Day 1 – Gerace
On your arrival on Riviera dei Gelsomini, after settling into your hotel, you will reach Gerace, the enchanted village, a splendid medieval centre, included in the network of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (I Borghi più belli d’Italia). The monuments you will see walking through the streets of the village are splendid: Baglio Castle, the Norman Cathedral which stands out for its beauty and majesty, Piazza delle tre Chiese, Bombarde (a splendid view of the entire Riviera dei Gelsomini) and the distinctive alleyways. The visit ends with a tasting of famous granita (slush ice) from Geraceto.
Day 2 – Stilo and Ancient Kaulon
Between Monasterace Marina and Punta Stilo are the remains of ancient Kaulon, a polis of Magna Graecia that was among the first to mint silver coins. Not to be missed are the traces of the urban road network, the remains of some houses, the fragments of the mosaic floors that enriched the luxury dwellings, such as Casa del Drago, which takes its name from the polychrome mosaic depicting a sea dragon (3rd century BC). Another essential stop is the Archaeological Museum, which completes and deepens the visit to the Archaeological Park of the ancient city. Here you will learn about the finds discovered in the excavation campaigns carried out in the territory of Achaean colony of Kaulon. Continue to Stilo, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy (I Borghi più belli d’Italia), known throughout the world for its famous Cattolica, a true architectural jewel of Byzantine art, one of the most fascinating examples of the symbiosis between art and culture. It was built by oriental monks who settled in caves called laure on the slopes of Mount Consolino between the 10th and 11th centuries. It is a unique monument, one of the most beautiful in Calabria. At the end, departure for Reggio Calabria and accommodation in the hotel.
Day 3 -Reggio Calabria and the Riace Bronzes
Today you are in Reggio Calabria, the Greek colony of Rhegion, the tip of the Italic boot, with its seafront and splendid view of the Strait of Messina. You will immerse yourself in the magnificence of ancient archaeology by visiting the National Archaeological Museum, home to the Riace Bronzes, considered among the most significant examples of classical Greek art.