CALABRIA & AEOLIAN ISLANDS (CAI)

Tropea - Reggio Calabria – Scilla - Aeolian Islands – Stromboli – Vulcano – Lipary – Zungri - Vibo Valentia - Cosenza - Lamezia Terme - Pizzo Calabro

Tour Features:

• 9 day Escorted Tour
• First Class Hotel/Resort (4 star) with private bath
• Welcome cocktail at arrival
• 21 buffet-style meals (B, L & D)
• Mineral water with lunch and dinner
• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches and boats
• English speaking professional Tour Director
• Group transfer from/to Lamezia Terme airport or RR station

Stay and Visit® Italy – Orofino Tours presents an unforgettable tour of unspoiled places which are still being discovered by tourists and other well known international destinations: Tropea, Reggio Calabria, Scilla, Aeolian Islands (Stromboli, Vulcano and Lipari), Zungri, Vibo Valentia, Cosenza, Lamezia Terme, Pizzo Calabro). Let us whisk you away on this unique tour. All you have to do is unpack your luggage, unwind from your journey, and begin enjoying …“La Dolce Vita” while staying in our four star Grand Hotel SABBIE BIANCHE RESORT. The natural beauty of the area has not been spoiled by high rise buildings, hotel chains, fast food restaurants and huge crowds and… while in Sicily, experience the inebriating scenery and culture of the Melting Pot of Mediterranean Civilizations. The buffet-style lunches (L) and dinners (D) will include mineral water. Breakfast (B) will be continental style. Boxed lunches will be prepared by our hotel for each full day optional tour.

Day 1 - Sat - Depart from your city to Lamezia Terme (CZ).

Day 2 - Sun – Lamezia - Arrive in Lamezia Terme airport or RR station and transfer to our four star Grand Hotel Sabbie Bianche Resort. Our tour bus will depart at approximately 12:00 PM. The exact time will be communicated with the final documents. (Transfer for different dates and times will be at your expense). A welcome cocktail will be served upon arrival. This resort has 700 yards of private beach, a restaurant, 2 bars, boutique, amphitheatre, outdoor discotheque, large swimming pool, children's playground, gathering area ''il Cubino'', day and night entertainment. Beach umbrellas and chairs are provided to our guests free of charge. The sport activities include: football, basketball, volleyball, shooting range, 6 lit tennis courts and bocce ball. This hotel/resort will be our home away from home for the next 7 nights. (L & D)

Day 3 – Mon – Tropea - Half day optional tour 1 - Tropea with its historic center is built right on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea with some of the most beautiful white sand beaches as well as deep and crystal clear waters. This is a perfect vacation spot for the nature lover, sun bather, shopper, and history connoisseur alike. The sun-sets are truly spectacular with the sun setting directly on the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola with Stromboli (Aeolian Island) at the horizon. Tropea is a place that once visited, remains in your heart. (B, L & D)

Day 4 - Tue – Reggio Calabria & Scilla - Full day optional tour 2 – Reggio Calabria is the largest city of the region and home of the Versace family. Gianni and Donatella are the founders of the homonymous worldwide fashion chain including a large variety of high quality and unique perfumes for which Reggio is well known. The National Museum of Magna Grecia houses the “Bronze Riace” (Greek bronze statues dating back to the 5th century B.C.) In Reggio Calabria you will have free time to shop in the exclusive boutiques of Versace, Prada, Armani, Benetton, and Sisley. The promenade overlooking Sicily and the straits of Messina is known as "The most beautiful kilometer of the Italian peninsula". North of Reggio, we will visit Scilla. It is the traditional site of the sea monster Scylla of Greek mythology. Beautiful is the Ruffo Castle, a fortress built by the Dukes of Calabria that overlooks the beach. (B, L & D)

