A journey through the most authentic Calabria, a land of history, spirituality and natural beauty. In Serra San Bruno, the silence of the mountains welcomes the visitor, among the foliage of the woods and the ancient Carthusian Monastery, a place of reflection and peace. In Mongiana, traces of industrial tradition intertwine with historical memory, telling of a past marked by iron and craftsmanship.
In Bivongi, wilderness and sacred architecture come together, with the striking Monastery of San Giovanni Therestis rising among the rocks as the Stilaro River rushes by, framing the unspoiled beauty. In Stilo, the ancient Byzantine church of San Giovanni Terme marks a meeting of religiosity and art, offering a fresco of medieval Calabria.
Arriving in Gerace, the Norman castle and the cathedral with its works of art tell of a time of great splendor, also evidenced by the cobblestone alleys that reveal the village’s charm. Finally, Badolato, with its ancient village overlooking the sea, encompasses a soul that ranges from the rural past to natural beauty, where the sea and mountains merge in a timeless embrace.
A journey that reveals an ancient and vibrant heart, where every corner tells stories of men and places, of faith and toil, of tradition and nature.
Starting from € 1550
FROM THE CALABRESE SERRE TO THE GELSOMINI RIVIERA – On the charcoal burners’ way.
Arrival in Lamezia, transfer to Serra San Bruno and check-in at the facility. We will begin our Tour with a loop hike in one of the most beautiful and mystical forests in Europe, the Archiforo forest, listed among the forty world sites where one can resort to silvotherapy the famous “Bath in the Woods.” The trail starts from the Rosarella nursery, near the town of Serra San Bruno, and we will ascend in the direction of Mount Pecoraro, the peak of the Serre, in a forest of white firs, streams and granite outcrops, used as quarries by Serra’s master stonemasons to create their works scattered throughout Calabria.
We continue our route by visiting the charcoal kilns. This is perhaps one of the last active sectors of industrial archaeology of which the entire Serre area was rich in the not so distant past
The sector employed dozens of families who handed down from father to son the skills of choosing the wood and the composition of the “scarazzi” up to the final stage of making coal. Centuries later, even today, in the forests of the Serre, it is still possible to spot the smoldering “scarazzi,” the sheaves of wood stacked and covered with wet straw and earth, which allow the wood to be completely dehydrated and fully cooked, leading to charring. Lunch at a local restaurant. We will continue the visit with a unique experience by participating in a pipe craft workshop at the renowned Grenci workshop in Brognaturo. Here, artisans will guide you through the process of creating briar pipes, revealing the ancient traditional techniques that make each piece a unique work of art Transfer to hotel, typical dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and transfer to visit the Carthusian Monastery Museum in Serra San Bruno. The Carthusian Monastery is the first Carthusian Convent in Italy and second of the entire Order. It is a vast complex founded between 1090 and 1101 by Brunone of Cologne, founder of the Carthusian Order and the Grande Chartreuse near Grenoble. Today only a few monks live in the Carthusian monastery, which you can see every Monday during their walk in the woods. We will visit the Museum, which collects the most significant evidence of art in the Chartreuse.
Lunch in a typical local restaurant.
In the afternoon we will continue our visit at the Royal Ironworks and the Arms Factory of Mongiana, the grandiose industrial center commissioned by King Ferdinand I of Bourbon and brought to its full splendor by Ferdinand II. This marvelous place, surrounded by green coniferous forests, among spring springs and torrents, is now a not-to-be-missed ecomuseum.
Not far away is The Villa Vittoria Multipurpose Park, in Mongiana (VV), is part of the Biogenetic Nature Reserve of “Marchesale” (State Forestry Corps), acquired in 1914 as part of a fief that belonged to the Marquise Caracciolo Imperiale di Arena. Natural fir forests are one of the main attractions of the Reserve, which also has ponds and rich shrub undergrowth. This natural corridor of protected areas, is inhabited by foxes, hedgehogs,
weasels and other small rodent mammals. Among the bird species, in addition to common buzzards and jays, there are specimens of green woodpeckers, owls, tawny owls and different species of hawks.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and transfer to Bivongi with a jeep excursion through the verdant hills of the Stilaro Valley. The Marmarico Waterfall is the highest in the southern Apennines at 114 meters. Once you arrive, you can admire the natural spectacle of this crystal-clear water cascading down the rock walls. The environment is wild and fascinating, perfect for nature lovers and breathtaking photography. There is also a chance to take a swim in the cool waters of the waterfall.
After the hike, we will stop for lunch in Bivongi, a small village that still maintains intact the traditions of Calabria. Here you can enjoy local specialties such as homemade pasta, artisanal cured meats, and wine produced from Greco di Bianco grapes, a native grape variety of Calabria.
After lunch, visit the Monastery of St. John Theristis, located in the hills surrounding Bivongi. This ancient Orthodox monastery dates back to the 10th century and is dedicated to St. John Theristis, a monk famous for his miracles and ascetic life. The atmosphere of the monastery is unique, with a combination of spirituality and history that transports visitors back in time. The monastery is immersed in nature and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, offering a feeling of peace and tranquility.
Return to hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
We will begin our 4-day trip in the charming village of Stilo, located at the foot of Mount Consolino. We will stroll through the narrow medieval streets and admire the ancient buildings, churches and craft stores.
We will continue with a visit to the Cattolica of Stilo. One of the jewels of Byzantine architecture, the Cattolica is a small church built in the 10th century, famous for its Greek cross plan and domes. Admire the mosaics inside and enjoy the panoramic view of the village and the surrounding mountains.
We will have lunch at one of Stilo’s local restaurants, where we will enjoy traditional dishes such as ‘nduja, fileja (handmade pasta) and typical cold cuts.
After lunch, we will continue with a visit to the Grotta della Pastorella, an evocative natural cave where you can admire ancient frescoes and breathe in the mystical atmosphere of this rocky place of worship.
We will continue the day with a visit to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Stella, located on a hill not far from Stilo. The sanctuary is set in a breathtaking natural landscape and offers spectacular views of the valley below.
We will end the day by participating in a broom processing workshop, an ancient tradition in the Stilo area. We will learn how this plant is transformed into textile fiber through natural processes, and try your hand at creating a small item to take with you as a keepsake.
After breakfast we will visit village of Gerace, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, famous for its medieval history and its many churches. We will stroll through its cobblestone alleys and discover the beauties of the historic center, including the magnificent Cathedral of Gerace, one of the largest in Calabria.
Late in the morning we will visit the ruins of the Norman Castle, which is located at the top of the village. From the castle we will enjoy a spectacular view of the Ionian coast and the Calabrian hinterland.
For lunch we will enjoy the authentic flavors of Calabria at a restaurant in Gerace, where we can try specialties such as stuffed eggplant, fresh fish and almond desserts.
In the afternoon we can opt for a more relaxing activity, participating in a traditional pottery workshop or a wine tasting at one of the area’s wineries, famous for native wines such as Greco di Gerace.
After breakfast transfer to Badolato.
Badolato, perched on a hill overlooking the Ionian coast, is another charming medieval village. We will stroll among the stone houses and narrow cobblestone streets, and visit the Church of St. Dominic and the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The village has been largely restored in recent years, retaining its authentic charm.
We will continue with a short excursion to the Monastery of Santa Maria della Sanità, an ancient convent that offers incredible views of the Ionian Sea and the Calabrian hinterland.
Lunch and tasting organized by one of the local producers.
In the afternoon, transfer to Lamezia Terme for return.
End of our services.
