Day 1

Meeting at Riga Airport

Flight Riga - Canada ~14:40-17:10

Transfer to your hotel in Calabria. 3* hotel apartments (HV-Holiday Village) or Villaggio Club Altalia 4*

Dinner at the hotel is available on request (extra charge).

Day 2

Breakfast.

Relax by the sea. Dinner at the hotel on request (extra charge).

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Breakfast.

First half of the day excursion programme in Reggio di Calabria and the ghost town of Pentidattilo, will be offered the chance to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, so don't forget your swimming gear.

We will go a walk along the waterfront of Reggio di Calabria, called “Italy's most beautiful kilometre”. See the Greek Wall and the Roman Terraces, climb the hill to the Cathedral Palace. Then we'll head down the main street, Corso Garibaldi. We will visit the National Museum of Greece, home to the famous Greek warrior figures from Riach (5th century BC). Next, we'll head to the street below to see Calabria's signature Bergamot.

Next, we'll go to the town of Pentidattilo.

It is located Monte Cavlario on the hillside, shaped like a giant hand with five fingers, giving the town its name: daktylos Penta - five fingers. Today, the town can safely be called a ghost town, because it was abandoned by man many years ago. The panoramic view of the Ionian Sea and the nearby hills from the observation deck is spectacular. It is one of the most romantic places in the world, because it feels like the whole town belongs to you.

We will walk through the quiet streets of the ancient city, listening to the legend of the family of Count Alberti and Baron Abenavoli, the terrible massacre that took place for the beautiful Countess Antonietta, and the tragic fates of the members of these families.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel is available on request (extra charge).

Day 4

Breakfast.

First half of the day Excursion programme “Musaba - Djerache” (entrance tickets are extra)

The Musaba is the only open-air museum in Calabria, and one of the few in Europe that not only protects the landscape, but is also a laboratory for artistic experimentation.

In the vast territory of the Open-Air Museum you will see many mosaic figures - a prehistoric lizard, a corpulent fountain-lady, an iron giant, a labyrinth of bright mosaics on the walls of the guesthouse. The vaults of the ancient building are decorated with a fascinating visualisation of “Jacob's Dream”, where you can recognise the founders of the museum from the characters' features. Everything here has a special meaning and symbolism, with unexpected discoveries at every turn.

In addition to works by Nick Spatari, there are many works by other artists from around the world. People come here to learn, to exchange ideas and experiences, to leave their mark and a part of their soul. It is a unique place where unique people live.

During the excursion we offer a visit to an authentic restaurant (surcharge 25 €)

The tour continues with a visit to Jerky - a small picturesque town on top of a cliff.

The city's name comes from the Greek word translated as “hawk”. Legend has it that the first inhabitants of this place came here following a hawk that helped them hide from a Saracen attack in 915.

It is a beautiful town that has managed to preserve its unique medieval charm to the present day. Its main attraction and pride of place is the 12th century Norman Cathedral. The chapel, which houses ancient Greek treasures, is also very interesting.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel is available on request (extra charge).

Day 5

Breakfast.

Relax by the sea or as you wish Mythical Schilla excursion programme (surcharge 45 €)

Go to to Schilla.

This place is associated with the legendary Spartacus. It was from here that he hoped to go to Sicily, which he never did. Today, it is a charming town on the picturesque Strait of Messina, where the distance between Calabria and Sicily is the smallest...

Take a look at Ruffo medieval castle (external inspection), The Church of the Holy Spirit, a picturesque Kyanael fishing village where the waves of the sea caress the horseshoes at the entrance of the house.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel is available on request (extra charge).

Day 6

Breakfast.

Relax by the sea or optional excursion programme “Tropea - the pearl of Calabria and medieval Pico” with possibility of swimming (extra charge 50 €)

Tropea - A resort town on the Tyrrhenian coast. Walking through the streets of the historic centre, you'll see noble palaces, churches and small squares overlooking the emerald-coloured sea. The ancient Romanesque-Norman cathedral is a particular highlight. From its main balcony, you have a magnificent view of the entire Tyrrhenian coastline, and you can even see St. The island of St Mary with its characteristic shrine.

Next, we head to a lovely medieval town Pico. Which will delight us with terraces and architectural features that are unique to it.

We will see the castle, built in 1492 on the orders of Ferdinand d'Aragon. This castle became famous because Marshal Joachim Murat (Napoleon's brother-in-law) was imprisoned here. He was executed on 13 October 1815. The halls of the castle still contain documents and paintings from that era.

We will visit the Baroque St. While in Pico, be sure to visit one of the many bars in the town square and try the famous local ice cream “Tartuffe”.

Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel (extra charge).

Leisure

Day 7

Breakfast.

A day off or, Optional excursion “Messina - Sicily's Gateway” (for an additional fee of 50 €, including ferry ticket).

Boat trip across the Strait of Messina.

We arrive in Messina, the historic port town that was the first in Sicily to welcome its visitors. Stroll through the town centre, where ancient and modern blend in one rhythm. During the tour you will see the Church of Santa Maria Alemanna of the Teutonic Order, the Catalan Church (13th century) and the monument to Don Juan Austrieti, leader of the troops of the Holy League who were victorious at the Battle of Lepanto.

The Cathedral Square is the most important stop on the tour. At noon, a unique mechanical performance begins in the bell tower, where moving figures depict episodes from the city's history. The tower also houses the world's largest astronomical clock, made in the Strasbourg workshop. Next to the tower is the 16th-century Orion Fountain, decorated with symbols inspired by the mythology of the stars.The cathedral also has a fine neo-Visan mosaic in the central apse.

Next, we'll head to the European Union Square, where legend has it that the symbolic foundations of the European Union were laid. The historic Vittorio Emanuele Theatre, which survived the devastating earthquake of 1908, is home to Renato Guttuso's monumental work “Colapesce”, a 143-panel cycle that tells the Sicilian legend of a young man called Cola-Peschi, who could dive to great depths and lived in the water like a fish.

By the coast, in the shade of pine trees, is the Russian Sailors' Square, with a moving monument to the Russian sailors who saved more than 2,500 people during the earthquake. There is also a bust of Admiral Ushakov, a memorial to the commander whose actions had a profound impact on Sicilian history.

Nearby is the Neptune Fountain, with the mythical monsters Scilla and Charybdis at its base. This fountain, like the Orion Fountain, was designed by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a pupil of Michelangelo.

Return to the port and take a speedboat back to Calabria.

Optional dinner at the hotel (extra charge).
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Room release. Breakfast(Lunch box)

Visit a tour of Taormina - “the enchanting flower of Sicily”.

Taormina is known as the pearl of the Mediterranean. It is worth noting that the history of this town is intertwined with stories, legends and myths. Taormina's 250 m of terraces encircle the slope of Mount Tauro, dividing it into two zones: the historic zone and the coastal zone. From anywhere in the town, you can enjoy breathtaking scenery.

Our walk through Taormina will start from the famous Messina Gate, from where we will walk along Corso Umberto Street to see the main historical sites: the Greco-Roman theatre, the ruins of the Naumachia Palace, the 9th of April Square, the Cathedral Square with the 13th century cathedral and the fountain decorated with the figure of a strange creature - the symbol of Taormina.

Next, we'll head to Catania.

Visit Catania tour.

During the tour, we will see the most popular sights: the Roman Amphitheatre, Via Etnea, the Cathedral, the Elephant Fountain, St. The Piazza San Francesco, Massimo Bellini Theatre, etc.

Route to the airport

Flight Catania-Riga ~ 17:55-22:15