Discover Calabria: History, Taste & Scenery Tour of Calabria - 2027 Itinerary
Reggio Calabria: Our Tour of Calabria Begins in the Capital City
Reggio Calabria is Calabria's largest city and marks the start of our tour. The scenic promenade, the palm tree lined Lungomare Falcomatà, is located on the waterfront and at 1.7 kilometers offers a wonderful location where the views across to Sicily are outstanding. Reggio Calabria features a rich history where ancient Greek landmarks can still be found. The historic archaeological aspect of Reggio Calabria is rich and includes many outstanding locations we will visit.
The culture and lifestyle aspects of Reggio Calabria are truly Italian and the Evening Passeggiata ritual is alive and well. Traditional evening strolls along the waterfront and main streets offer the opportunity to speak with locals and learn more about the city and her history. From the cuisine perspective, local seafood dishes are a speciality of the area, along with artisan gelatos.
"Reggio Calabria is one of my favourite destinations on the Tour," says Cosima Bagala, who will be hosting our guests on the tour. "The city features beautiful bars and restaurants on the waterfront, making for a quite magical experience for visitors," Cosima added. "I also look forward to showcasing the amazing Grecian artifacts of the city and of course the superb duommo," Cosima continued. "I have enjoyed visiting Reggio Calabria in the past with family and friends. It is a truly wonderful part of Southern Italy."
The Tour of Calabria Continues as we Travel to the Costa Viola Coastline
After several days exploring Reggio Calabria, we travel to the Costa Viola coastline. A renowned place of beauty, this 35-kilometre stretch of coastal Calabria is named for the violet shades of colour which reflect from the blue sea and jagged cliff faces. The area spans from Palmi to San Giovanni, adjacent to the Strait of Messina. We will be visiting the beautiful fishing village of Scilla, a timeless enclave which evokes images of the Calabrian way of life.
"Scilla is actually a little fishing village that's perched on the face of the cliffs, like in a little nook," notes Cosima. "Some of the older fishing sheds have been converted into restaurants, serving the freshest seafood and using traditional recipes," Cosima added. "The restaurants are set into the cliffs, hanging in suspension, out over the water. Coupled with the little cobblestone streets, Scilla is one of my favourite places to visit in Calabria," Cosima finished.
Palmi is Close to Cosima's Heart as we Continue our Tour into Calabria
Palmi is our next destination and promises spectacular coastal views and traditional cuisine. Palmi holds a special place in Cosima's heart. "Palmi is actually where my grandmother was born and is a significant destination for my family in Italy," Cosima said. "It's a beautiful coastal town on the Costa Viola with stunning sea views and lovely, almost private, little beaches," Cosima continued.
Grecanica Culture is Centred in our Next Tour Destination
We move to the hilltop town of Bova as our next tour destination. Known as the hilltop capital of the Grecanica culture, this Calabrian Greek precinct is perched 900 metres above sea level, affording spectacular views of the surrounds.
"Bova is an ancient mountain town and is known as the literal heart of Bovesia," offered Cosima. "Bovesia is actually officiated as one of the most spectacular and beautiful villages in Italy and still functions as a living monument to Magna Grecia," she continued. "I simply love this area and look forward to exploring the nooks with the tour group and discovering hide away restaurants made famous by the living Calabrian culture," Cosima added.
Bova is Bergamot country and we will be visiting a bergamot farm as a part of our stay. A fruit known for its unique flavours, the local traditions see wines and deserts made from the fruit. The cultural aspects of this area are heavily influenced by its Grecian history and seen in local language dialects and, of course, the cuisine.
The Tour moves to the Aspromonte National Park and the Spectacular Village of Gerace in Calabria
Aspromonte National Park is of great significance and a UNESCO protected area of Reggio Calabria. The area spans 650 square kilometers and is defined by mountain peaks, deep gorges and ancient valleys of beech trees. Our visit to the park includes the spectacular medieval hilltop village of Gerace. Situated atop a 500 meter sandstone cap, Gerace is renowned as one if Italy's most beautiful hamlets, bridging Byzantine and Norman influence with a mountainous backdrop.
"Gerace is a unique and interesting village which I look forward to returning to on our Tour," Cosima Bagala informs me. "I remember our journey to the Gerace well; we rode in on a small train and laughed all the way," Cosima recalled. "The hamlet itself is so well preserved and of its own nature and design. I believe our guests are really enjoy our time in Gerace."
