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Italy

Puglia, Basilicata & Calabria: Southern Italy From “Heel” to “Toe”

Program No. 20221RJ
Discover the “sole” of Southern Italy as you journey along the Italian “boot,” learning about diverse architecture, medieval villages and the vibrant culture of this ancient land.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
17 days
Program Begins
Lecce
Program Concludes
Reggio Calabria
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
32 ( 15B, 12L, 5D )
Activity Level
Journey into the heart of Southern Italy to experience the quaint villages and vibrant cultures whose traditions and landscapes can be traced to ancient times. Investigate the scenic coastline, medieval villages, and Greek and Roman archaeology of Calabria “the toe” and Puglia “the heel” of the Italian “boot.”
Best of all, you'll...
  • View the famed bronzes housed at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, exploring prehistoric Greco-Roman and medieval antiquities.
  • Explore the unique trulli constructions of Alberobello and the troglodyte dwellings of Sassi di Matera, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Discover Romanesque and Baroque cathedrals and monuments in the shade of majestic castles and noble palaces.
General Notes
Due to Calabria's mountainous region and complex road network, driving times can range from 1-4 hours per day between towns & villages.
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Emanuela D'Andria
Emanuela D’Andria graduated with a degree in interpreting French and English from the Higher School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators at the University of Trieste. She has been creating and leading educational explorations throughout Italy and abroad since 1998, including programs in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany. and Holland. Emanuela has enjoyed leading Road Scholar programs since 2006.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Profile Image of Gianluca Tonti
Gianluca Tonti
Gianluca Tonti studied Middle Age history at the Università Statale di Milano with a thesis about taxation and politics during the 15th century. After graduating, he attended the Archivio di Stato in Milan. Upon returning to Apulia, he worked with historical researchers in the local archives and teaches local history. Gianluca began working as a travel leader in Puglia in 2009 and became certified in 2012. He currently works with English-speaking groups in Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily.
Profile Image of Paolo Maragliulo
Paolo Maragliulo
Paolo Maragliulo has been an exploration leader since 2000. He studied preservation of the cultural heritage, specializing in art and history from the beginning of the XI century to the end of the XVIII century. He now works for travel and bike exploration companies. Tall and theatrical, he is passionate about his region and loves cycling and bikepacking. After so many years of exploration and experiential study, he knows a lot about historical, cultural, and agricultural aspects of southern Italian everyday life.
Profile Image of Fabio Congedo
Fabio Congedo
Fabio Congedo specialized in classical archaeology and worked as a professional archaeologist in Italy and abroad. The excavations in Egypt, with Columbia University in New York, represented some of the most exciting moments of his career as an archaeologist. He has worked as a tour guide and group leader in different regions of Italy, combining two of his main passions, history and travel. Telling the history of Italy, its masterpieces, and its mysterious civilizations is also the basis of another of his passions, writing.
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Daniela D'amato
Daniela D’Amato's professional experience as a group leader began three decades ago while she was obtaining a degree at the University of Bari as an art historian. As soon as she graduated, she became aware that being a travel leader is meant to gather several factors such as emotions, sensitivity, paying attention to the most authentic details, reliability, and pragmatism. She enjoys singing, acting, reading, cooking, and traveling.
Profile Image of Alfio Russo
Alfio Russo
Alfio Russo, a native Sicilian, lived in the USA until he was 10 years old. When he returned to Sicily, he continued his studies until he graduated as a dental technician. He has more recently been working as a group leader, leading visitors in his region and in southern Italy. His passion is wine, having inherited a vineyard from his father. He has been playing the bass for 30 years, collaborating with different groups in his area.
Profile Image of Annunziata Bruno
Annunziata Bruno
Annunziata Bruno, from Calabria, holds a degree in foreign languages and literature from Naples. She has spent a decade directing her tour operator, crafting itineraries in Calabria and Italy. Now, she is a passionate group leader in Southern Italy, viewing her role as a mission to share the region's identity. Her interests include medieval history, art, architecture, literature, and preserving Calabrian traditions through cooking and making traditional salumi and preserves.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking and standing on paved and cobblestone sidewalks for up to four miles per day. Field trips involve walking on uneven ground and some stairs without railings.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (9 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.