Calabria on travelling to Magna Greece

FOR GROUPS prearranged, MINIMUM 30 PAX, 7 nights / 8days,

 
VALIDITY ': April, May, June, September and October until 15 November 015

History / Art, Traditions, Folklore, Gastronomy, Landscape

 

SYLLABUS

1st day. In the morning, the participants at the airport arrrivo Falcomatà to ReggioC., Meeting with the guide and busGt private transfer to the hotel 4 * sea. Welcome cocktail, orientation program, soft lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, booked visit to admire the famous Riace Bronzes. After the visit, comfortable walk on the waterfront, or "the most beautiful kilometer in Italy". Dinner of fresh fish in a local restaurant. Return to hotel, overnight.

Day 2. After breakfast, departure and visit Bova higher, the capital of "Bovesia", which is the most important center of conservation and Hellenistic traditions. Among the things that will be visited, will the Photo Gallery, which exhibits the works of Gerhard Rohalfs, a historic enthusiast who stayed in this area from 1920 to 1980, collecting photographic images of life, traditions and customs. After the visit, you will descend to Amendolea, it pr farm model Ugo Sergi manufacturer specializing in what is one of the most extraordinary excellence of Calabria - and even global - "The Bergamot". Typical lunch in the company, in the afternoon guided tour of the plantation agrumicola- In the afternoon, return to the hotel, with a stop and visit Pentidattilo. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 3. After breakfast, check out hotel and departure Gallicianò, for a whole day dedicated to the true folklore grecanico. It will begin with a guided tour of an ancient millstone, which produced oil and wine and the visit of the first Orthodox church, built in Calabria. Then, the hour of the table and this will be spent in a historic and ethnic local restaurant, where prepare before our eyes, then we will taste the dishes, accompanied by notes of traditional music. In the afternoon, start of travel Roccella Jonica. Along the way, there will be a stop in Casignana, to admire the mosaics and the remains of the Roman Villa. Arrival in 5 * hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 4. After breakfast, depart for Gerace, the country of the hawks, the Norman village par excellence, included in the Club "The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy", where you can admire valuable evidence of the ages of domination, Greeks, Normans, up the Byzantines. Stop for lunch in a farmhouse of high quality. In the afternoon, down in Locri, to visit the Museum Paolo Orsi, where, among other works, we exhibit the famous "pinaches". After visiting the museum, followed by a visit to the archaeological park, recently reopened after restoration. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5. After breakfast check out hotel and departure for Roccelleta of Borgia, where we will visit the Archaeological Park of Scolacium, immersed in an environment of extraordinary beauty Mediterranean, or what was the place of birth and residence of Cassiodorus. Scolacium, in the reading of history, is the time of transition between the Classical Greek World and the Middle Ages. After the visit, transfer to 4 * hotels in Catanzaro Lido, check-in- Afterwards, lunch booked the local restaurant, based on fresh fish. In the afternoon, excursion to Squillace, for a visit to the castle but, above all, to visit a workshop where they produce the famous ceramics, with live examples. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

 

 

 

Day 6. After breakfast, transfer to San Floro, to visit ilo Silk Museum. After the visit, transfer to a farmhouse in the hills, surrounded by a pine forest where, a housewife and a dairyman, we will assist and participate in the preparation of delicious dishes that will taste then to the table, accompanied by traditional music. Return to hotel, free time for a short walk on the boardwalk, dinner and overnight.

 

 

 

7th day. After breakfast, departure for the visit of Santa Severina, called the "stone ship", nestled in the foothills of Presila, in a position of dominance on the Ionian Sea, an ancient sea always .. Its castle, perfectly restored, one of the most important of the entire south, is a "book of stone," which tells 1200 years of

history. Vera. Santa Severina, with Tropea and Amantea, was also Arab Emirate, in the ninth century. Follow the visitita the Diocesan Museum and the Byzantine Baptistery, the only evidence still exists, of this particular architecture. Return to hotel, free time for a walk on the promenade in Catanzaro Lido, dinner and overnight.

