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Italy

Puglia, Basilicata & Calabria: Southern Italy From “Heel” to “Toe”

Program No. 20221RJ
Discover the “sole” of Southern Italy as you journey along the Italian “boot,” learning about diverse architecture, medieval villages and the vibrant culture of this ancient land.
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Small Group
Length
17 days
Rating (4.65)
Activity Level
Starts at
5,449
Flights start at
1,050

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
32 meals ( 15B, 12L, 5D )
15 expert-led lectures
26 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
15 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Unless specified otherwise, the majority of transportation will be provided via motorcoach thereby necessitating ascending and descending a few steps. All meals include wine, coffee, and water. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Before dinner, we’ll enjoy a welcome cocktail together at the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know each other, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking about 4 miles, approximately 2 hours in both morning and afternoon; flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin with a lecture at the hotel with our Group Leader focused on discovering the Baroque in Lecce. Afterwards, we will board our motorcoach and ride to the center of Lecce. The history of Lecce is rich and fascinating. From an artistic point of view, the buildings and noble palaces are characterized by the Art Nouveau and Baroque styles. The artistic relevance is accompanied by the historical-cultural one, which bears the signs of construction from the pre-Christian and Roman era in the opulence of churches, buildings and monuments such as the Palazzo dei Celestini, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Duomo, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Roman Theatre, the Charles V Castle, Porta Napoli, and Porta San Biagio. Lecce is a town characterized by columns, arches, numerous rose windows, but also by the typical small squares and unexpected alleys. Its monuments are custodians of centuries of history, and witnesses of the artistic and cultural evolution of the city. We will embark with our Group Leader on a walking field trip of Lecce with emphasis on finding examples of the Baroque discussed earlier. We will walk by its iconic Baroque monuments, churches, and even some ancient Roman ruins including the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the Roman Ampitheatre, Cathedral’s Square, and some Baroque Noble Palaces. We will visit the Jewish Museum. a center of culture and permanent exhibition on the presence of Jews in Lecce throughout time. The Museum has seven halls illustrating the history and lives of Lecce Jews. The area bears many signs of the local Jewish identity, such as the hollow for the mezuzah, the mikvaoth baths in the foundations of the church believed to have been built over one of the city’s synagogues.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Lecce.
Afternoon:
We will continue our walking field trip of Lecce’s Old City to explore the Roman Theatre, the Church of Saint Matthew, and some less touristy areas of the Old Town. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for independent exploration of Lecce before meeting back at a predetermined time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration We’ll then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 55 miles with stops for field trips, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles total, approximately 1.5 hours in both Galatina and Gallipoli on flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to Galatina. a city halfway between Hellenism and Catholicism. Elected city of art in 1793, the home of pasticciotto is, according to Forbes, one of the cities in southern Italy to visit at all costs. There are many reasons that have led to Galatina's success overseas, first of all its ability to enchant visitors, thanks to the splendid combination of tradition and architecture. The historic center is a true open-air museum, in which it is possible to come across a multitude of ancient buildings and sixteenth-century churches, evidence of the city's noble origins. The history of Galatina is closely linked to that of Greece. Its coat of arms features an owl, an animal dear to the city of Athens and the goddess Minerva. There is, therefore, an extraordinary meeting between the Hellenic and Catholic worlds, who worked together to make Galatina the city of art that everyone appreciates today. In the 18th century, its fame grew so much that it became a center frequented by important philosophers, writers, sculptors and painters. The eighteenth-century city walls, built at the behest of the De Balzos, protect the historic center from prying eyes, transforming it into a real treasure chest. We’ll set out with our Group Leader on a walking field trip in Galatina and visit the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria to admire its beautiful frescoes. It is regarded by many to be “The Assisi of Salento” in comparison to the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi because of its many frescoes painted by various talents from all over Italy in the early 15th century.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Galatina. During lunch we will enjoy a “pizzica" show, a traditional music and ballet of considerable social and cultural importance. It is surrounded by religious beliefs and something mythological which has always fascinated people since old times. Pizzica was a therapeutic element against a disease (tarantismo) and was considered the only remedy against the bite of the tarantula (spider).
