In the footsteps of Magna Graecia

Departure is an exciting time for many travellers. It marks the beginning of an adventure. Today you will start to be part of a community, which will give you a rewarding travel experience. You will have the opportunity to turn a simple trip into an opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, Globest welcomes you to NAPLES. After your welcome at the airport, we will head to the hotel to present the rich and exciting program of the week. Typical dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will dedicate the morning to the guided tour of Paestum, one of the most important archaeological sites of Magna Graecia, known as Poseidonia, in honour of the god Poseidon, between historical places, uncontaminated nature and the inevitable mozzarella di bufala. We will discover the magnificent archaeological area of Paestum with the temple of Hera, the one of Neptune extraordinarily preserved and that of Ceres and its Archaeological Museum (entrance included).

We will have lunch and then prepare for the trip south towards Calabria. We will arrive in the evening in the area of Vibo Valentia; hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will dedicate the morning to visit Tropea, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is a charming seaside resort capable of surprising and enchanting built on the edge of a promontory that reflects itself in the crystal clear sea of the Costa degli Dei. The historic centre is splendid, with its 18th century urban structures, picturesque alleys, baroque palaces, large courtyards and majestic portals. In the afternoon we will reach Pizzo Calabro, an ancient fishing village perched on a promontory of tuff along the Costa degli Dei. Walk in the old town…. Tasting of the famous homemade ice cream from Pizzo: «il Tartufo», hazelnut ice cream with a heart of melted bitter chocolate, all covered in chocolate powder! Return to the hotel in the Vibo Valentia area. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will leave for Scilla, a small village founded in the 5th century B.C. whose origins are lost between mythology, legend, history, poetry, with its old fishing district of Chianalea, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, also called «little Venice of the South» dominated by the imposing castle Ruffo, whose foundation dates back to the time of Magna Grecia. From here we will leave in the direction of Reggio Calabria with a stop for a panoramic visit to Palmi, set like a jewel among the rocks of Monte Sant’Elia, famous for its terraces from which you can enjoy an exceptional panorama on the Strait of Messina. We will visit Reggio Calabria, one of the most beautiful cities in Calabria, lying on the Strait of Messina and tip of the boot of Italy. We will visit the seafront Falcomatà, one of the most beautiful walks on the sea in Italy, the Aragonese Castle and the National Archaeological Museum that houses the Bronzes, found in the seabed of Riace (from which the Bronzes of Riace). In the evening we will arrive at the hotel to have dinner and rest. Overnight.

After breakfast we will leave for Bova Marina, a village appreciated for its beautiful sandy beaches mixed with gravel and green palm trees and bergamots, whose archaeological heritage has its roots in prehistory. We will visit the archaeological park «Archeoderi», site of exceptional importance. We will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit Casignana for its famous Roman villa of imperial age that came to light almost by chance in 1963 during works for the construction of the aqueduct and richly decorated with beautiful mosaics (entrance included). Tasting of local products. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel in the area of Siderno, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will dedicate the morning to discover for Gerace, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, perched on a cliff with an incredible view of the Ionian Sea and the territory of Locride, where you can breathe a medieval air. Transfer by small train from the coach parking lot to the cathedral of Gerace A/R included. After lunch we will continue to Stilo, an ancient village among the most beautiful in Italy. Climbed on Mount Consolino, it is arranged in steps with stone buildings, small squares, stairways, alleys between characteristic houses in dark stone. Attention: you will have to walk for about 1 km. Continue to Monasterace, a place full of charm where Byzantine castles, Orthodox monasteries, Greek ruins and medieval traditions tell the story of a glorious past that has impressed its memory in rock and sand, from which every now and then come to light priceless treasures. Visit of the Archaeological Park of the Ancient Kaulon. Dinner and overnight in the area of Catanzaro.

After breakfast, we will leave for Le Castella small tourist resort near Capo Rizzuto island in the heart of the Saracen Coast and visit of the Aragonese Castle (entrance included) Standing majestically on an island connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand. From here we will continue to the promontory of Capo Colonna where are the remains of one of the most important places of worship of Magna Grecia: facing a crystal clear sea stands like a lighthouse only one of the 48 Doric columns that surrounded the famous temple of Hera. Lunch along the way. In the afternoon we will visit Crotone, a flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. Visit of the archaeological museum (entrance included) which houses in particular the «treasure of Hera» found in the sanctuary of Capo Colonna. Dinner and overnight on the route between Crotone and Rossano.

After breakfast, we will leave for Sibari, the most splendid of the Greek colonies, famous for the luxury and debauchery of its inhabitants. Visit of the archaeological park of Sibari that collects the traces of the three cities of Sibarys, Thurii and Copia that in ancient age dominated the Plain of Sibari. A short distance from the archaeological area is the National Archaeological Museum, which displays a rich collection of archaeological finds ranging from the Bronze Age to the late Roman Age (entrance included). Lunch during the excursion. In the afternoon we will visit the archaeological park of Metaponto, ancient city founded by the Greeks in the 7th century B.C. where among other things taught Pythagoras, and the National Museum (entrance included). Dinner and overnight in the area of Salerno.

On this day of return, nostalgia for the places visited and enthusiasm for returning home mix. We will accompany you to the airport to help you with the boarding logistics. Today we close a chapter and open a new one, we will say goodbye, but you are part of our community, you will carry with you the promise of new future adventures even more extraordinary. While you wait for your flight, reflect on the extraordinary experiences you have experienced during your journey: from delicious dishes to natural wonders discovered along the way. You will prepare to face the daily routine with new energy. Good return home.