Introduction

A Calabrian culinary adventure awaits you and your children on this eight-day gastronomical tour set in picturesque Capo Vaticano.  Nestled quaintly between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, this region boasts majestic mountain ranges, unspoiled beaches, and remarkable landscapes.  Once here, you will experience all of the region’s beauty while your children will become immersed in genuine Italian culture – learning Italian phrases, experiencing life on an organic farm and of course, relishing the flavors of authentic, homemade Calabrese cuisine they’ve helped prepare.

Your vacation is set at a remote, relaxing family beach resort in the scenic coastal town of Capo Vaticano where towering granite cliffs, magnificent ocean views, and unparalleled beaches will transport you back to the days of old Italy. Nicknamed Costa Degli Dei – Coast of the Gods – the white sand beaches and turquoise waters of this undiscovered paradise add serenity to this old-world town.   Often at times, capers grow wild along the coast – a hint of the regional flavors still to come on your family’s culinary journey. 

As the personal guests of resort owners Roberto and Rosanna Di Marco, you and your family will enjoy undivided attention and impeccable service –from intimate cooking lessons for your children to private transportation and guided tours for the whole family. 

During the week, Rosanna will guide your children in a series of kid-friendly cooking lessons, teaching them to make sweets, fruity syrups, gelato, handmade pastas, and more.  Rosanna’s recipes – all made from organic, seasonal produce grown from their farm – will vary from season to season.  Visit during the spring, and your children are likely to pick succulent strawberries straight from the vine, discover the enticing aromas of wild herbs like chamomile, and gather peas, eggplant, and fava beans straight from the Di Marco’s organic, family farm.  The summer months bring peaches, pears, figs, and ripe raspberries perfect for making gelato.   During the fall, children can wander through lush vineyards and pick ripe grapes perfect for making tasty, sweet syrups.

A Taste of Calabria

During your stay at the resort, you and your family will take day trips to famous locales and charming seaside villages like Tropea and Pizzo.  You will discover the sweet, red onions that made the town of Tropea famous and see the peperoncinos that decorate the windows of local produce markets and add zing to Calabria’s pork paté called nduja.   Kids can nibble on pizza, and watch the production of traditional Italian pasta, just like they will learn to make.  Pizzo – famous for its gelato tartufo – will satisfy your sweet tooth with just one taste.  

Close to the resort lies Nona Nora’s farm where your children can discover the wonder of life on an organic farm – from picking fresh produce and meandering through flourishing fruit orchards to helping with the farm animals and learning centuries-old agricultural secrets; your children will learn how the children of Italy live.  After a visit to the farm, they will help prepare bread dough, pizza, and traditional Italian pasta.  

Resort Accommodations

In addition to its kid-friendly, culinary classes, the resort offers a host of other activities for children and parents to partake in.  At Nona Nora’s farm, children can visit the mules and miniature horses, help feed the animals, and milk cows and goats.  In the summertime, the resort hosts a children’s outdoor theater so kids can sing, dance, play, and watch puppet shows.  

Between adventures, you and your family will enjoy a spacious air-conditioned suite with a kitchen, private bath, terrace, self-service bar, television, and phone.  During your downtime, take a peaceful walk through the green pines, olive and eucalyptus trees that surround the resort, take a refreshing swim in the pool, or dig your toes into the white sand at the resort’s private beach.  As a guest of the Di Marco’s, you will also have access to the tennis court and activities including open water diving, horseback riding, and windsurfing. 

Click here view photos of the resort accommodations!

Itinerary

Day 1

• Transportation from the airport or train station to the resort is provided. 
• Arrive at your new home for the next 8 days - the Di Marcos' comfortable, family resort in Calabria's Capo Vaticano. Take a moment to settle into your spacious suite, and take in the view from your private terrace.
• Savor the unique flavors of your first Calabrian meal during your welcome dinner at the resort's private restaurant, Le Macine, and unwind as you sip on regional varietals. Soft drinks will be provided for the children.

Day 2

• Start your day with a complimentary buffet-style breakfast at the resort.
• Join Rosanna on a morning trip to Nonna Nora's farm, situated near the Di Marco's resort. Here, your children will meet the animals on the farm and learn about organic farming techniques.
• Return to the resort, and eat lunch on your own.
• After lunch, take an afternoon ride to the nearby medieval town of Tropea, where you will find one of Italy's most beautiful beaches and spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Adults can explore the city's historic cathedrals and museums, wander through ancient streets, and stroll through gourmet markets while children get their first taste of homemade gelato.
• On your drive back to the resort, stop and take in the breathtaking views of the Southern Italian coastline and marvel at the amazing, volcanic Aeolian Islands.
• For dinner, dine on delicious Calabrian cuisine at Le Macine.

