Calabria
Wine + Culture Tour
Next Tours in Calabria
Welcome to Calabria
Join La Dolce Vigne Wine + Culture Tour Co. for a 7 Day – 6 Night feast for the senses in Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula! During our vinous voyage, we will visit some of the best wine producers in the region who are working with indigenous grape varieties like Gaglioppo, Magliocco, Greco Nero and Greco Bianco.
We’ll also dip our toes in two different seas, take in the stunning sunsets from Tropea’s seaside perch, and be wined and dined in the region’s incredible restaurants. It’s going to be an amazing week!
Calabria Tour Highlights
Each of our tours is designed to offer an authentic experience, where local traditions meet the pleasure of fine wine and rich heritage. From renowned wineries to charming villages, we’ll guide you through the people, places, and flavors that make every destination truly unique.
Private visits to top wineries in Calabria with your sommelier guide
Incredible dining experiences of regional cuisine, including Michelin Star restaurants
Traditional bread making workshop
Boat excursion on the Tyrrhenian Sea
Relaxing Day on Tropea’s sunny shores
Cooking class of Calabrian specialties
Cuisine of Puglia e Basilicata
Puglia and Basilicata have been called the bread basket of Italy. The ancient grains they grow are used to make the best bread in Italy (pane di Matera and pane di Altamura), focaccia, panzerotti (cheese-stuffed fried pizza dough) as well as the many pastas they make, orecchiette being the star. Incredibly fresh seafood is found throughout Puglia, while Basilicata leans toward lamb, sausage and pork. If you are a burrata and mozarella fan, you will be very happy in Puglia and Basilicata; both are made daily in the many caseifici (dairies). Cultivated and wild produce, such as tomatoes, eggplants, fennel, zucchini, artichokes, asparagus, bitter greens and fragrant Mediterranean herbs are menu staples, often simply prepared with the prized local Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Puglia and Basilicata drizzled on top. And, dessert? All the gelato you could want, delicate pastries and fruit tarts…if you have room.
Your Luxurious Accommodations in Calabria
We will stay in two different hotels in Calabria: a coastal resort on the Ionian Sea and a boutique hotel in Tropea with a jaw-dropping panoramic terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
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Calabria Tour Details
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Morning departure from Lamezia Terme. Our first stop is a visit to a historic, family-run winery where we’ll enjoy a tasting and lunch showcasing native Calabrian wines. In the afternoon, we check into Praia Art Resort in Praialonga, with free time to relax by the pool or explore the seaside setting. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner at the resort, featuring local seafood and regional specialties.
After a leisurely breakfast, we head to Cirò, one of Italy’s oldest wine regions. Our first stop is a leading producer of Cirò wines, where we’ll tour the vineyards and enjoy a tasting over homestyle lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit a boutique producer specializing in organic winemaking. The evening takes us to one last winery in Strongoli, where we’ll indulge in a wine-paired dinner at their Michelin-starred restaurant.
The morning is dedicated to a hands-on cooking class at the hotel, where we’ll prepare a traditional Calabrian meal, followed by lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation, with an optional excursion to Le Castella, a picturesque seaside fortress. In the evening, we head to Crotone for an aperitivo and dinner at a locally-loved restaurant known for their fresh seafood and classic coastal dishes.
After breakfast, we check out and head west towards the Tyrrhenian coast. Our journey begins a small winery in Ziopà, known for its unique terroir and small-batch production of Zibibbo. Lunch will be served in an idyllic setting at the winery. For dessert, we’ll head to the charming seaside town of Pizzo, famous for its Tartufo gelato. In the afternoon, we check into La Dolce Vita in Tropea, where you’ll have free time to relax before gathering for dinner in the historic center.
This morning, we embark on a guided walking tour of Tropea, uncovering its medieval streets and breathtaking views. The afternoon is for free beach time along Tropea’s famous turquoise waters. Later, we take to the sea with a boat excursion along Tropea’s stunning coastline, stopping for swims in hidden coves. We end the day with dinner at a contemporary restaurant showcasing local flavors.
The day begins with a breadmaking class, where we’ll learn traditional Calabrian baking techniques and enjoy a rustic countryside meal. The afternoon is free for relaxation, shopping, or exploring at your own pace. In the evening, we meet for a farewell dinner at a beloved restaurant serving classic Calabrian cuisine.
Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast at the hotel before departing for Lamezia Terme’s airport.
Morning departure from Lamezia Terme. Our first stop is a visit to a historic, family-run winery where we’ll enjoy a tasting and lunch showcasing native Calabrian wines. In the afternoon, we check into Praia Art Resort in Praialonga, with free time to relax by the pool or explore the seaside setting. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner at the resort, featuring local seafood and regional specialties.
After a leisurely breakfast, we head to Cirò, one of Italy’s oldest wine regions. Our first stop is a leading producer of Cirò wines, where we’ll tour the vineyards and enjoy a tasting over homestyle lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit a boutique producer specializing in organic winemaking. The evening takes us to one last winery in Strongoli, where we’ll indulge in a wine-paired dinner at their Michelin-starred restaurant.
The morning is dedicated to a hands-on cooking class at the hotel, where we’ll prepare a traditional Calabrian meal, followed by lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation, with an optional excursion to Le Castella, a picturesque seaside fortress. In the evening, we head to Crotone for an aperitivo and dinner at a locally-loved restaurant known for their fresh seafood and classic coastal dishes.