8th day. After breakfast, check out hotel and transfer to airport to Lamezia, in time for the return flight. End of services.

Info & Request: info@atmospheraitalia.eu

Welcome to the South

"WELCOME TO THE SOUTH"

A program for groups, minimum 25 people

validity: April, May, June, September

15 days/14 nights

PROGRAM

Day 1. Arrival at Rome FCO – Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, meeting with the tour leader, transfer to the hotel with private bus. Check-in, welcome drinks, illustration of the program, dinner at a typical local restaurant, overnight stay.
Day 2. After breakfast, guided bus tour of Imperial Rome, lunch at own expense. In the afternoon, visit of the Baroque monuments of Rome. Back to the hotel in the evening, dinner at a typical local restaurant, overnight stay.
Day 3. After breakfast, guided bus tour of the Vatican City. lunch at own expense. Free afternoon. Dinner at a typical local restaurant. Back to the hotel, overnight stay.
Day 4. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Pompei, arrival at approximately 11,30. Guided tour of the buried city to admire ancient artifacts. Lunch at own expense. Visit of the Cathedral in the centre of at about 18,30. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 5. After breakfast, excursion to Amalfi and Positano by boat. We will visit the two coastal cities on board two different boats. Lunch at own expense. Back to the hotel in the evening, and transfer to the port by bus, where we will embark for Palermo. Dinner on board at one’s own expense. Overnight stay in a booked cabin.
Day 6. Arrival in Palermo in the early morning. Transfer at a 4*star hotel in the centre of the city. Check-in, refreshment, brief presentation of the Sicilian leg, and transfer to Mercato del Capo, where you will experience the folklore of this unique and picturesque place. Lunch booked at a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon, a visit of Palermo, the Cathedral and the Hermits. You will be immersed in the history of this extraordinary region, which is considered the cradle of the Mediterranean culture. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7. After breakfast, transfer to Erice, where you will walk along the narrow roads featuring refined craft shops. Lunch is booked at San Vito lo Capo, where we will eat couscous. In the afternoon, transfer to Trapani, to walk along the famous Via del Sale. Back to Palermo, dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 8. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Cefalù, where we will visit the town and the Cathedral. Your journey will continue for Capo Tindari, to visit the Shrine of the Black Madonna, which is situated in a panoramic position of incomparable beauty. Lunch at a typical local restaurant. The journey will continue towards Reggio Calabria, arrival at about 18,30. Check-in, welcome cocktail, brief presentation of the Calabrian leg with the tour guide. Dinner at the hotel, overnight stay.

Day 9. In the morning a visit to Reggio Calabria, the Riace Bronze statues, the Cathedral, the most beautiful Kilometre in Italy. After the visit, lunch at own expense, free afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 10. After breakfast, whole day available at your own leisure. Overnight stay.
Day 11. After breakfast, departure for Gerace, to visit the Norman City. During the trip , there will be a stop over at Pentidattilo (*). In Gerace, we will have lunch at the Sparviero restaurant, where we will be presented with 15 different types of starters. In the afternoon we wil visit the historical centre and the Paolo Orsi Museum, which exhibits ancient artifacts from Locri Epizefiri. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. (*) variation available if required in September. During the trip to Gerace, we will stop to visit the Roman Villa of Casignana, where there are precious and unique mosaics of the time. After the visit, transfer to a nearby wine farm, where they produce the famous white wine Greco di Bianco, here we will watch the grape harvest. The Greco di Bianco, in Calabria Grecanica, is 2500 years old. There will also be local specialties and wine tasting accompanied by folk music. After lunch, the trip will continue towards Gerace.
Day 12. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Scilla, mentioned by the Greek poet Homer in his poems. Here we will visit the Ruffo Castle and the coastal village of Chianalea, also called the Venice of the South, a corner of Calabria, whose beauty has enchanted world famous artists. Lunch is booked at a restaurant on the Beach of Sirens, which overlooks the Strait of Messina, and will be based on the local specialty, swordfish. After lunch, weather permitting, transfer to Mount St. Elijah, from where you can admire the view of the Aeolian Islands, the Strait of Messina and Mount Etna. Arrival at a 4*hotel/Resort in Amantea. Check-in, welcome drinks, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13. Free morning to spend at the beach. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, a visit of Paola, where there is the famous Shrine of Saint Francis, the most worshipped saint in the world. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14. After breakfast, a visit to Tropea and Capo Vaticano. Lunch at a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Pizzo, to visit the Church of Piedigrotta, soon to be a World Heritage Site. The church is situated on the beach, it was excavated by the Barone Brothers. Later we will visit the main square, known as Spunduni, here we will taste the famous chocolate truffle/ice cream of Pizzo. Back at the hotel. Farewell dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15*. after breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport, where you will catch your return flight. End of services.

