Full immersion of Calabrian lifestyle with time spent with local artisan and producers
Authentic dinners in restaurants favored by the locals
Visit to ceramic shop with opportunity to sculpt your own item
Visits to Altomonte, Cosenza, Pizzo Calabro, Tropea, Scilla, Chianalea, Reggio Calabria, Morano Calabra, Pollino National Park
Visit to Amarillo Liquirish Museum
Two Hands-On Cooking Classes
Tastings of local products such as almond milk, bergamots, and fileja Tropeana.
Visit to olive oil mill with lunch on location
Boat ride along the Coast of the Gods with opportunity for swimming and snorkeling
Visit to Pizzo for their famous Tartufo gelato
Overview So, you're ready to head to one of Italy's best-kept secret, Calabria? Than let this native of Calabria take you there! Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures is really excited to announce the 2020 adventure to this beautiful region! The week promises organized activities, cooking classes,delicious food & wine lunches, day trips to private vineyards, farm visits, an excursion at sea and some afternoon time to hit the beach! We will be staying in two locations to give you a better idea of this undiscovered region. Enjoy time with welcoming locals, authentic foods, beautiful scenery and remarkable experiences. A week not to be missed if you're craving to see a different Italy.
Day 1 - Arrival and Welcome Dinner Arrive at Lamezia Terme Airport and be greeted by Francesca for private group transfer to our accommodations.
Our home for the first half of the trip will be the beautiful Castello di Serragiumenta, in charming Altomonte. After a welcome reception and drinks, you will have time to relax, unpack and walk the grounds before feasting on an authentic welcome dinner expertly prepared by the staff.
The narrow streets of Morano Calabro are inviting, welcoming and authentic Italy.
Day 2 - Olive Oil, Ceramics and a Mystical Medieval Evening Our first full day together is full of food, culture and folk dance!
After breakfast, we move towards the center of Altomonte for an easy walking tour showcasing one of Calabria's most charismatic locations. Here, we will visit a ceramics production studio where you will have the opportunity to see how a 3rd generation local artisan has perfected his craft. If you wish to get your hands dirty, you will be guided by a master potter with more than 50 years of experience. After the tour, we will learn about one of Calabria's most prized product, extra virgin olive oil. Today, we will meet Carla, who will show us how her family still uses ancient old stones to make their extra virgin olive oil. Ample samples will be provided during our lunch on location, which will contain plenty of local products, including "cruschi," a local specialty product from nearby Pollino National Park.
After lunch, we move on to Morano Calabro, properly named one of the most beautiful village in all of Italy. After some time for pictures, we head towards Pollino National Park for some more picture time and meeting some of the locals that live nearby.
The evening and dinner will be spent at a local agriturismo and will include traditional folk dancing, music and local foods strictly from Morano Calabro.
Our guide Stefania is always full of knowledge and so fun!
Day 3 - Rossano, Liquorish and KM Zero Products After breakfast at our castle, we head towards Rossano for a visit to the Amarelli Liquorish Company. Recognized nationally and internationally, the Amarelli company is one of Italy's oldest food producer, with records going back to the 1500s! After learning about the process, we will sample the various products offered.
Following our factory visit, we head towards an agriturismo where Marianna and her family will greet us and tell us all about the products made on location. We will feast on their delicious products for lunch, and also learn all about the products, production and history behind them. Dessert will be in a small local shop recognized for its almond milk and chocolate production.
After lunch, Stefania, our local guide, will introduce us to Civita. A light walking tour will immerse us in the history, customs and language of this unique area.
For dinner tonight, we will be back at our castle for a memorable feast.
Day 4 - Tastings, Cooking Class and Visit to Cosenza After breakfast at our castle, we visit the grounds of Agricola Bilotti, located on our castle, where a golf-cart like vehicle will take us around the fields for a truly memorable experience. Along the way, we will sample products such as wine, oil, cheeses, hams and other specialties all made on location.
After a delicious tasting and tour, we head back to our castle where Chef Pasquale awaits us for our hands on cooking class. After foraging for our ingredients in the local garden, we head in the castle's kitchen for a cooking class. We will be rewarded for our efforts as we enjoy a delicious lunch outdoors.
After lunch and some light rest, we will visit Cosenza for a theatrical walking tour of the historic center. Dressed in ancient costume, our expert guide will tell us all about this old city, filled with mystery and intrigue. After an insightful tour, we will dine at one of Cosenza's most favored restaurant, before heading back to the castle for our final night.
Day 5 - Pizzo Calabro, Transfer to Tropea and Hands On Cooking Class After breakfast, we check out from our castle and move on to our next adventures. On our way to Tropea, which is our next destination, we will stop at Pizzo Calabro for a visit to the local church and Castello Murat. But a visit to Pizzo would be incomplete without a taste of the famous Tartufo di Pizzo. A local frozen specialty recognized nationally, the delicious dome of hazelnut gelato is dusted in cacao to resemble a truffle.
In the evening, grab your aprons as we will have to work for our dinner tonight! By now you know that Italian cooking is not only regional but varies greatly even within one region, so tonight we prepare a specialty of Tropea. On the menu tonight is the unique dish of Fileja Tropeana. Sit back and relax and enjoy a local dinner and wine with your fellow travelers before heading back to our hotel.
The beautiful harbor in Scilla is waiting for you.
Day 6 - Day trip to Scilla and Reggio Calabria A beautiful fishing village made famous by mythology as being the home of the monster Scylla, Scilla is a picturesque small town that boasts a lovely stretch of coastline, making it the ideal backdrop for Instagram-worthy pictures. A walking tour of the nearby town of Chianalea will bring us right to lunch, where we will enjoy a delicious seafood spread overlooking the beautiful waters.
After lunch, we will visit Reggio Calabria, a city known for the bergamot fruit. We will visit a farm where this unique fruit is cultivated and sample the various products in which this citrus fruit is used in. We will also visit a famous gelateria that's over 100 years old, and whose award-winning recipes have been trademarked. We will end our visit to Reggio with a guided tour of the Magna Grecia Museum, ending with the famous statues known as the Bronzi di Riace.
A light group dinner will be enjoyed back in Tropea.
Enjoy a private boat ride along this stunning coast.
Day 7 - Boat ride on the Coast of the Gods After breakfast at our hotel, we will take to the seas for a boat ride along the Coast of the Gods. Grab your swimsuit as we will have the opportunity for snorkeling and swimming while at sea. A light snack on board will hold us over until lunchtime.
After our boat ride, we will head back to the hotel where you will have time to refresh, pack and rest, before meeting for a delicious farewell dinner.
Group transfers to and from Lamezia Terme Airport
Ground transportation throughout the week
2 Hands-On cooking classes with meals following
Visit to olive oil mill with lunch on location
Visit to ceramic workshop
Visit to liquorish museum
Cheese tasting educational session
Boat ride on the Path of the Gods with opportunity for swimming and snorkeling
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare / Flights
Tips / gratuities for guides & waitstaff
Hotel incidentals such as phone calls, mini bars and other amenities
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is HIGHLY recommended in order to protect your investment.
Anything not listed in the inclusions above
Price & Details Fall 2021 dates and details to be announced soon. This itinerary is currently available for private, pre-formed groups of 6 or more only. If you would like to request additional information, please use the form below. Francesca Montillo, Native Italian, Owner and Tour Leader Accompanies all Activities Contact Francesca at francesca@thelazyitalian.com for booking/reservation and further details. If you would like to reserve a spot for this tour, or have any questions, please use the contact form below and we will send you the necessary booking instructions or additional information.