Afternoon:
Carrying on via motorcoach, we will continue to Gallipoli, known as the "Pearl of the Ionian", is one of the most fascinating destinations in Salento. Its name, which derives from the Greek “Kalé Polis” (beautiful city), perfectly describes the essence of this place which combines the charm of the crystalline sea with the richness of local history and culture. Divided between the Old City and the Borgo Nuovo, Gallipoli offers a unique combination of breathtaking landscapes, historical monuments, and a lively cultural life. The beating heart of Gallipoli is its Old Town, located on an island connected to the mainland by a seventeenth-century bridge. This charming historic center is a labyrinth of narrow streets, paved alleys and whitewashed houses overlooking the sea. Walking through the streets, it feels like taking a trip back in time, surrounded by ancient buildings and baroque churches that bear witness to the city's long history and we will visit of an ancient underground oil mill. We’ll then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 34 miles one way, approximately 0.5 hour riding time. Walking about 2.5 miles total on flat terrain. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will ride to Otranto, the easternmost point of Italy. The ancient Messapian city was Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Gothic, Norman, Swabian, Angevin, Aragonese, and has always interacted with the sea. The symbol of the city is undoubtedly the Aragonese Castle, an imposing fortress that dominates the bay below and represents one of the most significant points of interest. The cathedral of Otranto is the synthesis of different styles such as the early Christian, the Byzantine and the Romanesque ones, perfectly harmonized as a whole. The facade is immediately striking for the large Renaissance rose window that stands out over the entrance portal, surmounted by the coat of arms of Archbishop Adarzo of Santander. The plan is a Latin cross with three naves, with a semicircular apse and two side chapels. There are two rows of granite columns, 14 in total, surmounted by capitals of various styles. The mosaic represents a path through a theological labyrinth with numerous symbolic references that are not always easy to interpret. The images, arranged along the development of the Tree of Life, retrace the entire history of human experience, from original sin to universal judgment and finally to eternal life, taking up biblical episodes and iconography, but also drawing on bestiaries and other texts of medieval wisdom. The result is a complex theological treatise in images that never fails to fascinate. We will walk with our Group Leader through the narrow alleys, the white houses, a myriad of shops that preserve the best of local craftsmanship, typical places that inebriate with the aromas of local gastronomic recipes, and we will visit the Cathedral di Santa Maria Annunziata.
Lunch:
On your own in Otranto. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy some free time in Otranto. We’ll then return to the hotel and our Group Leader will give us a lesson on particular Italian gestures.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 81 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time with stop in Egnazia. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2 hours; cobblestone paths; some benches on which to rest.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board our private motorcoach and transfer to Ostuni. We will stop en route at the archeological site of Egnazia. We'll enjoy an on-site lecture followed by a visit that will introduce us to Egnazia from a historical and naturalistic point of view. We will start with a walk through the vegetable gardens and the plain of monumental olive trees with sculptural and extravagant shapes, thousands of years old, twisted and bent by the force of the wind. Once we reach the sea, we will discover the flora and fauna present in one of the most interesting stretches of the Apulian coast with its pristine coves. The Messapian walls, the acropolis and the ancient port of the Roman city will act as a backdrop. We will then visit the Roman urbs and the baths where we will discover the grandeur of Egnazia in Roman times, its importance as a nerve center for commercial and cultural exchanges between the West and the East until its definitive abandonment in the Middle Ages. We will then arrive at the National Archaeological Museum of Egnazia, recently renovated, where we will learn about the history of Egnazia, the myths and its evolution from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. We will then continue our transfer to Ostuni and check into the hotel in time for lunch.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
