MAXIMUM TOUR

MAXIMUM TOUR

7 DAYS (6 NIGHTS)

Reggio - Bronzi di Riace - Scilla - Chianalea - Stretto di Messina
Taormina - Tropea - Pizzo - Stilo - Gerace - Etna

Departures every day

1st DAY: Arrival
Appointment at Reggio Calabria or Lamezia Terme (airport/city/station) or at all Italian and international airports. Transfer by private car/minibus to the hotel. Free dinner. Overnight stay.

2nd DAY: Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria - Scilla and Chianalea
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: Transfer by private car/minibus to visit the National Museum with access to the hall of the Riace Bronzes. Tour by private car to visit the city of Reggio Calabria. Waterfront with Greek Walls and Roman Baths, Cathedral, Castle, Corso Garibaldi. Free lunch. Afternoon Transfer to Scilla for a free visit of the town and Chianalea, a characteristic fishing village known as the Venice of the South. Return to the hotel. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay.

3rd DAY: Strait of Messina - Taormina - Isola Bella - Giardini Naxos
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by private car/minibus to Taormina by crossing the Strait of Messina. Arrival in Taormina and free visit of the town (Ancient Theatre, Palazzo Corvaia, Corso Umberto, etc.). Free time for optional lunch. Afternoon continuation of the visit and continuation for the return journey with stops at Giardini Naxos and Isola Bella (world-famous islet in front of Taormina). Return to the hotel in the evening. Free dinner. Overnight stay.

DAY 4: Tropea - Pizzo
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by private car/minibus for Tropea and free visit, the Norman Cathedral, the Baroque Church of Sant'Alfonso dei Liguori, walk through the historic centre to discover the 'glorious civilisations' that made this town illustrious in the past. Free lunch. In the afternoon, transfer for a free visit to Pizzo. Stroll through the old town centre, and possibility to visit the 16th century Castle, known for a sad event that took place here: the execution of the King of Naples Joachim Murat. Finally, relax and have a truffle in one of the many bars in the town's 'living room', in the preparation of which Pizzo's ice-cream makers are true masters. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel in Reggio Calabria. Free dinner and overnight stay.

5th DAY: Stilo - Gerace
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by private car/minibus for Stilo. The village is very picturesque, retaining Byzantine and Norman styles. Famous for the beauty of its architecture and its imposing walls. Visit to the 'Cattolica' Byzantine church dating back to the 9th-10th centuries, which has preserved its ancient structure intact and is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. Free lunch. We then proceed to visit Gerace (included in the list of Italy's most beautiful villages). You will enter the historical centre through the 'Porta del Sole' (Gate of the Sun) and take a walk that will give visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a remarkable medieval atmosphere, discovering churches and palaces of rare beauty. At the end of it, as if by a spell, the 11th-century Cathedral will appear, the largest church in Calabria, inside which is kept the treasure of the ancient bishops. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel in Reggio Calabria. Free dinner. Overnight stay.

DAY 6: Etna
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by private car/minibus to Villa San Giovanni. Embarkation on a liner for an evocative crossing of the Strait of Messina with a spectacular panorama. (At the narrowest point, the two shores are only 3.2 km apart) Disembarkation in Messina and continuation by minibus/private car to Etna at 1,900 m (Rifugio Sapienza). Arrival in the morning. Free time. A few steps from the main square are the Silvestri Craters, now extinct, which were formed during the 1892 eruption. The Lower Crater can be circumnavigated independently in a few steps (also perfect for walks with small children), while the Upper Crater requires more effort as there is a bit more climbing to do but the view is really pleasant. It is also possible (subject to an extra charge) to reach 2500 m by AR cable car, from where you can admire a stupendous panorama and see the lava flows, now extinguished, that have occurred over the years. It is also possible (subject to a further supplement) to reach the maximum altitude (approximately 2700 m) by 4x4 off-road vehicles with mountain guides authorised by CAI (Club Alpino Italiano). Free lunch. In the afternoon departure by minibus/bus/private car back to the hotel. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay.

DAY 7: Departure.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer back to the place of departure.