Day by day (6 Nights – 7 Days)
Day 1
Welcome
Arrival in the afternoon and check-in. Presentation of the tour and of GOEL - Cooperative Group and its mission of change and redemption of Calabria thought legal economy and effective ethics. Dinner with the traditional dishes of Calabrian cuisine. Overnight at the Ostello Locride, the hostel housed in a confiscated property that GOEL is turning in an eco-friendly residence.
Day 2
Gerace and Mammola: Tradition and Innovation
Breakfast. Transfer to Mammola. Guided tour to the ancient Saint Barbara Monastery which houses the famous MU.SA.BA, a park-museum of modern art. In the late morning, transfer in the centre of the small village, famous for its restaurants that serves the “Stocco” (dried stock fish, cooked in a unique way in Italy). Visit to a laboratory where the famous “stocco” is prepared and lunch at a typical restaurant. After lunch transfer to Gerace and guided tour through the medieval town, one of the ten most beautiful towns 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. Return, dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 3
Reggio Calabria and Scilla
Breakfast. Transfer to Reggio Calabria, the "toe" of the Italian peninsula. Visit of the city, home to one of the most important archaeological museums, the prestigious National Archaeological Museum of Magna Græcia which houses the famous Bronzes of Riace, the symbols of the city. Walk on the famous promenade dotted with rare magnolias and exotic palms. In the afternoon stop at Scilla, touristic town famous for its Marina (the Seafront), for the fishermen village and the Ruffo Castle. Return, dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 4
Wine ways and old towns
Breakfast. Transfer to Caulonia at Feudo Gagliardi, organic farm, partner of GOEL Bio, producing wine, oil and citrus fruit. With the agronomist, visit to the wine yards, the wine cellar and tasting of the wines produced by the farm. Lunch at the farmhouse restaurant with the local products. In the afternoon transfer to Gioiosa Jonica and guided tour of the old town, famous for its ancient buildings (Palazzo Amaduri), the castle and churches. Stop in the old square and tasting of the famous “paste Gioiosane” (pastries) and of the “Pezzo Duro” (ice-cream). Return, dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 5
Pentedattilo and Bova
Breakfast. Transfer to the Grecanic Area, where the influence of Greek culture and language is still strong. Guided tour of Pentedattilo, small “ghost village” on the Calvario Mount, whose shape reminds that of the five fingers of a hand. The small village is one of the “borghi solidali”. Lunch at a typical restaurant, with the traditional dishes of the Grecanic cuisine and tasting of the Bergamot (a unique citrus fruit). In the afternoon, transfer to Bova and climbing at the Norman Castle from where admiring the amazing view on the Aspromonte National Park and on the Straight of Messina. Return, dinner and overnight at the Ostello.
Day 6
AMAL: the taste of hospitality
Breakfast. Transfer to Stilo, the hometown of the philosopher Tommaso Campanella. 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, with its charming hermitage carved into the rock. Transfer to Monasterace and lunch at “A Lanterna”, an organic farmhouse inside the archaeologic area of the Ancient Kaulon. Afternoon available for individual tours. 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 7
Arrivederci!
Breakfast. Final meeting with GOEL - Cooperative Group. Check out.