Day 1: Wednesday, October 11

Ciao Italia!

You will arrive and transfer to your hotel. You’ll have time on your own to explore the city, then in the early evening, you’ll meet your local travel host for a Welcome to Italy Dinner and Q&A. 

*Dinner; Transfers will be provided if arriving at Rome FCO Airport.

Day 2: Thursday, October 12 

Roman Farm to Table

Trionfale, a residential area of Rome, is home to one of Europe’s largest markets - and it’s here you’ll begin your day with your local travel host. You’ll learn how a city the size of Rome is able to sustain its farmers by visiting farmers’ stands and trying local and seasonal “farm to table'' produce. You’ll enjoy a private tasting of cured meats and cheeses from local producers and you’ll see “real Romans” in action as they do their daily shopping. You will end your visit at one of Rome’s best-renowned pizza stands.  You will return to the hotel to collect your luggage, then will travel to the Rome Termini train station where you'll be booked on a train to Calabria.  Upon arriving in Calabria, your driver will meet you for your transfer to your seaside hotel. You’ll settle in, then will meet for a group dinner.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Friday, October 13

Sustainable Silk Farming

This morning you’ll visit a mulberry farm where you’ll meet the young Calabrians who are reviving Catanzaro’s ancient silk tradition. You’ll learn about their growing business and will work alongside the team, gathering mulberry leaves, feeding the silkworms, learning how to extract silk, and more. The president of the coop will make a homemade lunch on the farm, then you’ll return to the hotel. Evening on your own. Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Saturday, October 14

Beach Clean-Up

You’ll have breakfast, then you’ll hit the Ionian Coast for a morning beach clean-up. Exact duties and location will vary based on the needs at the time of our tour. Following clean-up, you’ll enjoy lunch, complete with local specialties and wine. You’ll have the rest of the day on your own. 

Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Sunday, October 15

Sustainable Wine Tour

You’ll have the morning to spend on your own at the beaches, then after lunch you’ll head across the narrowest strip of Italy to the Tyrrhenian Coast and Pizzo Calabro. Your first stop will be to visit our friend, Franco, for a behind-the-scenes look into how he makes his famous tartufo di Pizzo chocolate and hazelnut gelato truffles. You'll explore the town and visit the intriguing Chiesetta di Piedigrotta cave church, before heading into the nearby mountains for a wine tour at one of the most interesting vineyards in the area. You'll learn about the indigenous Zibbibo grape and about how a young entrepreneur reinvented it, turning it into what the NYT calls "one of the top 10 white wines in the world." You'll have a sunset aperitivo with a selection of their wines, then will have a seafood dinner in one of the best restaurants on the coast.

Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Monday, October 16

Calabrian Gold

You will check out of your hotel and drive north, via a workday at a local olive grove. You’ll visit the family’s olive trees and have an up-close look at their personal family dairy farm. Duties will vary according to need but could include harvesting olives, shearing sheep, or making cheese. You’ll stop for a break and will learn how to tell “true” olive oil from the fakes and will have a picnic-style lunch. You'll continue the drive to your farmhouse hotel. Light dinner and overnight at the farm.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Tuesday, October 17

Down to the Roots

This morning you’ll head back on the Ionian Sea for a visit to Italy’s most famous licorice factory - Amarelli. The Amarelli family has been in the licorice business since the 1700s, making it one of the longest run family businesses in the world! You’ll visit their small museum to learn how licorice is made and how it’s changed over the years and will tour their nearby factory. You’ll sample assorted licorice candies, then it is on to lunch at one of our favorite family-owned trattorias in the region. In the late afternoon you will return to Morano Calabro. Light dinner by the pool. Overnight Morano Calabro.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Wednesday, October 18

Mushrooms in the Mountains

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 you’ll put your eyesight to the test searching beneath centuries-old pine trees. We’ll have a light mountain picnic break, then will return to the farmhouse to prepare dinner with the mushrooms we harvested. Overnight in Morano Calabro.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Thursday, October 19

Ciao Calabria, Hello Sorrento

This morning you’ll check out of your farmhouse hotel and drive with your private driver to Sorrento. Along the way, you’ll stop for a private two-hour tour of Paestum. You’ll explore these massive Greek ruins from Magna Graecia, then will have lunch at one of the largest buffalo mozzarella cheese farms in the south. Following your tastings and lunch, you’ll continue to Sorrento and check into your hotel. Evening on your own. Overnight in Sorrento. 

Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Friday, October 20

Arrivederci Italia!