Day 3

• Begin your day with a complimentary buffet-style breakfast at the resort.
• After breakfast, children will enjoy their first cooking lesson with Rosanna.
• For lunch, join your children, and enjoy the meal they helped prepare. Wine and soft drinks will be served to complement.
• In the afternoon, your personal guide will escort your family to Pizzo - home of the famous gelato tartufo. Walk through the historic streets of this beautiful, beach town as you take in the art, history, and scenery. Then visit the ancient Piede di grotta church where history and legend abound. The church is decorated by a host of stone sculptures dating back to 1850 and is lit only by candlelight.
• Arrive home, and dine at Le Macine. Wine, coffee, and soft drinks will be served with dinner.

Day 4

• Start your day with the resort's complimentary buffet-style breakfast.
• After breakfast Rosanna will escort your children to Nona Nora's farm. From there they will explore and learn about various farming techniques and depending on the season, pick fruits and vegetables for their cooking lesson.
• Return to Rosanna's kitchen for the morning cooking lesson.
• Lunch will be served after the cooking lesson at the resort.
• The afternoon is free to spend as you like engaging in one of the resort's many activities. Lounge by the pool, or relax on the sandy, white beach. Hike or bike through the mountain trails surrounding the resort, or ride horses through the countryside. Play a leisurely game of tennis, or windsurf on the crystal waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Transportation will be available for ventures into Tropea or nearby sights.
• Enjoy dinner at Le Macine.

Day 5

• Wake up, and start your day with the resort's complimentary buffet-style breakfast.
• Today we will take you on a trip to a cheese factory where your children can witness the production of the cheeses produced, There are many animals on the farm and a contadino style lunch will be served in their trattoria.
• Afternoon is at your own leisure.
• Dinner will be served at Le Macine.

Day 6

• Begin your day with a complimentary, buffet-style breakfast at the resort.
• Set off on a guided tour of Le Grotte degli Sbariati - a system of centuries-old caves where inhabitants once dwelled. Here, your children can explore and imagine what it would have been like to live there.
• Enjoy lunch at a trattoria in a small town called Brattiro.
• Afternoon, your children will take part in their third cooking lesson. In this lesson they will learn how to make sweet gelatos and fruit granitas with Rosanna.
• Enjoy dinner at Le Macine. Wine, coffee, and soft drinks are included.

Day 7

• Wake up, and enjoy the resort's complimentary, buffet-style breakfast.
• For the morning's activity, Rosanna will, once again, escort your children to Nonna Nora's farm where they will learn about farm life, feed the animals, and milk cows and goats. Additionally, they will be able to ride the farm's miniature horses and donkeys. Depending on the season, they can help plant crops and pick fresh fruits and veggies straight from the garden.
• Return to the resort, and enjoy lunch on your own.
• The afternoon is free to spend as you like engaging in one of the resort's many activities. Lounge by the pool, or sit on the sandy, white beach. Hike or bike through the mountain trails surrounding the resort, or ride horses through the countryside. Play a leisurely game of tennis, or windsurf on the crystal waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• Feast on homemade seafood pasta and grilled fish during you farewell dinner on the resort's private terrace as you watch the sun set over the water. Wine, coffee, and soft drinks will be included.

Day 8

• Begin your day with a complimentary, buffet-style breakfast at the resort.
• Check out.
• Transport to the airport or train station.

Contact us for prices and availability.

Price includes:

• Transfer to and from the airport or train station.
• Eight days and seven nights in a superior suite with private terrace at a coastal resort in Capo Vaticano.
• Breakfast daily.
• Access to resort amenities including private beach with deck chairs and beach towels per guest, swimming pool, and tennis courts. (Bike rental, horseback riding, and Scuba lessons available for an extra charge.)
• Access to special children's mini club during evenings in the months of July and August, where activities are set up under adult supervision with children's games and theater events at the resort's out door theater.
• Private driver to all locations specified in your itinerary.
• English-speaking translator during cooking lessons and excursions.
• All dinners, including dessert, wine, soft drinks and coffee.
• Three cooking classes, 2 with meal to follow. Wine and soft drinks included.
• 3 private car excursions with English speaking guide to Tropea, Pizzo and Le grotte degli Sbariati.
• Lunch in Brattiro.
• Cheese factory and farm excursion with lunch to follow.

How to get there:

Take a connecting flight to Lamezia Terme airport of Calabria or you can take a train to Ricadi train station Calabria.

Availability

This tour is available from the months of April till end of November.

Book the Children's Tour in Calabria.