Calabria

Overview

Discover Calabria: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Calabria is the region in Italy where many members of the team at Italy Vacation Specialists, still call home and lead guided tours and experiences for travelers from all over Italy and the world at large. On our siste site, VisitsItaly, which is quite literally an encyclopedia about Italy, we have written about over 50 different towns and cities in the region that you can read about here:

Because of advances in technology our old website based on Html code became like a dinosaur and we had to re-build with Italy Vacation Specialists, where we are currently listing many of our new experiences in this area which is an exciting one to discover in terms of geography, food, wine, adventure, culture and history. You can read about many of the towns and cities we have written and photographed on the right hand corner, though for various reasons we really urge you to get in touch with us to see some of these places for without local guides many of these destinations are difficult for English-only speaking clients to access and because of sometimes difficult terrain, locals who still don't speak very much English we really urge you to consider when traveling here to reach out ot us or even another company who can assist you with possible language barriers and truly making the most out of this area of the world which has been slower in some instances to evolve than other areas in Italy, though this is partly the beauty of travel here and something many people who really want to slow down and appreciate authentic Italy, savour and lover during their travels here, for while the rest of the world has seemed to evolve time here for the most part has stood still and traditions, local culture and the way of life has been lovingly preserved and kept in tact. In fact, mostly Italian toursists come to places like , , Soverato, San Nicola and many others because it's a truly Italian holiday destination where authenticity and a very relaxed style to the day evolve naturally and entirely authentically, something we ourselves as the ownes of the company love.

It is easy to understand why this land is one of myth and incredible history. Home to 'Magna Grecia' or greater - this is where Homer, the Greek author of The Odyssey and The Illiad, Calabria was a far-off magical and dangerous place, where heroes rose to spectacular challenges and overcame Olympian odds. Ulysses and his crew sailed through the monstrous pass of Scilla and Charybis, which in reality was the narrow, turbulent strait between the Calabrian mainland and the Island of .

The Greeks were not the first here. When they arrived they encountered settlements of pre-historic tribes such as the Sabines, whom they called the Enotrians, or "lovers of wine". In this word, etymologists find the origin of the country's name, "Italia", as well as the root of the Italian people's love of life.

, Calabria Italy - Photo by Jesse Andrews

Over the centuries, successive empires invaded Calabria and asserted their domination. The Byzantines, the Romans, and the Normans duing their quests to and from the Crusades in far-off . Even Hannibal and his army came through, on the backs of elephants after sacking . The Nazis hunkered down in Calabria in World War II befor being driven out by the massed forces of the Allies, who pushed them north, and eventually back into itself.

Thousands of years ago, the local people, no fools, removed themselves from the vulnerable coastal areas and onto the mountain tops, where they built improbable towns and villages along canyons and mountain peaks; thus making conquest difficult, and sometimes impossible. There they scratched out a living on small farms, growing figs, olive and lemon trees, while tending to small herds of goat and sheep. They mined the streams and rivers for gold. They carved roads and trails which are still in use even today.

For millenia, the people here have made pottery, spun wool, knitted plain garments. They've milked their goats, made bread, rolled pasta, fermented wine and distilled limoncello, a sweet lemon aperitif. They have gone about their business, shop-keeping, worshipping in their numerous churches and duomos, and observed holy days and feast days around the year with pious gusto.

, Calabria, Southern Italy - Photo by Jesse Andrews

And they still do all this today; a self-sufficient, self-reliant, practical, stubborn, no-nonsense people whom other Italians say are "testa dura" - hard headed.

In ancient times, there were periods when Calabria could boast wealth and importance, but by the end of the 16th century, Calabria fell into decline, its people are some of the poorest in all Italy. Their poverty propelled the mass immigration of the late 19th and early 20th century, when millions of Calabrese came down from the mountains and clamoured onto ships that took them to "new worlds", particularly to the USA and .

But now...Calabria is reclaiming its past glory and pride, tired of being the forgotten and neglected part of Italy it grew accustomed to being during the last 500 years or so and are ready to transform itself into a premier destination. Why not; it's got everything going for it.

When you come to the "new" Calabria, a place that has been inhabited for over 3,000 years, you will be dumbfounded by its scenery - whether you stay up in the mountains, or find your way along the winding coastal highways to it's seaside towns and beaches. You will find resorts, hotels, inns, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, lidos and tourist parks of every quality catering to people with small, medium or large budgets.

And once you've arrived and settled in you will have the opportunity to savour the hearty, tasty, Calabrese cuisine all made from local produce, meats, fish and fruit.

