The Experience
We know...we know....
Weddings abroad are not the easiest - lots of planning and travels to then spend fifteen minutes with the newlyweds whose main worry is keeping that clumsy relative away from the pool.
That's why, jointly with Rachel, we came to a radical decision: not having clumsy relatives.
Jokes aside, we would like you to have as much fun when you are with us as when you are on your own traveling, exploring, and enjoying the wonders of the South of Italy. To give you a little help with this, we curated a selection of itineraries and activities you can fill your agenda and phone gallery with. After all those recommendations, you will find a manuale d'istruzioni to help you prepare best for your travels!
Itineraries
Depending on which traveller you are, we hope you will be able to find some inspiration from the itineraries below.
If you have already packed your SPF
When thinking of the South of Italy, many of us think of stunning beaches and gelato. San Nicola Arcella, the town of the venue, is among the most famous and scenic beach destinations in Calabria. Once you arrive there, you cannot miss the spiaggia dell'Arcomagno and an excursion to l'isola di Dino. Driving distance from there, you can visit the beaches of Praia a Mare, Maratea, and Diamante, all very recommended!
On the way:
- If you are flying to Naples, you have a perfect chance to visit the Amalfi Coast before driving south.
- If you are flying to Lamezia Terme, then Pizzo, Tropea, and Capo Vaticano are gonna steal your heart with their panoramic views and their gelato (the tartufo di Pizzo is a must try).
- If you are flying to Bari/Brindisi, the Ionian sea is just waiting for you! Rocca Imperiale, Roseto Capo Spulico, and Trebisacce are perfect stops along the way to finally wrap up your head whether you prefer the Ionian or the Tirrenian coast.
If your dress shoes are your hiking boots
Vincenzo's favorite hidden gem of the south of Italy: its nature! The Parco Nazionale del Pollino sits between Calabria and Basilicata and it is the perfect place for listening to the nature before listening to our vows. Vincenzo had a small tradition when he was living there, and it was to reach the peak of the Monte Pollino every year. That's why he is arranging a guided hike that follows the route he used to take (you can find a similar route here). In case you would be interested in joining, he is waiting for your message!
On the way:
- If you are flying to Naples, the Parco Nazionale del Cilento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers the perfect mix between nature, sea, and culture. Its breathtaking landscapes are just the cherry on top.
If you already got your museum entry
All throughout the South of Italy you can find the marks of Greek, Roman, Arab, and Spanish history. To explore it further, we have organized a small, guided tour of Vincenzo's hometown, Castrovillari. A small car trip from there and you will enter the heart of Magna Graecia (Great Greece), where you can visit the Greek ruins of Sibari and the National Archeological Museum of Crotone.
On the way:
- If you are flying to Naples, Pompeii and Paestum are must-see to know more about the history of the south of Italy.
- If you are flying to Bari/Brindisi, Matera is a small detour that will make your road trip unique. The city has been the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and has been the set for the first scene of James Bond's No Time to Die, so it is perfect for that couple that can never agree on which movie to watch.
Activities
For the most adventurous among you, here you can find a list of activities to keep your body and mind active before the ceremony. Most of those activities require reservation and a bit more of planning, so make sure to have enough time to prep!
List of activities
- Go for a guided tour of Castrovillari: together with the local guides and tourism office, you can discover the beauties and the history of Vincenzo's hometown. The tour is completely free of charges and, if you are lucky enough, you might even meet the mayor.
- Reach the summit of the Pollino Mountain: Explore the untouched nature of the Pollino National Park with a 4-hour hike to reach the 2.267 mt summit.
- Go rafting on the Lao River: great in tours or alone, rafting through the Lao river will provide you a unique view of the Calabrian nature.
- Experience Il volo dell'Angelo: not for the faint of heart, this zipline will have you flying between two mountains on the Dolomiti Lucane, in the heart of the Basilicata Region.
- Walk the Tibetan Bridge in Castelsaraceno: very similar to the zip line, this 600 meters long bridge will have you walking 80 meters above the ground. Make sure to hold your phone with both hands when taking pictures.
- Go for a run or bike ride on an old trainline: the Pista Ciclabile Morano-Castrovillari is, perhaps, Vincenzo's favorite place in his hometown. It is a transformation project of an old railway, that now serves as bike and walking path. It connects the cities of Morano and Castrovillari and will bring you through suggestive landscapes while you run/bike on the side of a mountain. If you are up for the challenge, a full back and forth run/ride takes around 15km.
Manuale d'istruzioni
As you get ready to be kissed by the Italian sun, here you can find some useful tips.
List of Tips
- Despite being a touristic destination, English is not widespread in Calabria. We would strongly recommend you memorize some basic sentences in Italian to navigate every type of interaction.
- Make sure to always check for food restrictions. Italians love their food and their traditions, and the gastronomical aspect should be an important part of your trip. Nonetheless, it would be good to have a note of with your allergies and food restrictions translated in Italian to show to the waiter before ordering.
- Every town is well serviced but be mindful of opening times. During summer, shops and service businesses observe a slightly modified opening time. Usually, shops open a bit later and stay open until 13.00-14.00, before taking a break early afternoon and reopening around 16.30-17.00. Big supermarkets and chains keep regular times, but they might be harder to find in small towns. For restaurants, lunch is usually at 13.00-15.00 and dinner is at 20.00-22.00.