Has anyone taken this tour lately? Interested in how much time is spent in Calabria, specifically Crotone and if anyone is familiar with the distance from Crotone to Cosenza/Spezzano della Sila? (I realize the itinerary states one night--but would like to get to Cosenza/Spezzano if possible) Thanks,
Joe

We did this tour last September. We only had a late afternoon and evening in Crotone and we spent it at the hotel.Cannot help you with what it was near, sorry. The first few days of the tour involved long drives, with not much to see or do (with the exception of Alborobello) - it was really disappointing. I actually would not recommend this tour, but others have enjoyed it, so each to their own.

Hi Joe & Sharon,

according to Google Maps, the distance from Crotone to Cosenza is 109km (about 68 miles) with a driving time of nearly 2 hours.

phil

Thanks to Dragonlady and Phil for your replies. Anyone else out there with comments on this tour?? Deciding whether it would be worth our time (and euros to take it or look for another tour that spends more time in Calabria prior to Sicily. Thank You!! Dragonlady makes it sounds likes lots of "coachtime" prior to setting foor on terra ferma?

You may have already read them but there are two tour journals covering this tour linked from the topic: "Where are all the tales?" (which sits permanently near the top of the Tour Tales forum):

• Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily [AndrewG] - May 2007
  
• Country Roads of Southern Italy & Sicily [Pauline] - September/October 2007

There are also 13 photo albums related to the tour posted on the BB and you can easily find links to them in the topic: "Where are all the photos & videos?"

phil

Phil, Thanks for the tips. I've seen the pics, but will now print out the journals and see if this is what we're looking for!

Wow! This was my first insight tour experience...and we LOVED it! My husband and I (in our early 30s) and my retired parents truly enjoyed this tour. You will get a real feel of Italy and it's people. Southern Italy is amazing. The food unbelievable. The wine...never ending. You will not feel like a tourist in the south as much as you do in the Northern Cities of Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice..etc. We have also done the Easy Pace Italy tour as well. Honestly, I still struggle with which tour was better! They were both so different. If you want to see the Italy that most of the world is familiar with then I would suggest the North. If you want an old Italy feel with a good taste of Sicily then go with The country roads tour. Best of luck with your decision. No matter what, you can't loose with insight. I've just booked my 3rd tour with insight. I'm off to Greece!