Day by day (6 nights - 7 days)
Day 1
Welcome
Arrival in the early afternoon in Polistena, at the Social Cooperative I.D.E.A. that within the Luigi Monti Community, welcomes and lodges minors and creates employment opportunities for young people who are housed in the community. Meeting and presentation of the GOEL - Cooperative Group, of its change mission in the Locride and its struggle for freedom and democracy in Calabria and in the rest of Italy. Visit to the Cooperative and to the GOEL Bio Cosmethical Lab where organic essential oils and organic cosmetics are produced. Transfer to Locri and check-in at the Ostello Locride, eco-hostel housed in a confiscated property and managed by the GOEL. Dinner, with the traditional dishes of Calabrian cuisine and overnight.
Day 2
Monte Stella and Stilo: between East and West
Breakfast. Transfer to Stilo, the philosopher Tommaso Campanella's hometown. With its many hermitages and monasteries, such as The Cattolica, a Byzantine-style church from the 9th century, Stilo is an example of the meeting between East and West. Descent to Pazzano, from which you can reach Monte Stella Sanctuary, with its charming hermitage carved into the rock. Lunch at the organic farm 'A Lanterna, victim of an 'ndrangheta attack, which is a member of GOEL Bio, the social cooperative that gathers the farmers who oppose to 'Ndrangheta, ensuring ethical business conduct and offering typical products of high quality. Afternoon available for individual tours. Return. Dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 3
Faith, Cooperation and Solidarity
Breakfast. Transfer to San Nicola di Caulonia and visit to the Monastery of Saint Hilarion where the hermit Frédéric is leading the way to a "social monasticism" strongly anchored in social issues. Lunch at the "Feudo Gagliardi" organic farmhouse, partner of GOEL Bio. After lunch, transfer to Gioiosa Jonica. Visit to the Community of Liberation, made up of people who live according to the ideals of the Gospel, promoting the rights of the weakest and welcoming people with disabilities. Afternoon walk in the old town: Amaduri Palace, the Museum of Wood and the Art Gallery. Return. Dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 4
The Sanctuary of Polsi
Breakfast. Transfer to the Sanctuary of Polsi, which stands at 865 meters high, in the heart of Aspromonte. History and legend are intertwined on the origin of this ancient place of Marian devotion. Visit to the Sanctuary and packed lunch provided by the Ostello. Return, and dinner at “AMAL” organic restaurant run from GOEL Bio, symbol of cultural meeting and warm reception, typical of Calabria tradition. Return and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 5
From Gerace to Don Puglisi's legacy
Breakfast. Transfer to Gerace and lunch in a typical restaurant. In the early afternoon guided tour through the medieval town, one of the ten most beautiful town in Italy, which houses a remarkable artistic heritage, preserved for the most part in the Norman Castle and in the Cathedral. Visit to the handloom and pottery workshops. Lunch at a typical restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Bosco di Bovalino and meeting at the Centro Don Puglisi with Sister Carolina, collaborator of Don Pino Puglisi, parish of Brancaccio area of Palermo, murdered by mafia in 1993. Return. Dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 6
Serra San Bruno, the spell of Chertreuse
Breakfast. Transfer to Serra San Bruno, a charming destination for visitors from all over the world, which owes its origin to the Monk Bruno of Cologne, the founder of the Carthusian Order. Visit to the Chertreuse Museum and to the Chapel of Saint Bruno, to the historical centre and craft workshops of skilled wood carvers who make figurines, pipes and musical instruments. Lunch at typical restaurant with the delicious local dishes with mushrooms. Return. Dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 7
Arrivederci!
Breakfast. Final meeting with GOEL-Cooperative Group. Check out and transfer to the airport.
