This 10-day heritage tour includes stops in three strategically selected towns - Morano Calabro, Catanzaro, and Capo Vaticano. Travelers will be immersed in the Pollino Mountains of Calabria's northern area before visiting a seaside hotel, centrally located in the busy beachfront neighborhood of Calabria's capital. They'll end their tour in one of the region's most exclusive and beautiful resorts, set on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This tour promises a lot of food, delicious wine, an artisan visit, and a heritage experience you won't find anywhere else in the world.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR INCLUDE:

• Bilingual travel host throughout itinerary
• All ground transportation with your group’s private driver
• Breakfast daily
• A PRIVATE heritage tour to your family's ancestral village
• Abundant lunch with free-flowing wine daily
• Welcome to Calabria dinner with free-flowing wine
• Mushroom hunt and cooking class
• Lunch in the piazza with Locals
• Boating excursion from Capo Vaticano
• Evening aperitivi 
• Two wine tours 
• Food tastings and farm visits
• and more!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Sunday, June 2
E Ni Scialamu
You will arrive in Lamezia Terme Airport in time for the group transfer at 10:00AM. There, you will meet Cherrye, your bilingual travel host for the week, as well as your private driver. You’ll transfer to your farmhouse hotel, located near Morano Calabro. Along the way, we will visit a multi-generational family business dating back to 1910 which is praised for its high-quality signature sweets made with figs. We will learn how figs are used to create some of Calabria’s most treasured sweets including the much-loved Crocette, named for its cross shape. We will have lunch nearby, before making  our way to the farmhouse. We’ll have time to rest, get settled in, or dip your toes in the pool, before meeting for a poolside aperitivo and welcome dinner. Overnight Morano Calabro.
                                                                                                                            
Day 2: Monday, June 3
Wine’ing down in Calabria
This morning you’ll visit a boutique vineyard in the beautiful hills that surround Cosenza for a tour and hands-on wine experience. You’ll learn about how these two brothers invested in a plot of land and started their young company giving us an up-close look at how they run their family business. You’ll have a homemade lunch - beautifully prepared by one of the brothers - complete with pairings from the family’s wines, then you will return to Morano. You’ll have time to rest and relax at the farmhouse, then in the evening, we’ll head into the charming historical center for an optional walk and group aperitivo. Overnight Morano Calabro.

Day 3: Tuesday, June 4
Mushroom Mania
This morning you’ll head into the nearby Pollino Mountains on a search for the famous fungi - Calabria’s beloved porcini mushrooms. Along with your expert guide, you’ll learn what to look for and put your eyesight to the test searching beneath centuries-old pine trees. We’ll have a delicious mountain picnic before returning to the farmhouse.  We’ll have a break, but then it's back to work as we push up our sleeves and prepare a homemade  meal using the mushrooms we found. We’ll enjoy an aperitivo as we cook, then will feast on our creations! Overnight in Morano Calabro.

Day 4: Wednesday, June 5
Heritage Tours and Truffles
Travelers with heritage in central and northern Calabria will check out of your farmhouse hotel and depart with your private Calabrian Heritage Specialist. You will visit your ancestral town, learn what your specialist discovered during our on-the-ground research and learn more about your family in the village. You will have lunch in or near your town, then will drive south to your seaside hotel in Catanzaro Lido.

Other travelers will head south to the lovely seaside village of Pizzo Calabro, famous for its tuna and gelato truffles. Our first stop will be to visit the enchanting Chiesetta di Piedigrotta cave church, before heading into the nearby hills for a visit to a winery that has revived an almost extinct grape variety. Their signature white wine has not only received praise as one of the Top 10 Best White Wines in Italy from the New York Times, but it is also garnering attention from wine enthusiasts and wine competitions all over the world. We’ll have an exclusive wine-tasting and aperitivo, before heading to one of the area’s most loved seafood restaurants. Following lunch, we will hit the center of town for dessert and a behind-the-scenes look at how to make Pizzo’s famous tartufo di Pizzo gelato truffles. Happy and full, we will drive to our seaside hotel in Catanzaro Lido.

