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Area and Activities
A wide array of excursions can be enjoyed within the area, either independently or with the supervision of our staff (charge applied)
Cirò and Melissa Wine tour 
The Liquorice Museum in Rossano
Santa Severina
Crotone and Capocolonna
Ampollino Park - Sila National Park
San Giovanni in Fiore
Capo Colonna Archeological Park
Paleontologic tour to the gullies of Vrica and Stuni in Crotone
Acerenthia, the Ancient Pandòsia, the capital of the king of the Enotri
Towers and castles
Scuba diving, snorkelling
Guided visits to the Marine Area and Acquarium
Sailing boat, including boat rental and school
Trekking and cycling
The Fallistro’s Giants Biogenetical Reserve
Karstic caves in Verzino
Deep-fishing- Trolling and Drifting
Aurora Festival
Click the to learn more.
Crotone, Pitagora and the land of myth
A year round destination featuring history, nature and legend
Archaeology and culture
Historically the territory of Crotone has always been considered and represented as an important
part of the Magna Grecia; over time, writers and travellers committed themselves in search of traces
of a past marked by Pitagora’s preminent figure as well as by a number of villages having a key role
as cultural and religious crossroads, where evidence of the past is reflected in monuments,
architecture and narrow streets.
Crotone
The tour of Crotone, Pitagora’s homeland, includes the visit to the monumental castle of Carlo V
and the National Archaeological Museum, hosting the treasure of Hera, which gathers findings
excavated in the surroundings of the majestic temple of Capo Colonna, with its still standing single
column. Other highlights feature the National Civic Museum and the Archaeological Park in Capo
Colonna.
Le Castella
Visit the village of Le Castella, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, with the Aragonese Castle
towering over a small island connected to the coastline with a stretch of land.
Santa Severina
Visiting Santa Severina, rated among the finest ancient villages in Italy, is like taking a leap into the
Byzantine period. Santa Severina boasts one of the best preserved old town centres as well as being
the monumental core within the Crotone area. Sights include the Aragonese castle of Roberto II il
Guiscardo, and the Cathedral consecrated to S.Anastasia, rich in artefacts and pieces of art. The
Byzantine Baptistery and the Diocesan Museum, rich in gold and garments, are also worth a visit.
Cirò Marina – Melissa Tower
The main attraction in Cirò Marina, the ancient Krimisa, is the Archaeological Museum hosting
relics from the Apollo Aleo temple. The Saracen Markets, where in ancient times merchants kept
their stall and Turkish used to dock, are also important. The stop at Melissa offers the chance to
visit the impressive Battlemented Tower, one the most significant examples of sighting towers.
The interior hosts the Museum of the Peasant Culture, exemplifying the culture of local peasants.
Castle Itinerary
The itinerary includes the visit to the castles of Crotone, Capo Rizzuto island, Santa Severina and
Caccuri.
The Traces of time
The paleontological itinerary of Vrica and Stuni winds along the hills of Crotone, across one of the
world’s most relevant geological sites. Key landscape features include the peculiar gullies made of
clay and sandstone, surrounded by tiny valleys covered with tamarisks (Vrica) and asphodels
(Stuni). Both areas still bear visible traces of glacial and interglacial cycles. In depth-studies carried
out within the Crotone territory enabled to identify several fossil typologies, thus providing a better
understanding of the ice age process.
Maggio Crotonese (May in Crotone)
Local traditions are celebrated during a series of recurring events taking place within the province
of Crotone. Such events are deeply linked with culture and music, as well as with ethnic traditions
and religious feasts.
Madonna di Capolonna Feast
The event celebrates the Madonna di Capocolonna with a solemn procession, in a whirl of
emotions, lights and colours, and spectacular fireworks. The feast takes place in Crotone (May,
second-third Sunday)
Greek Madonna Festiva
The event takes place in Capo Rizzuto island every first Monday in May and on August 5. The feast
consists in a series of processions accompanied by music and fireworks.
Aurora Festival
The Aurora Festival is the most prestigious cultural exhibition taking place within the Maggio
Crotonese events, featuring refined and top-level chamber, symphony and lyric concerts. The
Festival also hosts several initiatives, exhibitions, in-depth lectures and conventions. Concerts of
special interest include the closing performance, set in Capo Colonna’s dramatic scenery at sunrise.
The Aurora Festival runs in Crotone during the whole month of May.
Religious itineraries
The religious itineraries offer the opportunity of visiting a number of abbeys, ancient churches and
monasteries located both in and outside the province territory: Crotone, Santa Severina, Capo
Rizzuto Island, Mesoarca, San Giovanni in Fiore.
