Calabria boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and coastlines in Europe – perfect for sunning by the sea, enjoying a drive along the scenic coastal roads, or finding that perfect hidden-away village, and lucky you - you’ll get to enjoy all three. La Riviera dei Cedri, or the Citron Coast, is a stretch of Calabria’s northern Tyrrhenian coastline that is dotted with seaside villages that stretches from Praia a Mare in the north to Cetraro.

Our Cedro Riviera Guide continues here.

Welcome to Calabria! All of you savvy travelers have taken us up on our recommendation to arrive early, so today you'll be ready to hit the ground running.

The meeting place is Park Tyrrhenian Hotel  in Amantea at 10:30AM, where you will have a chance to meet each other and Domenico, as well as your driver for the week.

Your first stop is a multi-generational family business dating back to 1910 which is praised for its high-quality signature sweets made with figs. We will learn how figs are used to create some of Calabria’s most treasured sweets including the much-loved Crocette, named for its cross shape. After sampling some of these delicious treats, we will make our way north.

You’ll stop in Fiumefreddo Bruzio, named one of Italy’s “Most Beautiful Hamlets.” We will explore this enchanting borgo with its ancient castle, impressive noble residences, and charming piazzas that overlook the Tyrrhenian sea. We’ll stop at one of our favorite restaurants in Fiumefreddo Bruzio, tucked away in the maze-like streets of the town, and enjoy a delicious meal made with local ingredients made by small producers which are guaranteed to be IGP, DOP, and/or Slow Food certified, and environmentally sustainable. 

We’ll check into Riviera Bleu, located ion the Riviera dei Cedri, then will meet up for a Welcome to Calabria aperitivo.

Riviera Bleu
Via Poseidone, 8, 87023 Diamante CS

Phone: 0985 81363

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

You'll meet in the lobby of your hotel at 10:00AM and together, you’ll discover first-hand why this breathtaking coast of Calabria is known as the Riviera dei Cedri. This citrus has been grown and harvested in this part of Calabria for centuries. Not only is it unique to the region, it is the reason why Rabbis come here every year to handpick cedri to be used in a very  important Jewish ceremony. 

We will meet up with Chef Vincenzo, who is not only an expert when it comes to cooking with cedro, he is also a bonafide chef of the Accademia Italiana del Peperoncino. He will show us around his trattoria located on the foothills of the Pollino mountains. Then, he will lead us in a special cooking class and demonstrate how he uses these key local ingredients in various dishes. Then there is nothing left to do but feast on our delicious creations. Buon appetito! 

After lunch, we’ll return to our hotel and you’ll have the evening on your own. Overnight Diamante.

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

You will explore the fabulous Cedro Riviera and have a light lunch.

Then, at 6:15PM, you will head into the countryside to spend the day with a local food celebrity. Together we will visit his small, but thriving shop, and learn the sacred art of making tomato sauce. We will feast on traditional Calabrese dishes that have stood the test of time for generations. We’ll gather and experience the true meaning of “casareccio” (homemade) as we enjoy a delicious family-style meal, al fresco, in the hilltops overlooking the Tyrrhenian coastline. 

We’ll return to the hotel. Overnight Diamante.

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

Catanzaro’s 100,000 inhabitants are spread across three hills of an area that is historically famous for providing damask silk and velvet to the Vatican. In fact, Catanzaro’s velvet production was so celebrated that it earned the city the nickname “City of the Three V’s,” in honor of Velvet, San Vitaliano, Patron Saint of Catanzaro and Vento ... for the persistent breeze (or wind) that blows through the city. Catanzaro is slightly less famous for - but nevertheless just as proud of - the fact that it inspired the now famous, ever-persistent photographer label .... Paparazzi.

Guide continues here.

At 9:30AM, we’ll check out of the hotel and head east towards the Ionian coast.  

Along the way, we’ll stop at a family-owned vineyard in the heart of the Cosenza province where you’ll get an up-close and personal tour of their vineyard and wine cellar. This boutique vineyard is owned by a pair of brothers who together with their mom and dad, bought a piece of land and a plow and set out to make some of the best Calabrian wine you'll ever taste. After the tour, you’ll indulge in a multi-course wine-pairing lunch, exquisitely prepared by one of the owners. 

Then we’ll continue the drive towards the seaside town of Catanzaro Lido and check into the seaside Hotel Palace, set directly on the seafront promenade, offering charming views of the Ionian Sea. 

Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Hotel Palace

Via Lungomare Stefano Pugliese, 221, 88063 Catanzaro CZ

Phone: 0961 31800 

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

You will have breakfast and can choose to visit the outdoor market near your hotel on your own.

Then at 10:30AM you will regroup and visit one of the most significant monuments in Medieval Calabria, the 12th Century Byzantine Basilica of Santa Maria in Roccelletta which just happens to be sitting proudly amid an olive plantation. We’ll explore ruins they say may have been discovered by Ulysses and walk through time with a visit to the only archaeological museum in Calabria that is dedicated to Roman history, which features statues, coins, columns, and other relics that were discovered beneath the olive grove. We’ll have a quick visit to the olive oil museum, which is home to one of the first electric olive mills in Italy.

You will have a light lunch at one of our favorite bars in town, then will have time for an afternoon riposo.

At 7:45PM, you'll depart the hotel for dinner, where you will visit the Michelin-star restaurant, Abbruzzino. This family-owned fine dining restaurant was the first in Calabria to receive a Michelin star and its reputation has gained international attention. We’ll have the chance to taste some of Calabria’s traditional dishes “with a twist”. 

We’ll return to the hotel. Overnight Catanzaro Lido.

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

At 9:45AM, you will depart to visit a family run olive grove that started over 60 years ago when the founder invested everything he had in building a stone oil mill on his estate with extraordinary centuries-old olive trees.