The Archaeological Site of Locri Epizefiri Offers our Guests an Insight into the Deep History of Calabria
We move on to Locri where we shall visit the Greek archaeological site of Locri Epizefiri. Settled in the 7th century BC by central Greek travellers, Locri offers a true insight into the early inhabitants of this ancient pocket of Italy.
"The Greek influence is this area and sections of Calabria helped shape the culture we see today," offered Cosima. "The visit to Locri is most important for the tour - Locri shows two cultures at play which matured over centuries in a wonderful manner. I am sure our guests will enjoy this aspect of the tour," Cosima finished.
The Italia Mia Discover Calabria Tour: History, Taste and Scenery continues:
*Stilo and Isola Di Capo Rizzuto
Today we visit Stilo, a spectacular cliffside village within Reggio Calabria. Stilo draws visitors from around the world to view its beautifully preserved Byzantine architecture and elevated, panoramic views of the iconic Ionian coast. The Byzantine church is a highlight of our visit. In fact, there are roughly twenty historical churches including the 14th-century Stilo Cathedral. In the afternoon, we move north to the coastal area of Isola Di Capo Rizzuto. The coastline is famous for its perfectly-clear waters and the iconic Le Castella fortress. This area forms one of Italy's largest marine reserves, measuring over 15,000 hectares and offers true biodiversity and clear waters. The beaches are similarly sublime and feature colored sands and rock formation. A most inspiring location on our tour of Calabria.
*Ciro Wine Experience
Our Calabria tour now visits the Ciro region, famous for its fine wine varietals and steep terrain. We will experience Calabria's premier wine region in the province of Crotone where we visit several wineries to sample wines of exceptional heritage. This unique wine region is defined by two main grape varieties, being the native red Gaglioppo grape and the white Greco Bianco grape. The red wine produced in the region achieved promotion to Cirò Classico DOCG, determining a major quality achievement for Calabrian winemakers.
*Crotone
Crotone is the next stop on our tour to Calabria. A city steeped in history and founded in 710 BC by Achaean Greeks, Crotone evokes a real sense of history through the location and architecture. We will visit the majestic 15th-century fortress named Castello di Carlo V which boasts vast views of the Ionian Sea. A tour of Calabria and her finest, historic locations must feature the iconic area of Crotone.
Pizzo and Capo Vaticano Awaits as out Tour of Calabria moves back to the Coastline
The Capo Vaticano area is absolutely stunning and sits on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Tropea and Capo Vaticano section is known as the Coast of the Gods for good reason. The collision of historic cliff side towns with the wild sea is a spectacle in itself, marking this area as one of Calabria's treasures and a tour highlight.
Tropea
The Italia Mia tour of Calabria includes the bustling city of Tropea, a dramatic cliffside resort town located on the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods). Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea in Calabria, the town of Tropea's design sees a maze of slight, bougainvillea-draped lanes featuring historic architecture come to light. The area is famous for its beautiful palaces and exuberant town squares. "Tropea is one of my favorite destinations in Calabria," Cosima enthuses. "I know our guests on the tour will fall in love with this vibrant part of Calabria, just as I did when I first visited." Cosima finished. The beaches of Tropea offer pure white sand and clean, transparent waters, marking a visit as a highlight of our tour to Calabria. The beaches sit directly at the foot of the massive cliffs, offering a dramatic scene for all visitors.
Spilinga
As our tour of Calabria winds to a climax, we visit the small hillside town of Spilinga in the Vibo Valentia province. Spilinga sits high above the Tyrrhenian coast on the slopes of Monte Poro, offering absolutely beautiful vistas for all who visit. The area is famous for nduja, a soft, spicy, pork salami made with local chilis. Our tour guests will be able to sample this full-flavoured, spicy delicacy when we visit a local producer of nduja. "Nduja is a delicacy in Calabria and indeed Italy," Cosima smiled. "I simply can't wait to sample this spicy taste of home with our tout guests." Cosima added.
We finish the tour with a cooking lesson and lunch at our resort to celebrate the culture and way of life which is unique to Calabria.
The Italia Mia Tour of Calabria is offered as a small group journey, ensuring all guests receive quality time with our expert guides and host, Cosima Bagala. Cosima's family roots are deep in Calabria, allowing a localised insight into Calabrian history and way of life. We believe our guests on the tour to Calabria will leave Italy with a true sense of the historic and cultural significance of this ancient region.
