Ancestry Tour in Scilla, Calabria – Visit the Town of Your Ancestors

Core Experience – Your Ancestral Town: Scilla (2 Days)

The time spent in Scilla is the heart of your ancestry journey.
Our genealogical team and partner travel agency can take care of transfers, accommodation, local transportation and on-site logistics, so you can focus entirely on reconnecting with your family roots.

Day 1 – First Connections in Scilla

• Arrival in the area with either a private transfer arranged by ItalianSide or with a rental car if you prefer to drive.
  We are always available to help you choose the best travel solution according to your needs.
• Welcome walk through the historic streets identified during genealogical research.
• Visit to the parish church where your ancestors were baptized or married.
• Orientation visit of the village and first contact with local residents.
• Check-in at a local accommodation selected according to your preferences (hotel, B&B, or family-run stay).

Day 2 – Deep Dive into Your Family Roots

• Guided visit to the town hall for historical context and — when possible — a look at archival references.
• Walk along family-related streets, confirmed through our genealogical research.
• Possible meeting with distant relatives, if matches are available.
• Exploration of surrounding areas where your ancestors lived, worked, or owned land.
• Lunch or dinner in traditional trattorias, tasting local specialties from the scillesi (in dialetto reggino scigghitani ) community.

16 august is a special moment in Scilla: visiting during this celebration allows you to experience traditions dedicated to san Rocco and to share one of the most meaningful events of the year for the scillesi (in dialetto reggino scigghitani ).

Your journey through the land of your ancestors can be enriched with additional days dedicated to discovering the beauty of this wonderful region.

The sections below describe individual Suggested Days. Each one is a modular building block that can be added, removed, or re-ordered according to your preferences, your travel dates, and how close Scilla is to each area of Calabria.

Suggested Day – Reggio Calabria & the Riace Bronzes

A day trip to Reggio Calabria lets you stroll along the seafront and visit the National Archaeological Museum
to admire the world-famous Riace Bronzes, combining history, culture and sea views in the same itinerary.

From Scilla it is approx. 22 km (14 miles), about 21m by car.

Suggested Day – Tropea & Capo Vaticano

From Scilla you can plan a day in Tropea, with its historic center perched on the cliffs and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola,
and then continue towards Capo Vaticano for some of the most spectacular panoramas over the Tyrrhenian Sea.

From Scilla it is approx. 81 km (50 miles), about 1h 17m by car.

Suggested Day – Pizzo, Maida & the Hills

Another possible day trip from Scilla is the area around Pizzo,
where you can visit the castle overlooking the sea, taste the famous Tartufo di Pizzo and explore nearby hilltop villages such as Maida.

From Scilla it is approx. 82 km (51 miles), about 58m by car.

Suggested Day – Serra San Bruno & the Monastic Woods

If you wish to add a quieter, more spiritual experience to your ancestry tour in Scilla,
you can spend a day around Serra San Bruno, visiting the Charterhouse and walking through the surrounding woods and mountain villages.

From Scilla it is approx. 89 km (55 miles), about 1h 10m by car.

Suggested Day – Soverato & the Coastal Riviera

A day in the area of Soverato can combine seaside promenades, small coastal towns and traces of ancient Magna Graecia,
offering a pleasant contrast to the time spent in Scilla and its surroundings.

From Scilla it is approx. 121 km (75 miles), about 1h 34m by car.

Suggested Day – Capo Colonna & the Archaeological Park

History lovers can dedicate a day to Capo Colonna, visiting the archaeological area of the Temple of Hera Lacinia
and combining it with a scenic drive along this stretch of the Calabrian coast.

Suggested Day – Diamante, Riviera dei Cedri & the Northern Coast

You may also plan a day along the Riviera dei Cedri, with a stop in Diamante to admire its murals and then continue along the coast
through towns such as Belvedere Marittimo, combining sea views, small villages and local food.

Flexible Extra Day – More Time for Roots, Nature or Relax

One of the days in your 7-day trip can remain intentionally flexible. Depending on your interests, this
day can be used for:

• More time in Scilla for deeper family connections and meetings.
• An additional nature excursion in the mountains (Sila, Aspromonte) or along the coast.
• A visit to some of the neighboring villages (such as Bagnara Calabra, Fiumara, Roccaforte del Greco, San Roberto, Sant’Eufemia d’Aspromonte, Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, Sinopoli, Villa San Giovanni) to explore the wider area around your ancestral town.