Walking and Cooking Tour in Tropea 2019

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Vibo Valentia region as you explore through the lush, rolling hills of the countryside in this unique walking and cooking tour. This itinerary gives you the opportunity to visit local food artisans, tour an organic vineyard and take personalized cooking classes from one of Calabria’s finest chefs.

One of the most beautiful provinces in Calabria, the Vibo Valentia region boasts beautiful panoramic views. Rolling hills give way to lush valleys boasting quaint villages and hamlets with the Tyrrhenian Sea as a sparkling backdrop. You’ll explore mountainous areas such as Monte Poro which towers 710 meters above sea level. In town, you’ll find producers of pecorino cheese, bread makers, salami producers and other food artisans.

You’ll picnic in a private vineyard and cook in a rustic al fresco kitchen at a farm surrounded by olive groves and learn the secrets of Calabrese cuisine alongside our Calabrese cooks.

A walk through Calabria offers another unique experience. You’ll explore an authentic, untouched part of the region as you walk along ancient trails exploring medieval churches and villages along the way with breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, lush green hilltops and mountains.

Your base is set in Tropea where you’ll be able to enjoy the city’s center, full of restaurants, bars and shops. Tropea also sits 20 meters above one of Italy’s most famous and scenic beaches.

Your Guide

Your guide, Anita, is an experienced trekking guide and local of the Vibo Valentia province. She is devoted to exploring the beautiful region of Calabria and creating the most scenic and unique hiking routes specially for your walking and cooking tour. As you walk, Anita will introduce you to the wonderful sights, smells and tastes of the region.

Accommodations

There is a choice of 2 lovely bed and breakfasts to accommodate you.

Both are within a short distance of each other and include breakfast, a private bathroom, internet access, telephone and air conditioning.

Tour Highlights

• Scenic hikes boasting beautiful views
• Visits to local food artisans, including cheese makers, bread makers and salami producers Wine tasting at a local vineyard
• Cooking classes in a local cassetta Lunch with locals at a rustic farm in the countryside of Calabria Visits to remote beaches of Vibo Valentia

Level

The level of this itinerary is medium. Walks can last up to 3 hours with short breaks in between. The itinerary has been carefully made, and most of the hiking is downhill with a few uphill areas.

There will be a private car and driver on hand during all walking excursions.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Walk through Tropea’s historic center and welcome dinner

Transfer to your accomodations in Tropea.
Settle in and admire the lovely medieval views of Tropea’s historic center. Meet your guide Anita at the hotel.

Explore Tropea’s historic center with Anita and Antonio, an artist and historian. You’ll be able to meet shop owners and taste the region’s authentic fare like the cipolla rossa – red onions of Tropea – and the many differents jams and condiments made from this famous onion.

Continue your walk along the town’s ancient cobblestone streets and learn about the history of Tropea.The trail continues down to the most beautiful beach in all of Italy where you’ll see the famous landmark, ‘Santa Maria del Isola’ which sits proudly on the sea.

Enjoy a welcome dinner in one of our favorite eateries in Tropea

Day 2 – Monte Poro, soap making and a picnic lunch

After breakfast, we’ll head to Monte Poro. Monte Poro sits 710 meters above sea level and is surrounded by rolling hills and medieval hamlets.

Meet Anita at the top of the mountain and move inland along a fascinating trail of olive groves and vineyards. You will visit a local soap maker of the area

Picnic lunch prepared by a local signora under a pineta in Monte Poro

The rest of the day is free.

Dinner at a local pizzeria, specializing in wood-fire, brick oven pizzas.

Day 3 – Nature walk in Caria with and visit to an ancient flour mill

After breakfast, we’ll head to Caria, a small village located 10 minutes north of Tropea.

You’ll have a guided walk through Caria and follow with a visit to a privately-owned ancient flour mill which dates back to medieval times. We’ll meet Gregorio whose family has owned the flour mill for 4 generations. He’ll show how the mill functions and works – producing flour even today.

We’ll enjoy a lovely Calabrian picnic lunch with local wine and contadino style frittatas, prepared by a local signora.

Transport back to Tropea for a break.

The rest of the day is free.

Day 4 – Palmi and lunch

Your trek starts in Palmi where you’ll hike through a grove of chestnut trees along an ancient stone path that was once built for villagers traveling by donkey. You’ll pass a small bridge and arrive at a beautiful forest which lends way to spectacular views of the Calabrian coast below.

From the forest, you’ll continue on to Monte Elias. A short walk to the top and you’ll arrive at a family run trattoria.

Enjoy lunch at this local eatery.

After lunch, we’ll stop to visit an ancient church of Monte Elias, built to dedicate the life of the monk Elias who lived as a hermit in the 17th century. From there, we’ll descend back to Palmi along ancient wooden steps. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure.

Day 5 – Wine Tour in Brattiro’

We will meet local wine producer Francesco Rombola and tour his vineyards and cantina.

Francesco has dedicated 10 years in reviving ancient vineyards which date back from the 1400s. He has made and perfected a 5 year red which features the magliocco grape which is exclusive to the area of Brattiro in Calabria.

We will then follow with a wine tasting including homemade 3 course meal prepared by Francesco’s wife.

Transport back to Tropea

Transfer back to Tropea and enjoy some downtime for the evening.

Day 6 – Cooking class with Peppe and Vera in their family run farm

Today’s class at Vera and Peppe’s will include an array of pasta, fish and meat dishes from their town in Brattiro which is located 10 minutes in the hills above Tropea. We will visit their farm where they produce their own olive oil, cured meats and wine from their vineyard. We will cook alongside Vera and learn the secrets to their wonderful calabrese cuisine.

Farewell calabrian feast to follow.

Day 7 – Transfer to airport or train station at Lamezia Terme

Say Arriverderci to Calabria.

Transfer to airport or train station.