Day 1: FOLK MUSIC FEAST

Check into our mountain chalet with a dramatic backdrop of Pollino’s swooping hills and mountains. In the early evening we will transfer to a nearby farm where we will meet Nicola who will welcome us to their 16th century farm and show us the Convent of Colloretto. After our tour we will join Caterina in her kitchen and enjoy our first hands-on cooking class.

Day 2: CALABRIA'S ALBANIAN INFLUENCES

Explore the heart and soul of Pollino’s Albanian culture. Visit a local village, where the Albanian heritage still thrives and meet a local nun who will show us the ancient trade of weaving traditional cloth into Albanian costumes. For lunch, we will feast on Albanian dishes that feature the sweet paprika that is commonly used in these villages.

Day 3: HIKE AND HARVEST

We will spend the morning on a mild walking excursion through the Pollino Mountains where we will have the opportunity to hunt for mushrooms, chestnuts and wild berries that are typical of this mountains. We will step back in time and stop for a picnic breakfast 'a sacco', complete with local bread, frittata, salamis, local cheeses and wine, all set with a backdrop of pine trees and mountain views.

Day 4: POLLINO, POLENTA AND PRESERVES

Full day, hands-on cooking class with Adriana. We will enjoy the rest of this festive day by eating our creations al fresco with Adriana and her family.

Day 5: CHIC CALABRIAN CUISINE WITH CATERINA

Head to the aquamarine waters of Calabria’s west coast and the coastal village of Pizzo Calabro. Guided walking tour of this 14th Century fisherman’s village and We will dine on an exclusive seafood lunch with Caterina, an up-and-coming chef who prepares innovative, prize-winning recipes. After lunch, we will have an exclusive visit to a local gelato maker where we will learn about the production of the famous Tartufo di Pizzo gelato.

Day 6: RUSTIC COOKING IN CARIA

After breakfast, we will travel into the green hills of Caria for a day of rustic cooking. There we will meet two local signoras who will teach us how to make a type of homemade bread, pignata, slow-cooked butter beans famous in this area and 'fileja', the signature pasta of the province of Vibo Valentia.

Day 7: PREPARING PESCE WITH PASQUALE

A vibrant morning at a local food market. After lunch we will travel to Santa Domenica where we will spend an unforgettable afternoon cooking fresh seafood dishes in the private home of chef Pascquale and farewell dinner with Pasquale on his terrace overlooking the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Day 8: GOODBYE

Nivedemo Calabria!

I highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to visit the region of Calabria and experience its beautiful scenery, warm, generous people and delectable regional cuisine. Cherrye, Tania and Andrea went above and beyond to make sure our small group experienced as much as they could possibly squeeze in to one week