8-Day Guided Tour of Calabria: History, Food & Nature

🍷 The intense flavor of Calabria Tour: 8 days Self Drive Tour, Itineraries of Taste collection

📌 Overview

The The intense flavor of Calabria Tour: 8 days Self Drive Tour, Itineraries of Taste collection invites you to explore Calabria from north to south, combining scenic drives with authentic food and wine experiences. Over 8 days you will discover medieval villages, coastal towns, archaeological treasures, and vibrant cities, while tasting some of Southern Italy’s finest products. This easy self drive itinerary blends nature, history, and gastronomy, with comfortable 4 star hotel stays and guided visits.

🌄 What to Expect

This thematic self drive journey leads you through Calabria’s most evocative landscapes, from the mountains of the Sila to the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts. You will start in Cosenza, with time to wander its historic center and enjoy a welcome dinner of typical local specialties. Each following day combines relaxed driving stages with guided city tours, visits to charming villages, and carefully selected tastings of renowned Calabrian products.

Along the way you will visit the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola, the painted town of Diamante, the vast archaeological area of Sibari, and the coastal fortress of Le Castella at Isola Capo Rizzuto. You will discover unique museums such as the Museum of Liquorice Amarelli in Rossano, the Diocesan Museum with the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, and the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, home of the famous Riace Bronzes. Farm visits will introduce you to DOP cheeses, cold cuts, organic olive oil, and DOP Lametia wine, while sweet stops include a typical Cosentino dessert and the iconic truffle in Pizzo.

The itinerary remains easy and accessible, with guided visits in the main cities and villages, time at leisure in seaside resorts like Tropea and Scilla, and comfortable overnights in 4 star hotels. You will end your route in Reggio Calabria, with a goodbye dinner and free time for shopping and a final promenade along the seafront.

✨ Highlights

• 🍇 Explore Calabria from north to south on an 8 days self drive tour in Calabria focused on nature, history, and gastronomy.
• 🏛 Discover Cosenza, from Corso Mazzini and the MAB open air art gallery to the medieval village of Cosenza Vecchia and its Cathedral.
• 🌶 Visit Diamante, the painted city and home of the chili pepper Academy, plus the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola and Terme Luigiane.
• 🏺 Step into ancient history at the vast archaeological site of Sibari and admire the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis in Rossano’s Diocesan Museum.
• 🧀 Taste DOP cheeses and cold cuts in Sila, organic extra virgin olive oil and DOP Lametia wine near Sant'Eufemia, and the famous truffle dessert in Pizzo Calabro.
• 🌊 Stroll through Tropea, the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian”, and Scilla’s picturesque Chianalea, known as the “Venice of the South”.
• 🗿 Conclude in Reggio Calabria with a guided city tour, the Riace Bronzes at the Archaeological Museum, and a visit to the bergamot museum with tasting.

🗺 Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Cosenza
Arrival in Cosenza, check in and accommodation in a 4 star hotel. Free time to stroll around the city of Cosenza. In the evening, welcome dinner at the hotel’s renowned restaurant with typical local products and overnight.

Day 2 – Cosenza, Paola, Terme Luigiane, Diamante
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the center (not included) and guided visit of Cosenza from Corso Mazzini: MAB open air art gallery, Piazza dei Bruzi, and Cosenza Vecchia, the medieval village with the Duomo. Stop to taste a typical Cosentino dessert, then lunch in the historic area based on traditional dishes. In the afternoon, departure to the Tyrrhenian coast with visits to the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola, Terme Luigiane, and north to Diamante, the painted city and seat of the chili Academy. Free time, return to the hotel, dinner (not included) and overnight.

Day 3 – Sibari, Rossano, Altomonte
Breakfast and departure for Sibari to visit one of the largest archaeological sites in Europe. Continue to Rossano Scalo for the Museum of Liquorice Amarelli with product tasting, then a stop for lunch (not included). In Rossano’s historic center, visit the Diocesan Museum with the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis. Afternoon stop in Altomonte for a visit of the ancient village. Return to the hotel, time to relax, dinner at the hotel and overnight.

Day 4 – Sila Plateau, Camigliatello, Isola Capo Rizzuto, Catanzaro Lido
Breakfast and departure to the Ionian coast through the Sila. Stop in Camigliatello Silano for a farm visit to see the production of cold cuts and DOP cheeses such as Caciocavallo, with tasting. Lunch in a trattoria in Sila Park based on typical products. Continue to Isola Capo Rizzuto and Le Castella to see the Aragonese Fortress, then onward to Catanzaro Lido. On arrival, hotel check in, free time for dinner (not included) and overnight.

Day 5 – Catanzaro, Sant'Eufemia, Pizzo Calabro, Costa degli Dei
After breakfast, guided tour of Catanzaro. Departure for the Costa degli Dei with a stop at Sant'Eufemia to visit a farm producing organic products, including organic extra virgin olive oil and DOP Lametia wine, with tasting. Continue to Pizzo Calabro for a guided tour of the village and Murat Castle, followed by a truffle dessert tasting in Pizzo. Transfer to the hotel on the Costa degli Dei, check in, room accommodation, dinner at the hotel restaurant and overnight.

