HollyDay Travel’s inaugural Southern Italy tour, personally hosted by owner Holly Velardo, has wrapped with 23 Australian and New Zealand travellers taking part in an extraordinary 13-day cultural immersion journey through Calabria and Sicily.
The South Australian travel advisor and her Italian husband Angelo offered guests unprecedented access to authentic local experiences in Angelo’s hometown of Bagnara – a charming fishing village that rarely sees tourists.
The unique itinerary was personally created and designed by Holly and Angelo, in partnership with Trafalgar Tours utilising their full-size coaches, expert local travel directors, and knowledgeable local guides. The collaboration combined Trafalgar’s operational expertise with Holly and Angelo’s intimate local knowledge and family connections, creating an unparalleled travel experience.
The highlight of the tour was the visit to Bagnara, Angelo’s hometown, an authentic coastal treasure in Calabria where the entire community embraced the group.
“Cars were pulling over, people were popping out of shops just to say hello,” said Holly. “The whole town knew we were bringing a group, and the genuine warmth was overwhelming.”
The personal nature of the experience was evident throughout, with guests dining at Angelo’s cousin’s restaurant, visiting the family church where Angelo’s parents worshipped when they were children, and being welcomed into local businesses by the owners themselves. Tour director Federica’s passionate rendition of Ave Maria in the family church moved several guests to tears, creating what Holly described as “a truly magical moment”.
Beyond traditional tourism
Unlike conventional Italy tours focussing on Rome-Venice-Florence, this carefully crafted itinerary showcased the authentic Southern Italy that Holly and Angelo call their second home. The tour included:
- 19 meals featuring fresh local cuisine including pesce spada (swordfish), handmade pasta, and regional specialities;
- Exclusive experiences such as a private visit to Ceramica Spoleti La Regina, where master craftsman Mr. Spoleti demonstrated traditional ceramic making techniques;
- Mt. Etna exploration with early access to volcanic craters and wine tasting at the 400-year-old Tenuta di Fessina winery;
- Cooking classes and tastings throughout the journey.
Food tells its own story
The food told its own story throughout the tour. In Bagnara, there were no menus – just the catch of the day, cooked that same night by Angelo’s cousin in his family restaurant.
Guests embraced the experience wholeheartedly, and were rewarded with some of the most memorable meals of their lives. As if the food alone wasn’t enough, local children arrived to serenade the group with a live performance of the tarantella, played on traditional instruments.
“We travelled with the best group, ever,” guest Christine Andrews said in capturing the sentiment shared by the entire group. Many guests, despite having travelled extensively through Italy before, expressed that this small group tour exceeded all expectations.
Anna, a seasoned Italy traveller, noted that despite having visited Italy many times, “this small group tour has exceeded their expectations”.
What set this tour apart was the authentic relationships formed – not just between guests and locals, but amongst the travellers themselves.
“Twenty-three strangers became friends as we wandered through cobblestone streets together, sharing stories over the most incredible meals,” Holly reflected.
Looking ahead
Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural tour, HollyDay Travel will offer a 2027 Southern Italy departure for June, with limited spots remaining. The tour promises the same authentic experiences, family connections, and meticulous attention to detail that made the 2026 journey so memorable.
“Seeing the genuine friendships that formed over shared meals and laughter and knowing that 23 people now carry a piece of this beautiful region in their hearts – this is exactly why we created this tour,” Holly said.
