Calabria and the Cedri Riviera Fully Private Escorted Experience including Cooking and Exclusive Dino Island Boat Experience with Local Hosts (Weekly Departures from March 2025 - November 2025)
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Tour Code: TUR-01340
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Type: Private
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Duration: 5 days -
Departs from: Lamezia Terme
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Meeting Place: Airport or Rail Station
Overview
We recommend this experience and offer this experience anytime in May, June and mid-July, as well as September, October and even November when the waters are still warm and you are able to swim. We do not offer this experience in August when it is far too hot here for most people, however almost any other time of year other than August is a great time to partake in this unique and totally personalized experience.
We recommend you click on the locations we visit that are linked in here so you can read more fully about where we take you in the area, that you really do want a guide for, however one of the most appealing things about this option is that you are staying in a private family villa located in the center of town in Praia a Mare and not a hotel, though you will have totally prive accommodations with your own bathroom, it's a nice and more personal experience where we stay in the family home,
in Praia a Mare, Calabria a beautiful sea-side resort town famous for Dino Island and the Arcomagno caves. During your stay you will have a beautiful room and your own en-suite bathroom and full air conditioning at the Villa Vecchia in the town center where you will have access to cafes that dot the promenade known as the 'Viale', as well as fantastic shopping at stores like Salmena a famous Calabrese jewelery designer and wonderful stores of all variety. Here, you wiil be right by everything so no need to drive or walk anywhere! It's all right at your finger tips and you will love Praia a Mare! I know, becuase I am the owner of Italy Vacation Specialists and I have been living here for 16 years! You can read about Our Story, on our website.
This is a unique holiday experience put together by Italy Vacation Specialist that brings you to some of the most beautiful, though often by-passed places in Italy like the coast of Maratea, Diamante the city of murals, Maiera famous for the Pepperoncino museum and the magnificent mountain villages of Tortora and Aieta with your local hosts. Cooking course and most meals are included with the wonderful Calabrese family hosts. You will not leave Calabria hungry that's for sure!
As per the itinerary below, you will enjoy a number of private tours to places like the coast of Maratea and around Dino Island as well as the Madonna Della Grotta church which is inside one of the largest caves in Italy! We can't stress enough how totally amazing it is!
Most meals are included in this program and we include a full hands on cooking experience with Antonella, who is a fantastic cook and will introduce you to the secrets of southern Italian cooking using ingredients fresh from the garden! Meals served outside on the beautiful sea-view terrace with fine wine from the area as you dine with the hosts in this magnificent location on the sea, our aim is to make you feel like one of the family.
We have prepared this program to make experiencing this area of southern Italy more accessible and with local guides you can really experience the unique history of this beautiful territory and culture that makes the region of Calabria such a beautiful region!
Our cultural immersion programs allow you to experience daily interaction with the family and the local community, family meals and make new friends in a town where English is never heard or spoken - so it forces you and the locals to learn which we feel is a win win for everyone wanting a true Italian experience in an area totally untouched by international tourism.
We can arrange private transportation from Naples or Lamezia airports and various pre and post tour options all over southern Italy to areas like Matera, Sicily, Tropea, Puglia or even the Amalfi Coast, but this is an experience particularly for foodies and those wanting a true family experience you will not want to miss!
For more information about staying with real families in Italy get in touch with the experts: team@italyvacationspecialists.com or call us today at (39) 338 351 6912 to learn more!
Viva La Calabria!!! The True Dolce Vita is found with family and Friends in Praia a MareItinerary
Where we Visit : Praia a Mare, | Meeting Location : Airport or Rail Station
Upon arrival you will have a chance to experience the town of Praia a Mare where the Villa Vecchia Pioppo private house is located and familiarize yourself with the town and beach all located right there.
Chance to settle in, freshen up and get ready for the dinner at the Calabrese home this evening where you will enjoy an assortment of wonderful local delecacies from all over the area including the Cedro fruit, Ndja Sausages, Fresh Pasta and smoked meats all produced by the Calabrese family.
Return to the Villa Vecchia in the evening for dinner and overnight in Praia a Mare.
Where we Visit : Maratea,
We head today to the magnificent coast of Maratea where you will experience wonderful views all over the coast and the town of Maratea itslef which is overlooked by the Rendentore Dal Christo, a Christ figure much like that in Rio De Janiero , Brazil ! A truly amazing ride up here and spectacular views overlooking the entire coast below.
In the afternoon we will return to Praia a Mare where you can have free time to enjoy the wonderful Mediterranean sea and the beach lido vibe, where you can purchase fresh water, lemonaid and assortment of other fresh beverages or snacks.
This evening for dinner, we head to Pizzeria Amici and our Friend Pino Deni who cooks the most wonderful pizza in southern Italy!
Following dinner, time to stroll the lovely promenade of Praia a Mare and overnight at the Villa Vecchia Pioppo.
Where we Visit : Diamante, Cedri Riviera Calabria,
Should you need to stop for refreshment we will do so here before heading up to the town of Maiera, which is home to the local Peperoncino, hot pepper museum where they have over 120 different varieties of spicy peppers the Cedri Riviera, citrus coast is home to and this area of the world is particularly famous for!
In the afternoon we return to Praia a Mare for free beach time and to prepare for tonight's cooking lesson at the Calabrese family home where you will learn how to cook fresh pasta, make incredible local sauces and prepare a BBQ with the local meats and sausage!
Return to the villa vecchia in the evening for dinner and overnight and we will confirm with you at what time your breakfast will be in the morning, considering tonight's feast is going to be truly a huge and memorable one!
Where we Visit : Dino Island, San Nicola,
Free time in Praia at the lido for lunch and snacking.
This evening we head up to the amazing cliff-top town of Tortora to the famous mountain lodge overlooking it all called La Loggia where you will enjoy with the family a wonderful farewell dinner and spectacular photos to the ocean and other town above known as Aieta.
Return to the Villa Vecchia in the evening for overnight and time to walk in Praia a Mare.
Where we Visit : Calabria,
You may also wish to extend your time with us here in southern Italy and arrange for a private transfer or additional tours to places like Matera, Sicily, Tropea or other destinations we go to in Puglia and Campania. We can easily take you up to the Amalfi Coast or arrange for any number of services here in Southern Italy where we have been operating travel and cooking experiences for guests to this region for over 16 years!
To learn more about how we can help you or to book this tour, get in touch with us at: team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Direct in Italy: (39) 338 351 6912
Inclusions/Exclusions
Tour Highlights and What's Included
What's Included
Specialized and Personal Service
What's Not Included
What's Not Included
Gratuities of any type- Luggage Handling at Airport
- Travel Insurance
Pricing & Availability
Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.
Email : team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Toll Free : 1-866-779-2565
Map
Starting From : EUR 880
(Pricing is per person based on 2 pax traveling)
Note : Price also Depends on Point of Departure & Number of Participants. Get in touch with us today to get an accurate quote!
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Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per ... [Read More]
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Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we wer ... [Read More]
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In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n ... [Read More]
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The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country. ... [Read More]
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As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 tri ... [Read More]
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