It's true that the Calabrese are not quite ready for masses of English-speaking tourists. Indeed, you won't find too many people who converse confidently in English. Nor will you find many signs printed in English or be able to buy English books, newspapers or magazines. But, so what?

Visit Calabria now - before the crowds arrive. You will get by with relative ease if you are patient and respectful, and all your needs will be met while you enjoy the vacation of a lifetime!

Plan Your Experience

Explore Calabria

Our own photographs

Calabria Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Calabria, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Calabria Vacations with Italy Vacation Specialists

Experience the very best of Calabria and beach holidays in Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists

Calabria beaches at Praia a Mare - Beach holidays in Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists

Wine and Food Tours in Calabria

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

The Heel and Toe of Italy : Puglia, Calabria and Basilicata

This meticulously crafted 11-day journey through Southern Italy offers an immersive experience into the heart of Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria. Starting with your arrival at Bari airport...

Private

11 Days / 10 Nights

Calabria and the Cedri Riviera Mini-Stay including Cooking Class, Wine Tour and Full Day Tour to the Coast of Maratea

This 4 day, 3 day package is ideal for those wanting to get to know the incredible culinary traditions of Calabria famous for the 'hot pepper" and fussili dishes. Our package includes accommodation in a private villa located in the center of town....

Private

4 Days / 3 Nights

Kingdom of the Sun Discovery: A private Journey into Italy's Mezzogiorno

Southern Italy reveals itself slowly. In whitewashed towns above the Adriatic, in the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, in long lunches that drift into the afternoon. This private journey through Puglia and Basilicata is made for travelers who want t...

Private

9 Days / 8 Nights

Explore the Hidden Gems of Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria

This is a unique opportunity through southern Italy where we will introduce you to somee of souther Italy's most incredible landscapes.

Semi-Private

9 Days / 8 Nights

Kingdom of the Sun: Undiscovered Calabria & Basilicata || Highlights include Maratea and the mountain-top redeemer, Praia a Mare and the Madonna Della Grotta, Diamante the city of murals. Cooking, food and wine and highlights with chef Michelangelo

Join us for an 8-day package in Calabria and explore the deep south of Italy, including the regions of Calabria and Basilicata. Our tour is centered around the charming town of Tortora, and from there, we embark on daily excursions to some of Calabri...

Private

8 Days / 7 Nights

Calabria with Local Hosts: Food, Coast & Village Life

This is an opportunity to stay in a private family home in Praia a Mare, Calabria a beautiful sea-side resort town famous for Dino Island and the Arcomagno caves. During this unique holiday experience you will visit the coast of Maratea, Diamante th...

Private

5 Days / 4 Nights

Hidden Villages of Calabria & Basilicata with Local Guides

Calabria is the largest region in Italy and yet it is always the least-frequently visited by visitors to Italy. For decades it has remained relatively unforgotten by Europe except for Italian travellers who by the thousands if not millions each summ...

Small Group

7 Days / 6 Nights

The Kingdom of the Sun - South of Italy - Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily - Private Individuals & Small group Tours

Each year we bring people in the travel industry to experience incredible interesting places in Italy and the Mediterranean. This year one of our most thrilling adventures is going to offer a rich and rewarding learning experience through Sicily and...

Private

14 Days / 13 Nights

Kingdom of the Sun Escorted Tour of Italy's Deep South including Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria Departing Spring 2026: May 23, June 6 Fall 2026: Sept 12, Oct 10

Let the sun shine through in our small group tour of Italy's deep south including the regions of Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria. Throughout the tour we visit extraordinary towns, villages and coastal villages and we enjoy some of the very best loca...

Small Group

10 Days / 9 Nights

Private & Small Group Tours in Calabria

Days out with people who know the way

Private Tour of Dino Island and Arcomagno Cave Grotto

The stretch of coast from San NIcola Arcella to Maratea is dotted with beautiful cave grottoes that allow the light to create a truly spectacular color of blue, you really have to see to believe! On this tour we visit Dino Island home to five spect...

Private

Calabria Food and Wine Experience on the Cedri Riviera

This is an incredible food and wine experience on the north west coast of Calabria known as the Cedri Riviera you do not want to miss during your time in southern Italy. Departing from Praia a Mare, Maratea, San Nicola Arcella this tour is as much a...

Private

Taormina Private Half Day Walking Experience

Discover the ancient city of Taormina and the majestic Greco-Roman theatre with our English speaking guide who will show you the best of this incredible Sicilian city.