Day 6 – Tropea, Scilla, arrival in Reggio Calabria
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Tropea for a guided visit of the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian”. Free time for lunch (not included) and continuation to Scilla for a guided visit of the ancient district of Chianalea, known as the Venice of the South. At the end of the visit, continue towards Reggio Calabria, check in at the hotel, free time for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 – Reggio Calabria and Bergamot Museum
Breakfast at the hotel and guided city tour of Reggio Calabria, from the seafront to the historic center: Corso Garibaldi, the Cathedral, the Aragonese Castle, the Roman baths, and Piazza De Nava. Visit the Archaeological Museum on a historical and cultural route that includes the famous Riace Bronzes. Afterwards, visit the bergamot museum to learn about this ancient Calabrian citrus, whose essence is used in many perfumes and cosmetics, with tasting included. Lunch (not included), free time, return to the hotel, goodbye dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – Reggio Calabria, departure
Breakfast at the hotel and time available for shopping in the center and a final promenade along the seafront. End of services.

✅ What’s Included

• 4 star hotel accommodation for 7 nights (various locations in Calabria)
• Breakfast daily
• Welcome dinner in Cosenza
• Dinners as specified in the itinerary (at hotel restaurants where mentioned)
• Guided city tours in Cosenza, Catanzaro, Pizzo Calabro, Tropea, Scilla, and Reggio Calabria
• Visit to the archaeological site of Sibari
• Visit to the Museum of Liquorice Amarelli in Rossano with tasting
• Visit to the Diocesan Museum in Rossano with the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis
• Visit to a farm in Camigliatello Silano with DOP cheese and cold cut tasting
• Lunch in a trattoria in Sila Park based on typical products
• Visit to a farm near Sant'Eufemia with organic product and DOP Lametia wine tasting
• Truffle dessert tasting in Pizzo Calabro
• Visit to the bergamot museum in Reggio Calabria with tasting
• Goodbye dinner in Reggio Calabria
• Assistance during the itinerary where specified

❌ Exclusions

• Self drive car rental and fuel
• Transfers marked as not included (for example, some city center transfers and dinners)
• Lunches marked as not included in the itinerary
• Dinners marked as not included in the itinerary
• Personal expenses, shopping, and extras not mentioned as included
• Any entrance fees or services not clearly specified in the description
• Travel insurance and any local city taxes, if applicable

ℹ️ Important Information

• This is an easy level 8 days self drive tour in Calabria, suitable for travelers comfortable with driving between stages and walking during guided visits.
• The tour includes both coastal and mountain areas, so weather conditions can vary, and layered clothing is recommended.
• Some transfers to city centers and certain meals are specifically indicated as not included, and must be arranged and paid locally.
• Visits to museums, archaeological sites, farms, and tasting locations follow local opening times and may be subject to minor schedule adjustments.
• Participants should be able to walk on cobblestone streets and in historic centers such as Cosenza Vecchia, Altomonte, Tropea, and Scilla.
• Any age or specific fitness restrictions are not specified, but a normal level of mobility is advisable for this itinerary.
• In case of adverse weather or unforeseen events, some outdoor visits along the The intense flavor of Calabria Tour: 8 days Self Drive Tour, Itineraries of Taste collection may be modified while keeping the spirit of the program.

🚗 Savor Calabria, One Scenic Drive at a Time

Follow the flavors from mountain farms to seaside villages.

Choose the The intense flavor of Calabria Tour: 8 days Self Drive Tour, Itineraries of Taste collection to experience Calabria’s landscapes, villages, and culinary excellence at your own pace, with expert guided visits and tastings already built in. From DOP cheeses in Sila to bergamot in Reggio Calabria, this curated Calabria self drive food and wine tour turns every day on the road into a memorable encounter with authentic Southern Italy.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

1. How difficult is The intense flavor of Calabria Tour: 8 days Self Drive Tour, Itineraries of Taste collection?

The tour is described as EASY, with an accessible pace and a mix of driving and guided walking visits. A normal level of mobility is sufficient to enjoy the historic centers, villages, and museums along the route.

2. Is the self drive car included in the tour price?

No, the description specifies that this is a self drive tour, but it does not state that car rental is included. Travelers are expected to arrange their own vehicle and fuel for the itinerary.

3. Which meals are included during the 8 days self drive tour in Calabria?

Breakfast is included daily, along with a welcome dinner in Cosenza, specified hotel dinners, a lunch in a trattoria in Sila Park, tastings at farms and museums, and a goodbye dinner. Lunches and dinners marked as “not included” in the program must be paid locally.

4. What makes this Calabria self drive food and wine tour distinctive?

The itinerary combines guided cultural visits with carefully selected tastings, including DOP cheeses and cold cuts in Sila, organic extra virgin olive oil and DOP Lametia wine near Sant'Eufemia, liquorice products in Rossano, and bergamot in Reggio Calabria. It also includes unique sites such as the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, the Riace Bronzes, the painted city of Diamante, and the truffle dessert experience in Pizzo.

5. Are entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites included?

The program clearly mentions visits to places like the archaeological site of Sibari, the Museum of Liquorice Amarelli, the Diocesan Museum in Rossano, and the Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria, but it does not explicitly specify which entrance fees are included. Travelers should check in advance or be prepared for possible local entrance charges during the tour.