Calabria is the tip of the boot, the extreme south of Italy, lapped by the splendid waters of the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Sea and separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. The warm climate, the beautiful colors of the sea, rocky coasts alternated to sandy beaches, the wild and mysterious nature, the strong and genuine flavors of local food and the vestiges of its ancient origins make Calabria a unique place to admire both in winter and summer.
Any wish can be fulfilled.
Those who love nature, its scents and mysteries, can explore the Calabrian hinterland, discovering pure and unpolluted sceneries, where huge green belts alternate with blue lakes and falls.
On the other hand, those who want to bask in the warm rays of the sun and dive into a crystal-clear sea can choose from the many charming towns dotting the long Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts. As for those who prefer to know the past of this region, Calabria, the cradle of the Magna Graecia and land of ancient settlements, offers a wide choice of churches, monasteries, castles, palaces and places where age-long traditions still survive.
The provinces of Calabria are: Catanzaro (regional capital), Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Crotone and Vibo Valentia.
The whole world knows the famous Riace Bronzes, which are exhibited in the National Museum of Reggio Calabria and are an important vestige of Magna Graecia, a period that deeply marked the history of this region. These beautiful statues, representing two warrior heroes, are a rare example of classical Greek sculpture.
With its 800 km of coasts, Calabria offers sea lovers a wide choice of splendid beaches, including Capo Vaticano, in the province of Vibo Valentia, that was defined as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world: a long tract of fine sand surrounded by age-old trees and lapped by crystal-clear waters teeming with a variegated fish fauna.
An immersion into the wilderness of the Calabrian hinterland is an unmissable opportunity, while the national parks of Sila, Serre, Aspromonte and Pollino are among the most interesting naturalistic destinations. The “torrents” and the “big stones” of Aspromonte, the “vegetable patriarchs” of Sila, the rich fauna of Serre are just some of the natural wonders offered by this region.
When we speak about Calabria, we think of the sea and the marvelous beaches to bask on.
Although, these clear waters with thousands of hues are a natural “gym” as well, where to go windsurfing, kite-surfing or scuba-diving to discover a wonderful seabed that houses colorful horny corals and charming wreckage of Second World War.
Calabria offers many opportunities to have fun and relax for those who decide to spend their holidays in the hinterland.
The National Parks, which cover most part of the hinterland, offer a wide range of proposals to satisfy all demands. The most “traditional” can choose one of the many ski resorts, equipped with artificial slopes to ski all the year round.
Those who love challenges cannot miss to experience a rafting excursion along the Lao river or through the Sila gorges. Alternatively, the river can be run across without the help of special boats (raft) but simply “walking”, diving in the water and letting yourself down with a rope in the most difficult tracts (canyoning). The support of expert guides makes these charming sports accessible to anyone.
Another possibility to learn and have fun at the same time is orienteering, a sport that was born in the Scandinavian countries to test sense of direction. The participants, equipped with a map and a compass, must reach the goal in the shortest time; they can choose independently the route to take, but they have to reach some preset intermediate stops. And why not try the emotion of “flying” over these breathtaking landscapes? Specialized instructors will lead you along the ways of the sky, steadily hooked to the saddle of a paraglider, to show you the beauty of Calabria from a totally different point of view.
Calabria is a land of strong and intense emotions; so are its flavors and famous Calabrian hot pepper can prove it.
We can find it in most Calabrian typical dishes: from toasted bread with n’duja sausage or sardines – called the “caviar of the poor” – to pork sausages, from pasta sauces to fish dishes.
The strong flavor of hot pepper is contrasted by the sweet taste of Tropea red onion, protected by the quality mark PGI; this onion is used to season dishes but also for curative purposes.
We could write a book on Calabrian products and typical dishes. Extra-virgin olive oil, wines, bergamot liqueurs, liquorice, citron and herbs, honey and jams, special types of home-made pasta (strangugghj, fileja, maccaruni) still kneaded with old methods, are just some of the delicacies you can taste while exploring this amazing region.