Info & Request: info@atmospheraitalia.eu

"Classic" Tour Calabria

TOUR "CLASSIC" CALABRIA

For organized groups, 25 people minimum

validity: May, June, September, 

PROGRAM

Day 1, arrival at the hotel in Cosenza, check-in, meeting with the tour guide, welcome cocktail, in the afternoon a visit to the MAB (Museum of contemporary Art), free time for shopping, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2, after breakfast, guided tour of Cosenza with the local shuttle bus, include a visit to Palazzo Arnone, the Cathedral (soon to become a World Heritage Site), the Theatre of Rendano, lunch at a quaint local restaurant with a musical surprise. Free afternoon, dinner at the hotel, overnight stay and for those who wish, visit of Cosenza by night with a local shuttle bus accompanied by a storyteller.

Day 3, after breakfast, departure for Santa Severina through the Sila National Park. Visit of the 1200 year old local castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, a visit of the Diocesan Museum and the Byzantine Baptistery, one the best preserved monuments in Southern Italy. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4, after breakfast, a visit of Costa dei Borghi Antichi and Fiumefreddo Bruzio, a charming Medieval village included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, here you will be able to admire the works of a famous artist, Salvatore Fiume, beautiful noble palaces and the spectacular view from the little tower. Afterwards, transfer to Belmonte Calabro, a visit to the ancient Cappuccini Convent, where you can participate in the daily ritual of making homemade bread, which will then be served to you together with the local specialties, excellent wine and spring water. Back to the hotel in the afternoon, dinner and overnight stay. 

Day 5 after breakfast, check-out and departure for Palmi, to visit the Archaelogical Taureano Park. Our excursion will continue towards Scilla, a beautiful village of which the great Greek poet, Homer, talked about in his poems. Here we will stop for lunch at a typical local restaurant, where they will serve us the local specialty, swordfish. In the afternoon, a visit of Chianalea, a picturesque village also called the "Venice of the South", whose extraordinary beauty has enchanted poets and artists from around the world. In the afternoon, departure for Reggio Calabria, where, weather permitting, we will visit Mount Sant'Elia, from which you will enjoy the wonderful view of the Strait of Messina and the Viola Coast. Check-in at a 4* hotel, , dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6, after breakfast, departure for Gerace, a beautiful Norman village. We will first visit the Paolo Orsi Museum and the town of Gerace, which is also included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Lunch is booked on a farm. Back to the hotel in the afternoon, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7, after breakfast, a visit of Reggio Calabria, that hosts the famous Bronzi di Riace (Bronze statues of Greek warriors), the Baroque Cathedral, and the waterfront. Lunch, free afternoon, dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 8, after breakfast, check-out and departure. End of service.

Includes the following: 7 overnight stay at a 4* hotel, of which 4 in Cosenza, 3 in Reggio Calabria, half board and accommodation in a double room; all the activities and lunches, drinks at the table included, tour guide from arrival to departure, Museum entrances, health and luggage insurance, transport by train to Gerace, visit of Cosenza with the local shuttle bus, shows.
The following are not included: The trip to/from starting point, all the extras and everything else not specified in the program.

