Lamezia
Ever heard of Calabria? If not, don’t fret, you’re certainly not alone. Calabria is the southernmost mainland region of Italy. Also known as the ‘toe of Italy', it is recognized geographically as ‘kicking’ the island region of Sicily around. The sun-bathed deep south of la bella Italia has much to offer vacationers. As the region lies directly in the middle of the Mediterranean, Calabria boasts over 800 kilometres, of superb beachfront facing the inland Tyrrhenian Sea on the west coast and the Ionian Sea on the eastern coast.

Let me take you through the region as I experienced it myself over a year ago…

If you’re looking for the un-commercial Italian experience - full of charm, Calabria is your best bet. Medieval churches, beaches, mountains, forests, ancient ruins, colourful cuisine inspired by ancient Greece, Africa and local ingredients of the land. For instance, Aubergine (or eggplant) based dishes are a Calabrese culinary standard and are famously grown throughout the province.

Your Euros go a long way in Calabria too, with accommodations, food and entertainment all more reasonably priced than the rest of Italy and Europe for that matter! So, with these great points mentioned, you might be wondering why Calabria is such an untapped gem… In any case it won’t be for much longer and besides, the absence of large foreign tourist crowds at beaches and other sites means there are fewer line-ups and more space.

For centuries the Italian south has been tagged as the poor section of Italy. Since the publication of the Carlo Levi’s influential memoir entitled “Christ Stopped at Eboli” (published in 1945), things have changed for the better. Due to government funding, promotion of agriculture and of course tourism, the economic climate here has improved drastically since then. After all, there is much to see and enjoy in Calabria. Most of the region is covered in lush forest and mountainous terrain.

Calabria is made up of five provinces: Reggio Calabria, Crotone, Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro and Cosenza. A popular gateway into the region is through Lamezia Terme (also known as Sant’Eufemia Lamezia) where I landed. It’s a lovely coastal town bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. When you fly in, it’s worth staying put at least for a few days to wander the local sights: ancient watchtowers, cathedrals, medieval castles, sunny beaches and more.

I ended up taking the wrong train (headed north) but was informed by a very nice passenger named Concetta, that Cosenza was lovely and worth seeing anyway. So I did.

Cozenza
Cosenza is one of Calabria’s largest cities (more like a town compared to Naples or Rome) and the capital of the Cosenza province. This is the perfect stepping stone to La Sila – one of Europe’s greatest untouched areas of forest still fully intact. The mountains of La Sila are stunning too and serve as a popular skiing destination in Italy during the winter months. The actual city of Cosenza is certainly modest in size but large on charm - I think the brilliant hilly setting has much to do with that. Visually, it is easily apparent as to why the city is known as the ‘Athens of Calabria’. You can easily find this influence in the diet as well as the architecture (plenty of white washed homes and cathedrals). I took a hike through a small patch of La Sila, sipped fresh mountain water, feasted on figs and some tasty swordfish then headed back on course…

I then took the correct train down to Tropea to meet my worried friends. This scenic resort village lies in the province of Vibo Valentia. The beaches sit off the bright Tyrrhenian Coast. The village contains several world-class resorts with beaches separated by steep cliffs that plunge directly into the Sea. The waters are a crisp turquoise and the sand is powdery white. As with most of Calabria, the food is incredible and seafood is the star!

Reggio di Calabria is the cultural hub of Calabria and is one of the oldest cities in Italy. The city lies on the strait of Messina which separates mainland Italy from Sicily. The city sits on a large mountainous range and is home to museums and castles that showcase Italy’s invaded and colourful past. The people are boisterous and fun; the flow of life in Italy’s south is slower paced with an appreciation for fine wine, food, calcio and conversation.
Tropea

As mentioned, the diet has is heavily influenced by Greece - with ingredients such as honey, eggplant, figs, olives and almonds as heavyweights in the Calabrese menu. With the word quickly spreading outside of Italy and beyond, the tourism industry in Calabria has nowhere to go but upward! Resort towns such as Diamente, Praia a Mare, Scalea, Maratea and Tropea are growing in size and stature. So, get a move on and discover Italy’s charming south in Calabria!

You could wander around the region as I have or try a Mediterranean Cruise and discover other famous Italian ports too, France, Greece and more…

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