Embark on a captivating journey with us through the heart of Southern Italy, from the ancient ruins of Siracusa and sun-kissed cliffs of Tropea to the coast of the Ionian Sea in Soverato!
For those not familiar with our story, our tours started after owners David & Rynn Caputo attended culinary school in Calabria, Italy. One of our first tour itineraries was to return to this region and incorporated nearby Sicily in as well!
So it just seemed right to bring back this popular itinerary for you to experience the culinary specialities of these regions. We will even spend time with a Master Chef at the Italian Culinary Institute where David & Rynn studied, learning things like the science of gelato, crafting pizza, and rolling pasta!
On this tour you can expect to explore street markets with amazement - piazzas & alleys filled with the most beautiful produce, meats and delicacies you’ve ever seen, wander down cobblestone alleys, visit ancient Greek and Roman ruins, watch the sun set over the island of Stromboli, or sip a cappuccino in a bustling piazza. Live La Dolce Vita!
Keep scrolling for Trip Highlights and more trip details!
Itinerary
Our 10 days and 9 nights will begin in Siracusa, Sicily before traveling across the Strait of Messina to mainland Italy and the region of Calabria.
SIRACUSA (3 nights) - The small island of Ortigia, also known as Città Vecchia, is the oldest part of the ancient Greek city of Siracusa;
TROPEA (3 nights) – with nicknames like "Italy’s Most Beautiful Village" and "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea," this is a town you don't want to miss;
SOVERATO (3 nights) – this area is home to the Italian Culinary Institute, a stunning facility overlooking the Ionian Sea!
Tour Highlights
Experience the famous Catania Market in Sicily, enjoying the sights, smells, sounds...and street food of this historic market!
Enjoy some amazing seaside vistas at every turn! Stunning views of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas at every stop.
Cooking instruction and hands-on classes at the Italian Culinary Institute, along with amazing meals created by your instructors.
We'll enjoy long, leisurely meals together, enjoying all the specialities that these regions have to offer! (leave room for dessert!)
Walk the olive groves at a family-owned frantoio and enjoy a tasting of true extra virgin olive oil, right at the source!
Taste the spicy ‘Nduja and learn all about this fiery salume that's gaining in popularity amongst American chefs.
Double occupancy: $5750/person
Single supplement*: $600
Deposit of $2,000/person is due upon booking to reserve your spot, along with a signed & completed registration form. Booking is not considered confirmed until deposit has been received.
Payments can be made by check (made out to Curata Travel) and mailed to: Curata Travel, 245 N. Main Street, Spring Grove, PA 17362.
Credit cards are accepted with a 3.6% fee.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Pricing includes:
- Nine nights of accommodations (3 nights in Ortigia, 3 nights in Tropea, 3 nights in the Soverato area);
- All planned excursions & classes, including visits to artisanal producers and hands-on cooking classes at the Italian Culinary Institute;
- Experienced tour leaders and local guides;
- Meals included: daily breakfasts at our accommodations and most lunches & dinners. We curate each menu to focus on traditional regional specialties, accompanied by local wines.
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout the tour
- Airport transfers on specified arrival/departure days/times. We include one group transfer for your arrival and departure at specified times. Any additional transfer will be at your own cost.
Not included:
- Airfare;
- Gratuity for driver and Curata Travel tour leaders, at your discretion;
- Any spending during free time, personal purchases, extraneous hotel charges (minibar, laundry service, etc.) and any alcoholic beverages not included with meals.
Once you complete the Booking Request Form (click the button at the top of the page), a member of our team will contact you.
You'll receive our Terms & Conditions/Registration form to complete, along with instructions for making your deposit.
Each member of the tour will be responsible for booking their own international flights. Flights are not included in the tour cost.
You will be picked up at the Catania (CTA) airport on June 24, 2025 by 12:00p.m., then dropped off at the Lamiezia Terme (SUF) airport on July 3 by 9a.m.. One group transfer for arrival & departure will be provided.
A few items of note for some of the destinations and the trip as a whole to help set expectations and better prepare you for the trip. Some of the expectations are outlined in the Terms & Conditions form that you will use to register (see specifically the Traveler Code and Traveler Expectations sections), but to reiterate some as they specifically relate to this Calabria/Sicily itinerary.
Cusine - As hopefully most of you know, our tours focus heavily on the culinary specialities of each region and town we visit. So when we arrange a lunch/dinner or culinary experience, we are working with those restaurants to plan menus in advance that highlight the seasonal produce, and dishes that reflect the region we’re in. As this tour has stops on the island of Sicily and the Calabrian coast, you can expect seafood to be highlighted, for example. We will be collecting some of this information at a later date from you, but if there are food allergies we need to be aware of, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them. If there are entire categories of food that you just don’t eat (and are not willing to try), this might not be the tour for you!
Terrain: As you'll find throughout Italy, walkways are often made up of cobblestones and limestone paving. Good walking shoes, being sure on your feet, and staying alert are all key to getting around!
Excursions: With all of our excursions, you are not forced to participate if something like this is not your ’thing.’ You always have the option to stay behind and enjoy some free time on your own (please note, as mentioned in the Terms & Conditions, there is no compensation or refund for any portion of the tour or excursion you do not participate in).