INFO & REQUEST: INFO@ATMOSPHERITALIA.EU

Calabria - Costa Viola

WHERE THE MERMAIDS

MESMERIZE YOU WITH

THEIR ENCHANTING SONGS

For organized groups, minimum 15, max 25 people,

4 days/3 nights.

Validity: May, June, September

PROGRAM

Day 1. Arrival at the hotel, check-in, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2, Palmi/Monte Sant'Elia/Palmi. After breakfast, guided tour of Palmi and the surrounding area, up to Mount Saint Elias; later a visit to the House of Culture, or the Francesco Cilea Museum, and the Picture Gallery dedicated to Leonida Repaci. Lunch at a typical local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure, with the possibility to use the Hotel Spa (sauna, Turkish bath, hydro-massage, indoor pool). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3. Mini-cruise from Palmi to Scilla. After breakfast, at 9.30 a.m., boarding for a mini-cruise “to the discovery of Costa Viola – from Palmi to Scilla – the Homeric coast where according to the legend the mermaids sing mesmerizing songs. The mini-cruise also includes a picnic on the beach. Return to the hotel, spa, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4, Palmi/Scilla/Palmi. After breakfast, passing through Bagnara, excursion to Scilla, the “Venice of the South”, to visit the picturesque and charming village of Chianalea that, with its beauty, has enchanted poets and painters around the world and a visit to the Ruffo Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant, here you will enjoy the extraordinary view of the Bay of Sirens, the Castle and Sicily. Here you will taste a typical local dish, Swordfish. Return to the hotel, farewell and departure.

DETAILS

The price includes: accommodation at the Rainbow Hotel (4*), in double rooms or matrimonial suites, HB, drinks are included at the table (water and wine), mini-cruise along the Costa Viola and picnic, lunch on the second and fourth day, use of the spa (massage not included), tour guide.


The price does not include: local transport to be arranged separately and if necessary, entry at the House of Culture Museum, to be paid upon entrance.


INFO & REQUEST: INFO@ATMOSPHERAITALIA.EU

CALABRIAN WINE ROUTE TOUR

 

A TRIP AMONG THE MOST RENOWNED CALABRIAN HISTORICAL SITES, INCLUDING WINE CELLARS AND LOCAL CUISINE

FOR GROUPS, MIN 30 PEOPLE, 7NIGHTS/8DAYS -       

   VALIDITY: MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER,  OCTOBER 2013

 PROGRAM

Day 1. Arrival at Lamezia Terme Airport or, at the train station of Paola, transfer by bus to a 4* hotel in Cosenza. Check-in, welcome cocktail, meeting with your tour guide and program briefing, dinner and overnight stay. 

Day 2. After breakfast, transfer to Frascineto, to visit the vineyards and the cellars of the Pollino winemakers. After the visit, transfer to the Icon Museum, which displays over 600 works of art of the Arbresch Civilization. We will then go to Civita, to enjoy a typical arbresch meal, accompanied by the house wine: La Kamatsra. Civita is one of the most picturesque villages of Calabria, perched on the Pollino Mountain. Below the old town, there is the famous Devil’s Bridge on the Raganello River. Next to the restaurant, there is the Arbresch Museum (optional). Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 

Day 3. After breakfast, departure for the Statti Cellars  of Contrada Lenti in Lamezia, a famous cellar and olive oil press. During the visit, we will taste local specialties produced on the farm.  In the afternoon, return to the hotel. Free time for your shopping, dinner at the hotel. After dinner,  with a special shuttle bus, a visit of Cosenza by night,  accompanied by a storyteller. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

 

Day 3. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Cirò. Arrival at the Librandi Cellar round about 12 noon; here we will taste local food accompanied by the delicious wine of the Librandi Cellar. Later visit to the vineyards of the neighbouring area. Check-in at the Hotel Melissa (3*),  welcome cocktail, dinner with music and dancing, overnight stay.