Today, it is run by his children who grew up in the company and in the shadow of these trees that they've always loved. This company focuses on quality over quantity when it comes to production and have won first prize for their extra virgin olive oil with a blend of Carolea, Coratino and Nocellara.

Their Carolea olive groves have been recognized as a national presidium for Italian extra virgin olive oil because they are native to Calabria and ancient cultivars, they're managed without synthetic fertilizers and chemical herbicides and because their field work is carried out according to good agronomic practices which avoid erosion and landslides. 

Following lunch, we will return to our hotel in Catanzaro Lido and you’ll have the rest of the evening and dinner on your own. 

Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

At 10:00AM you will meet for a visit to a local winery where they produce mosto cotto, a traditional Italian condiment made from the reduced juice of unfermented grapes.

It's not technically a wine (but don't worry - you'll try that, too1), rather it is sometimes used as a sweetener in cooking and can be added to certain dishes for flavor enhancement. You'll meet the 3rd generation of owners and have lunch at the vineyard.

Your focus will be on the area's famous slow food - I fagioli di Cortale.

This local variety is specific to Cortale and is characterized by its small size and earthy flavor. It’s highly valued in traditional Calabrian recipes, where it’s typically cooked slowly to bring out its rich taste.

The legume is integral to the culinary heritage of Cortale and reflects the agricultural traditions of the region, where they have been cultivated for generations in the fertile, sun-drenched soils of Calabria.

Following lunch, you’ll return to the hotel. Evening and dinner on your own in Catanzaro Lido. 

Overnight in Catanzaro Lido.

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

Reggio Calabria, sometimes called Reggio di Calabria or just Reggio, is the final frontier for people traveling through Italy. It is the tippy toe of the boot, if you will and is just a short 40 minute ferry ride from Sicily.

In years past, this port city was but a stopping point for people heading to Italy's world-famous island, but that trend is changing. In 2009, TripAdvisor members ranked Calabria's largest city as one of the Top 10 Up-and-Coming Destinations and it is true that as far as Calabria's provincial capitals go, Reggio is among the most intriguing.

Guide continues here.

At 10:30AM, you will check out of your hotel and drive across the isthmus to the Tyrrhenian Sea where you will spend the day in one of our favorite seaside villages - Pizzo Calabro, where history, gelato, and breathtaking views collide to create an unforgettable experience. 

You'll begin with a visit to the intriguing Chiesetta di Piedigrotta cave church, where you'll learn about its unique mixture of local history and legend, then you will have a delicious seafood lunch at one of the best restaurants in town.

Following lunch, you will visit my absolute favorite gelateria in town for dessert and a behind-the-scenes look at how to make Pizzo’s famous tartufo di Pizzo gelato truffles.

Happy and full, you will continue heading south to Reggio Calabria.

Upon arriving, you will check into your hotel located in the heart of Reggio Calabria and just steps away from the breathtaking seaside promenade overlooking the Strait of Messina and Sicily. Hotel Medinblu was conceived after the recovery of an ancient Art Nouveau building. It evokes a typical Mediterranean atmosphere mixed with modern flair. Each door has it's own identity and the furniture within the hotel is all designed by local artisans representing Reggio Calabria. 

Overnight in Reggio Calabria.

Hotel Medinblu
Via Demetrio Tripepi, 98, 89125 Reggio di Calabria RC

Phone: 0965 312982
 

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

At 10:15AM you'll meet for an exploration into one of the most interesting and versatile citrus fruits in the world - the Calabrian bergamot.

This unique citrus fruit is native to Calabria and is known for its aromatic, slightly bitter flavor. It is prized for its essential oil, which is a key ingredient in perfumes and Earl Grey tea, and is valued for its health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

You'll have a mini masterclass, where you learn to make a bergamot pastry, then you'll have a light lunch and will have the afternoon on your own.

You will regroup in the early evening to head to nearby Scilla - an adorable fishing village, located 20 minutes outside of town. Here, you will try the world-famous pescespada!

Swordfish holds a significant cultural and culinary importance here and the town is renowned for its traditional swordfishing technique. The local fishermen employ ancient methods using tall boats and harpoons, a practice that dates back centuries. In fact, they often use the word "hunting" swordfish, as opposed to "fishing."

You'll enjoy dinner, then return to Reggio Calabria. Overnight in Reggio Calabria.
 

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

At 9:30AM you will meet to discover "Greek Calabria." Situated in and around the Aspromonte Mountains, the ancient Greek influence is a living legacy, evident in its culture, cuisine, and the fading Calabrian-Greek dialect that is spoken there. These echoes of a bygone era transport visitors to a time when Greek settlers left an indelible mark on this picturesque Italian region.

You will visit Pentedattilo, one of the most famous ghost towns in Calabria situated on Monte Calvario. The name of the town comes from the Greek words penta and daktylos, meaning “five fingers” -  and if you look closely at the town from a distance, you'll see why. Then it's full speed ahead to Bova, one of the most important ancient Greek centers in the province of Reggio Calabria because it is one of the few places where the unique Greek-Calabrian dialect is still spoken. We'll enjoy lunch in a family-owned agriturismo to enjoy some local specialties and sample their homemade digestivo with its unique infusion of herbs grown spontaneously in Calabria.

Afterwards, we'll return to our hotel in Reggio Calabria, freshen up, and gather for a farewell aperitivo on the rooftop of the hotel. 

Overnight in Reggio Calabria.

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

Wake up, sleepyheads -

The group departure for the airport is scheduled for 3:30 AM,  for the Lamezia Terme airport. 

Arrivederci bella Calabria! 

Guide: Domenico

Contact #: +39 328 000 7742

* All guests are booked on AZ 1162 departing at 6:20am to Rome.

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