The mountainous peninsula separating the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas was a place of legend from the time of Homer, a safe haven for settlers and a prize for invaders. This tour will introduce you to Calabria, the southernmost and least known part of mainland Italy. Distinct in character, Calabria has a spectacularly beautiful and varied landscape rich in history and folk culture and it is an exciting and diverse culinary region. Calabria can feel like a hidden country and this tour will reveal its treasures, beauty and drama. There is plentiful archaeological evidence of the Greeks who established colonies in the 8th century BCE. It was they who called Calabria ‘the land of the grape’ and the varieties they cultivated are still grown while a dialect of Greek is spoken in parts of the province. When Rome took the south in 275 BCE the wealthy coastal cities became home to large communities of merchants and artisans. After Rome fell and Calabria became part of the Byzantine Empire she absorbed architectural styles from the East and in the 10th century the invading Saracens left their mark on agriculture, cuisine, language and crafts. The legacy of the Normans lies in the magnificent castles and churches they created and in their turn the Swabians, the Angevans, the Aragonese and the Spanish contributed to the many aspects of this ancient province.
Photos of Calabria, including some from our previous Calabria tour here. You might also be interested in reading Margaret's "Letters from Calabria" which you can find here
Programme: Monday 27th March Departure from London City Airport/Milan to Lamezia Terme Airport. Tuesday 28th March Altomonte is a beautifully preserved medieval hilltop town. Visits include the Gothic Chiesa di Santa Maria della Consolazione, built in the Angevan period and the Museo Civico containing works by SimoneMartini and ‘Nardo Daddi. Wednesday 29th March By private coach to Rossano, the foremost Byzantine centre in southern Italy from the 8th to the 11th century for the Cathedral, the 10th century Church of San Marco and Museo Diocesano home of the Purple Codex an important 6th century Life of Christ. Thursday 30th March Departure from Altomonte to Vibo Valentia for the remainder of our stay. First, by private coach, to Pizzo Calabro for the Angevan-Aragonese Castello Murat castle where Napoleon’s brother in law Joachim Muratwas imprisoned and executed and the unique Chiesetta di PiedigrottaGroup. Friday 31st March By coach to Reggio Calabria for the National Archeological Museum, home to the Riace bronzes, the 5th century BC bronze Philosopher's Head , the oldest-known Greek portrait in existence and impressive exhibits from Locri, including statues of the Dioscuri.. We will also visit the Greek and Roman remains on the Lungomare. At this point Sicily is only 7 miles away across the Strait of Messina and Mount Etna, a little under 45 miles away, is clearly visiblefrom the Lungomare. Saturday 1st April Stilo for ‘La Cattolica’, the perfect 8th century Byzantine church and Bivongi for the Orthodox Christian Monastery of San Giovanni Therestis dating from the 11th century. Return to Vibo for a visit to the Norman-Hohenstaufen castle, now a state museum housing a very fine collection of Greek jewellery and artefacts. Departure by private coach for Reggio Calabria Airport for flight back to London.
Please note that this tour is fully catered Tour includes - Flights with Alitalia
All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays listed here are operated by Millennium Tours Ltd ATOL 10040 and financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see the booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial This tour is now fully booked Millennium Tours Email:groups@millenniumtours.co.uk
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