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A room overlooking the Gulf of Polycastro


Street scene in Maratea
Dino Island at Praia a Mare


 Marina of Maratea


The coast near Maratea


 Hotel Consilinum - Padula


 The painted city


 Terrace in Diamante

An unforgettable week
on Italy's Citrus Coast
All meals, transportation (except Airfare) and accommodation.

This guided tour has been specially created by the VisitsItaly Travel Center for travelers who want to combine great-value accommodations, fabulous cuisine, incredible scenery, mind-boggling historical and architectural discoveries, and a ton of fun into an affordable travel package.

Cost

May Tours
 Approx. USD $2295/person
(airfare not included)

June - October Tours
 Approx. USD $2695/person
(airfare not included)

All accommodation, all meals, all ground transport
included.

Travel Itinerary (Proposed)
Airline Alitalia or other selected airline
Tour Dates
(Your choice!)		 May 7th - 15th
May 21st - 29th
June 4th - 12th
June 18th - 26th		 Sept. 10th-17th
Sept. 24th- Oct. 1st
Oct. 15th - 22nd

Accommodations & Meals

Guests on the Maratea Tour will be accommodated at
one of 6 hotels on the Maratea coastline.

Guests will stay at
the fabulous
 San Diego Hotel
in Maratea
More info

Click here for more information about Maratea, and all the amazing VisitsItaly hotels.

Day Trips and Entertainment
Day 1

 Arriving in Maratea
Relax on the premises of Hotel San Diego.  Enjoy strolls through the grounds and take a dip in the cascading pools set overlooking the Mediterranean sea.  Remember, during your trip, all meals are included.  Most days, you will have breakfast and dinner at the hotel, and lunch at one of the fabulous places you'll be visiting - all days except Day 5.
Day 2

 Discover Maratea
At 10:00, after breakfast we'll take you to Maratea town, which is a charming village filled with interesting shops and over 47 churches!  We'll explore the medieval lane ways and some of the town's most antique churches.  From here, we'll ascend higher into the mountains,  just behind the town, where you will be astounded to see, inside the vicinity an ancient Byzantine village, a giant 100 foot high statue.  This is Christ the Redeemer - the Sassi - looking out across the Gulf of Policastro with outstretched arms. In this same vicinity is the Church of San Biagio, one of the most ancient churches in the region.  After a day of exploring, we''ll enjoy a traditional lucanian dinner at the Loccanda di Nettuno, which over looks the sparkling waters of the mediterranean.  After dinner, we'll go to the Romantic Port of Maratea, for an after dinner stroll under the star-filled sky in a superbly stunning setting of palm trees and yachts bobbing in the Marina. 
Day 3

 A trip to Padula
At 10:00 we will leave the hotel for
Padula, which is in the Region of Campania north of Maratea.  We'll visit one of Europe's largest Monasteries the Certosa di San Lorenzo, brimming with marvelous works of art that few visitors to Southern Italy ever see.  After we will take lunch on the premises of an old-roman villa that's been renovated by its artist-owner.   The Consilinum - an "archeo-hotel" located near the top of the town, overlooking the immense Dianum Valley.  After lunch at the hotel we'll take you on a tour to some of the surrounding towns and then head back to the hotel for dinner. 
Day 4

 An relaxing day in Praia a Mare
 The Calabrian seaside town of Praia A Mare is just 10 KM from Scalea  It Features 2 miles of pristine beaches.   Praia is a great place to dip your toes (or more) into the Tyrrhenian Sea.  You can also take a paddle boat tour of the unbelievable caves that have been carved into the cliffs of Dino Island.  Your on your own to swim and stroll during the morning hours, but we'll all gather for lunch at one of Praia's best restaurants.  Afterwards, we'll take you to a very old church inside a cave on a hill just behind the town and then depart by boat, back to the port of Maratea.
Day 5

 Wine and Cheese Tasting at The Fabulous Norman ruins of Cirella
A few miles south of Maratea there is another coastal town called Cirella. At the top of the mountain behind Cirella is the ruin of an ancient Roman fort, with a 180 degree view of the entire Gulf of Polycastro.  Close by the ruins there is a modern amphitheatre that is worth seeing  and views of distant hill top towns, hanging precariously over deep chasms. Beautiful!  You will enjoy a lunch time feast at the Fattoria di Arieste and an Italian cooking course, which is located in a picturesque valley between the villages of Maierà and Grisolia.  The charming atmosphere and this "taste" of the South will enchant you.
Day 6

 Diamante and the Winery at Grand Hoel San Michele
 You're going to love this - a trip to one of Calabria's most colourful and intriguing towns, Diamante and a mesmerizing trip to one of the grandest hotels along the Cedri Riviera, complete with sprawling vineyards, olive groves and lush gardens - The San Michele Estate is is a vineyard, bird sanctuary and ecological masterpiece all in one.  We'll arrive before lunch, then descend in a private elevator 300 feet down a sheer cliff face to the hotel's private beach where you will soon be agog at the crystal blue waters, the rolling surf, and the warm breezes blowing in off the ocean.  A mouth-watering lunch, comprised mostly of food cultivated on San Michele's own farm, will be served on the terrace, which offers beautiful views of the Calabrian seascape and coastal towns. 
Day 7

 Pizzo, Tropea and Scilla .  
This will be a big day, as there are 2 hours travelling time involved in reaching and getting back from our destinations, but the drive (in the comfortable coach will be well worth it. We'll leave at 7AM and head south to our first stop, Pizzo, which is one of Calabria's prettiest fishing villages. From here, we'll head south to Tropea, which is carved out of Sand Stone and is literally a work of art unto itself.  We'll have lunch here, then head to Scilla, where you can explore this fascinating and ancient town, filled with Greek myth Odysseus is said to have landed here after his 7 year journey) and architecture.   There are fortresses, castles and ancient fountains throughout the town, and houses are built (seemingly) right on the water.  That night, we'll stay in Amantea, at Hotel Mediterraneo, which is closer to the Lamezia airport where we'll be flying out of the next morning early!
Day 8

 Time to say goodbye
We'll be departing from Lamezia airport which is close to Amantea.  You won't want to leave, but not to worry.  You can come back anytime. Take your time packing and saying so long to your new friends.  Then board the bus for the ride to Naples, and "Arrivederci Italy".

The Cuisine of Southern Italy
Your meals can be ordered  "International" style, or you can eat like the locals.

Southern Italian food is simple, robust and delicious!  Everything is made fresh everyday.

Breakfast - eggs, sausage, toast, or cornettos.  Fabulous Italian coffee.  Tea if you prefer.

Main courses: fresh fish, chicken and meat. Local tomatoes and vegetables.  Pasta of course - usually baked and seasoned with basil, rosemary and oregano.

Your palette will be delighted with a variety of incredible  cheeses and a variety of  southern wines.  For desert: wonderful pastries, gelato, chocolate fantasies, figs, lemons, and other local fruits.