After lunch we’ll explore the town on foot with our Group Leader. Ostuni is one of the most renowned destinations on the Brindisi coast. The white city, as it is called for the color of the facades of the houses and its religious buildings, is located on three modest hills located a few hundred meters from the sea. its historic center is unmistakable for the blinding whiteness of its homes. The oldest nucleus is literally clinging to the steep sides of a hill, whose perimeter is traced by the Aragonese city walls which protected the borders from attacks carried out by Saracen pirates. Today, only eight of the fifteen original watchtowers remain. The historic center of Ostuni has winding streets, steep stairways, small squares, small courtyards and alleys of incredible charm. The entire ancient nucleus is divided into two parts by Via Cattedrale, the only one that reaches the top of the hill, on which stands the stupendous Cathedral, a building that admirably blends Gothic, Romanesque and Venetian elements in its lines. From here it is possible to enjoy a wonderful view of the plain of olive trees below which extends to the sea. The Cathedral is one of the most precious jewels of the city. This majestic church, built between 1435 and 1495, represents a perfect blend of Gothic elegance and Renaissance harmony. The façade, embellished with a central rose window decorated with 24 rays, is a timeless work of art, capable of enchanting anyone who contemplates it. But it is inside that the Cathedral reveals its splendor, with frescoes, sculptures and paintings that tell the thousand-year history of the city. The painted flat ceiling and the baroque chapels create a unique atmosphere, which seems to envelop the visitor in an embrace of beauty and spirituality. Worth admiring is the magnificence of the wooden crucifix, sculpted by a local artist in the 17th century.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 43 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; mostly flat terrain with some steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride to Alberobello, which stands on two hilly mountains. On the eastern hill there is the new city with modern architectural features; on the other summit, facing west, the trulli line up, in an urban agglomeration divided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both national monuments and recognized as a World Heritage Site since 1996 by the U.N.E.S.C.O. Already particularly fascinating for their architecture, with their rectangular or square plan and domed roofs made entirely of dry-set limestone, the trulli are shrouded in an atmosphere of mystery because, even today, no one can say exactly what their origins: probably already present in prehistoric times, they are today defined as "an expression of Apulian orientalism", a definition that immediately ignites my imagination. There is also a pinch of mysticism to mystery and imagination and the Aja Piccola and Rione Monti neighborhoods seem to come straight out of a fairy tale. On many of the domes of the trulli that are concentrated in the monumental area, in fact, it is easy to see esoteric symbols with a mythological or religious meaning, traced in white ash, and all the trulli have a decorative pinnacle on top whose different shapes had the aim of chasing away evil spirits or bad luck. We will enjoy an on-site lecture on the trulli architecture of Puglia.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Alberobello.
Afternoon:
We will ride to the small village of Locorotondo, a very fascinating and evocative village. Locorotondo is that typical southern village, not surprisingly counted among the most beautiful villages in Italy, whose atmosphere rich in history and tradition retains its authenticity over time, offering tourists a one-of-a-kind experience. A characterizing aspect of Locorotondo is its circular plan which circumscribes the historic center and its labyrinth full of narrow streets, arches, trattorias (where you can taste typical dishes and products with an Apulian flavor) and, above all, the Belvedere from where it is possible to enjoy a panoramic view of the Itria Valley and the neighboring towns thanks to an interesting panoramic terrace. We’ll explore the white town on foot with our Group Leader before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 65 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 40 minutes on uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After riding via motorcoach, we’ll begin our day by visiting Grottaglie with our Group Leader. Grottaglie, the city of ceramics, a city that is pure color and ancient history. The characteristic of Grottaglie ceramics is that of transforming traditional objects once used on tables into works of design and thus giving life to a new way of conceiving the home. The result of techniques and styles in which tradition, contemporary aesthetics, research and experimentation intertwine. Each project is a small journey into forgotten places, it is a revisitation of ancient forms of the Grottaglie tradition in the past used only for domestic use. The result? Objects characterized by simple and elegant lines, trendy colors, such as grey, dove gray and earth tones interspersed with subtle and strong graphic signs. We will start with a visit to the museum of ceramics located in the castle and we will then continue to the ceramic district. Inside the ceramics district we will admire the artefacts on display, and we will visit a ceramic laboratory where the master craftsmen will show us the different phases of ceramic manufacturing. Continuing, we will transfer to Manduria, known for the production of the Primitivo red wine and we will visit a local winery with an expert staff member of the winery. We’ll learn about the local wine grape growing traditions of the region, see the cellars, visit the Primitivo museum and hear about the production process, all on site.
Lunch:
At the winery, we’ll have a light lunch enriched by local products and wines.
Afternoon:
We’ll then return to the hotel via motorcoach with the remainder of the afternoon free. At the hotel, we will have a cooking lesson with the chef, focusing on a traditional Apulian handmade pasta recipe: the "orecchiette".