 

Day 5. After breakfast, transfer to the ancient town of Cirò, to visit  the Museum of Lilio, the inventor of our current calendar. Return to the hotel for lunch, free afternoon for a walk on the beach, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Riace, the town where the famous bronze statues representing ancient Greek warriors were discovered.  In this town there are the Lavorata Cellars, producer of the famous wine Greco di Bianco. During the trip, we will stop at the archeological site of Scolacium, in Roccelletta di Borgia, a place of extraordinary beauty, set in a breathtaking Mediterranean landscape and considered the reference point of the period of transition from Ancient Greece to Medieval times. During the trip, we will stop for a light lunch before going to the Partenone Resort (4* hotel). Check-in, dinner and overnight stay.

 

Day 7. After breakfast, visit to the Lavorata Cellars and vineyards, producer of the famous wine Greco di Bianco, local food and wine tasting. In the afternoon, visit to the ancient village of Gerace, the Norman city par excellence. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8. After breakfast, check-out and departure for the airport or the train station, as per previous arrangements. End of services.

THE PRICE INCLUDES: Accommodation in hotel 3:04 *, double, or twin, HB, including drinks, visits to wine cellars indicated, tasting / lunch set, the visit to Italy by night with a special shuttle and storytellers, the inputs museum where applicable, the guidance for the entire period, the motor coach from arrival to departure.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: travel to / from the medical / luggage insurance.

 INFO & REQUEST: INFO@ATMOSPHERAITALIA.AITMITALIASERVICES.COM

CALABRIA - COSTA VIOLA

WHERE THE MERMAIDS MESMERIZE YOU WITH THEIR ENCHANTING SONGS

For organized group, minimum 15, max 25 people, 4 days/3 nights.

Validity: May, June, September

PROGRAM

• Day 1: Arrival at the hotel, check-in, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 2: Plami/Monte Sant'Elia/Palmi. After breakfast, guided tour of Palmi and surrounding area, up to Mount Saint Elias; later a visit to the House of Culture, or the Francesco Cilea Museum, and the Picture Gallery dedicated to Leonida Repaci. Lunch at a typical local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure, with the possibility to use the Hotel Spa (sauna, Turkish bath, hydro-massage, indoor pool). Dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 3: Mini-cruise from Palmi to Scilla. After breakfast, at 9,30 a.m., boarding for a mini-cruise "to the discovery of Costa Viola - from Palmi to Scilla - the Homeric coast where according to the legend the mermaids sing mesmerizing songs. The mini-cruise also includes a pic-nic on the beach. Return to the hotel, spa, dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 4: Palmi/Scilla/Palmi. After breakfast, passing through Bagnara, excursion to Scilla, the "Venice of the South", to visit the picturesque and charming village of Chianalea, that, with its beauty, has enchanted poets and painters around the world and a visit to the Ruffo Casle. Lunch at a local restaurant, here you will enjoy the extraordinary view of the Bay of Sirens, the Castle and Sicily. Here you will taste a typical local dish, Swordfish. Return to the hotel, farewell and departure.

DETAILS 

• The price includes: accomodation at the Rainbow Hotel (4*), in double rooms or matrimonial suites, HB, drinks are includes at the table (water and wine), mini-cruise along the Costa Viola and pic-nic, lunch on the second and fourth day, use of the spa (massage not includes), tour guide.

   

• The price does not inlcude: local transport to be arranged separately and if necessary, entry at the House of Culture Museum, to be paid upon entrace.

INFO E REQUEST: INFO@ATMOSPHERAITALIA.AITMITALIASERVICES.COM

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STUPOR MUNDI, FREDERICK II

Stupor Mundi

 

 

 

STUPOR MUNDI, FREDERICK II

AND THE DREAM OF A UNIVERSAL EMPIRE

"An important tour to discover the Castles of Frederick II in Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia”                             

"a guided tour through history, to understand the military, political and social characteristics of each castle you are going to visit"

for organized groups, minimum 25 people.  Validity: September, 2012. April, May, June 2013

 

PROGRAM

• 1* day, Lamezia Airport/Cosenza. Arrival at Lamezia Airport (or Paola Train Station), transfer to Cosenza by bus, check-in at the hotel (4*), situated in the historical centre, dinner and overnight stay. 34

• 2° day, Cosenza/Cosenza. After breakfast, a visit to the Norman Castle, then transfer to the National Gallery of the Arnone Palace. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel, free afternoon for a walk in Via Mazzini, to admire the MAB, (Outdoor Art Museum), with the possibility of some shopping. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner tour of Cosenza by night, with a special shuttle bus with the accompaniment of a storyteller. 

