September 16-21, 2026

October 14-19, 2026

Experience the sights and tastes of Calabria: one of the remaining undiscovered gems of Italy! This tour features some of our favorite Calabrian destinations and meals from the full Pasta Grammar Tour, but in a shorter and more affordable package. It's perfect for travelers who want to visit this enchanting region, but have limited time or want to visit other areas of the Boot as well!

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Your expert local guide (and one of Eva's oldest childhood friends), Cristian Greco, will lead you and a small group of fellow travelers on a delicious tour of this diverse region. We're looking forward to welcoming you for a day in Eva's hometown of Dasà for a day of cooking, eating and celebrating with us and our family!

Who is this tour for?

This tour is for adventurous travelers who want to try new food and see a side of southern Italy off the beaten path! We created this trip to share our favorite Calabrian experiences that most tourists will never have the opportunity to find on their own. It’s also great for those who want a taste of the Pasta Grammar Tour experience, but who maybe don’t have time for the full deal or want to use some of their precious vacation time to explore other regions as well.

Who is this tour NOT for?

This tour is not for someone who is looking for a postcard experience. Southern Italy isn’t a resort in Venice! There is nothing wrong with wanting the latter, but this tour is more like a safari for adventurers who wish to see (and taste!) Italy through the eyes of locals.

I have an allergy or dietary restriction, can I still join?

Let us know what your needs are and we will be happy to do everything we can to accommodate you! We have hosted guests with a wide range of dietary requirements without any trouble.

How much walking will there be?

Italy, like so many European countries, is very walking-focused. Many of the streets in the cities and villages we will visit are inaccessible to buses and we will often need to walk a few blocks to reach our ultimate destinations. Don’t expect hiking, but do expect to traverse cobblestone streets.

Will my cell phone work in Italy?

Most of our guests choose to use international roaming plans provided by their domestic carriers, but it’s also very easy to acquire a temporary, local SIM card for your trip. They are widely available for purchase upon arrival in Italy.

Will I be able to do laundry during the trip?

In Tropea, the hotel is located just steps away from a laundromat. You can drop off your clothes and they will usually be ready for pick-up within a day.

Can I bring food home from Italy?

We rarely encounter a guest who doesn’t bring a treasure trove of Italian goodies home! In fact, many purchase extra suitcases during the trip for this purpose. Check the specific laws regarding transporting food. The general guidelines for the United States of America prohibits transporting meat or fresh produce. Cheese, pasta, olive oil and wine are fine!

Does the trip include travel insurance?

Yes! You will be covered by travel insurance for the duration of the trip, covering certain medical emergencies, lost baggage, cancellations, etc. as defined by the insurance policy. View the full terms and coverage here.

Benvenuti a Tropea!

After arriving in Tropea via private transfer from Lamezia Terme and checking into your hotel accommodations, a brief travel briefing will be held so that you can meet your fellow travelers and Cristian, your expert guide (and Eva’s oldest childhood friend).

Tropea is a true Calabrian gem, with white sandy beaches, towering cliffs, crystal blue waters and unique food. Recently it was named the most beautiful village in Italy by the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia association, and for good reason.

Dinner at one of our favorite, local restaurants. It’s just a short walk from the hotel, and there you will sample some of the fresh seafood the coast of Calabria is famous for.

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

By private transfer, the group will travel to a local Monte Poro winery. Here you will learn about the cultivation and production of the local wine in a region dubbed the "Land of Wine" by the ancient Greeks who brought the first grapes to Italy via Calabria. You will, of course, taste and sample it during a big lunch together.

Return to Tropea, with some free time to digest. Don’t wander too far, though! In the evening, you’ll have a chance to take part in an Italian dining ritual: the apericena. An apericena is a chance to kick back with a drink and sample a selection of delicious small plates and snacks. This is the perfect chance to try the spicy, spreadable salami of Calabria: ‘nduja!

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This is personally our favorite day, because we get to meet you in person! You’ll travel by private transfer to Eva’s hometown of Dasà where you’ll get to check out the town and visit the incredible, medieval flour mill that still stands in the town center. You’ll get to learn everything about how it worked from the last living person to have worked the mill.

After the mill tour we’ll reconvene at La Locanda, an old restaurant we converted into a community kitchen and dining hall, to learn how to make the traditional, local pasta from a group of expert nonnas.

Then it’s time to eat! Eva’s family and friends will cook and prepare a host of southern specialties for a big, shared feast.

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After checking out of the hotel, the group will strike out via private bus for the mountainous area of northern Calabria. Along the way, you’ll stop at the beautiful town of Fiumefreddo Bruzio, a medieval village overlooking the sea. There you will enjoy a delicious lunch in an Osteria, which specializes in dishes made with local, seasonal products.

From there, you’ll continue on to the hilltop town of Morano Calabro, an ancient place of great strategic importance during the age of the Roman Empire and through the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the Norman castle which dominates the village.

After checking in to your accommodations, a dinner at the hotel will be served so you can sample your first taste of the unique northern Calabrian cuisine!

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will spend the day visiting Civita, one of the unique Albanian communities in Italy. For over 600 years, the Arbresche people who inhabit this stunningly beautiful land have been perfecting their unique cuisine. At a traditional Arbresche restaurant you will learn how to make dromsa, one of the most unusual and magical types of pasta in Italy, before enjoying a lunch together.

After some time to unwind back in Morano, you’ll head to one of our favorite places to eat in the region: a beautiful agriturismo where Zia (Aunt) Lina will whip up a feast using only her family farm’s fresh produce. No meal here is ever the same, and it’s always delicious!

Breakfast in the hotel, and departure by private transfer for Lamezia Terme airport & train station. A presto!