In the evening, those who are interested are invited to an optional aperitivo at my favorite local bar. Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Day 5: Thursday, June 6
Heritage Tours and Truffles
Travelers who didn’t visit their ancestral village on Wednesday will depart with your private Calabrian Heritage Specialist. You will visit your ancestral town, learn what your specialist discovered during our on-the-ground research and learn more about your family in the village. You will have lunch in or near your village. In the evening, you will return to your seaside hotel in Catanzaro Lido. Overnight Catanzaro Lido.

Other travelers will head south to the lovely seaside village of Pizzo Calabro, famous for its tuna and gelato truffles. Our first stop will be to visit the enchanting Chiesetta di Piedigrotta cave church, before heading into the nearby hills for a visit to a winery that has revived an almost extinct grape variety. Their signature white wine has not only received praise as one of the Top 10 Best White Wines in Italy from the New York Times, but it is also garnering attention from wine enthusiasts and wine competitions all over the world. We’ll have an exclusive wine-tasting and aperitivo, before heading to one of the area’s most loved seafood restaurants.  Following lunch, we will hit the center of town for dessert and a behind-the-scenes look at how to make Pizzo’s famous tartufo di Pizzo gelato truffles. Happy and full, we will return to our hotel for a rest.

In the evening, those who are interested are invited to an optional aperitivo on the outskirts of the historical center of Catanzaro. Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Day 6: Friday, June 7
Insider’s Look into Ancient Silk Traditions
This morning we’ll take an in-depth look into Catanzaro’s ancient silk tradition. Since the 1600s, Catanzaro has been home to one of the most important silk industries in Europe, and once supplied tapestries to the Vatican. We’ll join our good friends, Miriam and Domenico, who have brought new life to this dying tradition.  From their base nestled in a beautiful Mulberry Tree orchard, they breed silkworms and give visitors hands-on experiences at extracting silk.  Following our visit, we will be their special guests for a delicious multi-course lunch, with wine. After lunch, we’ll return to Catanzaro Lido.

In the evening, we’ll reconvene for an optional, private wine-tasting experience at a local wine bar. Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Day 7: Saturday, June 8
Lunch in the Piazza
This morning we’ll check out of our hotel in Catanzaro and head across the peninsula to the stunning Capo Vaticano. Along the way, we’ll visit my friend, Francesco, for a guided walk through his hometown, including a visit to the Jewish Quarter, the largest in Calabria. For lunch, the locals will spill out of their homes and prepare a private feast for us, directly in their piazza. We’ll dine alongside them, practice our Italian/Calabrese words, and enjoy a unique once-in-a-lifetime local experience.

Following lunch, we will continue our drive to the “Coast of the Gods” and to the lovely Capo Vaticano, where we’ll check into our seaside resort. You’ll have the evening on your own to enjoy the resort’s grounds. Those who are interested can meet up for an optional evening drink. Overnight in Capo Vaticano.

Day 8: Saturday, June 9
La Bella Vita
This morning, you’ll awaken and have your choice of experience: yoga, canoeing, snorkeling, relaxing by the pool, swimming in the sea, or enjoying the tennis courts, then before lunch we’ll head into the center of Tropea, the village that was recently named the “The Most Beautiful hamlet in Italy.” You will have time on your own for lunch, shopping, and to explore the town.

We will return to the hotel for a break, then in the evening, we will hit the sea in our private boat for a trip along the Coast of the Gods with sunset aperitivo on board. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Capo Vaticano.

Day 9: Sunday, June 10
Cipolla or Bust
This morning we’ll head outside of Tropea for a visit to a local farm that grows and harvests Calabria's, and Italy's, most famous “red onion” - the cipolla rossa of Tropea. We’ll learn why this regional onion is a kitchen staple in many Italian households and how it can be used in a variety of dishes including pasta, jams, spreads and even ice cream! We’ll visit the fields and have a robust tasting, complete with wine from the family’s vineyard, followed by a stroll along the famous lighthouse lookout.

We will return to the hotel where you will have a break and will have access to the spa! Bring your suit if you plan to partake. 

In the evening, we’ll meet for a farewell sunset BBQ, Calabrian-style. Overnight in Capo Vaticano.

Day 10: Monday, June 11
Nivedemo Calabria!
At 8:00AM this morning there will be a group transfer to the Lamezia Terme Airport. Ciao Calabria!