• Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314
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Calabria and the Cedri Riviera Fully Private Escorted Experience including Cooking and Exclusive Dino Island Boat Experience with Local Hosts (Weekly Departures from March 2023 - November 2023)

  • San Nicola Arcella with View to Dino Island
  • Stay with Real Families in Italy
  • Learn Italian in Italy with real Families
  • Experience the Best of Calabria Tours with Authentic Family
  • Enjoy Real Family Vacations in Italy
  •  Calabria
  • Historical Center and Outside of Villa in Praia a Mare
  • Gaetano
  • Escorted Tours Dino Island Calabria
  •  Calabria Cooking Holidays
  • Beautiful Calabria, Cedri Riviera
  • Cooking in Calabria Vacation
  • Lagane Fresh Pasta of Calabria
  • Experience the traditions of Calabria

Overview

This is a great option we have put together for travelers to Italy looking to experience true southern-Italian hospitality with the Calabrese family who will introduce you to this remarkable area of Italy as only a local can.  Over the five days we visit untouched mountain villages, coastal regions and dive into the the magnificent cave grottoes Dino Island and Arcomagno are known for.

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! 
 
heartViva La Calabria!!!  The True Dolce Vita is found with family and Friends in Praia a Mareheart

Itinerary

Where we Visit : Praia a Mare,  |  Meeting Location : Airport or Rail Station

Today you will arrive by train in the beautiful sea-side resort town of Praia a Mare where you will be met by Gaetano and Antonella Calabrese.  Please note that we can also arrange a private transfer from either Naples or Lamezia airport.  

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,

This morning at 09:30 AM, following breakfast at the private Villa the Calabrese family will prepare you a wonderful home-made breakfast to be enjoyed with wonderful coffee, tea, pastery and fresh fruit!   Most likely following this breakfast you will not need lunch, so we are leaving it free today! 

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,

This morning after breakfast at the villa at 09:30 AM we head south of Praia a Mare along the Calabrian coast through the towns of San Nicola Arcella, Scalea, Santa Maria Del Cedro as far south as Diamante, famous for the wonderful murals and beautiful position on the sea where you will have time to enjoy the town and experience some great shopping for local delecacies and other wonderful local crafts and artistry this town is famous in Calabria for.

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,

Today is a day dedicated to the incredible Dino Island surrounded by beautiul cave grottoes, some say are better even than the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri furtther north!  The island is an incredible site and an experience not to be missed!   On a private boat, we circle the island and enter the caves.  From here, we head to Arcomagno one of the most incredible sites in Italy where you will have time to swim and dive if you wish, before we head back to Praia in the afternoon.

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,

This morning after breakfast we will take you back to the rail station where it will be time to say goodbye to this incredible family and wonderful town of Praia a Mare where we are sure you and your loved ones will have enjoyed a most memorable few days with our wonderful Calabrese hosts. 

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  

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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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  • Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314

  • Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565