Breakfast at the hotel.

We’ll spend the morning walking around the historic center of Naples to visit some of our favorite street food vendors. As we traverse the “Spaccanapoli,” the colorful main street of the city, we’ll taste the famous sfogliatelle pastries: a classic Neapolitan breakfast treat.

Expect to go where few tourists ever venture! Together we’ll visit the Mercato della  Pignasecca, a street market that serves as the grocery store for locals. Here can be found some of the best food in the city for those in the know. For lunch, we’ll sample some classic market street food. Plus, adventurous eaters can choose to try a local delicacy that might seem strange, but is a Neapolitan favorite.

To finish our walking tour, we’ll take the funicolare cable railway up to the heights above Naples for some incredible views.

After a free afternoon for exploring and shopping, we will end the day with a pizza masterclass taught by a Neapolitan chef who has graciously agreed to reveal his secrets. Dinner will, of course, be pizza!

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure from Naples by private bus.

As we make our way south, we will stop in Paestum to see how a local cheesemaker crafts the famous buffalo mozzarella. This caseificio is a special destination (not only because they make some of the best mozzarella in the world) because the ruins of magnificent ancient Greek temples are literally in the backyard. A lunch made with the on-site products will follow, then departure for Calabria.

After arriving in the mountainous, rural area of northern Calabria we will check into Locanda del Parco agriturismo . Together we will share a dinner made with the farm’s delicious produce.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we have a special visit from a local shepherd who will show us how he makes sheep cheese and ricotta. If you’ve never had hot, fresh ricotta served on bread, you’re in for a delicious treat.

In the afternoon, we will head to Civita, a stunningly beautiful mountain town and one of the unique Albanian-Italian communities in Calabria. Upon arrival we'll take a Jeep ride deep into the nearby canyon to visit the “Devil’s Bridge" which spans the dramatic gorge. 

For over 600 years, the Arbresche people who inhabit this beautiful town have been perfecting their unique cuisine. To sample it, we'll head to a traditional Arbresche restaurant. Here we will learn how to make "dromsa," one of the most unusual and magical types of pasta in Italy, before enjoying a dinner together.

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

As we make our way south, we will stop at a unique olive mill in Altomonte. Here a family not only grows some of the best olives in southern Italy, but they still press them using a traditional stone mill. It's rare to find olive oil producers who haven't switched to high-tech maceration, but when you taste this olive oil you'll understand why a few holdouts exist!

After a light lunch highlighting the farm's organic extra-virgin olive oil, we will continue on by bus to the coastal town of Tropea.

Tropea is a true Calabrian gem, with white sandy beaches, towering cliffs and crystal blue waters. In recent years it was named the most beautiful village in Italy by the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia Association, and for good reason.

After arriving and checking in to our accommodations at Hotel Eliseo, we will have dinner at our favorite local seafood restaurant.

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The morning will be free so that everyone will have to explore Tropea, spend time on the beautiful beaches, and shop. It's the perfect place to kick back and relax!

In the late afternoon we will reconvene to visit a local Monte Poro winery for a very special "apericena." If you're not familiar, an apericena is somewhere between an aperitivo (a drink plus a snack) and dinner. It's a relaxing way to enjoy some good wine and to sample a variety of different foods.

Here we will, of course, taste the delicious local wine made from some of the oldest native grapes in all of Italy, which were brought by the ancient Greeks. The winery is run by an all-female staff who are culinary masters, which is why their food is one of the things we look forward to most on the trip!

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning we will head to the nearby town of Spilinga, home to one of the most iconic Calabrian delicacies: 'nduja. 'Nduja (pronounced en-doo-yah) is a soft, spreadable and spicy salami with a unique taste that can't be found anywhere else. Here we will meet a local family who have been making 'nduja for generations so they can show us how this spicy treat is made.

After learning all about the craft of 'nduja making, we will head to a culinary school in Spilinga where Eva will teach us how to make handmade southern-style pasta, followed by a meal of the local classic: pasta with ‘nduja.

Return to Tropea with a free evening.

Breakfast at the hotel.

To truly experience Italy, one must leave the beaten trail. On our final full day of the trip, we will drive to Dasà, Eva’s hometown. You won’t find it in any guide books, but here we will experience the unforgettable southern Italian family feast. Bring a big appetite!

Eva’s family and friends will cook and prepare a family-style meal for us. Time to celebrate our journey with music, dance and lots of food.

Return to Tropea. 

Breakfast in the hotel, and departure for Lamezia Terme airport or train station. A presto!