Italy: Highlights of Calabria (from Amalfi to Catania)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Amalfi
Duration
9 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
15 years

Description

Embark on a captivating multi-day tour through Italy, where each day presents a new adventure filled with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Begin your journey in the vibrant city of Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and explore its rich heritage. Travel to the unique village of Civita, nestled in the hills, and discover its Albanian roots. Experience the natural beauty of Pollino National Park and the charming town of Tropea. Sail to the volcanic island of Stromboli, witness its fiery eruptions, and explore the historic city of Reggio Calabria. Cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily, where you'll immerse yourself in local traditions and the vibrant culture of Catania. Conclude your journey in the picturesque town of Taormina, where Greek history meets Sicilian charm. This tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Italy's diverse regions, offering a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural discovery.

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Included

8 breakfasts

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All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.

At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

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Civita - Nature based hike

Tropea - Stromboli by Night

Reggio Calabria - Archaeological Museum

Messina - traditional boat sailing

Taormina - Day Trip

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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.

Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)

hotel: 6 night(s), guesthouse: 2 night(s);

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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.

Train , Public bus , Private vehicle , Ferry

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Destinations

Messina - city in ItalyMessina
Photo of the city of Scilla in the Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy.Reggio Calabria
Photo of Port of Catania, Sicily. Mount Etna in the background.Catania
Photo of Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola symbol of the city of Tropea, Italy.Tropea
Civita
Naples, Italy. View of the Gulf of Naples from the Posillipo hill with Mount Vesuvius far in the background and some pine trees in foreground.Naples
Photo of Isola Bella rocky island in Taormina, Italy.Taormina

Map

Attractions

Oratorio Salesiani, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina, Sicily, ItalyOratorio Salesiani
photo of Ruins of the Ancient Greek Theater in Taormina on a sunny summer day with the mediterranean sea. Province of Messina, Sicily, southern Italy.Greek - Roman theatre
Via Roma
Porta Catania
Museo Civico Diocesano
Murales
StrómboliStrómboli
Sunrise at Fontana di Piazza Duomo and Umberto Corso street in Taormina, Sicily island, ItalyBasilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
Cascata Ficara
Tropea centro
Pollino National Park, Viggianello, Potenza, Basilicata, ItalyPollino National Park
Via Degli Archi
Parco Archeologico Dei Tauriani
Isola di PanareaIsola di Panarea

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Naples

  • Naples - Arrival day
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  • Royal Palace of Naples
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Welcome to the enchanting city of Naples, where your Italian journey begins. Known for its vibrant streets and rich history, Naples is the perfect starting point for your adventure. Meet your fellow travelers and group leader at a welcome meeting in the evening. If you arrive early, take a leisurely stroll along the coast, savor a traditional pizza, and enjoy the stunning views of the Gulf of Naples.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Naples to Civita

  • Naples
  • Civita
  • More
  • Cascata Ficara
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Embark on a journey to the quaint village of Civita, a place steeped in history and culture. Founded by Albanian refugees, Civita offers a unique blend of Italian and Albanian influences. Explore the village on foot, sample local delicacies, or take a scenic walk in the surrounding hills. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of this charming destination.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Civita to Cerchiara di Calabria

  • Civita
  • More
  • Museo delle Cere
  • Chiesa di Sant'Antonio
  • Pollino National Park
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Prepare for an adventurous day as you explore the natural beauty of Pollino National Park. Begin your day in Cerchiara di Calabria, known for its delicious bread. Stock up on local produce before heading to a remote sanctuary built by Byzantine monks. For the adventurous, a hike up Mount Sellaro offers breathtaking views of the Achaean coast. Alternatively, enjoy the park's diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Civita to Tropea

  • Tropea
  • Civita
  • More
  • Via Roma
  • Museo Civico Diocesano
  • Tropea centro
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Travel to the picturesque town of Tropea, renowned for its dramatic cliffs and historic architecture. Discover the town's charm on an orientation walk, visiting the Norman cathedral, Duomo, and the Museo Diocesano, which houses religious art. For those seeking relaxation, the beach offers stunning views of the cliffside structures. Enjoy the timeless beauty of Tropea as you explore its faded buildings and iconic fortifications.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Tropea to Stromboli

  • Tropea
  • More
  • Strómboli
  • Isola di Panarea
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Set sail for the island of Stromboli, part of the stunning Aeolian Islands. Visit San Vincenzo, where you can swim in the azure waters, shop along the main street, or enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. In the evening, witness the mesmerizing Sciara del Fuoco, where lava flows illuminate the night sky. Experience the natural beauty and volcanic activity of Stromboli on this unforgettable day.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Tropea to Reggio Calabria

  • Reggio Calabria
  • Tropea
  • More
  • Oratorio Salesiani
  • Parco Archeologico Dei Tauriani
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Journey to Reggio Calabria, a city that blends old-world charm with modern architecture. Explore the city on an orientation walk, then visit the renowned National Archaeological Museum of Reggio, home to the famous Bronzi di Riace statues. In the evening, savor local cuisine, such as grilled swordfish or pasta with cauliflower, and enjoy a stroll along the panoramic waterfront.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Reggio Calabria to Catania

  • Catania
  • Reggio Calabria
  • Messina
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  • Pool of Venus
  • Porta Catania
  • Murales
  • Via Degli Archi
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Cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily, where you'll join locals on a traditional fishing trip. Discover the rich traditions and natural beauty of the area before traveling to Catania. Explore the city's vibrant bar culture and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val di Noto, known for its Baroque architecture. Enjoy the lively nightlife and indulge in Sicilian delicacies as you explore Catania's grand piazzas and wide streets.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Catania to Taormina

  • Taormina
  • Catania
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  • Greek - Roman theatre
  • Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
  • Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew
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Take a day trip to the hilltop town of Taormina, where Greek influence is evident in its architecture. Explore the town on an orientation walk, visiting the renowned Greek Theatre and the Cathedral of Taormina. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, enjoying the Mediterranean sun with a refreshing drink or indulging in traditional Sicilian pasta. Return to Catania for a farewell dinner with your travel group, celebrating the adventures you've shared.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Departure from Catania

  • Catania - Departure day
  • More

Your Italian adventure concludes after breakfast in Catania. For those wishing to extend their stay in Italy, additional accommodation can be arranged. Reflect on the memories and experiences of your journey through Italy's captivating landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

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