Dinner:
At the hotel, we will enjoy the dish we prepared.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles total on mostly flat terrain, approximately 3 hours total.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and head to Bari, the economic heart of the region and strategic center of trade with Eastern Europe. The city stands out for its extraordinary historical and architectural treasures, preserved both within the metropolitan core and in its magnificent surroundings. We will spend a full morning walking field trip with our Group Leader. We will walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main artery of the city as well as the imaginary border line between old Bari, crossed by a dense labyrinth of pretty streets and ancient medieval courts, and modern Bari, the result of a prodigious urban expansion. We will walk to the historic center that occupies a small peninsula between the Porto Vecchio and the Porto Grande. It is here that the maze of white alleys develops within the ancient walls. The ancient city is characterized by a typically medieval urban layout where interesting Romanesque monuments parade one after the other. We will visit the Basilica of San Nicola, a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture, built during the Norman domination between 1089 and 1197 to hide, according to legend, the Holy Grail. With its massive size it extends across four squares known as the Corti del Catapano, in memory of the old palace of the Catapano, or the Byzantine governor. Among the most important ornamental details, the Lion's Gate is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting a series of chivalric scenes. Finally, we will walk by the Norman Swabian Castle built by Frederick II on the site of previous fortifications.
Lunch:
On your own in Bari. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time in Bari before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Drive to Matera is about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking about 2.5 miles, approximately 2 hours; Sassi is very rocky; several steps and slopes; be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Via motorcoach, we will transfer to Matera, a rare jewel of Basilicata, a miracle of time that reveals itself to the visitor with an overwhelming charm. Matera in the past was a crossroads of peoples and cultures, just as today it arouses the interest of visitors from all over the world despite not being one of the classic tourist locations. In Matera there is neither the sea nor the mountains, yet the "little" that there is to do in this city represents the essential thing capable of bringing back to life what is being lost today. Hence the white flag that was assigned to the city, whose color indicates surrender, that sense of peace that can be felt walking through the winding streets of the old city, admiring the viewpoint of the stones and appreciating the hospitality of the locals who tickles the heart. Matera owes its charm to the crypts and rock churches that arose following the Byzantine and Benedictine monastic settlements, but above all to the stones declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. To understand the importance of the stones we must take a leap into the past, imagining that until sixty years ago they represented the housing complex of the population of Matera, made up exclusively of farmers. Today the stones represent the essence of Matera, a testimony of the past that crystallizes the era of the 1950s. The labyrinth of houses that seem to fit together gives life to a singular panorama with a homogeneous and always elegant color, from which the bell tower of the Cathedral stands out. It is impossible to be disappointed by Matera and its wonderful landscape. Impossible because it is a city that leaves a profound mark, so much so that many speak of "Basilicata sickness". We will embark on an expert-led walking field trip of the Sassi di Matera, the oldest part of the city. We will be joined by a local expert for a lecture on what the Stones know. We will check in at the hotel.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We will embark with our Group Leader on a walking field trip of the Palombaro Lungo, a large underground cistern unique in the world! Going down into this hypogeum is like taking a dive into the past, discovering the secrets of the hydraulic engineering of the city of the Sassi. It held much of the water supply for Matera and was located in the main square just a short distance from the hotel. We will then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1.5 hours on cobblestone streets. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride to Castelmezzano for a walking field trip through the city nestled into mountain slopes. Castelmezzano is a fairytale medieval village which, with its unique landscapes in the world, is able to enchant even the most demanding tourists in a stay to be experienced among traditions, history and sustainability. A village where nature still occupies an important role, while the work of man is perfectly intertwined with its shapes and colors, without affecting it, but rather enriching it with amazement and beauty. We will visit this enchanting village whose structure itself is a source of admiration for anyone who goes to this strip of land in search of views to immortalize and atmospheres. magical to breathe. The colorful houses clinging to the rock and nature as far as the eye can see say a lot about how surprising the view it offers visitors can be. We will live a unique experience indeed, a dream to be lived with open eyes immersed in surreal scenarios between nature, history and mystical legends, regenerating for body and mind and collecting wonderful memories. At a local restaurant, we will have a special cooking demonstration, enhanced by a lecture on the beneficial use of wild herbs and essential oils.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Castelmezzano.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy a lecture on Knowing the Skies: Stars and Constellations, a field trip into “the Cosmos”. During the “journey”, the experts in astronomy from the Astronomical Observatory Planetarium of the Basilicata Region, will guide us, with the help of portable telescopes, to the exploration of the ancient cultures that narrated the constellations. We will meet mythological characters and magical instruments and their connection with the sky. The journey into the world of Astronomy will continue with the observation of the sun with sunspots and protuberances. We will return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; Driving about 250 miles; approximately 5 hours. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone paths; some benches on which to rest.