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Coastal view of Scilla in Reggio Calabria, Italy, showing colorful buildings along the rocky shoreline at the base of lush green hills.
Italy

Calabria: Ancient History & Enduring Traditions

Program No. 25751RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
10 days
Program Begins
Catanzaro
Program Concludes
Reggio Calabria
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
18 ( 8B, 6L, 4D )
Activity Level
From
4,149
Journey through Calabria, where ancient Greek heritage, medieval villages and enduring traditions reveal a lesser-known side of southern Italy. Explore archaeological sites that trace the region's roots to Magna Graecia and stand before the celebrated Riace Bronzes, masterpieces of classical Greek sculpture. In Scilla, learn how the waters of the Strait of Messina inspired the legend of Scylla and Charybdis, then experience Calabria's living Greek heritage in communities where centuries-old language and traditions endure. Explore medieval villages and mountain landscapes, meet local producers and learn about distinctive regional specialties, from bergamot to the celebrated tartufo of Pizzo.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Stand before the celebrated Riace Bronzes and explore archaeological sites that reveal Calabria's extraordinary legacy as part of Magna Graecia.
  • Experience Calabria's Grecanic heritage in Amendolea, where centuries-old Greek language and traditions endure, and meet local producers to learn about the cultivation of bergamot.
  • Explore Scilla and its seaside Chianalea district as you learn how these waters inspired the ancient Greek legend of Scylla and Charybdis.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Laura Pomara was born and continues to reside in Reggio Calabria. She studied languages at the University of Messina and worked in different jobs ranging from accountant to junior export manager; since March 2022, she has been a group leader in the South of Italy. She is very passionate about Calabria, its history, and its traditions. During her spare time, she loves to follow her passions: playing tennis, reading, and traveling.
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.
Pietro Paviglianiti is a passionate and experienced group leader with a strong background in tourism. Born and raised in the historic city of Reggio Calabria, he creates unforgettable travel experiences by combining deep local knowledge, engaging storytelling, and cultural insight. More than just a guide, Pietro is a true cultural ambassador. Whether leading historical tours, managing logistics, or handling unexpected challenges, he brings energy, professionalism, and care to every journey, ensuring that each traveler enjoys a meaningful, safe, and enriching adventure.
Activity Level
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Learn About Activity Levels
Walking up to 3 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over uneven terrain, inclines and cobblestones. Standing up to 2 hours per day. Program will require approximately 13 miles of walking over 10 days. Must be able to use stairs, often without handrails, in order to navigate field trip sites. Buses are used for transportation to and from field trips and require between 1.5 hours to  2.5 hours of driving time with breaks. Due to unavoidable stairs & lack of elevators at field trip sites, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
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 Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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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.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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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.

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Sustainable Travel

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

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