The most ancient vintage in the world
The grape harvest (September 10-October 20) is a unique opportunity to experience and enjoy
ancient traditions. The age-old vineyards are famed for the production of the Cirò, the heir of Italian
wines’ ancestor, the Greek Krimisa. As they explore the countryside, plunged into the magical
atmosphere of the vintage period, visitors will be able to discover the most genuine soul of the area.
The vintage in local vineyards
This amazing experience allows to assist and take part in the grape harvest , thus appreciating the
painstaking work carried out by expert hands, season after season. Visitors will enjoy an intense
experience surrounded by autumn’s typical smell, while tasting a freshly harvested Gaglioppo grape
bunch.
The wine cellars of local producers
After visiting the vineyards, guided by local wine-dressers, guests will be introduced to the process
of wine production. They will follow the different stages of the production cycle, from the wine
pressing to the transformation of grapes in must. Other relevant phases will also be studied in detail
in order to achieve a better comprehension of the whole process.
The local wine industry
Visitors will be given a warm welcome and offered to taste a glass of wine straight from the barrel,
as well as local products. An ancient tradition which is still alive, to be shared with local producers
in a friendly ambience.
The territory of the Cirò wine
Melissa Tower, Cirò Marina, Santa Severina, Capo Colonna, Crotone, Capo Rizzuto Island.
"Kroton" for senior
Crotone is an ideal destination for Senior, even off the peak season, when tourists flock to the area.
The territory is gifted with huge attractions, such as a year-round mild climate, a cultural, historical
and archaeological heritage, well preserved mountain and marine environment, wine and
gastronomic itineraries focussed on the Mediterranean diet. A place that conjures up the cult for
traditions and untouched natural resources, while modernity has brought so far only few changes to
the traditional lifestyle
Wine and gastronomic itineraries in the Cirò area
The excursion schedules a visit to Cirò Marina and the Melissa Tower, including a typical lunch
with wine tasting The itinerary proceeds by visiting the Archaeological Museum in Cirò Marina, the
Saracen Markets, the Battlemented Tower and the Museum of the Peasant Culture.
One day in Sila, Italy’s green lung
The Ampollino Park is a true natural treasure to be discovered through relaxing walking activities
across wide and untouched Alpine landscapes.
One day trip to the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area
The tour starts with the visit of the sea village Le Castella, with its Aragonese Castle and crystal
clear waters, deemed to be the pearl of the area. The excursion also includes trips in a glass-bottom
boat, allowing tourists to observe the underwater world and also discover amphoras, ancient tools,
fragments, wrecks of ancient Roman and Greek ships.
Ancient villages and archaeological sites
The itinerary focuses on Kroton and the Archaeological Park in Capo Colonna, Santa Severina and
S.Giovanni in Fiore.
The Marine Protected Area
Covering an area of nearly 13.500 sea hectares, Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area is one of the
largest of its kind in Europe. As such, this Mediterranean corner needs to be preserved and
protected. The protected area features crystal clear waters, a stunning environment and a varied
seabed attracting a wide variety of life forms...a paradise for scuba divers! Capo Rizzuto also
houses a real underwater archaeological museum, preserving remains of the civilizations who lived
along this expanse of coastline stretching towards Greece.
The Marine Protected Area
Visitors to the area can enjoy a diversity of activities, including diving, sailing boat and motorboat
trips. Capo Rizzuto can also be explored by simply walking along its pristine beaches. Whatever the
choice, the area is immensely rich in natural wonders waiting to be discovered through a series of
sea and land itineraries.
The Acquarium in Capo Rizzuto
The Acquarium features 22 pools hosting several species endemic to the area, along with a few
individuals rescued by fishermen and sea-lovers.
Glass bottom boat trips
This excursion is recommended to all those who are fascinated by the sea, but are not inclined to
practise diving. Special glass bottom boats, provided by local cooperatives operating in the area
ensure a spectacular sea-watching…..without getting wet!
Sailing boat trips
A sailing boat trip in this area is synonymous with strong emotions, offering an unparalleled
opportunity to discover the historical heritage scattered along the coast.
Le Castella sea village. The “Pearl of the Mediterranean”
Due to its peculiar location, the Aragonese Castle is one of the most fascinating fortresses in Italy.
Indeed, the building towers over a small island connected to the mainland with a thin stretch of land
Ulysses’ Course
A boat trip is the best way to visit some of the area’s most stunning places, revealing their magic
with amazing sea landscapes, bays, inlets, the wide sea horizon. Like Ulysses, you will wander
through the sea, discovering new treasures.
