Calabria

Fragrances of Calabria

8 days - 7 nights

Total1165

Fragrances of Calabria is an immersion in the typical scents and colours of the tip of the Boot. A sensorial journey through the atmospheres and history of a land of unique aromas. We will start from Ruggio Plan, a plateau located over 1500 metres above sea level in thehe heart of the Pollino National Park, a Unesco Geopark since 2016, and its precious officinal herbs, and then we penetrate the narrow streets and artistic treasures of Morano Calabroa nativity scene nestled in the mountains. In the Byzantine Rossanowhich holds the Codex Purpureus - invaluable gospel from the 6th century and a Unesco heritage site since 2015 - we will taste the tantalizing liquorice, a product of excellence from the Piana di Sibari, a millenary plain close to the Ionian Sea. Warm and pungent flavours will also await us in Montalto Uffugovillage nestled at the foot of the Sila mountains, where we will enjoy a cooking class dedicated to the prince of our tables: chilli peppers. We will visit the picturesque rock village of Zungri, surrounded by the sweet essence of broom, before overlooking the turquoise waters of the sea of TropeaBorgo dei Borghi 2021. A Gerace We will touch the freshness of bergamot and play with the thousand uses of jasmine, which gives its name to the Riviera. Finally, we will stop at Locri for a visit to the MUSABA Art Park, the lifelong dream of contemporary artist Nik Spatari, who will amaze us with the colours of his monumental works. A journey, from the north to the south of Calabria, where every place has its own scent among historical-artistic treasures and genuine flavours.

Programme

Day 1

Lamezia terme - Morano Calabro

We will arrive in Calabria at Lamezia Terme airport, where our transfer will be waiting for us to take us to Morano Calabro, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and a TCI Orange Flag. Once at the hotel, we will begin to get to know the area through the flavours and aromas of the local specialities, which we will taste during a dinner based on typical products from the Pollino mountains.

Hotel planned for days 1, 2, 3
Agritourism Colloreto or equivalent
Programme
Morning: departure by scheduled flight in the direction of Lamezia Terme
Afternoon: arrival in Morano Calabro
Accommodation in a 4-star hotel
Dinner with typical Pollino products

Day 2

Pollino National Park

The intoxicating scents of nature await us. Through an easy guided hike on one of the most beautiful paths in the Pollino National Park, we will immerse ourselves in the pristine atmosphere of the UNESCO Geopark since 2016. During our walk, our expert botanical guide will introduce us to rare plant and officinal species, which have been appreciated and known by the local population for centuries: the Pollino Massif is, in fact, an ecosystem favourable to the growth of aromatic medical herbs, so much so that the ancient Greeks used to call it "the mountain of Apollo", the patron deity of medicine (hence the toponym "Pollino"). The trek, suitable for everyone, will also take us to admire the imposing Loricate pines, an ancient tree species, whose specimens grow on the highest peaks of the National Park of which it is the symbol. After a refreshing picnic lunch, we will return to Morano Calabro where, through alleys and medieval streets, we will climb up to the ruins of the Swabian-Norman castle, the highest point of the town. Along the way we will visit some of the most significant places in the ancient village, such as the monastic complex of San Bernardino; the Romanesque church of Saints Peter and Paul, which houses the sculptures of Pietro Bernini, father of the well-known Gian Lorenzo; and the church of the Maddalena, which houses the valuable polyptych by Bartolomeo Vivarini. We conclude our busy day by returning to the hotel where a tasty dinner is planned.
Programme
Morning: guided hike Piano Ruggio
Free lunch
Afternoon: guided tour of Morano Calabro
Return to hotel and dinner

