Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour

Here, in the thick countryside of South West Calabria you will find Capo Vaticano and our school. Just a few kilometers south of the medieval town of Tropea, Capo Vaticano overlooks the rocky landscape and offers beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Weather permitting, you can even see as far as Sicily and the island of Stromboli with its active volcano towering some 2000 m above sea level.

the beautiful beaches and coves
Please take advantage of the natural wonders around you. Explore the coves, snorkel, dive, swim or just sun bath etc. you will never see the Mediterranean like this again!

sea food
Enjoy all kinds of fish but especially swordfish, which is served, either grilled or fried, with a tomato sauce. Further specialties include aubergine, mutton and lamb dishes, fish soup (Zuppa di pesce).

other sites
Sila Mountains: A beautiful mountain and nature reserve. Serra san Bruno: A roman monastery with beautiful frescoes. Hipporion: An old Greek settlement. The Castle of Vibo Valentia: where there is an archeological museum. Town of Pizzo: (25 km away) see the Castle of Gioacchino Murat. Taormina: 3 hours away. The Eolia Islands: beautiful islands.

museums
Catanzaro's Provincial Museum houses outstanding relics, from the Neolithic period to the Greek-Roman Age, and a remarkable collection of coins. In Reggio Calabria, the National Museum holds one of the most important archaeological collection in Italy: Paleolithic, Byzantine and Arab art, relics of the Bronze and Iron Ages, tomb outfits, pictorial tables and the world famous Bronzes of Riace, the two great bronze statues of warriors of the fifth century B.B. In Cosenza, one can visit the Museo Interdiocesano, with the treasure of the Cathedral, and the Civic Museum with prehistoric bronzes, Paleolithic manufactured goods and instruments.

excursions

tropea
The medieval town of Tropea is well worth visiting: it has an impressive prehistoric museum. The cathedral dating from the Norman era and the pilgrimage church Santa Maria dell´Isola are very interesting. There are also ancient Greek and Roman ruins to be seen. (Actually the entire area is a archaeological treasure)!

reggio calabria
Find remains of the Roman Age, such as baths, theaters and bridges. The religious buildings show Byzantine influences, dating back to the period when the region was part of the Empire of Byzantium. The Gothic style had a large diffusion during the thirteenth century. The Renaissance style is present in the paintings. The Baroque influence can be seen in several monuments.

sicily
It is the biggest island in the Mediterranean, separated from the Italian peninsula by the strait of Messina. The coasts offer a landscape of fascinating beauty almost everywhere; groups of marvelous smaller islands are scattered round the coast. The isles of Stromboli and Vulcano are also active volcanoes. Sicily was a Greek colony during the Classic Age, the Hellenic heritage is remarkable (Syracuse, Gela, Agrigento, Selinunte and Eraclea). Important Roman remnants can be seen at Taormina, Syracuse, Tindari, Solunto, Eloro and Patti.

If you wish to wander a little further there are trips to excavation sites in the Sila area or a weekend trip to Sicily. Other towns worth a visit include - Catanzaro, Cosenza, Crotone, Reggio Calabria, Vibo Valentia - are hospitable and well-equipped and represent the starting point for fascinating naturalistic and historical-cultural itineraries.