ITINERARY

Day 1: Benvenuti in Calabria Arrival at Lamezia Terme airport. Transfer to the Agriturismo Colle degli Ulivi. A cocktail greeting is waiting for us. Afterwards dinner and overnight stay. booked accomodation. Day 2: First Discovery-Tour On our first stay we start after the breakfast to Cassano allo Ionio.We visit the cathedral of the village, the museum Diocesano and the Santurario Madonna della Catena. After the lunch (only with FB-surcharge incl.) we start our first trekking tour in the Pollino-Park. Later on we go back to the Agriturismo.

Day 3: Arberëresch Exhibition

Once again we start on a tour through the Pollino Park. After dinner (FB-surcharge) we visit Civita.

In the little town of Civita we will learn a lot about the history of the Arbëresch by taking a tour through the town. Calabria’s mixture of people is unique in Italy: Greeks, Jews, Waldensians and Albanians live in the ‘toe’ of Italy, sometimes since ancient times. Amongst all these communities the Arbëresch (Italian-Albanian) was able to keep its cultural identity, its language, traditions and religious rites.

The tiny Civita, a pleasant sprinkling of houses on the rocks by the Raganello gorge, is the most lively and prettiest Arbëresch town. Right in the middle of the piazza is the Etnico Arbëresch museum, which documents the daily life, work and religious life of the Arbëresch.

Day 4: Picknick in the Park

After the breakfast we start zu a long Trekking Tour in the Pollino Park. We have a picknick in the wonderful nature (incl.) with typical delicacies. Dinner like every day in the Agriturismo.

Day 5: Whole - Day - Trekking

Another hiking tour is waiting for us. We have our lunch in a nice restaurant (incl.). Afterwards we continue our Trekking till the evening.

Day 6: Excursion to ancient times

After the breakfast we visit Sibari. The town of Sibari was founded in 725BC by Achaeans and quickly developed into the biggest polity of Magna Grecia with 100,000 inhabitants. Through trade and conquests it was also the richest Greek colony, which is why there are still many remains to be seen today: wonderfully and fantastically ornamented mosaic floors, remains of temple walls, the sea port, streets as wide as 13m as well as of private and public buildings. After a visit to the Museo Archeologico we can let ourselves be transported back to ancient times and their achievements. In Rossano, the only coastal town which was not conquered by the Saracens, there are findings that point towards the fact that this town was already inhabited in Roman times. The biggest sight is the 5th century San Marco church which is a jewel of Byzantine architecture.

Day 7: Relaxation at the sea

This day you can choose what you want to do. Enjoy your last day in bella Calabria!

Day 8: Arrivederci
After the last Italian breakfast our guides accompany you to the airport where it is "arrivederci bella Italia".