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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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At a Glance

Journey into the heart of Southern Italy to experience the quaint villages and vibrant cultures whose traditions and landscapes can be traced to ancient times. Investigate the scenic coastline, medieval villages, and Greek and Roman archaeology of Calabria “the toe” and Puglia “the heel” of the Italian “boot.”
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking and standing on paved and cobblestone sidewalks for up to four miles per day. Field trips involve walking on uneven ground and some stairs without railings.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • View the famed bronzes housed at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, exploring prehistoric Greco-Roman and medieval antiquities.
  • Explore the unique trulli constructions of Alberobello and the troglodyte dwellings of Sassi di Matera, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Discover Romanesque and Baroque cathedrals and monuments in the shade of majestic castles and noble palaces.

General Notes

Due to Calabria's mountainous region and complex road network, driving times can range from 1-4 hours per day between towns & villages.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Gianluca Tonti
Gianluca Tonti studied Middle Age history at the Università Statale di Milano with a thesis about taxation and politics during the 15th century. After graduating, he attended the Archivio di Stato in Milan. Upon returning to Apulia, he worked with historical researchers in the local archives and teaches local history. Gianluca began working as a travel leader in Puglia in 2009 and became certified in 2012. He currently works with English-speaking groups in Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Emanuela D'Andria
Emanuela D'Andria View biography
Emanuela D’Andria graduated with a degree in interpreting French and English from the Higher School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators at the University of Trieste. She has been creating and leading educational explorations throughout Italy and abroad since 1998, including programs in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany. and Holland. Emanuela has enjoyed leading Road Scholar programs since 2006.
Profile Image of Gianluca Tonti
Gianluca Tonti View biography
Gianluca Tonti studied Middle Age history at the Università Statale di Milano with a thesis about taxation and politics during the 15th century. After graduating, he attended the Archivio di Stato in Milan. Upon returning to Apulia, he worked with historical researchers in the local archives and teaches local history. Gianluca began working as a travel leader in Puglia in 2009 and became certified in 2012. He currently works with English-speaking groups in Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily.
Profile Image of Paolo Maragliulo
Paolo Maragliulo View biography
Paolo Maragliulo has been an exploration leader since 2000. He studied preservation of the cultural heritage, specializing in art and history from the beginning of the XI century to the end of the XVIII century. He now works for travel and bike exploration companies. Tall and theatrical, he is passionate about his region and loves cycling and bikepacking. After so many years of exploration and experiential study, he knows a lot about historical, cultural, and agricultural aspects of southern Italian everyday life.
Profile Image of Fabio Congedo
Fabio Congedo View biography
Fabio Congedo specialized in classical archaeology and worked as a professional archaeologist in Italy and abroad. The excavations in Egypt, with Columbia University in New York, represented some of the most exciting moments of his career as an archaeologist. He has worked as a tour guide and group leader in different regions of Italy, combining two of his main passions, history and travel. Telling the history of Italy, its masterpieces, and its mysterious civilizations is also the basis of another of his passions, writing.
Profile Image of Daniela D'amato
Daniela D'amato View biography
Daniela D’Amato's professional experience as a group leader began three decades ago while she was obtaining a degree at the University of Bari as an art historian. As soon as she graduated, she became aware that being a travel leader is meant to gather several factors such as emotions, sensitivity, paying attention to the most authentic details, reliability, and pragmatism. She enjoys singing, acting, reading, cooking, and traveling.
Profile Image of Laura Pomara
Laura Pomara View biography
Laura Pomara was born and continues to reside in Reggio Calabria. She studied languages at the University of Messina and worked in different jobs ranging from accountant to junior export manager; since March 2022, she has been a group leader in the South of Italy. She is very passionate about Calabria, its history, and its traditions. During her spare time, she loves to follow her passions: playing tennis, reading, and traveling.
Profile Image of Davide Canevari
Davide Canevari View biography
Davide Canevari lives in Milazzo, Sicily and studied law at university. He is an expert volcanologist and leads hikes on Mount Etna and Stromboli. He has visited 34 countries and is fluent in five languages. He has performed as an actor and singer in several opera festivals, and is passionate about the music of Dean Martin and tarantella folk. Davide's true passion is his homeland of Southern Italy and the ancient Greek culture that is still alive, at times impenetrable.
Profile Image of Massimiliano Giudice
Massimiliano Giudice View biography
Massimiliano Giudice's travel career began in 2015 when he started working as a group leader in Berlin after learning German. His passion for languages and cultural exchange led him to Turkey, where he spent over three years exploring, learning Turkish, and studying the country's traditions. In 2021, he returned to Italy and obtained a certification, leading groups in German, Turkish, and English. Two years later, he became certified as a tourism operations manager. Beyond his profession, he enjoys playing guitar, singing, and staying active.
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