Discover the Secrets of Calabria
Calabria Small Group Tour – Discover the authentic soul of Calabria among its hidden villages, coastal beauty and rich traditions. Secret Travels’ 8-day small group tour takes you on a carefully curated journey through rugged coastlines, medieval villages, centuries of history and culinary traditions passed down for generations.
Along with a small group of no more than 15 people, travel from the turquoise waters of Tropea to the lovely medieval hill town of Altomonte to the seaside elegance of Pizzo Calabro. Along the way, stop in places unique to Calabria, like the ancient village of Scilla, the dramatic cliffs and gorges of Pollino National Park, and the historic Ducal Palace of Corigliano.
Do more than see sights. Enjoy genuine encounters with local people. Experience Calabrian hospitality at a traditional farmhouse. Taste regional wine. Here, you do more than go on excursions, you learn to live like a local.
Upcoming Tour Dates 8 days/ 7 nights
Last Minute
Pricing: € 3,100
Price is per person based on double room occupancy
A single supplement is available at an additional cost of € 900
Experience the beauty
Tour Highlights
- Discover the extensive green forests of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pollino National Park
- Admire some of the most splendid bronze sculptures of ancient Greece in Reggio Calabria
- View well-preserved 17th-century icons from across Eastern Europe and Russia
- Swim in crystal clear waters that sparkle along the coasts
- Taste Calabria’s authentic spicy pepperoncini peppers, locally produced olive oil, and other Cambrian delicacies
- Sip wine in a family-run winery
- Feel the sea breeze on a private boat ride on the Coast of the Gods
- Tour of Pizzo with tastings of Tartufo
- Discover beautifully preserved Albanian villages
- Uncover the romantic town of Tropea
- Ride in a traditional Piaggio Ape Calessino
Tour Itinerary
As you travel from the airport in Lamezia to your boutique hotel in Tropea, the beauty of Calabria unfolds through the untamed countryside and small villages. After an easy check-in, you will have free time to relax, settle in and get your first impression of Tropea. As evening approaches, meet your Tour Manager and small travel group for a welcome drink. Together, have your first real taste of Calabria at a local restaurant specializing in traditional Calabrian cuisine.
Meals: Dinner included, breakfast and lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Tropea
Visit the National Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria to see the Greek Bronzes. Officially known as the Riace Bronzes, they are exceptionally preserved Greek warrior statues from around 500 BCE. The museum is also home to a large collection of artifacts from Magna Graecia, the period of ancient Greek colonization in southern Italy. Beyond the museum, explore Reggio Calabria’s seafront promenade, the Lungomare Falcomatà. From here, you can see Sicily across the Strait of Messina, and, on clear days, you may even get a glimpse of Mt. Etna. Up the coast, Scilla, named for the sea monster in Homer’s Odyssey, offers a look into the traditions of the fishing villages along the coast. Explore Chianalea, the old fishing quarter, where colorful houses sit directly at the sea. Known for its seafood, especially swordfish (pesce spada), this is a perfect place for a lunch. Later, join your tour manager for an included apericena featuring a refreshing Calabrian bergamot spritz, a signature flavor of the region, and the perfect way to toast another unforgettable day in Southern Italy.
Meals: Breakfast & apericena included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Tropea
See the famous dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters of the Coast of the Gods near Capo Vaticano from a private boat (weather and sea conditions permitting) before a guided walking tour of Tropea highlighting its Norman, Arab, and Baroque architecture including, the Santuario di Santa Maria, which stands out in the Tropea skyline. For lunch, travel through the countryside for an authentic hands-on cooking experience hosted by a local Calabrian cook. Enjoy the authentic recipes you have prepared together, accompanied by regional wine. Spend the afternoon relaxing and discovering Tropea on your own terms.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Tropea
Spend the morning discovering Zungri, home to one of the region’s archaeological areas: a settlement of dwellings carved directly into the sandstone. Accompanied by a local guide, explore the interconnected caves, ancient pathways and rock-cut chambers, gaining insight into the lives and traditions of the communities that once inhabited this site. In the afternoon, a discovery walk provides an introduction to Altomonte, where you will stay for the next two nights. Later, a group dinner will feature Calabrian specialties and regional flavors.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Altomonte
Explore the Byzantine religious traditions and wild natural landscapes of the Albanian villages of Pollino. Begin with the Museum of Icons and Byzantine Traditions in Frascineto. Travel on to the traditional Albanian village of Civita for a special excursion to the Devil’s Bridge, overlooking the Raganello Gorge. Enjoy an independent lunch and mountaintop views of the surrounding limestone peaks, deep gorges, and forests of Bosnian pines. In Saracena, learn all about the area’s longstanding winemaking traditions, including the celebrated Moscato di Saracena. Meet the producers and enjoy a guided tasting of distinctive local wines. Return to Altomonte for a leisurely evening and an included group dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Altomonte
Embark on a heritage tour of Calabria, starting in Corigliano Calabro, at the Ducal Castle. A discovery tour walks you through the castle’s evolution from Norman fortress into an elegant aristocratic residence. Take in the scenic views before heading to Rossano for a visit to the Diocesan Museum, home to the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, a sixth-century illuminated Gospel manuscript recognized by UNESCO’s Memory of the World program. Next, a Secret Travels Special Experience invites you to a traditional farmhouse lunch for a showcase of the best of Calabria’s agricultural traditions, rural cuisine and hospitality. Pause for a visit to the Amarelli Liquorice Museum before checking into your final accommodations in Pizzo Calabro.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Pizzo Calabro
A guided walking tour through the historic center of Pizzo Calabro reveals breathtaking views of the sea and leads to a visit to the Aragonese Castle, known as Murat Castle, where Joachim Murat, the former King of Naples, was imprisoned and executed in 1815. Continue to the extraordinary Church of Piedigrotta, a seaside sanctuary carved directly into the rock and decorated with a collection of religious sculptures. No visit to Pizzo would be complete without discovering its most celebrated culinary creation: Tartufo di Pizzo. Visit a traditional artisan gelateria to learn how this delicious frozen dessert is prepared, followed by a tasting of the famous chocolate-centered specialty. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a special farewell dinner, celebrating the wonderful experiences, discoveries and friendships shared throughout your journey.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Pizzo Calabro
After breakfast at the hotel, a private transfer will take you to Lamezia Terme Airport for your onward journey. We hope you take with you treasured memories of Calabria’s spectacular landscapes, remarkable history, genuine hospitality and extraordinary culinary traditions. Arrivederci Calabria – until we meet again. You might considering your stay in Italy joying our Captivating Sicily small group tour
Additional Information
- Small group tour of 12-15 participants
- Knowledgeable English-speaking tour director
- Entrance fees for all sites
- Tour transportation in a private air-conditioned motor coach.
- Local guides in the outlined cities and towns
- Hotel city and service taxes at all accommodations and restaurants are included
- Transfers to Lamezia at scheduled times
- Baggage transfers and porters are included
- All breakfasts, four dinners and two lunches are covered. Main meals include wine, mineral water, espresso coffee with a set amount included
- Activity level: Light/Moderate
- Terms & Conditions/single supplement and FAQ
- Travel insurance and visa fees/Trip Interruption & Cancellation Insurance
- Any charges for extras not listed in the itinerary
- Room services, telephone charges, laundry fees
- Gratuities for the tour director and local driver
- Single room supplement
- Airfares
- Extend your stay in Tropea or Pizzo Calabro
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Our tours are limited to a maximum of 12-15 travelers, ensuring a personalized and intimate experience. You'll enjoy meaningful interactions, flexibility, and the chance to forge genuine connections with both locals and fellow travelers.
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