Day 5 - Wed – Aeolian Islands – Full day optional tour 3 – Early in the morning we will board a speedy hydrofoil. Home of Aeolus (god of winds) according to Greek mythology, this group of seven small Sicilian islands is now a destination for the rich and famous, nobilities, celebrities and families alike in search of a quiet vacation. This is an area of extraordinary natural beauty with stunning cobalt waters, secret coves, serene and peaceful. The lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Stromboli is an active volcano and our first stop. We will continue our excursion to Lipari, the main island of the archipelago. Vulcano is famous for its natural thermal springs and therapeutic mud baths. (B, L & D)

Day 6 - Thu – Zungri & Vibo Valentia - Half day optional tour 4 – After breakfast we will go to Zungri, where the famous grottoes of Zungri are located, a fascinating Byzantine settlement where there are over 40, some two storey, sandstone houses hewn into the rock. We will continue to Vibo Valentia. On a clear day it is possible to see Mount Etna (Sicily) from the highest point of the Norman Castle of Vibo Valentia. (B, L & D)

Day 7 –Fri – Cosenza & Lamezia Terme - Full day optional tour 5 – This morning we will be on our way to Cosenza, once known as the “Athens of Calabria” because of its rich cultural past. The theater resembles the better known “La Scala” in Milan and the cathedral contains the sepulcher of Isabel of Aragon. In the afternoon we will visit Lamezia Terme, the white unpolluted beaches and beautiful bays. This area is called “Gods’ Coast” and is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Worth visiting in Lamezia is the Diocesan Museum, the Norman Castle and the Jewish Ghetto. (B, L & D)

Day 8 - Sat – Pizzo Calabro - Half day optional tour 6 - Remains of Greek and Roman ruins are scattered throughout this region. The Roman Terme and Domus are part of a complex which includes houses and thermal baths with mosaics still visible on the walls. Two attractions in particular are worthy of note: the Church of “Santa Maria Maggiore” and a Norman castle which now houses the Archeological Museum. Gioacchino Murat King of Naples (Napoleon’s brother-in-law) was executed in this castle in 1815 because he revolted against Ferdinand 1st, the new king of Naples. While in Pizzo Calabro you must taste the famous Pizzo truffle, hazelnut and chocolate ice-cream dusted with cocoa. One of the most unique and beautiful attractions in Calabria is, “la Chiesetta Di Pie’di Grotta” (17th century) with many sculptures is one of shipwrecked hewn cave church in the world. It is carved entirely of tufo/tuff stone and is situated on the shore; high tides sometimes reach the church inside. (B, L & D). 

Day 9 - Sun – Lamezia Terme - 7:00 AM group transfer to Lamezia Terme airport or RR station. (Transfer will be at your expense for different dates and times). Have a safe return home, treasure the memories… grazie and arrivederci a presto! (B)

OR EXTEND YOUR EXPERIENCE TO

AMALFI COAST AND ROME

We reserve the right to change the itinerary and schedule times for logistic reasons. 

Departures from North America

Departures (Saturday)	Returns (Sunday)	2011 Prices (taxes included)
May 21	May 29	US$ 799
June 11	June 19	US$ 899
July 2	July 10	US$ 999
July 23	July 31	US$ 999
September 10	September 18	US$ 899

This rate is not commissionable (except for our official travel representatives) and no discounts are applicable.

Airfares are not included and are your responsibility .

Departure dates and rates are guaranteed and confirmed at the time of reservation.

Prices are per person based on double/triple/quadruple occupancy. An additional 50% premium will be applied for single occupancy. Children under 12 staying in the room with 2 parents receive a 50% discount.

Optional tours as described, hydrofoils, admission fees to museums, galleries, etc. are not included.

The package price of all 6 optional tours is US$ 399.

For the Full Day Optional Tours we will provide a travel lunch bag.

Stay and Visit Orofino Tours is not responsible for any third party arrangements, tours or excursions organized independently by the client.

For Hotel Extra Nights please check our Italy Hotels.

Transfers will be at additional cost to you when you join early/late or leave early/late.

We strongly recommend a travel protection plan with Travelex for trip cancellation, interruption, loss of luggage or getting sick.

In addition to the travel protection we recommend purchasing an adequate amount of Euros using Travelex Wallet.