Traveling to Italy's Calabria region in the southern most tip of the Italian peninsula (the "toe of the boot,") is to travel back in time. This relatively undiscovered region is less touristed that more famous parts of Italy, but certainly no less extraordinary. 

The countryside is dotted with (among other sites) medieval villages, olive groves, mountains, castles, and beautiful seaside villages. 

It's a place where life's pace is slower and people take pride in their work, whether it's farmers, like Vincenzo, whose organically grown clementines are known throughout the region, or Paulo, the mayor of Terravecchia who is a cheesemaker by trade. 

Join me along with only eight photographers as we explore this region's Ionian Coast. It's my hope that you'll feel as I did; like I'd discovered a hidden treasure!

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Click here to email me for registration instructions. 

I will let you know how to register and make your deposit.

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Who Is This Trip For?

This tour is for traditional, infrared, and mobile photographers. Upon registration, you'll receive a list of camera and lens recommendations, as well as a list of iPhone accessories and suggested apps. 

Price 

$5,995

$1000 non-refundable deposit will reserve your spot.

*****
Click here to email Rad for registration instructions. 

Registration for this trip will be directly with me. Email me and I will let you know how to make your deposit and I'll bill you for the balance 90 days before the workshop start date.
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See our Workshop Information and Policy's here.

What's Included?

Not Included

Where are we staying? 

We'll be staying in two different places in order to make our journey less tiring. 

For the more northern portion of our route, we'll stay in Corigliano-Rossano (or nearby municipalities), making excursions each day to photogenic locations in the area.

For the more southern portion, we'll stay in the medieval village of Badolato, again making excursions into the surrounding countryside each day.

Staying in Badolato is a uniquely fascinating experience. You'll stay in dwellings in the village and experience Badolato just as locals do. You'll learn what it feels like to step from your home and onto the narrow stone streets of the village to take a morning walk or go for coffee at the local cafe in the town square, just as Badolato residents have done for centuries.

Itinerary

We will make every effort to follow the itinerary, but may make changes based on the weather, harvest schedule, or other considerations. Each day we will sample local cuisine at lunch and dinner. The itinerary has been created based on my travels to the Ionian Coast last October. I've been assisted in creating this itinerary by two Italian friends, Guerino and Fabio, who know the region well.

With us the entire time will be my Italian friend, Isabella Voce, who has been my guide in the region since 2019. Isabella is fluent in English and Italian and is a joy to travel with!

Day 1
This will be a day to arrive in Lamezia Terme Airport where we'll meet up and drive to our hotel in Corigliano-Rossano (or nearby municipalities). After settling in and a brief rest, we'll meet for a briefing on our trip and enjoy a traditional Calabrese dinner.

Day 2
We'll photograph Torre Spaccata in Amendolara, Rocca Imperiale, Roseto Capo Spulico Castle, and Sibari Archaeological Park, site of one of the richest and most important Greek cities of Magna Graecia.

Day 3
Today we'll photograph Ducal Castle explore the historic center of Corigliano, then on to the Santa Maria del Patire (or Pathirion), a church and monastery founded in 1095.

Day 4
Today we relocate to Badolato, photographing our way south throughout the day. We'll make a brief stop in Cariati at a favorite Gelateria before continuing to the medieval mountain village of Terravecchia. We'll have a gourmet lunch in Ciro Marina, prepared by a renowned gourmet chef from the area. After lunch we'll photograph the fortress, La Castella, built on the shore by the Greeks in the 5th-century BC, then continue on to arrive in Badolato in time to get settled in our new lodgings and have diner.

Days 5 - 7
We'll spend the morning of our first day in Badolato at the Farmer's Market in Soverato. Then in the afternoon, we'll have a walking tour of Badolato. This will orient you to the small mountain village so that you can explore it with your camera on your own throughout our stay. 

The remaining days will be scheduled depending on weather, sun, and harvest activities in the area, so our itinerary will remain flexible. Over these three days we'll have the opportunity to photograph throughout Badolato, exploring the village and the magnificent views of the valley and coastline.

We'll make day excursions to the historic villages of Stilo and Bivongi, the Stilaro Valley, and the surrounding mountains that were home to Basilian-Byzantine monks who lived an ascetic life in caves or man-made grottos in these mountains.

Other locations we'll photograph include the ancient Byzantine church, La Cattolica di Stilo, Monte Stella and the ancient orthodox monastery of San Giovanni Therestis. Those who wish to photograph sunrise and sunset can do so right in Badolato, but we'll also venture into the mountains in Stilo on at least one occassion. I've arranged for the young photographer and mountaineer, Giorgio, who knows these mountains, to get us to prime locations to take advantage of golden hour light.

We'll enjoy a wine and food tasting at Cantine Murace Vine in Bivongi, and have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful agritourismo, Villa Vitoria, before enjoying a typical peasant dinner there. 

Throughout our stay, our local hosts will be watching harvest activity. We'll visit a local olive grove and if we're lucky we may be able to witness the olive harvest. 

Day 8
Depart Badolato at 7:30 AM for Lamezia Airport and the journey home

Group Size
Only 8

Smaller groups are my preferred way to travel and photograph. We will have only eight (8) participants on this trip. We'll visit locations together, but in villages, you'll have the opportunity to venture out and explore on your own. 

*****
Click here to email Rad for registration instructions. 

Registration for this trip will be directly with me. Email me and I will let you know how to make your deposit and I'll bill you for the balance 90 days before the workshop start date.
*****
See our Workshop Information and Policy's here.

Upon registration, you'll receive information about arranging your flight to Lamezia airport where you'll be picked up for the transfer to Corigliano-Rosano.

You are responsible for arranging travel. Details will be provided and suggestions made to help you with making flight plans.

Depending on where you are flying from, you may want to plan to arrive and spend a recovery night in Rome before flying on to Lamezia, or arrive in Lamezia a day early for jet lag recovery before the trip. 

Here are photos from the region.