loading spinner
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.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
airfare
Need airfare?
Our airfare tool can help. Check it out
climate
Plan ahead.
What kind of weather can you expect? Take a look!
itinerary
Please Note:
The itinerary for this program is different on certain dates.
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Sep 5 - Sep 21, 2023
Starting at
5,049
Sep 15 - Oct 1, 2023
Starting at
5,099
Sep 25 - Oct 11, 2023
Starting at
5,049
Oct 2 - Oct 18, 2023
Starting at
5,099
Oct 6 - Oct 22, 2023
Starting at
5,099
Oct 10 - Oct 26, 2023
Starting at
5,049
Itinerary Note

Private Group - JFRC 70-71

Oct 16 - Nov 1, 2023
Starting at
5,099
Oct 27 - Nov 12, 2023
Starting at
5,099
Dec 4 - Dec 20, 2023
Starting at
4,549
Jan 8 - Jan 24, 2024
Starting at
4,499
Feb 5 - Feb 21, 2024
Starting at
4,499
Mar 18 - Apr 3, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Apr 8 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Apr 19 - May 5, 2024
Starting at
5,099
May 3 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
5,099
May 13 - May 29, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Sep 6 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Sep 13 - Sep 29, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Sep 23 - Oct 9, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Oct 4 - Oct 20, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Oct 14 - Oct 30, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Oct 25 - Nov 10, 2024
Starting at
5,099
Oct 28 - Nov 13, 2024
Starting at
5,099
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Sep 5 - Sep 21, 2023
Starting at
5,949
Sep 15 - Oct 1, 2023
Starting at
5,999
Sep 25 - Oct 11, 2023
Starting at
5,949
Oct 2 - Oct 18, 2023
Starting at
5,999
Oct 6 - Oct 22, 2023
Starting at
5,999
Oct 10 - Oct 26, 2023
Starting at
5,949
Itinerary Note

Private Group - JFRC 70-71

Oct 16 - Nov 1, 2023
Starting at
5,999
Oct 27 - Nov 12, 2023
Starting at
5,999
Dec 4 - Dec 20, 2023
Starting at
5,399
Jan 8 - Jan 24, 2024
Starting at
5,289
Feb 5 - Feb 21, 2024
Starting at
5,289
Mar 18 - Apr 3, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Apr 8 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Apr 19 - May 5, 2024
Starting at
5,989
May 3 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
5,989
May 13 - May 29, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Sep 6 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Sep 13 - Sep 29, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Sep 23 - Oct 9, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Oct 4 - Oct 20, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Oct 14 - Oct 30, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Oct 25 - Nov 10, 2024
Starting at
5,989
Oct 28 - Nov 13, 2024
Starting at
5,989

At a Glance

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.”
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
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • View the famed bronzes housed at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, exploring prehistoric Graeco-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.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
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 this program.

Profile Image of Emanuela D'Andria
Emanuela D'Andria View biography
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.
Profile Image of Gianluca Tonti
Gianluca Tonti View biography
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 Gianluca De Francesco
Gianluca De Francesco View biography
Gianluca De Francesco is a licensed Italian professional guide with twenty years of experience, including leading hiking groups in the Calabrian mountains, working at ski resorts in the Alps and Finland, and leading cultural explorations in south Italy. He has a passion for history, archeology, and geology, which he studied at the University of Bologna. Gianluca’s true love is his Calabrian homeland, which he enthusiastically shares with visitors to his region.
Profile Image of Angelo Calianno
Angelo Calianno View biography
Angelo Calianno was born in Cisternino in the Trulli Valley. His passion for travel led him to begin exploring the world at age 18. He has lived and worked in Africa, South America, Middle East, and the UK as a guide, reporter, and photographer. He also studied ancient history, specializing in cultures of southern Italy and the Mediterranean. Love for his homeland brought Angelo back to Puglia, where he has been working as a licensed group leader in historic villages, archaeological museums, and nature trails.
Profile Image of Paolo Maragliulo
Paolo Maragliulo View biography
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.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Lonely Planet Puglia & Basilicata (Regional Travel Guide)
by Paula Hardy, Abigail Hole, Olivia Pozzan
Venturing in Italy: Travels in Puglia, Land between Two Seas
by Connie Burke and Barbara J. Euser
Masserie: The Italian Farmhouses of Puglia, 2011
by Mark Roskams and Diane Lewis
Before the Normans: Southern Italy in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries (The Middle Ages Series) 1996
by Barbara M. Kreutz
Pan' E Pomodor - My Passage To Puglia 2011
by Ian R. McEwan
Christ stopped at Eboli
by Carlo Levi
Puglia: A Culinary Memoir (Italy's Food Culture)
by Maria Pignatelli Ferrante, Natalie Danford translator, Polly Franchini and Maria Galetta consultant
Travellers Calabria (Travellers - Thomas Cook)
by Lara Dunston and Terry Carter
Romanesque Churches of Puglia (Italy)
by Approach Guides, David Raezer and Jennifer Raezer





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.