Private

2 hours 30 minutes

Calabria Private Tours and Excursions

We are one of the few tour operators in Italy that offer privately guided, full day tours of places throughout the region of Calabria which is an incredible, largely undiscovered area in Italy. In the area of Calabria, beautiful coastal towns and hil...

Private

Hotels

Rooms we would happily sleep in again

Italy,Calabria,Tropea

Hotel

Hotel Colomba D'Oro, Tropea

★ ★ ★ ★

Hotel Colomba D'Oro is a contemporary 4-star hotel located in the heart of Tropea, Calabria, just 50...

24h reception +19 more

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Villas

Private homes with stories of their own

Italy,Calabria,Vibo Valentia

Villa

Villa Costa Azzurra

4 Beds 3 Baths 8

Family Oriented +9 more

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Italy,Calabria,Praia a Mare

Villa

Villa Vecchia

5 Beds 5 Baths 10

Air Conditioning +14 more

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Photo Gallery

Tortora, Calabria and Guided Tours — Local Guides and Drivers in Calabria through Italy Vacation Specialists

Calabria Guided Tours and Vacations with Italy Vacation Specialists

Experience the Best of Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists — Tours and Vacations in Calabria to Tropea and other destinations in Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists

Amantea and Calabria Guided Tours with Italy Vacation Specialists

Experience Tropea and Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists

Family Heritage Tours in Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists

Best Calabria Tours and Companies with Italy Vacation Specialists

Altamonte Calabria Cooking and Guided Tours

Altomonte Calabria and Cooking in Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists

Calabria Tour Operator Italy Vacation Specialists

Experience Calabria with Italy Vacation Specialists

Horse Back Riding in Italy and Calabria — Horse back riding and active vacations in Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists

Featured in Magic Towns Italy Italy Vacation Specialists, Featured in Magic Towns Italy: The Story Behind Italy Vacation Specialists

Magic Towns Italy Featured in Magic Towns Italy: The Story Behind Italy Vacation Specialists December 2025 Magic Towns Italy tells the story of our founder Jesse Andrews, who arrived in Calabria in 2003 with 50 euros and a teaching contract, and stayed to build Italy Vacation Specialists. Read the story

Valiantceo Jesse Andrews, Our Founder in ValiantCEO: Why No Algorithm Can Replace Local Knowledge

ValiantCEO Our Founder in ValiantCEO: Why No Algorithm Can Replace Local Knowledge August 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews talks to ValiantCEO about AI in travel: where it helps, where it falls short, and why trips built on local knowledge and real relationships matter more than ever. Read the story

Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre at dusk

Appetito Our Founder in Appetito: A Culinary Journey Through Calabria and Basilicata May 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews writes for Appetito on the food and coast of southern Italy, from the sea caves of Praia a Mare in Calabria to Maratea, the town of 44 churches in Basilicata. Read the story

The skyline of Florence at dusk, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo

Italian American Life with Frankie D Our Founder on the Italian American Life Podcast: 20 Years of Living and Breathing Italy March 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews joins Frankie D on Episode 144 to tell the story behind Italy Vacation Specialists, from a summer job in Calabria to planning custom trips across Italy. Read the story

All press & recognition

Aieta

Altomonte

Amantea

Cedri Riviera Calabria

Lavender Fields of the Parco Pollino National Park at Morano Calabro

Vibo Valentia

Aieta

Altomonte

Amantea

Cedri Riviera Calabria

Cosenza

Diamante

Dino Island

Gerace

Grisolia

Lamezia Terme

Lavender Fields of the Parco Pollino National Park at Morano Calabro

Maiera

Morano Calabro

Orsomarso

Papasidero

Parco Pollino

Pentidattelo

Praia a Mare

San Nicola Arcella

Scalea

Scilla & Chianalea

Stilo

Tortora

Tropea

Vibo Valentia

Our Featured Properties

Stays we picked one by one

Italy,Calabria,Praia a Mare

Villa

Villa Vecchia

5 Beds 5 Baths 10

Air Conditioning +14 more

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Italy,Calabria,Vibo Valentia

Villa

Villa Costa Azzurra

4 Beds 3 Baths 8

Family Oriented +9 more

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Getting here

The Road to Calabria

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Bari Puglia, Bari Airport Naples Campania, Capodichino Airport

Bari region of Apulia, Italy Big ferris wheel on the waterfront of Bari

Where you are going Calabria, Italy

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In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destinati…”
Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA Read their story

“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date”
Carol Carson Read their story

“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…”
Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent Read their story

“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friend…”
Lucretia Brower Read their story

“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 wond…”
Ron and Deb Crosby Read their story

“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…”
Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group Read their story