Calabria & Basilicata: The deep south

Package price per person, 10 days from € 639,00

Group price valid from 20 participants.

Direct request
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Travel down to the tip of the boot, to discover cultures and places full of great historical value. Basilicata, and especially Matera, is increasingly requested by international tourism: presences increased by 33% in 6 years. This region, together with the neighbor Calabria, are more and more perceived and appreciated for their authenticity, for the offer of “green tourism” in uncontaminated areas, for all their small unspoiled towns and villages: just think of the Castle of Melfi, the “Sassi” of Matera, the rock of Tropea, not to mention the Caribbean-like water of Calabrian sea. There is a curious link between the two extreme offshoots of the European continent, Norway and Calabria-Basilicata area: the stockfish. Imported from the early 16th century it has become a very popular traditional dish in both regional cuisines.

 

Fly Tour includes

  • 8-day coach rental from Bari to Lamezia Terme
  • 2 Nights HB in good 3* hotel in Melfi area
  • 2 Nights HB in good 3* hotel in Matera area
  • 3 Nights HB in good 3* hotel in Tropea area
  • English speaking guided tour from 2nd to 7th day
  • 1 Focaccia tasting Matera
  • 1 Ice cream break Pizzo Calabro
  • 1 Wine tasting Tropea area
  • 1 Light lunch with stockfish tasting Cittanova

 

Bus Tour includes

  • 1 Night HB in good 3* hotel in Florence / Montecatini area
  • 2 Nights HB in good 3* hotel in Melfi area
  • 2 Nights HB in good 3* hotel in Matera area
  • 3 Nights HB in good 3* hotel in Tropea area
  • 1 Night HB in good 3* hotel in Rimini area
  • English speaking guided tour from 3rd to 8th day
  • 1 Focaccia tasting Matera
  • 1 Ice cream break Pizzo Calabro
  • 1 Wine tasting Tropea area
  • 1 Light lunch with stockfish tasting Cittanova

By Coach: package price per person, 8 days from € 639,00

By Air: package price per person, 8 days from € 809,00

Day 1 Arrival in Tuscany. Accommodation in a hotel in the Florence / Montecatini area. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 (OR 1st day for flight journey) – Melfi. Passing Rome you arrive in Basilicata, where you will stay in the Melfi area for the next 2 nights. Dinner & overnight stay in the Melfi area

Day 3 (OR 2nd day for flight journey) – Venosa – Melfi. Today we drive to Venosa, which has beautiful churches and a castle from the sixteenth century. The ancient city of the Italian Samnitans is also the birthplace of the Roman poet Horace. Afterwards we return to Melfi driving through endless chestnut forests. The cityscape is characterised by red tiled roofs and narrow, shady alleys. The city wall, the cathedral and Porta Venosina are also worth seeing. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 (OR 3rd day for flight journey) – Lagopesole – Aliano. The Castel Lagopesole towers like an oversized monolith on a mountain over eight hundred metres high is visible from afar. The village served as a Byzantine granary before it was modified by the Normans. Staufer Friedrich II is regarded as the owner of the castle in its present form. The emperor, probably the most dazzling and fascinating ruler figure of his time, spent many summers here. The change in its interior of striped architectural styles and elements highlights different construction phases that alternated over the centuries. You then travel to Aliano in the Lucania badlands (Calanchi). The village became the scene of world literature through Carlo Levi’s book “Christ stopped at Eboli”. Then, you reach the surroundings of Matera. Hotel accommodation. Dinner & overnight stay.

Day 5 (OR 4th day for flight journey) – Matera. Today you will visit the ancient city of Matera and its famous “Sassi” (stones): parts of the film “The Passion of Christ” were shot in the old cave settlements. The old town of Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture 2019. At noon you will have a typical focaccia snack. Free time in the afternoon. Then return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 (OR 5th day for flight journey) – Cosenza – Pizzo Calabro. Today you travel further south and reach Calabria. The first stop is in one of its oldest cities: Cosenza. The 70,000 Cosentines are proud of the honorary title “Athens of Calabria”. The university city has a lively cultural scene with literary cafés and the Teatro Rendano, and is a Naples-oriented city. The historic city centre is one of the most beautiful and oldest in Italy. Along the Tyrrhenian coast, you reach the charming fishing village of Pizzo Calabro. In addition to a historic town centre, the famous Piedigrotta cave church, which lies steeply above the sea, awaits you. Of course, a tasting of the famous Tartufo ice cream is also a must before you travel to the “Coast of the Gods” in the Tropea area. Dinner & overnight stay in the Tropea area.

Day 7 (OR 6th day for flight journey) – Tropea – Capo Vaticano. Tropea is considered the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea” and is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Italian Mediterranean coast due to its location and picturesque old town. Despite its popularity, the small Calabrian town has retained much of its original character. The old town with its numerous cafés, small boutiques and narrow streets invites you to stroll. Relax with a wine-tasting and tasting of the famous onion of Tropea. Then, you take a panoramic drive along the coast to Capo Vaticano. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8 (OR 7th day for flight journey) – Gerace – Cittanova. In the “City of 100 Churches” Gerace, stands the largest sacred building in Calabria, which was built under the Norman rule. The cathedral was renovated in the 13th century, has three naves and a Byzantine-style crypt. In addition, the city has a very beautiful old town, where to enjoy a walk. Afterwards, it is also worth visiting a craftsmen’s quarter, where you can visit a perfume and liqueur workshop. Continue to Cittanova, where you can look forward to a light lunch with tasting of the famous “Pesce-stocco” (stockfish). Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9 (OR 8th day for flight journey – departure flight from). Yuo will travel home via the Italian Adriatic coast. Enjoy a last dinner and a stroll by the sea. Hotel accommodation, dinner & overnight stay.

Day 10 Return journey. With many new impressions, you continue your journey home.

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