After breakfast, we check out and head west towards the Tyrrhenian coast. Our journey begins a small winery in Ziopà, known for its unique terroir and small-batch production of Zibibbo. Lunch will be served in an idyllic setting at the winery. For dessert, we’ll head to the charming seaside town of Pizzo, famous for its Tartufo gelato. In the afternoon, we check into La Dolce Vita in Tropea, where you’ll have free time to relax before gathering for dinner in the historic center.
This morning, we embark on a guided walking tour of Tropea, uncovering its medieval streets and breathtaking views. The afternoon is for free beach time along Tropea’s famous turquoise waters. Later, we take to the sea with a boat excursion along Tropea’s stunning coastline, stopping for swims in hidden coves. We end the day with dinner at a contemporary restaurant showcasing local flavors.
The day begins with a breadmaking class, where we’ll learn traditional Calabrian baking techniques and enjoy a rustic countryside meal. The afternoon is free for relaxation, shopping, or exploring at your own pace. In the evening, we meet for a farewell dinner at a beloved restaurant serving classic Calabrian cuisine.
Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast at the hotel before departing for Lamezia Terme’s airport.
Double Occupancy
$ 5,900 / Person
Single Supplement
$ 1,200
Inclusions
- Accompanying sommelier guide for the entire tour
- Comfortable Transportation + Driver from our meeting point to our farewell for all group activities
- 6 Nights accommodations at hotel with Breakfast
- All meals (except possibly one) with sommelier-selected wine at top restaurants in the region
- All wine tastings + guided activities (special events, private tours, guest experts, entrance fees, etc.)
Exclusions
- Flight to Italy
- Travel expenses before and after the tour period
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
- Anything not specified as being included (If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!)
Requirements
- You must be 21+ years of age
- You must be in good physical condition as your trip will involve walking, hiking, and other physical activities
- You must sign La Dolce Vigna’s travel agreement
Wine Tour Details
A couple of months before the wine tour, you’ll receive a confirmed itinerary for the tour. Throughout the year, you will also receive helpful info such as tips on what to pack, a reading list, and articles related to Calabria.
Deposit + Cancellation Policy
A deposit of $1500 per person is required at the time of booking to guarantee your space. Balance of the full amount is due 90 days prior the tour start date. If there are still spots available less than 90 days prior to the tour start date, the full sum will be due upon booking.
All cancellations must be received in writing. If made 90 days or more prior to the tour start date, a refund less the deposit will be made. If made between 89-31 days prior to the start date, you will be issued a credit in the amount of 50% of the total cost already paid, less the deposit and any and all costs/fees that La Dolce Vigna, LLC has already paid third party vendors, such as room reservations, etc., towards future trips or services. No refunds will be made for cancellations made 30 days or less prior to the tour start date, nor for a cancellation made during the tour.
We urge all clients to book travel insurance for their trip as we unfortunately cannot make exceptions for inclement weather or personal emergencies.
La Dolce Vigna reserves the right to cancel a tour. In this unlikely situation, you would receive a complete refund of your tour fees. La Dolce Vigna will not assume any other liability and is not responsible for any personal expenses as a result of a tour cancellation, such as airline tickets or personal hotel reservations.
Meet Your Guide: Leslie Rosa
Meet Your Guide: Leslie Rosa
Sommelier + Owner of La Dolce Vigna
After a decade of working in the art world for eminent institutions and artists in New York and London, I moved to Italy, fell in love with the diversity of Italian wine and became a certified sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommelier. As an art-curator-turned-sommelier, I founded my company to offer trips that give an in-depth look at the history and culture of a particular region through the lens of local wine, spirits, and food. Over the years, my portfolio of trips has grown from Italy and California to include other places I love: Mendoza, Argentina and Oaxaca, Mexico and now Somerset, England. When not leading tours, you can find me doing pop-up wine tastings, writing for the Slow Wine Guide, or getting lost someplace beautiful with my watercolor set.
La Dolce Vigna Difference
Our tours are always limited to a maximum of 12 people to assure you an intimate experience.
You will always have a certified sommelier guide to answer all of your wine-related questions on the road.
Our tours are centered around small, eco-conscious, family-run wineries that make truly outstanding wine, and are packed with cultural insights.
Be prepared to eat. A lot. We've picked out amazing spots for you, from the small, loved-by-locals osteria to the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Depending on the season and local events, we will custom organize the best and most insider experience for each group.
Rest assured that your tour price includes all meals (except one), activities, hotels, transportation from the moment we meet until our fond farewell.
For those of you who have been on other group tours, you know what we're talking about. Part of living la dolce vigna is taking the time to truly savor your experiences and surroundings. We've built in time for you to do just that at your own pace and on your own terms. Long live slow travel!
Besides helping local, artisanal economies through visiting small wine and food producers, eating at traditional trattorie and staying at boutique hotels, a donation on behalf of each individual that takes one of our tours will be made to 10,000 Gardens in Africa, a Slow Food initiative aimed at cultivating sustainable and healthy communities throughout Africa.
Looking for a Private Wine Tour of Italy?
Look no further! In addition to our intimate group tours, La Dolce Vigna curates private wine tours—with or without a guide—based on your dates, travel style and interests. We will open the doors to authentic experiences complete with exceptional food and wine, colorful personalities, warm hospitality, not-to-be-missed cultural sites and many, many photo-worthy moments. (Trust us.)
La Dolce Vigna's Adventures Abroad