Day 3

Rossano

In the morning we will set off for the nearby Ionian coast. Passing through the fragrant orange groves of the Piana di Sibari we reach Rossano, a city with a glorious Byzantine past, which is clearly visible in the sacred buildings of the rich historic centre. We will visit the baroque Cathedral of Santa Maria Achiropita before moving on to the forests of the Greek Sila, where we will reach the Romanesque Pathirion Abbey, with its floor decorated with ancient mosaic works, which houses an authentic masterpiece of art and sacredness: the highly refined Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, an illuminated gospel book dating back to the 6th century, with its pink-coloured pages, a Unesco heritage site since 2015. After lunch at a local restaurant, our afternoon will have the tantalising flavour of liquorice. With a visit to the ancient 'Giorgio Amarelli' Liquorice Museum, still operating as a production plant, we will see first-hand the processing phases of this typical product, which we will taste in different versions. Finally, we will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Lunch at
The Byzantine or equivalent
Programme
Morning: Guided tour of the historic centre of Rossano and the Diocesan Museum and the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis
Lunch included
Afternoon: visit and tasting at the Giorgio Amarelli Liquorice Museum
Return to hotel and dinner

Day 4

Montalto Uffugo and Vibo Marina

This morning we will leave the Pollino National Park and the Sibaritide, heading for the Costa degli Dei, the most famous coastal area of Calabria. On the way, we will stop in Montalto Uffugo, a pretty hillside village close to the Tyrrhenian Coastal Chain, where we will enjoy a 'Peperoncino experience', a lively cooking class during which we will prepare spicy recipes based on the most representative product of Calabrian cuisine. We will taste the dishes together, accompanied by local wines. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Vibo Marina, where an elegant hotel will welcome us for dinner and overnight stay.

Lunch at
Home for Creativity or equivalent

Hotel planned for days 4.5
Popilia Resort or equivalent
Programme
Morning: Chilli experience at the Home for creativity farm in Montalto Uffugo
Afternoon: Arrival in Vibo Marina, hotel accommodation, free time and dinner.

Day 5

Zungri and Tropea

We will leave for Zungri, a rocky village out of time, of Byzantine origin, with its dwellings carved in stone and ingenious systems for collecting water and food. After the visit, we will move on to the Costa degli Dei, in Tropea, where we will have a free lunch. Afterwards, we will have a free visit to the town, home of the red onion and a village that for its beauty and charm has been called "the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea", also winning the title of "Borgo dei Borghi 2021". We will continue our day in Pizzo Calabro for a visit to the fascinating Church of Piedigrotta, carved entirely into the tuffaceous rocks, and then we will taste truffles, a famous typical ice cream, in an old Pizzo pastry shop. After our visit, we return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Programme
Morning: departure for Zungri
Departure for Tropea, free lunch and visit to the historic centre
Evening: return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6

Roccella Ionica - Gerace

We will move to Roccella Ionica, on the Jasmine Riviera at our hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea, Gerace, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, located on the Jasmine Riviera, the final part of the Ionian coast of Calabria and the ideal habitat of the eponymous flower and bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit peculiar to the Calabrian territory. After arriving at the hotel, we will head to the historic Azienda Agricola Barone Macrì for a walk through its bergamot grove where, surrounded by the freshness of this characteristic citrus fruit, we will discover the history, cultivation methods and uses that make it an indispensable product of the world perfume industry. In the afternoon, we will dedicate ourselves to Gerace, the village of the 100 churches: we will visit the ancient village starting from the cathedral and going as far as the Belvedere delle Bombarde, from which there is a breathtaking view of the Ionian Coast, the ancient landing place of the Achaean ships. We will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Hotel planned for 6, 7
Sant'Anna Palace or equivalent
Programme
Morning: Transfer to Gerace and visit Bergamotteto
Free lunch
Afternoon: visit to the historical centre of Gerace.
Return to the hotel followed by dinner and overnight stay

Day 7

Mammola - Gerace

We will spend the morning in Mammola at MUSABA - Parco Museo Laboratorio Santa Barbara - founded by contemporary artist Nick Spatari. At the end of the visit, we will have lunch in a local restaurant, followed by a unique experience: we will play with the essence of jasmine thanks to the "Sapiri e Sapuri" association, which will guide us to discover the different uses of this eclectic flower. After the visit, we will return to the hotel for dinner.
Programme
Morning: Visit to MUSABA
Lunch included
Afternoon: Jasmine Experience with Associazione Sapiri e Sapuri
Return to hotel and dinner

Day 8

Roccella Ionica - Lamezia Terme

After breakfast we will head to our destination airport and say goodbye, hoping to meet again soon for another tour to discover the treasures and beauty of southern Italy.
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