spread out under the imposing Castle rock, the ancient Greek acropolis, and along the bays of Marina Corta and Marina Lunga, to the north and south. Its volcanic origin is evident in the Muria Valley, with its red rocks,and on the north-east coast,covered by a vast flow of pumice,which hides Roman ruins of the 4th century AD.This morning a local expert will shed light on the main archaeological site of LIPARI, an island inhabited for some 6000 years and settled in the 4th millennium BC by Sicily’s first known inhabitants, the Stentillenians who developed a flourishing economy, based on obsidian, a glassy volcanic rock.We have included today a visit to Lipari’s archaeological museum which displays finds from the islands’ long history,including tools and pottery left behind by Neolithic inhabitants-the museum is famous for its terracotta Greek theater masks and figurines of dancers and actors,the world’s largest such collection.After a local foodie experience, you’ll enjoy the rest of the day on your own for more discoveries.Dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant. Live like a local! Overnight in LIPARI Day 8: BOAT TRIP TO SALINA & MALVASIA WINERY After breakfast,a 25 minute boat hop from Lipari will take to laid-back SALINA ,a lush and fertile island. The famous Aeolian capers grow plentifully here,as do the grapes used for making MALVASIA WINE. After touring the island by Aeolian “Ape Calessino” (approx 2hrs) or minivan and an included visit to a local winery specialized in Malvasia wine, you’ll enjoy a typical eolian lunch in one of the best local taverns. Return to Lipari on time to enjoy “the dolce vita”. Overnight stay in LIPARI Day 9: UNKNOWN MONTALBANO ELICONA & THE DOLMENS Breakfast in hotel. This morning drive takes you to visit a fairy tale medieval hill town, MONTALBANO ELICONA located in the middle of the Nebrodi Mountains in the province of Messina.Upon arrival at the port of Milazzo after a boat journey from Lipari island, you will ascend the town travelling on a picturesque, winding road overlooking the Aeolian islands and then walking narrow cobblestone streets to reach the historical center, the heart of the town.Here you visit the Aragonese castle, a local museum and the main church, built in the 1300s to admire the work of local sculptures and painters.After an included foodie experience,you’ll visit a magical, mysterious plateau named as the SICILIAN STONEHENGE, a large area of megaliths whose archaeologists believe to be created by natural forces and maybe in the prehistoric times, the setting for ritual activities.Continue to CEFALU’ for your last three nights at the central “HOTEL LA PLUMERIA” or similar.Dinner is on your own this evening. Overnight in CEFALU’ Day 10: HIGHLIGHTS OF PALERMO & MONUMENTAL MONREALE Breakfast in hotel.Start your discovery of Sicily with a guided walking tour of PALERMO, the Sicilian capital.We have included today a visit to the Byzantine Martorana church, famous for its impressive Norman mosaics, the evocative Palatine Chapel, dating back to the 12th century,famous for its impressive mosaics and time permitting, some of the rooms of the Royal Palace. After a visit to the Ballaro‘ market located in the ancient Arabic quarter of the city and an included lunch in the best tavern, you’ll continue to the hills south of Palermo to discover MONREALE, known for one of Sicily’s great sites – the stunning 12th century Norman cathedral literally wallpapered with golden mosaics that tell the stories of the bible.Overnight in CEFALU‘ Day 11: CAPTIVATING CEFALU’ The day is on your own for further explorations of the beautiful town of CEFALU‘.The squares, streets and churches of this medieval town are so postcard-pretty that it’s no wonder director Giuseppe Tornatore chose to set parts of his much-loved film Cinema Paradiso here. Today you’ll have time for swimming, enjoying some fish specialties or even climbing the great crag of La Rocca.In the evening we’ll celebrate you with an “Arrivederci dinner” sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Salute! Overnight stay in CEFALU’ Day 12: ARRIVEDERCI BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN ITALY Morning transfers to Palermo airport and train station. 2019 TOUR PRICE EUR 4,000 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: EUR 700 Currency converter Price is per person based on double room occupancy for 12 days/11 nights Aug 28-Sept 8 LIMITED SPACE