Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the captivating region of Calabria, Italy, with the "Highlights of Calabria" tour. Begin your journey in Naples, the birthplace of pizza, before exploring the unique blend of Italian and Albanian culture in Civita. Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Pollino National Park and the cliffside beauty of Tropea. Experience the thrill of witnessing Stromboli's volcanic activity and relax in the Aeolian Islands' Sulphur springs. Delve into history at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria and enjoy a private boat excursion in Taormina. Conclude your journey in Catania with a refreshing granita tasting. Travel comfortably by train and private vehicle, and enjoy authentic local experiences throughout this adventure tour. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Naples
Location: Naples
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Ciao! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in Naples – the vibrant city celebrated as the birthplace of pizza. Naples is also known for its rich history and is home to many narrow, winding streets and ancient churches. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, perhaps stroll along the coast and find a little eatery for a pizza dinner, a glass of local wine and a view of the Gulf of Naples. ...more ...less
Day 2: Civita
Location: Civita
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
This morning, you’ll travel to Civita by boat, train and private vehicle. Founded by Albanian refugees in the Middle Ages, Civita is recognised by the Italian government as home to an ethnic minority. The Civitesi speak Arberesh, a unique blend of Italian and Albanian, found only here and in parts of Sicily. Explore this fascinating village on foot, visit a local shop to sample regional delights or take a scenic walk in the hills.
Day 3: Civita
Location: Pollino National Park
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make sure you get a good breakfast this morning as you have the option to hike up Mount Sellaro – one of the peaks of Pollino National Park. On the way to the mountain, stop by Cerchiara di Calabria – a little town in the National Park best known for its bread. Maybe stock up on some of the tasty local produce, then continue to a remote sanctuary built by Byzantine monks, on the rocky hillside. The hike path begins just beyond the sanctuary – although it's a reasonably long trek, it’s well worth the summit views of the Achaean coast. If you decide the hike isn’t for you, you can still enjoy the National Park. With sheer cliffs, narrow canyons and a diverse range of wildlife – including the peregrine falcon, eagle owl and the recently reintroduced Egyptian vulture – this area is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Included Activities:-Civita - Nature based hike
Day 4: Tropea
Location: Tropea
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, transfer from Civita to Paola, then take the train to Tropea. Known for the faded buildings and iconic fortifications that line the city’s cliffs, Tropea feels timeless. Explore the town on an orientation walk with your leader, then maybe visit the local Norman cathedral, the Duomo, which houses an icon of Madonna of Romania – the town’s revered protectress. Next to the Duomo, there’s the Museo Diocesano – a small museum in the Palazzo Vescovile full of religious art and wooden statues. If you’d prefer some time by the water, head to the beach and see the impressive structures on the nearby cliffs.
Day 5: Tropea / Stromboli
Location: Stromboli
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
If the weather permits, you’ll set out on a boat trip to the island of Stromboli this morning. When you arrive, visit San Vincenzo, where you can swim in the blue sea of the Aeolian Islands, shop along the main street or dine at a local restaurant. Depending on the season, you’ll depart Stromboli in the evening and cruise to the Sciara del Fuoco (Steam of Fire) to see the path of lava that flows during Stromboli's eruptions. Included Activities:-Tropea - Stromboli by Night
Day 6: Reggio Calabria
Location: Reggio Calabria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Take a train to Reggio Calabria – the gateway to Sicily. The city is in a major earthquake zone and has experienced much destruction over the years, leaving fewer historical sites compared to the rest of Italy. However, this has resulted in a unique mix of old buildings and modern structures, which you’ll see on an orientation walk. Visit the renowned National Archaeological Museum of Reggio – this museum is home to a collection of exhibits from Greek-influenced sites across Calabria, including the Bronzi di Riace (two giant bronze statues found on the seafloor in the 1970s). Tonight, maybe hunt down one of the city's best restaurants for local dishes like grilled swordfish or pasta with cauliflower and broccoli. Included Activities:-Reggio Calabria - Archaeological MuseumOptional Activities:-Reggio Calabria - Aragonese Castle
Day 7: Taormina/Catania
Location: Taormina, Catania
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
This morning, drive to Taormina on the east coast for a private boat excursion. Sailing along the Sicilian coast, you’ll check out the bays and caves of Taormina, characterised by the imposing rocks that surround them. Soak up the sunshine, enjoy an aperitif with snacks and learn about the village from your skipper. Maybe even stop for a swim to cool off before continuing on to Catania. When you arrive, you have a free night to explore the city’s bar culture and find a good spot for dinner. Included Activities:-Taormina - private boat excursion-Taormina - leader led orientation walk
Day 8: Catania
Location: Catania
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Wake up in Catania this morning and head out for an orientation walk with your leader to see the city. Wander through the grand piazzas and wide streets, then be treated to a granita tasting (a semi-frozen dessert made with sugar, water and various flavours). Then, maybe see the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val di Noto, famed for its Late Baroque architecture or head out with your group for a farewell dinner. Wherever you end up tonight, make sure to toast to a trip well travelled. Included Activities:-Catania - leader led orientation walk-Catania - local granita tasting
Day 9: Catania
Location: Catania
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip will come to an end after breakfast. If you'd like to extend your stay in Sicily, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights) -
Meals
8 breakfasts -
Civita - Nature based hike
Enjoy a nature-based hike in Civita, exploring the scenic landscapes.
