A Strategy for Discovering Calabria: Mangia! Mangia!
There is no better way to savor the regions of Italy than through the local cuisine, and Calabria in the south is no exception.
Among the specialties to discover are ‘Nduja (a spicy, spreadable pork sausage from Spilinga); figs (especially the recipes by Colavolpe); Gaglioppo grapes (from a stretch of land near the Ionian Sea); Pecorino (a hard cheese made from sheep’s milk served as antipasto or grated over pasta); and Calabrian licorice (which the Encyclopedia Britannica says is the best in the world). An entire trip can be built around the farms, dairies. vineyards and markets that produce Calabria’s signature specialties, not to mention wonderful restaurants where they are served liberally and creatively throughout Calabria. To make it easy, a luxury travel service called My Bella Vita Travel offers a sumptuous small group Food & Wine tour for twelve days of feasting and tasting, next scheduled for June 16 - 27, 2023. The tour is a deep dive into the culture of Calabria, deliciously revealed through a rich culinary heritage. The tour stops in four strategically selected towns --- Diamante, Camigliatello Silano, Pizzo Calabro, and Catanzaro --- and includes everything from truffle hunting in the mountains to cheese and wine tastings in the ancient towns, as well as cooking lessons with local chefs and dining in everything from charming trattorias to a Michelin restaurant. Among the special features are a bilingual host throughout the itinerary, transfers to and from Lamezia Airport, all ground transportation with a dedicated driver, accommodations for eleven nights, daily breakfast, free-flowing wine at lunches and dinners, nightly gatherings for aperitivi, three hands-on cooking classes, tours and tastings at wineries, farm visits, a tartufo demonstration, visits to Sila National Park and Scolocium, and unlimited conviviality. Visits with small producers celebrate familiar specialties and a few surprises. For more information on the Calabria Food & Wine Tour or a customized version of the itinerary on other dates, visit www.mybellavita.com.
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The Best of Calabria, Sicily and Malta