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board our private motorcoach and transfer to Reggio Calabria. We will enjoy an on-site lecture on Italian emigration to America held by our Group Leader. We’ll stop en route to Civita, a village immersed in a landscape of great interest for nature lovers, considering that it is perched on a plateau overlooking the very narrow gorges of the Raganello river, between mountains that surround the valley, reached by the blue reflections of the Ionian Sea that can be glimpsed on the horizon. Civita is one of the oldest Arbëreshë (Italian - Albanian) communities in Italy, whose traditions pass through the particular shape of the village, and the language, that we will appreciate during the visit. This jewel of Calabria is known as "the town among the rocks", but also as "the town of the Devil's Bridge", it is part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. The very particular charm of Civita is also due to its Kodra or 'talking' houses, anthropomorphic constructions that pay homage to the internationally renowned Albanian naturalized Italian painter Ibrahim Kodra. We will discover the layout of a traditional gjitonia arbëreshë, that is, the typical historic center made up of small houses arranged in a semicircle around a "mother house" and a small common square, which is the center of neighborhood life. We will walk through the village reaching out the viewpoint overlooking the Canyon of the Raganello river. A breathtaking scenario, a gallery of incredible natural sculptures engraved in the rock due to the corrosive action of the waters. We will then visit a church with iconostasis wall, an architectural structure that supports the icons, which start from the sacred door in the center with the Annunciation up to the top with the death of Our Lord.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Civita, preceded by a demonstration of how to prepare couscous according to the Albanian tradition.
Afternoon:
We will then continue our transfer to Reggio Calabria and check into the hotel in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; Driving about 16 miles; approximately 1 hour. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour total; some steps and inclines on uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll visit the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, or National Museum of Reggio, home to the famed Riace Bronzes, the two magnificent Greek statues from the 5th century BC. recovered thanks to a fortuitous discovery in the waters of the Ionian Sea in front of the small Calabrian village. For Calabria the two warriors were immediately a symbol of cultural identification and hope for redemption. Precisely to the two Greek warriors who are now the symbol of the strength and greatness of classical art: Warriors, heroes, gods? Who did the Riace Bronzes represent in ancient times, who made them, for what occasion and in what context could they be admired. The mystery of the warriors kept since the 1980s in the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria is, still after half a century, unsolved. It is widely believed that it is one of the highest moments of sculptural production of all time and the most important archaeological discovery of the last century. The hypotheses on the origin, dating and authors of the statues are different. The analysis of the melting earth remaining inside the two statues demonstrates that they were in Argos, in the Peloponnese, Greece, probably in the mid-5th century. B.C. An infinite story, which has its roots in a glorious past. The Riace Bronzes, so shrouded in charm and mystery, represent a unique example of inestimable value for Calabria. We will board our motorcoach and ride to the Bergamotto farmhouse located at Amendolea village for a full immersion in the Grecanica culture. We will get to know an area of Calabria where nature and culture tell of ancient civilizations handed down from family in family, where they talk still the language of the Greeks of Calabria and learn about the cultivation and production of the bergamotto, called the green gold, a citrus fruit unique in the world for its organoleptic and nutritional properties. The oil obtained is one of the most precious ingredients to produce perfumes.
Lunch:
At the farmhouse, we’ll have a light lunch enriched by local products and wine.
Afternoon:
We will return to Reggio.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving is about 140 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 1.5 hours on cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to Tropea, the jewel of Calabria. During the ride we will enjoy an on-site lecture on the Calabria, a real melting pot given by our Group Leader. We will make short stop on route to Tropea at the ‘Promontorio di Sant’ Elia’ from where usually the Eolian Islands together with the Strait of Messina can be spotted. Tropea is located in the splendid Costa degli Dei, a treasure chest of curious details overlooking the sea, a valuable container of stories and beauty that sharpen the imagination and heal the heart. A village overlooking the sea, full of beauty, which looks towards Sicily, towards that sea from which the Aeolian Islands emerge like small miracles, Stromboli above all, with its perfect volcano, which lights up red and orange at sunset. Tropea is not just a city, but it is also the center of a series of magical places that are able to conquer anyone who chooses to visit them: breathtaking natural landscapes, monuments and places of historical and urban interest, and much more. The Tropea settlement overlooks the top of a vertical rock face, where it is not easy to identify the point where the rock ends and the perimeter walls of the houses begin. The theatrical beauty of Tropea stages the thousand-year history of its deep connection with the sea, a fundamental source of resources, but also of dangers and threats since the period of Byzantine domination. The historic center, a maze of alleys and noble palaces, dating back to the period from the 14th to the 20th century, embodies the great richness of the past that the town enjoyed and when life unfolded slowly and calmly.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Tropea with folk music. During lunch, we will meet the local artisans/artists who will introduce us into the world of some string and wind Calabrian musical instruments handmade by themselves. We will enjoy after the performance a lecture on the history and the traditions linked to an ancient profession, handed down from one generation to another, which has been able to keep alive and renew the identity of the Calabrian people full of creativity over time.
