Italy: Highlights of Calabria
9 Days Starting in Naples and ending in Catania
Visiting: Naples, Civita, Tropea, Tropea / Stromboli, Reggio Calabria, Catania, Taormina/Catania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZMSK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on a journey through southern Italy, from Naples (the birthplace of pizza) to Sicily’s Catania, exploring the best spots along the way. For those seeking to venture off Italy’s beaten path, Calabria offers clear waters and the stalwart fortifications of Tropea, as well as active volcanoes on the Aeolian Islands. Besides having plenty of opportunities to relax and soak up the Mediterranean sun by the seaside, you’ll also get to test your fishing skills with the locals on a traditional boat ride. This trip promises a blend of culture, nature, history and cuisine – truly embodying the essence of Italy!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Naples
Location: Naples
Accommodation: 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 have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight where you’ll meet your group 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.
Day 2: Civita
Location: Civita
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: breaksfast
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: Civita
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: breaksfast
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. But before you tackle this rocky mountain, stop by Cerchiara di Calabria, a little town in the National Park best known for its bread. Perhaps stock up on some of the tasty local produce and then continue your journey to a remote sanctuary built by Byzantine monks, perched on a rocky hillside. The hiking path begins just beyond the sanctuary – although it's a reasonably long trek, at 2.5 hours, it is well worth it for 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. Feel free to ask your local leader for restaurant recommendations for dinner tonight.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Tropea
Location: Tropea
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast this morning, you’ll 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: Tropea / Stromboli
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
If the weather permits, you’ll embark on a boat trip to the island of Stromboli. Here, you’ll visit San Vincenzo, where you can swim in the deep 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 witness the path of lava that flows during Stromboli's eruptions.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Reggio Calabria
Location: Reggio Calabria
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Depart from Tropea by train as you travel on to Reggio Calabria, the gateway to Sicily. The city’s placement in a major earthquake zone has caused much destruction over the years, meaning only a few historical sites remain in comparison to the rest of Italy. However, this has resulted in a charming mix of architecture, balanced between the surviving old buildings and the modern structures. Embark on an orientation walk, before visiting the widely renowned National Archaeological Museum of Reggio. This building is arguably the most important tourism destination that the region has to offer, featuring an excellent collection of exhibits from Greek-influenced sites across Calabria, including the Bronzi di Riace, two giant bronze statues found on the sea floor in the 70s. Later in the evening, perhaps hunt down some of the city's spectacular restaurants for grilled swordfish or pasta with cauliflower and broccoli (both are dishes typical to the area) and a glass of local wine, or wander past the city’s panoramic waterfront.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Catania
Location: Catania
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Bid farewell to Reggio Calabria and embark on a scenic ferry ride to Messina in Sicily, where you’ll experience a traditional boat ride. Join locals on a fishing trip and discover the rich traditions and natural beauty of the Strait of Messina. After, journey by private minibus to the city of Catania. Explore its gritty yet alluring bar culture that ignites the lively nightlife, alongside the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val di Noto, famed for its Late Baroque architecture. Wander through the city’s grand piazzas and wide streets, then the evening is yours to explore, indulge in gelato or find a granita to cap off your day.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Taormina/Catania
Location: Taormina/Catania
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Take a daytrip to the Taormina – a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. Begin with an orientation walk, where you’ll immediately notice the Greek influence in its architecture. Wander through the backstreets and gardens and consider visiting the renowned Greek theatre and the cathedral. Enjoy the entire afternoon at your leisure, offering ample time to explore at your own pace. Relax with a drink under the Mediterranean sun or indulge in traditional Sicilian pasta. Later, return to Catania for your final evening. Perhaps head out with your travel group for a farewell dinner, where you can toast to the Calabrian adventures you shared.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 9: Catania
Location: Catania
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your trip will come to an end after breakfast. For those who wish to stay in Italy, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights) -
Civita - Hike in Pollino National Park
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Tropea - Aeolian Islands Cruise (Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli)
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Reggio Calabria - Archaeological Museum
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Messina - traditional boat sailing
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Taormina - Day Trip
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Meals
8 breakfasts
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Civita - Nature based hike
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Tropea - Stromboli by Night
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
- 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.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
Transportation on the trip includes local trains, private vehicles and public buses. The trains are comfortable (and have toilets), but they can be busy, especially in peak summer. You’ll need to carry your own luggage so ensure it meets our weight and size recommendations in the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
Summer temperatures can exceed 40°c, so use sun protection, wear layers and stay hydrated. Many European hotels lack air-conditioning and local trains’ cooling systems can fail. Beaches are crowded during peak season so consider the time of year you travel.
European hotel rooms may seem small by American or Australian standards, and they often have two single beds instead of doubles.
If you’re interested in a longer trip, consider starting in Rome with our ’Rome to Sicily’ trip (code ZMSFC). -
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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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