Sailing boat and motorboat cruises
The itinerary covers 40 km. within the Marine Protected Area and explores ancient Greek and
Roman sites near Capo Colonna, as well as settlements dating back to the Imperial Age in Capo
Cimit, the coastal defence of the late ancient age, now submerged, in the Capo Rizzuto area and the
Viceroyal fortification system, made up of fortalices and sighting towers.
The shoals in the Marine Protected Area
Located between Capo Comiti and Le Castella, the shoals can be observed on board bottom glass
boats. The shoals may possibly be identified with the mythical islands where Ulysses is supposed to
have docked: Dioscoron, Eranussa, Tirys, Moelessa and Ogigia, which was apparently the island
inhabited by Calypso, the Nymph mentioned by Homer
Sailing Courses
The local sailing schools runs courses at all levels: beginners, advanced and full immersion lessons.
Local cooperatives caters for a boat and rubber dinghy rental service at reasonable prices.
Visit the Aragonese Castle in Le Castella
Visit the Acquarium in Capo Rizzuto
Diving and sea watching
A sea full of wonders awaits scuba-divers and sea-watchers, with a coastline stretching for 40 km.,
fringed with a succession of sandy beaches and rocks, a seabed unexpectedly hosting an incredible
variety of plants and animals and submerges treasures like ancient and more recent wrecks,
amphoras, medieval cannons. If you are fascinated by sea mysteries, this is a chance not to be
missed!
Guided diving
Guided diving can be experienced supported by accredited Diving Centres also providing the
necessary equipment and the assistance of expert instructors, taking you into a world of sea gorges
and shoals, hosting a colourful marine life.
Night diving
A night diving experience is like dreaming with open eyes. As darkness falls, the torchlight
illuminates a colourful world inhabited by amazing creatures only visible at night.
Junior diving
Junior diving is especially conceived for children willing to take their first steps underwater, having
a close look at those animals they have only seen in cartoons like the Little Mermaid.
Archaeological diving
The area has a lot to offer to those who are keen on archaeological diving: roman wrecks with
amphoras, columns and marble blocks are lying on the sea bed, as well as remains of ships wrecked
in the early years of the last century
Diving courses
Local schools organize courses at all levels, according to the instructions given by Padi, Naui, Pass
and Cmas. Trainees will be introduced to both theory and practice, up the first, exciting diving
experience.
Sea watching
Snorkelling and trips on board glass bottom boats are recommended activities for those who are not
divers, as they offer the opportunity to admire the underwater world in all its beauty.
Fishing
Taking part in a fishing adventure provides a different way to explore the sea world. Supported by
local fishermen and expert skippers you will experience the emotions of this ancient activity. As
different fishing techniques are used depending on the season, two different types of boats are
available.
Deep trolling
Deep trolling fishing with traditional live-bait and pounced fishing lines techniques is common in
September, October and November
Drifting
Drifting is one the most exciting fishing techniques, and can be experienced all year round. It is
especially used to catch giant tuna and sword fish.
Squid Fishing
The squid and cuttlefish season starts in November. Fishing techniques rely upon fishing lines with
fake bait.
Fishing tourism
Sailing with professional fishermen, you will get acquainted with the traditional fishing techniques
such as “u conzu”, a peculiar fishing line carrying over 1000 hooks, used to catch the sword fish.
The catch is fishermen’s property, but you can also angle by yourself with the fishing-lines (trolling
rod fishing) provided onboard. In this case, you can keep the catch.
Boat and equipment rental available
The Italian great forest
It’s the Lake Ampollino and Sila National Park, with its secluded landscapes, dense forests where
trees like the laricio pine, beech, alder and oak dominate and woods are covered by aromatic plants.
The landscape alternates sweet valleys, gorges and rocks concealed by the forest or carved by
crystal clear streams. Visitors to the park will soak up the magic of a wild atmosphere, where a
fragile ecosystem hosts a varied fauna and flora.
Trekking
Trekking activities are the best way to discover the natural wonders of the park, wandering through
forests and off-the-beaten tracks itineraries.
Orienteering courses available
Visit the Ampollino lake by canoe or pedal boat
The Fallistro Giants
This small yet magnificent forest is part of the Fallistro Giants Biogenetical Reserve. The forest is
characterized by larch pine trees and mountain maple trees, which can grow up to 40 mt. with
trunks having a diameter of 2 mt. These “green giants” are the remainders of the primeval
coniferous forest that once covered the entire plateau.
Indoor ice-skating rink
Ski runs
Summer and winter bob
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