THE LAND OF CALABRIA: UNDISCOVERED SLOW FOOD CALABRIA
DAY 1: WELCOME TO CALABRIA
Upon arrival in Lamezia Terme airport, you will be transferred to the charming hill town of ALTOMONTE in Calabria which boasts centuries of glorious architecture and art treasure for your three nights at the family run “HOTEL BARBIERI“ located a short walk from the town center.After an opportunity to rest and freshen up in your beautiful valley-view bedroom, you will be treated to an included aperitif at the hotel bar, followed by a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.Overnight stay in ALTOMONTE
Day 2: THE POLLINO NATIONAL PARK, ALTOMONTE & OLIVE OIL FARM
Your day begins with a walking tour in the historic center of ALTOMONTE, where you will 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 Altomonte. 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.Lunch is included with the family today. Before our included dinner, join Family Barbieri for a fun cooking lesson of a typical Calabrian dish. Overnight stay in ALTOMONTE
Day 3: DISCOVER THE ALBANIAN VILLAGES OF CIVITA & FRASCINETO
Breakfast in hotel.We depart this morning for a drive to discover the enchanting Pollino National Park and its intriguing villages and towns that still preserve traces of Albanian culture more than five centuries after their ancestors fled to Calabria as Turks invaded Albania.Today they form the largest ethnic minority in the region. They have their own language, literature, dress and their own Greek Orthodox bishop. In the small Albanian-speaking village of FRASCINETO you will visit the Museum of Icons and Byzantine traditions, a true reserve of artistic treasures, as well as a rather unique institution in Calabria’s cultural landscape.Coming from Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece, the icons are more than 250 date back up to the 17th century. Some of the icons were painted following the traditional technique (a mixture of eggs and tempera colors), whereas for others a mixed technique was employed (oil and tempera colors).Continue to nearby Albanian mountain of CIVITA, on the south western side of the Pollino mountain chain, already in existence during the middle ages. It is also known for the “Devil Bridge”, a panoramic bridge built over one of Italy’s deep gorges, the so called “Raganello Gorge”.Lunch is included today in a local restaurant.Dinner is included with the Barbieri family.Overnight stay in ALTOMONTE
DAY 4: ARRIVEDERCI BEAUTIFUL ALTOMONTE
In the morning, you can take advantage of the included transfers to Lamezia Terme airport or train station.
Calabria, in southwest Italy, occupies the “toe” of the country’s boot-shaped peninsula. It’s a sun-baked region of rugged mountains, old-fashioned villages and dramatic coastline, with many popular beaches. Coastal Reggio Calabria, its largest city, is home to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and its Riace Bronzes, a famous pair of Greek warriors dating back to the