Arrival in Falerna Lido  and check in at the reserved hotel. Welcome cocktail. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, departure to the so-called “Locride” region to visit Gerace, known as the “hundred-church citadel”.  In this Medieval town centre, we can admire some of the oldest churches in the region, together with the biggest Romanesque cathedral in Southern Italy.  After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll be driving along the Jasmine Coast to Stilo, birthplace of the renowned philosopher Tommaso Campanella, to visit the world-famous  Cattolica Church, a  late Byzantine monument which has no equal in Western Europe. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, departure to the Sila Highlands. The morning will be spent visiting Sila’s main sites: Camigliatello Silano, Cecina Lake and Sila National Park. After lunch in a local restaurant,  departure to San Giovanni in Fiore to visit the Abbey built by Gioacchino da Fiore at the end of the XII century, and learn about hand-made carpets and fabrics in a local workshop. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, departure to the small town of Tropea. Tradition has it that this ancient village was founded by one of the most popular heroes of Greek mythology, Hercules, while travelling back from Africa, and used to be called for this reason “Hercules’ Harbour”. Historians would rather identify it with the ancient shipyard “Tropis”, of Roman origins.Our city tour includes visiting its 12th century Romanesque Cathedral, preserving a Byzantine icon of the so-called Madonna di Romania dating back to the 13th century, as well as experiencing local “affacci”, characteristic balconies from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town’s picturesque narrow streets. After lunch in a local restaurant, afternoon visit to the suggestive belvedere of Capo Vaticano, overlooking Gioia Tauro Gulf on one side, and Pizzo Calabro on the other. The ancient “Napitta”, as the legend has it founded by King Napeto coming from a central region of Greece called Fokìs, is nowadays renowned for a very special ice-cream, the so-called “tartufo du Pizzu”. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Sibari, to explore the Archaeological Site corresponding to the ancient Greek colony of “Sybaris”. After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll keep driving westwards to Altomonte, considered as one of the most interesting sites of Calabria’s hinterland. In its monumental old town, we’ll admire the Castle and the impressive Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione (preserving major works of art inside), both dating back to the Norman Age, the Church of S. Giacomo with its precious Baroque decorations, the town’s Museum, and its characteristic traditional workshops. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, departure to Reggio di Calabria. Driving along some of the highest highways in Europe, we’ll enjoy the amazing sea views of Calabria’s Costa Viola, facing Messina’s Strait. Poet Gabriele D’Annunzio defined the town’s sea promenade (“lungomare”) as “the most beautiful kilometre in Italy”. Today Reggio Calabria hosts a fine National Archaeological Museum with an extensive collection including  the world-famous “Bronzes of Riace”, celebrated as some of Magna Graecia’s most important findings. Lunch in a local restaurant and departure to Scilla, to visit Chianalea and its fishermen’s old town, and catch sight of Monte S. Elia from its belvedere, located at 590 metres above sea level. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Le Castella, a suggestive fishermen’s village, enriched by the presence of an ancient Aragonese Castle. After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll continue our driving westwards to Siano di Catanzaro to visit the original collection of its “Carriage Museum” housing, among many others, some unique UK horse-drawn carriages, including the one used while filming the world-famous movie “Gone with the wind”. Dinner with Calabria’s traditional food and live piano entertainment. Overnight stay at the hotel.