Calabria All Inclusive: Italy’s Hidden Gem

Your holiday starts when you meet your Tour Manager and group at London Stansted this morning, ready for a flight to Lamezia Terme in Calabria. On arrival in the unspoilt toe of Italy, we transfer by coach to our delightful resort hotel in Tropea.

The immediate impression of Calabria is a fertile land of olive groves and citrus trees, which we see on our journey to Tropea, along with glimpses of the azure Tyrrhenian Sea, as we drive down the coast to the hotel. This attractive 4-Star resort has views across Tropea and the blue sea from its hillside location. With an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace, it is a great place to relax.

Drinks are available between 10am and 10pm each day.

After a leisurely breakfast, today we to get to know the local area on a guided tour of Tropea. Named 'Italy's most beautiful village' in 2021, the town's historic centre is perched on a rugged cliffside overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tropea epitomises Calabrian beauty and, with dazzling white beaches, dramatic rock formations and a history bathed in myth and legend, it is a perfect introduction to the undiscovered delights of the region.

From the centre, there are great views of the monastery Santa Maria dell'Isola, which sits in gardens on top of a steep, rocky outcrop. Formerly an island, the rock now juts out to sea between the town's gorgeous sandy beaches.

After a buffet lunch at the hotel, this afternoon is free to explore independently. You could return to explore the characterful Old Town or unwind by the pool at the hotel. Dinner is included tonight while drinks are available from 10am to 10pm.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we transfer to Rosarno station to catch the train to Reggio Calabria, the region's main city. Despite its size and importance, Reggio has a rural atmosphere, and is known as 'Bergamot City' because the aromatic citrus fruit flourishes in this area. The fruit's uplifting fragrance is added to products ranging from perfumes to Earl Grey tea.

The city's other claim to fame is that the 'most beautiful kilometre in Italy' is here. Lined by Art Nouveau buildings and adorned with palm trees, the leafy esplanade offers views across the Strait of Messina to Sicily - an ideal spot to enjoy your picnic lunch.

There's time to look around before we travel by train to Scilla. Named after the Greek mythological sea monster Scylla, the town cascades down a headland to a picturesque bay backdropped by rugged mountains. This delightful fishing village is packed with history. On a promontory high above the bay is the Castello Ruffo, with a heritage stretching back to the pre-Roman Etruscans, while the small Baroque Chiesa Dello Spirito Santo sits beneath it.

In the early evening, we return by rail and coach to the hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free to relax or explore Tropea at your own pace. There's lots to explore in the historic centre. Among the winding lanes of historic, pastel-coloured houses are small piazzas where you can enjoy a coffee or gelato at an outdoor café. Or maybe discover one of Tropea's white-sand beaches that lie on the 'Costa degli Dei' or Coast of the Gods.

Tropea and Calabria's laid-back charm is captured in the village's narrow lanes and the faded glamour of its once-grand palazzos that overlook tranquil piazzas. Several lanes open out on to spectacular views of the coastline. On one of the finest squares, you will find the impressive Norman cathedral with arched cloisters. Inside the church is a Byzantine icon of the Madonna of Romania, who is said to have protected the town from earthquakes.

If you prefer a day of relaxing, you could spend time at the hotel with a refreshing drink from the included selection.

Lunch and dinner are available at your hotel, but local delicacies include 'nduja sausage with fileja pasta, or swordfish with Tropea red onion.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we step back in time on a visit to the historic towns and villages of the Calabrian hills. Travelling by coach, in the highlands of the Calabrian Serre is our first destination, Serra San Bruno. This enchanting village is nestled in the mountains, surrounded by woodland and crowned by a serene monastery whose hermitage and grounds provide insights into the spiritual lives of monks.

Serra San Bruno was originally inhabited by the builders and artisans involved in the construction of the monastery. Today, its quaint town centre seems untouched by time, with ancient stone buildings and a warren of quiet, winding lanes.

We continue to Soriano, in the 'Serre Vibonesi', 300 meters above sea level. The village is believed to have ancient origins (as early as 700 years before Christ) and is thought to be founded by Syrians, hence its name. Here we visit the Sanctuary of San Domenico, once one of the most important convents in Europe, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1783. There is also time to visit the small shops of Soriano where skilled craftsmen work.

We return to the hotel by coach, travelling across the hills in time for dinner and drinks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With a free morning in Tropea, you could make use of the free shuttle service to the hotel's private beach, returning in time for lunch.

This afternoon, we transfer to the port for a cruise across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Stromboli. Rising to a conical summit, this captivating Aeolian Island is exactly what you might expect from a volcano island. With free time to explore Stromboli village, nestled beside dramatic black-sand beaches, you could stop at a trattoria to try the local seafood pasta for dinner. The Church of San Vincenzo Ferreri - with its white marble interior - stands on the Piazzo San Vincenzo, with panoramic views of the sea and the island.

At sunset, we return to the sea as the boat sails round to the 'Sciara del Fuoco' (Stream of Fire) to view the volcano's epic natural light show, as fountains of glowing lava burst against the night sky, demonstrating why the island is nicknamed 'the lighthouse of the Mediterranean'. We anchor nearby to watch the eruptions before returning to the hotel.

Please note: dinner is not included on Day 6 as we cruise to Stromboli. However, it is available in the hotel as usual if you choose to opt out of this excursion.

In certain circumstances, the cruise to Stromboli is unable to run. If this is the case, we take a day trip round the Aeolian Islands. On a tour of these beautiful volcanic islands, we view Stromboli, Lipari and Vulcano - each with their own charm and attractions.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After a leisurely morning, we take the train to Pizzo, a coastal town where pastel-coloured houses cling to the cliffside, leading to a sandy beach with crystalline waters. On arrival, we transfer into the town centre by Piaggio Ape Calessino, an iconic Italian three-wheeled motorcycle similar to a tuktuk that became popular in the 1960s and is still loved for its retro appeal.

Pizzo perfectly fuses laid-back resort with historic town and its attractions include the Church of Piedigrotta carved into a cave under the cliffside, which we visit. Inside, religious sculptures are illuminated by shafts of light cascading from above. Afterwards, we head to a local café to sample the town's speciality - Tartufo di Pizzo, a delicious chocolate and hazelnut gelato dessert.

Then there's time to explore at your own pace. Perhaps enjoy your picnic lunch on the promenade overlooking the marina or savour views of the coast from the 15th-century Castello Murat. Pizzo's old town is a great place to wander before we transfer back to the station by Ape Calessino, arriving back in Tropea in early evening. Tonight is our final dinner in Calabria.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We say our goodbyes to Tropea this morning as a coach transfers us to the airport at Lamezia Terme. As we drive through the sun-backed terrain, glimpsing the azure sea, there's time to look back on our holiday in undiscovered Calabria. With its idyllic coastal towns and sleepy mountain villages, spectacular volcanic islands, and the scents and flavours of its trattorias and gelaterias - the unspoilt toe of Italy bursts with Italian beauty, but without the crowds of other regions.

• Breakfast, Lunch