Santa Maria dell'Isola Monastery, Tropea, Italy
© Rad A. Drew
Calabria in the "toe" of Italy's boot has a very old world feel. Its rustic villages, rugged mountains, and coastline make it one of Italy's most photogenic regions.
Walking the streets of Diamante or Sangineto, one has the sense of traveling through time.
In Diamante, the tradition of painting murals along the town's narrow streets that started years ago, continues today with both the restoration of old murals and the addition of new ones by contemporary artists.
The itinerary for this trip is based on my travel to the region and the div of my friend and guide since 2018, Isabella Voce. Isabella will be with us on this trip. She speaks fluent English and Italian, knows this region very well, and is a joy to travel with!
Who Is This Trip For?
This tour is for traditional, infrared, and mobile photographers. Increasingly, I'm seeing traditional photographers rely on the iPhone for many of their images. Upon registration, you'll receive a list of camera and lens recommendations, as well as a list of suggested apps.
Price
$5,995
$1000 non-refundable deposit will reserve your spot. (See our Cancellation Policy and Covid Protocol.) You will be billed for the balance 90 days before the start of the event.
*****
Click here to email me for registration instructions.
Registration for this trip will be directly with me. Email me and I will let you know how to pay your deposit and I'll bill you for the balance 90 days before the workshop start date.
*****
See our Cancellation Policy and Covid Protocol
What's Included?
- Transfer from Lamezia Airport
- Lodging with breakfast daily
- Ground Transportation
- 7 Dinners
- Taxes
- Bottled Water during the day
Not Included
- Air fare
Lunches or snacks - Beverages not included with meals
- Gratuities for drivers and guides
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses or extras
Where are we staying?
We'll be staying in 2 different places in order to make our journey less tiring. Our first three nights we'll stay in Montalto Uffugo and our last four nights we'll stay in luxurious accommodations in Vibo Valentia.
Itinerary
We will make every effort to follow the itinerary, but may make changes based on the weather or other considerations.
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 and drive north to our hotel in Montalto Uffugo. After settling in and a brief rest, we'll meet at 6 pm for a briefing on our trip and enjoy a traditional Calabrese dinner.
Day 2
We'll photograph the villages of Diamante famous for its murals throughout the village. We'll explore the historical centre and walk among the hand-painted murals, visit Immacolata Concenzione's church, and walk along the boardwalk. We'll spend the afternoon photographing in Fiumefreddo, recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Day 3
Today we'll photograph the historic and artistic village of Morano Calabro and in the afternoon we'll explore the beautiful town of Cosenza. We'll walk the narrow alleys, steep stairways, and medieval squares, and photograph the baroque architecture of the Theatre Rendano.
Day 4
Today we relocate to Vibo Valentia, but first, we'll visit the Rogliano (Cascate del Cannavino) and Scigliano (Roman Bridge of Savuto). We'll continue south to Calabria Pizzo where we'll see the historic centre, Republica Square, and sample the famous Tartufo (Truffle Ice Cream). We'll see the Church of Piedigrotta in Pizzo and the Castle Argonese before checking into our hotel .
Day 5
We'll explore the city of Tropea with its historic centre, typical narrow streets, many squares including the Piazza Belvedere, and the famous Santa Maria dell 'Isola Monastery.
Day 6
Visit Reggio Calabria where we'll see the city, visit the National Museum for the Famous Bronze of Riace, two Greek bronze statues dating back to the 5th century BC. Here we'll have free time to shop or enjoy a walk along the promenade overlooking Sicily and the Strait of Messina, known as "the most beautiful kilometer of the Italian Peninsula." We'll continue to Scilla and the Medieval Castle (Castello Ruffo) on the Stait of Messina and its picturesque fisherman's district called, Chianalea, where houses are build right at the edge of the coastline.
Day 7
Visit Taormina, considered to be the most beautiful town on the Island of Sicily, filled with history and culture and life by the sea. We'll photograph the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, a Greek theatre build in the third century BC.
Day 8
Transfer to the Lamezia Airport for 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.
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.
*****
Click here to email me for registration instructions.
Registration for this trip will be directly with me. Email me and I will let you know how to pay your deposit and I'll bill you for the balance 90 days before the workshop start date.
*****
See our Cancellation Policy and Covid Protocol
Here are a few photos from the region.
