Day 1 – WELCOME!
Arrival in Reggio Calabria in the afternoon, you will be welcomed by our assistant who will take you to the hotel. We will be pleased to offer you a small welcome gift. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 2 – REGGIO CALABRIA, THE CITY OF MORGAN LE FAY AND SCILLA, THE FISHERMEN’S TOWN
Meet with the guide to visit the city. You will start from the National Archaeological Museum, which in Italy and worldwide is considered one of the most representative museums of Magna Graecia and houses the famous “Bronzes of Riace”. This year is the 50th anniversary of their discovery in the bay of Riace. The precious statues of the two warriors, to this day are considered among the most significant sculptural masterpieces of Greek art. The visit to Reggio Calabria will continue with one of the most beautiful seaside promenades in Italy, Falcomatà promenade. It is almost 2 km long and runs from Piazza Indipendenza to Piazza Garibaldi, crossing the entire old town of the city by the sea. While walking, you will be able to admire Art Nouveau buildings centuries-old trees, archaeological treasures from Greek-Roman era, Roman baths and an open-air theatre in Greek style that now hosts events and shows. Since 2007, three gigantic humanoid sculptures by Roman artist Rabarama have also found their place here, and since 2020 Edoardo Tresoldi’s ‘Opera’, a composition of 46 columns, eight metres high has been added, making this enchanting place in the city even more unique. Reggio Calabria waterfront is also known for the mirage of Morgan le Fay. In particular weather conditions, from this point in the city, reflected in the sea, Sicily seems so close you could touch it. You will complete your visit to the Duomo and the Aragonese Castle. Then you will have the opportunity to continue freely, discovering the most beautiful streets of the city, such as Corso Garibaldi. Lunch spot is up to you. However, you’ll be spoilt for choice because the old town offers endless possibilities. From an aperitif in one of the many gazebos on the upper part of the promenade, to brioches with ice cream and excellent arancini. In the afternoon, transfer to Scilla, an important tourist and seaside resort, other than being one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (I Borghi più belli d’Italia). This is the place from the myth of Scylla and Charybdis. You will visit Ruffo Castle, a fortification situated on a rocky spur jutting out into the Strait, and finally the most beautiful part, Chianalea, the fishermen’s district. Here the houses stand directly on the rocks and overlook the magnificent purple coast (Costa Viola). Along the narrow streets you can find typical shops and excellent restaurants with platforms on the water where to enjoy an excellent menu of fresh fish. For dinner, you can stop in one of these renowned restaurants and relax while enjoying excellent fish suspended over the water, listening to the sound of the sea. In the evening, return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 3 – JOURNEY AMONG THE GREEKS OF CALABRIA
Breakfast and departure for Grecanica Area, which still bears witness to its importance during the classical period. Once in Bova Marina, meet your guide and settle into an 8-seater minibus to reach Roccia del drago (the Dragon Rock), dating back to prehistoric times, where erosion has carved two furrows that resemble the eyes of a monster, and Caldaie del latte (the Milk Boilers), another rock consisting of seven small spherical rocks emerging from the ground from a single block. Continue to Roghudi, the picturesque “ghost town” founded in 1050 by nomadic shepherds but then abandoned in 1971 after a severe flood. Typical lunch in a traditional Grecanica restaurant and in the afternoon a short guided tour of Bova, considered the capital of Grecìa Calabria. Afterwards we will visit the village of Pentedattilo, whose name derives from the Greek “five fingers”, due to the shape of the rocks that form the backdrop of the village. As a matter of fact, it is a protrusion of Mount Calvary, in the shape of five points, therefore strongly resembling the shape of a hand. Return to the hotel in Reggio Calabria, dinner in restaurant of your choice and overnight stay.
Day 4 – BERGAMOTTO EXPERIENCE – TASTES AND TRADITIONS OF OUR LAND
After breakfast, today’s itinerary will take you at the Bergamot Museum in Reggio Calabria, on a journey through 300 years of history of how this citrus fruit, the green gold of Calabria, became a world famous delicacy. Yet it is grown right here, in a small portion of land in the province of Reggio Calabria called Costa dei Gelsomini. This experience is one of the unmissable stops on a trip to this part of Calabria and will be an opportunity to taste some of the excellent products made from this extraordinary citrus fruit. Restaurant for lunch at the choice of the participants. In the evening, once again you will immerse yourself into local culture. You will reach a typical restaurant located in a small village 30 minutes from the city, in the hinterland of Reggio Calabria, where you will be served a traditional Calabrian dinner prepared with local ingredients and after dinner there will be entertainment with tarantella lessons and live Calabrian music. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 5 – VILLAGES AND BYZANTINE CALABRIA – GERACE E STILO
After breakfast departure for Gerace. Its name of Greek origin means “sparrow hawk” and legend has it that it was a bird of prey that chose the position where the village was to be built. The perfection of its churches, historical buildings and monuments and their harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape have earned the town the right to enter the ranking of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (I Borghi più belli d’Italia). On a guided tour you will discover the 11th century Cathedral, its Museo Diocesano housing precious 17th century Leyniers tapestry, and other important medieval and Byzantine churches, noble palaces and the ruins of the castle. Lunch in a lovely local restaurant.
In the afternoon you will continue to Stilo, a town founded in ancient times, which was an important Byzantine centre and is known for being the birthplace of philosopher Tommaso Campanella in the 17th century. The fame of this village is linked primarily to the famous “Cattolica”, which you will be able to visit and appreciate this sacred building from the 15th-16th century, considered one of the masterpieces of Byzantine architecture. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6 – DIVING INTO THE WATER OF THE BRONZES
After breakfast transfer to the port of Roccella Jonica where on board a motorized dinghy and accompanied by an archaeologist you will be guided to the discovery of the history of Riviera dei Gelsomini. The first stop will be in the exact place where the Bronze Statues of Riace were found. In fact, on August 16th 1972, Stefano Mariottini (a young Roman amateur diver) during a dive at 230 meters from the coast of Riace Marina found, at a depth of only 8 meters, the two Bronze statues which later turned out to be masterpieces of inestimable historical and artistic value. Continue to Guardavalle Marina where the remains of the cargo ship Marineta lie at a depth of only 2-9 metres. Today the ship is covered in biodiversity, so the snorkelling will be just as exciting. Finally, the most important stop is Monasterace Marina, where the ancient Greek city of Kaulon has been partially submerged and where you can admire more than 200 columns and architectural elements of this important Greek site dating back to the 5th century B.C. It will feel like swimming in history just a few metres from the shore. Return to the port and free time to enjoy the sun and sea of the beautiful Ionian coast of Calabria. Restaurant for lunch at the choice of the participants. In the evening return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7 – GOODBYE
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport or train station accompanied by our assistant, handover of our goodbye gift that will remind you of the scent or flavours of our land. Calabria still has so much to show you and will be waiting for you whether you want to live other unforgettable experiences.