 

• 3rd day,  Cosenza/Roseto Capospulico/Barile. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Roseto Capospulico to visit the Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, departure for Barile, a nice locality in the Vulture region, passing through the Dolomites of Lucania. Arrival in the evening, check-in at the Grand Hotel Garden (3*), dinner and overnight stay. 20+44         

COSENZA. Cosenza was an important strategic hub, a meeting point between Crati and Busento; the city controlled a fertile valley. San Pancrazio Hill already hosted a fortress in the Bruzia era and later an Arab Fort. Frederick II of Hohenstaufen built his Castle on the previous Norman Castle site belonging to Roger II. This fortress replaced a previous Greek one. According to tradition, in 1235 Frederick II jailed his son, Arrigo the Lame, guilty of collusion with the  municipalities of Northern Italian towns that rebelled against the Emperor.

 

ROSETO CAPOSPULICO. A monastery situated on the cliffs of the Gulf of Taranto, in the XI century it became Castrum Petrae Roseti, thanks to  Guiscardo, a boundary between his land and Roger’s lands. Frederick II confiscated it from the Templar Knights (their architecture is still visible today) in order to leave it to his legitimate heirs after his death, in doing so he assigned the territory of Roseto to his true heir, Manfred. 

 

 

• 4th day, Barile/Melfi/Ripacandida/Venosa/Barile. After breakfast, departure for Melfi and visit of the Castle; then, transfer to Rionero in Vulture, to visit the Cantine del Notaio (Notary Cellars), one of the most important producers of the famous DOC wine of Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture; here, we will taste this special wine. In the afternoon, transfer to Ripacandida, to visit the Sanctuary of San Donato (that is about to be included among the UNESCO world heritage sites) twin church of the Assisi Basilica, for the beautiful frescos situated in the chapel; later on visit to SS Trinità, Venosa, a Norman Church, and the tomb of Roberto il Guiscardo, and to the Aragonese Castle. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 44+23

MELFI. Even the Melfi Castle was an ancient Norman Fortress that Frederick restored giving it its current appearance. Melfi is a strategic crossroad in the human and political history of  Frederick. In Melfi he met Bianca Lancia and probably they conceived Manfred here. In 1231 he promulgated the Augustee Constitutions, in which he expressed his political ideas. The philosopher, Michele Scoto, and Frederick’s confidant, Pier Delle Vigne, helped to write the Constitutions. It’s strange how two of the most important figures of those happy years in Melfi, Bianca Lancia e Pier delle Vigne, shared the same fate, they both committed suicide for the accusations, probably unfounded, of Frederick, that was now at the end of his life.   

 

VENOSA, In 1456 the Halley’s Comet appeared in the sky of  Venosa, six months later, in December, a violent earthquake destroyed the city and its fortifications. Fourteen years later, Pirro del Balzo, Lord of Venosa,demolished the ancient Romanesque Cathedral to build a Castle.  He took as its models the great castles of Naples, Castelnuovo and Maschio Angioino. The castle had a double function, it was a military fort and an aristocratic residence.

 

RIPACANDIDA Sanctuary of San Donato “A miniature Assisi”.  An ancient tradition states that Ripacandida was founded after the invasions of the Goths guided by Alarico in the V century A.D., which forced the inhabitants of  Candida Latinorum to leave their village. In order to defend themselves from the barbaric invasions, the citizens chose to build their houses on the hill, where there was a temple dedicated to Jupiter. It was fortified by the Lombards and during the Norman era, it took part in the First Crusade, at the time of Boemondo of’Altavilla, son of Roberto Guiscardo. The Church of San Donato  is mentioned in a papal bull of 1152. It is considered a national monument, its architectural style is Romanesque with a beautiful portal that dates back to the  XVII century. Recently it has become a twin Church of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi because of its frescos representing episodes from the Old and New Testament.

