SMALL GROUP NAPLES

Hidden Villages of Calabria & Basilicata with Local Guides

Tour Code TUR-01672

Duration 7 days

Group Type Small Group

Departs From Naples

Meeting Point Hotel Garden Praia a Mare

Customize This Journey View Full Itinerary

Overview

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 summer during August make their way here. Yet, this region is one that has so much to offer and one where the owner of the company has called home for 20 years. Our guaranteed departure tour of this magnificent region will leave you spell-bound and wanting to discover more about Calabria and Italy's deep south.

Itinerary

Arrival in Praia a Mare - Orientation to the Program and Welcome Dinner

Where We Visit: Praia a Mare | Meeting Location: Hotel Garden Praia a Mare

Travelers today will arrive by either train or private transportation in Praia a Mare from a variety of locations in Italy whether Naples, Lamezia Terme Airport or other destinations. We will be happy to arrange for private transportation services from a number of locations.

Upon arrival at the centrally located and wonderful Hotel Garden in Praia a Mare, right across from the beach and in the centre of town, you will have the chance to settle in, unwind and take a stroll through the town centre, along the town's magnificent promenade or simply enjoy a wonderful cocktail in the lovely garden, lounge area or town itself which is a 3 min walk.

At 18:00 PM this evening in the hotel we will have a meet and greet of fellow participants and get ready for our welcome dinner this evening which will show-case some wonderful foods particular to the region of Calabria.

Return to the hotel for a relaxing overnight.

The Madonna Della Grotta and Aieta (the Eagle's Historic Centre)

Where We Visit: Aieta

After breakfast this morning we venture to the magnificent Madonna della Grotta cave overlooking Praia a Mare which to date very few visitors to Italy have ever experienced. It is a bit of a climb, but most certainly a worth-while one that you will not want to miss, so bring your walking shoes for sure!

Here, we will enjoy a guided tour inside this beautiful sanctuary located inside the cave which is an astonishingly beautiful site.

At the end of our visit at the Piedi Grotta restaurant we will enjoy a 'light' Calabrese lunch afterwhich our vehicle will meet us to bring us up to the magnificent town of Aieta, overlooking the Pollino national park in nearly 365 degrees. This town is home to a unique palace called the Palace of Re-birth and it is a not-to-miss site while visiting the Calabria region.

Here, we will enjoy a guided tour and there will be time to explore the town where there is little shopping, however there will be ample opportunity for great shopping in many locations throughout the majority of our time together.

Following Aieta, some will have the option to return to the hotel for relaxation and dinner at leisure after what will already be a long day.

For others, we will have an optional tour this evening to experience an agriturismo set behind Praia and then San Nicola Arcella by night.

Overnight in Praia a Mare.

The Coast of Maratea - Rendentore Dal Christo - Maratea's Incredible Historic Centre with 42 Churches

Where We Visit: Maratea

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, we will depart by boat from in front of the hotel to head north along the magnificent coast of Maratea where you will experience an extraodrinary coastline filled with grottes, black-sand beaches and magnificent geography everywhere you turn. The journey will take about 1.15 minutes by boat.

Arriving at the port of Maratea, you will be greeted with a warm welcome and time to enjoy a snack, go to the washroom, take photos and some shopping.

From here, a short walk / drive away, we head to the incredible Santa Venere property home to a gorgeous spa, gardens and wonderful landscape setting where you will have free time for lunch or to enjoy a spa service that should be pre-booked in advance should those wishing to do this want to do it.

From Santa Venere, we head up to the Redeemer Christ overlooking Maratea which offers spectacular photo opportunities where we will have a brief guided tour.

Following this visit we will head into the historical centre of the town where we will continue our guided tour and have time for shopping, apperativo, and finally an amazing pizza dinner in the centre of town before heading back to the hotel a 20 minute drive away.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

Cooking class
English speaking professional tour guide
Excellent Photo Opportunities
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Our Concierge Service
Welcome cocktail
Wine and Olive Oil Tastings

What's Not Included

International fights
Meals not mentioned in the program
Personal Expenses or Extras at hotels
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

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Client Testimonials

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 destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there,… Read More
— Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA
Jesse & Giuseppe,Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.… Read More
— Bob & Sandy
I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the… Read More
— Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
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… Read More
— Ron and Deb Crosby
I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want to drive ourselves. Having traveled with them many times and done business on several occasions, most definitely USE t… Read More
— JoAnne Beaudoin, Retired Nurse
I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You n… Read More
— Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run to… Read More
— Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
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
— Leon and Michele
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 friends!… Read More
— Lucretia Brower
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.… Read More
— Carol Carson