WINE TASTING

This morning, you’ll visit a boutique vineyard in the beautiful hills that surround Cosenza for a tour and hands-on wine experience. You’ll learn about how these two brothers invested in a plot of land and started their young company giving us an up-close look at how they run their family business.

You’ll have a homemade lunch - beautifully prepared by one of the brothers - complete with pairings from the family’s wines, then you will return to Morano. 

LA PASSEGGIATA

Once back, you'll have time to rest and relax at the farmhouse, then in the evening, we'll head into the charming historical center for an optional walk and group aperitivo. 

Overnight Morano Calabro.

PORCINI HUNT

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 put your eyesight to the test searching beneath centuries-old pine trees. We’ll have a delicious mountain picnic before returning to the farmhouse.  

We’ll have a break, but then it's back to work as we push up our sleeves and prepare a homemade  meal using the mushrooms we found. We’ll enjoy an aperitivo as we cook, then will feast on our creations! 

Overnight in Morano Calabro. 

CHECK OUT OF MORANO FARMHOUSE

Everyone will check out of the Morano Calabro farmhouse for the next stop on our tour: Catanzaro Lido. 

HERITAGE TOUR

Travelers with heritage in central and northern Calabria will check out of your farmhouse hotel and depart with your private Calabrian Heritage Specialist. You will visit your ancestral town, learn what your specialist discovered during our on-the-ground research and learn more about your family in the village. You will have lunch in or near your town, then will drive south to your seaside hotel in Catanzaro Lido.

EVENING APERITIVO

In the evening, those who are interested are invited to an optional aperitivo at my favorite local bar. 

Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

PIZZO CALABRO

Other travelers will head south to the lovely seaside village of Pizzo Calabro, famous for its tuna and gelato truffles. Our first stop will be to visit the enchanting Chiesetta di Piedigrotta cave church, before heading into the nearby hills for a visit to a winery that has revived an almost extinct grape variety. Their signature white wine has not only received praise as one of the Top 10 Best White Wines in Italy from the New York Times, but it is also garnering attention from wine enthusiasts and wine competitions all over the world. We’ll have an exclusive wine-tasting and aperitivo, before heading to one of the area’s most loved seafood restaurants.  

Following lunch, we will hit the center of town for dessert and a behind-the-scenes look at how to make Pizzo’s famous tartufo di Pizzo gelato truffles. Happy and full, we will return to our hotel for a rest.

EVENING APERITIVO

In the evening, those who are interested are invited to an optional aperitivo on the outskirts of the historical center of Catanzaro. 

Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

SILK COOP EXPERIENCE 

This morning, we’ll take an in-depth look into Catanzaro’s ancient silk tradition. Since the 1600s, Catanzaro has been home to one of the most important silk industries in Europe, and once supplied tapestries to the Vatican. We’ll join our good friends, Miriam and Domenico, who have brought new life to this dying tradition.  From their base nestled in a beautiful Mulberry Tree orchard, they breed silkworms and give visitors hands-on experiences at extracting silk.  

Following our visit, we will be their special guests for a delicious multi-course lunch, with wine. After lunch, we’ll return to Catanzaro Lido.

WINE TASTING

In the evening, we’ll reconvene for an optional, private wine-tasting experience at a local wine bar. 

Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

CHECK OUT OF CATANZARO HOTEL

This morning we’ll check out of our hotel in Catanzaro and head across the peninsula to the stunning Capo Vaticano. 

PIAZZA LUNCH

Along the way, we’ll visit my friend, Francesco, for a guided walk through his hometown, including a visit to the Jewish Quarter, the largest in Calabria. For lunch, the locals will spill out of their homes and prepare a private feast for us, directly in their piazza. We’ll dine alongside them, practice our Italian/Calabrese words, and enjoy a unique once-in-a-lifetime local experience.

CHECK INTO CAPO VATICANO HOTEL

Following lunch, we will continue our drive to the “Coast of the Gods” and to the lovely Capo Vaticano, where we’ll check into our seaside resort. You’ll have the evening on your own to enjoy the resort’s grounds. 

EVENING APERTIVO

Those who are interested can meet up for an optional evening drink. 

Overnight in Capo Vaticano.

RED ONION EXPERIENCE 

This morning, we’ll head outside of Tropea for a visit to a local farm that grows and harvests Calabria's, and Italy's, most famous “red onion” - the cipolla rossa of Tropea. We’ll learn why this regional onion is a kitchen staple in many Italian households and how it can be used in a variety of dishes including pasta, jams, spreads and even ice cream! We’ll visit the fields and have a robust tasting, complete with wine from the family’s vineyard, followed by a stroll along the famous lighthouse lookout.  

We will return to the hotel where you will have a break and will have access to the spa! Bring your suit if you plan to partake. 

SUNSET CALABRIAN BBQ

In the evening, we’ll meet for a farewell sunset BBQ, Calabrian-style. 

Overnight in Capo Vaticano.

CHECK OUT OF CAPO VATICANO HOTEL

At 8:00AM this morning there will be a group transfer to the Lamezia Terme Airport. 

Ciao Calabria! 

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