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Tropea - Stromboli by Night
Experience the Stromboli by Night tour from Tropea, witnessing the volcanic activity.
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Reggio Calabria - Archaeological Museum
Visit the Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria, home to significant historical artifacts.
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Taormina - private boat excursion
Take a private boat excursion in Taormina, exploring the beautiful bays and coves.
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Taormina - leader led orientation walk
Participate in a leader-led orientation walk in Taormina to get acquainted with the area.
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Catania - leader led orientation walk
Join a leader-led orientation walk in Catania to explore the city's highlights.
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Catania - local granita tasting
Enjoy a local granita tasting in Catania, sampling this refreshing semi-frozen dessert.
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Transport during the tour
Travel throughout the tour is primarily by train, with Italian long-distance and inter-regional trains offering comfort and air-conditioning. Private vehicles are also used, providing air-conditioned and comfortable travel. Local public transport is utilized wherever possible, enhancing the authentic travel experience.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as visiting the Aragonese Castle in Reggio Calabria and the Greek Theatre in Taormina are not included.
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Transport to and from the tour
Transport to and from the start and end points of the tour is not included.
Transport
- TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
- Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
- TRAINS
- The main mode of transportation on this trip is by train. Italian long-distance and inter-regional trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning. Toilets are always available. Some of the trains have snack bars (or vending machines) and power points next to the seats but that cannot be guaranteed on every journey. Regional and metropolitan trains are usually a bit more basic and can be quite busy, but this just adds to the experience. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long (and short) distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre of your next destination.
- PRIVATE VEHICLES
- Our private vehicles are locally sourced and are air conditioned and comfortable, which makes travelling enjoyable. On some days we will be covering long distances, which will make these days feel longer, however spectacular views and interesting stops along the way make up for it.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
- FACILITIES
- Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Days 2&3. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
Travel throughout the tour is primarily by train, with Italian long-distance and inter-regional trains offering comfort and air-conditioning. Private vehicles are also used, providing air-conditioned and comfortable travel. Local public transport is utilized wherever possible, enhancing the authentic travel experience. ...more ...less
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is primarily on a twin/multishare basis, with occasional alternative arrangements due to availability. Facilities may be shared, and rooms may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour primarily uses Italian long-distance and inter-regional trains, which are comfortable and air-conditioned. Private vehicles are also used, providing air-conditioned and comfortable travel. Local public transport is utilized wherever possible to enhance the authentic travel experience. ...more ...less
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
Accommodation on this tour is primarily on a twin/multishare basis, with occasional alternative arrangements due to availability. Facilities may be shared, and rooms may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges. ...more ...less
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Is there a single supplement available for this tour?
A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Days 2 and 3. Availability is limited due to the small properties used. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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What activities are included in the tour?
Included activities are a nature-based hike in Civita, the Stromboli by Night tour from Tropea, a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria, a private boat excursion in Taormina, leader-led orientation walks in Taormina and Catania, and a local granita tasting in Catania. ...more ...less
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Are there any optional activities not included in the tour?
Yes, optional activities such as visiting the Aragonese Castle in Reggio Calabria and the Greek Theatre in Taormina are not included in the tour.
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What is the starting and ending point of the tour?
The tour starts in Naples, Italy, and ends in Catania, Italy.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Enquire for Extra Savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Italy: Highlights of Calabria
9 Days Starting in Naples, Italy and ending in Catania, Italy
Visiting: Naples, Civita, Pollino National Park, Tropea, Stromboli, Reggio Calabria, Taormina, Catania ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZMSK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