Afternoon:
We will return to the hotel. Free time.
Dinner:
Dinner on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 141 miles total, about 3.5 hours with stops for field trips. Walking about 3 miles, approximately 2 hours total; some steps and inclines.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride to Villa Romana, located near Casignana, a medieval village founded in the IX Century. The historic center of Casignana seems to be made up of two opposing realities. On one side, a ghost village where dirt roads wind between now ruined and crumbling stone houses; on the other side, the nucleus of the new town. We will meet an institutional representative and enjoy an on-site lecture on Villa Romana di Casignana: between History and Charm. We will then visit the Villa Romana dated back to the 1st century AD. It is one of the most important archaeological treasures of Southern Italy discovered in the 1960s during works for the construction of an aqueduct. The excavations brought to light two well-preserved thermal complexes. All the rooms are decorated with mosaics: the older ones use white and green tiles while the more recent ones are polychrome and use smaller tiles. We will ride to Gerace, whose name derives from the Greek word Jerax, which means "sparrow hawk". According to legend, it was a sparrowhawk who indicated the exact point in which to build the village, far from the Saracen attacks by sea. Carved into the rock and facing the Ionian Sea, this historic center with medieval charm is also known as the "Enchanted Village". In Gerace everything speaks of civilization, cultural exchanges, and profound religiosity: the town of 128 churches, today only retains 17, was called the Holy City. The formidable artistic concentration of churches and palaces does not convey all the charm of Gerace, which continues intact among the narrow streets, in the little squares, in the arches, in the underpasses, in the rich portals, in the surviving domed wooden ovens for baking bread, in the walls full of history, reserving splendid surprises, dazzling like precious stone.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Gerace.
Afternoon:
We will walk through the streets of Gerace, accompanied by historical figures who tells the story and legends of the village. Soon after, we will visit the “Aracne” laboratory: a dive into the past. Inside one of the historic buildings in the medieval center of Gerace, the ancient art of artisanal weaving has been carried out for more than 20 years thanks to Tina Macri. Here, among ancient looms and old rituals, participants can relive firsthand the ancient art of hand weaving between Greek and Byzantine designs. We will then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hour. Walking about 3 miles, approximately 2 hours total; some steps and inclines.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board our motorcoach and ride to Palmi, built on an ingenious system of terraces that slope gently from the side of Mount Sant'Elia to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Palmi is rich in history and natural beauty. Already inhabited in the Bronze Age, as evidenced by the findings in the numerous caves that characterize the surrounding area, Palmi stands on the ruins of the mythical city of Taureana, destroyed by Saracen pirates in 951 AD. We will visit the house of the culture with an impressive collection of artifacts of the peasant civilization. We will then ride to the fishing village of Scilla and visit the old district of Chianalea, a mystical place that wraps you up in its charm and allure. The encounter with Chianalea or Piana delle Galee, taking its name from the ancient boat) is an emotional experience that visitors cannot miss. It is a journey through history and myth, ancient traditions and new sensations, immortal beauty and evidence that is still vivid. Like those that are encountered along the main street, continually interrupted by narrow and characteristic lanes on the sides that open glimpses of incomparable impactful landscape between the houses, some of which date back to the 1600s, leaning against each other. We will visit the ancient workshop of a Luthier who will show you and let you listen to, playing them himself, some of the typical musical instruments of Calabria. In this small workshop you will find the art and patience of manual construction, the imagination and sympathy of the luthier Sergio who carries on a rare and now disappearing profession. You will be able to know and understand the peculiar characteristics of these instruments, the woods, the varnishes, their construction, and their ancient history.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Chianalea. We'll share some of our favorite experiences from the program with fellow Road Scholars.
Afternoon:
We will return to the hotel. Free time. We will enjoy a farewell drink.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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