Calabria + Naples

May 2025

Tropea, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, is Calabria’s crowning jewel, boasting dramatic rock formations, pristine beaches, crystalline water, and the charming, pedestrian-only historical center, with its restaurants, cafes, and shops. We’ll be perched atop it all at the Villa Paola, a serene grand dame residence of only nine rooms.

A trip to Calabria is really a trip back in time. Very little has changed here since the mid-20th Century, and it remains one of Italy’s best kept secrets. That said, the seaside wonders of Scilla and the historic Bronzes in Reggio Calabria, the warmth of the people, and innovative food born out of cucina povera – poor people’s food – are elemental to any Italian travel experience worth its salt.

Naples is a city of contradictions and travel here elicits strong reactions. It’s gritty. It’s chaotic. All true. But scratching that gritty surface reveals a city nearly 3,000 years in the making, shaped culturally by the influences of Magna Graecia, the Roman Empire, the Hapsburgs, the Bourbons and even Napoleon. The food and shopping are amazing.

Nearby, the sleeping giant, Mt. Vesuvius, dominates Naples from a scant 7.5 mile distance providing unique fertile soil that produces a variety of luscious foods from hazelnuts and walnuts to honey and tomatoes. From the wide, sunny promenade along the sparkling waters of the harbor, to the warren of narrow lanes in the old city center, we’ll sample pizza, burrata, mozzarella and other delicious treats.