Walking, Food & Wine Tour in Calabria
This handcrafted journey combines scenic walks through Calabria’s countryside with the region’s most genuine culinary experiences. You will explore ancient villages, olive groves and quiet coastal trails, discovering local life through the people who live and work on this land. Each day blends gentle walking with unforgettable meals, from rustic trattorie to private vineyard lunches and family-run cooking experiences.
Designed for travellers who love both movement and authenticity, this tour offers the perfect rhythm of exploration and relaxation. With a certified walking guide leading the way and each experience thoughtfully curated, you will enjoy a deeper connection to Calabria, its landscapes, traditions and timeless flavours.
Day 1
Arrival in Tropea
Arrive at Lamezia Terme Airport or train station, where you will be transferred to your accommodation in the seaside town of Tropea. Take time to settle in, wander through the cobbled streets and enjoy the sea views from the terraces above the Tyrrhenian coast. In the evening, a welcome dinner featuring regional Calabrian dishes and local wine will introduce you to the flavours of the week ahead.
Day 2
Walk from Caria to Tropea
After breakfast, meet your guide and drive to the hilltop village of Caria, perched 450 metres above sea level. From here, begin your walk through olive groves and quiet country paths overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast. The trail passes ancient stone buildings and farmland where time seems to stand still.
Enjoy a traditional Calabrian lunch at a local trattoria. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon to relax and explore the beauty of Tropea.
Day 3
Walk from Lago Angitola to Pizzo Calabro
Today’s walk begins north of Tropea, in the province of Vibo Valentia, at Lago Angitola, a tranquil lake created in 1966 on the old bed of the Angitola River. Surrounded by rolling hills and olive groves, the area’s mild climate attracts more than one hundred species of birds. From here, your trail leads to the remains of an ancient fortress where sections of the original walls still stand, offering a glimpse into Calabria’s past.
Continue walking toward the beautiful seaside town of Pizzo Calabro, descending gradually with panoramic views over the Gulf of Lamezia Terme and the northern mountain range of La Catena Costiera, crowned by Monte Cucuzzo. Upon arrival, explore the charming historic centre of Pizzo, where you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with regional wine. Afterwards, indulge in the town’s famous artisan gelato, the tartufo di Pizzo.
Total walking time is approximately three hours, with 200 metres uphill and 200 metres downhill.
Day 4
Hands-On Cooking Class in Brattirò
Today is dedicated to a hands-on Calabrian cooking experience at a beautiful family home in the countryside near Tropea. You will be welcomed with a generous tasting of regional cheeses, cured meats and homemade wine before gathering under the grapevines to prepare a variety of authentic dishes. Using seasonal produce from the garden and locally sourced ingredients, you will learn to make fresh pasta, meat or seafood specialities and classic desserts in a relaxed outdoor setting.
After the class, sit together at the long table to enjoy the meal you have created, paired with local wines and followed by homemade liqueurs. It is a joyful and immersive day that captures the warmth and generosity of Calabrian life.
Day 5
Walk from Papaglionti to Zungri
Today’s walk begins in Papaglionti, one of Calabria’s few abandoned towns. Once damaged by a flood in 1952, the village remains untouched, its narrow lanes and crumbling houses preserving the quiet memory of another time. As you explore with your guide, you will pass old churches, stone walls and shaded courtyards that recall the rhythm of village life as it once was.
The path continues through the countryside toward Zungri, descending into a valley that crosses a waterline and an ancient bridge before reaching an old wheat mill. Your walk ends in Zungri, known for its fascinating cave dwellings dating back to 800 BC. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature before returning to Tropea for a relaxed evening.
Total walking time is approximately four hours, with 600 metres uphill and 600 metres downhill.
Day 6
Vineyard Visit and Wine Pairing Lunch
Today we travel north of Tropea to visit a private family-run vineyard known for reviving ancient grape varieties of Greek origin. The owners will welcome you to their estate, where they produce some of Calabria’s most acclaimed wines. You will tour the vineyard and learn how traditional methods and modern care have brought new life to these historic vines, producing wines that reflect the character of the land.
A private wine-pairing lunch follows among the vines, served beneath a shaded canopy overlooking the countryside. You will taste four of the estate’s most celebrated wines, each thoughtfully paired with regional dishes. The meal is entirely home-cooked from scratch by the owner’s mother, offering an intimate and authentic Calabrian experience shared in the warmth of a family table.
Day 7
Walk in Palmi and Lunch at Monte Sant’Elia
Today’s walk begins in Palmi, a town surrounded by lush forests and overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast. The trail leads through groves of chestnut trees and along an ancient stone path once used by villagers travelling with their donkeys. You will cross a small bridge and continue through shaded woodland before reaching a scenic viewpoint with sweeping coastal vistas.
From there, the walk continues to Monte Sant’Elia, where you will enjoy a relaxed lunch at a family-run trattoria featuring traditional Calabrian dishes. After lunch, visit the nearby Church of Sant’Elia, built in honour of the hermit monk who lived on the mountain in the 17th century, before descending back toward Palmi along the ancient stone steps.
Total walking time is approximately four hours, with 350 metres uphill and 350 metres downhill.
Day 8
Fish Auction in Vibo Marina and Seafood Dinner by the Sea
This morning and early afternoon are yours to relax and enjoy Tropea at your own pace. You may choose to spend time at the beach, explore the old town or simply unwind with a view of the sea.
In the late afternoon, travel to Vibo Marina, Calabria’s bustling fishing port, to witness the excitement of the local fish auction as the boats return from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Watch the fishermen unload their catch and see local restaurant owners bid for the freshest seafood of the day. Afterwards, join Chef Enzo at his seaside restaurant to watch a short cooking demonstration before enjoying an exceptional seafood dinner overlooking the sunset and the calm evening sea.
Day 9
Departure Day
Farewell to Tropea. A private transfer will take you to Lamezia Terme Airport or train station for your onward journey.
What’s Included
- Private transfers to and from Lamezia Terme Airport or train station
- Eight nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast in a centrally located boutique property in Tropea
- Welcome dinner with local wines
- English-speaking certified walking guide throughout the tour
- Private driver for all excursions and activities listed in the itinerary
- Four guided walking excursions across Calabria
- Hands-on cooking class in Brattirò with full meal and wine
- Vineyard visit and wine-pairing lunch
- Guided visit to Lago Angitola and Pizzo Calabro with lunch included
- Guided visit to Vibo Marina and seafood dinner by the sea
- All meals and wines as specified in the itinerary
- All entrance fees to places listed in the program