 

• 5th day, Barile/Lucera/Trani/Casteldelmonte/Barile. After breakfast, departure for Lucera and visit of the Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Trani for a visit to the Castle. Afterwards transfer to Castel del Monte. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 

 

LUCERA. Lucera and its castle witnessed an extraordinary political experiment of Frederick II. The Castle, built on the ruins of a Roman Acropolis, was used to lock up and monitor 1200 Muslims from Sicily, reluctant at any attempt of peacemaking. An example of ethnic cleansing that paid off as the Muslims became loyal subjects of Frederick II and, later on of his son Manfred. Charles of Anjou further enhanced the military potential of the place and its long walls continued the tradition of  Lucera’s parade ground..

 

TRANI. The Castle of Trani overlooks  a hostile and dangerous sea. It was built on a cliff surrounded by shallow water at the centre of the bay to protect the eastern border of the Kingdom. Frederick II had Pietro Tiepolo, son of the Doge of Venice and Podestà of Milan, hanged in a tower of the castle ,after he was taken prisoner during the Battle of  Cortenova in 1237. The castle was Manfred’s favourite residence. He married his second wife Elena Ducas in 1259 in Trani.

 

CASTEL DEL MONTE. Castel del Monte is an enigma, one of the many left by Frederick, certainly the most fascinating. It’s not a fortress, it doesn’t have any peculiarities and it is not situated in a place of strategic importance; it is not a hunting  residence: too refined and completely devoid of any structure suitable for this purpose. It is not a noble residence, there aren’t any reception halls, services and hallways. So what? Maybe it is a place of knowledge, or a treasure to keep?

 

• 6th day, Barile/Lagopesole/Acerenza/Barile. After breakfast, departure for Lagopesole and visit to the Castle, with a multimedia show about Frederick II. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, the visit continues to Acerenza and its Cathedral. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

 

LAGOPESOLE. Lagopesole Castle was one of the last castles built by Frederick, in the last ten years of his reign. Almost certainly, as he often used to do, he turned a former Norman fortress into a  very big residence. Maybe thinking about his love Bianca Lancia? We don’t know for sure, but Lagopesole became the final residence of another princess. They say there are nights, in Lagopesole, especially during full moon, where an intense light appears and disappears in the direction of the castle, people can hear moans,desperate cries and sobbings.

They say it is Elena degli Angeli,  the happy bride of Manfred of Svevia, coming back to the place where she found happiness in search of her beloved husband and children lost forever. 

They also say that in less enlightened corners of the countryside Manfred, unaware of his wife’s presence, wanders in search of his lost happiness, he rides a magnificent white horse wearing a long green coat …you may be able to see him wandering around the castle..

 

ACERENZA CATHEDRAL. Situated on the border between Puglia and Basilicata, you can find Oppidum di Acherunthia, described by François Lenomant,as one of the most beautiful and wild villages in Basilicata. The Assumption Cathedral has a Romanesque and Gothic style and it is one of the most important monuments in Basilicata.

 

 

• 7thday,  Barile/Matera. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Matera, check-in late morning. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, guided tour of the Sassi of Matera, where Mel Gibson shot his famous movie The Passion of the Christ. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 

• 8thday, Matera/Bari, after breakfast, check-out and transfer to Bari. End of services.

 

Amount per person: 764. the price includes: overnight stay in Cosenza in hotel (3* S) for two nights,  overnight stay in Barile, hotel 3* S, overnight stay in Matera, hotel 3* S, in double room. Full board  (HB in hotel and all meals), visit to the historical centre, local tour guide where provided, GT shuttle bus, from the arrival in Calabria, to the departure from Bari.

 

INFO E PRENOTAZIONE: INFO@AITMITALIASERVICES.COM