Catered Journeys for Curious Souls

Would you like to see a candid and uncensored version of La Dolce Vita? Feel yourself opening the window in the morning directly onto the Tyrrhenian Sea, the waves lapping below. It’s said that Plato described the starting point for our Calabria trip in these terms: “Everything is tinged with different shades of purple, giving life every evening, with its spectacular reflections, to a vision always new”. Calabria boasts over 800 kilometers of clear blue water, white sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs (especially along the famous western coast, or Costa degli Dei, where we will take to the water at sunset).

Calabria, the sun-drenched “toe” of Italy, presents the country’s less globalized and homogenized reality, not dressed up for tourist consumption.

We’ll explore how Calabria was settled by Ancient Greeks, then shaped by successive waves of Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman rulers who left their mark on local architecture, traditions, cuisine and dialects. We’ll spend time in the wild interior mountains. And we’ll try the fiery peperoncino (chili peppers) and the spreadable spicy pork sausage known as ‘nduja. Along with a tantalizing spread of fresh seafood, sweet Tropea onions, and some very impressive wines.

Nestled along Italy’s southern Adriatic coastline, the northern reaches of Puglia and the tiny Molise region await discovery. During this week, Adagio offers to a few lucky travelers a genuine sense of belonging and a rare, refined connection to the land. Claudia and some of her closest partners will personally lead this exclusive opportunity to dodge the crowds and immerse completely in a seductive corner of Italy unknown even to many Italians.

Picture the Gargano in northern Puglia: the smell of pine salt on the drive down the mountain from the UNESCO “Shady Forest”; the first glimpse of the Pizzomuno limestone rock rising nearly 250 feet straight out of the sea; sipping a spritz with our feet practically in the waves while watching the final solar rays disappear over the Adriatic. This region rewards those who slow down and give it real time….and we will.

After Gargano, we’ll head to Italy’s second smallest region and also its youngest, having split from the “Abruzzi” umbrella only in 1963. Why did that occur? Most Italians would acknowledge that some things are just lost in the mists of time.

Let’s be honest….do you know where Calabria, Italy is located? There are many reasons that most of us will answer “no”. Adagio intends to put Calabria on your map. And we’ll be doing that in the company of women only in fall 2027.

The short answer: Calabria is one of Italy’s 20 regions; the country looks like a boot and Calabria is its toe. This region’s stunning coastlines stretch between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas in Italy’s southernmost reaches. Pristine beaches, rugged mountains, and charming villages create a diverse and captivating landscape. Calabria offers a slow journey into an Italy deeply rooted in culture and natural beauty. Known for its rich history with strong influences from Greece and Albania, Calabria features ancient ruins, medieval castles, and historic towns like Reggio Calabria and Tropea.

Adagio is collaborating for this journey with our longtime friends from fellow travel designers Escape Artists; we are limiting each agency to 5 women, for a total of 10 guests.