Calabria: to SEA or not to SEE

It’s time we talk about Calabria, Italy’s toe, a region that most people have probably never heard of. In fact, visitors to Italy tend to go through the Northern regions, then proceed south to Tuscany, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and then they skip Calabria to reach either Sicily or Puglia, whose popularity has been growing exponentially in the past few years. That’s curious, don’t you think? Especially when you learn what Calabria has to offer. Well, my theory is, it’s simply bad marketing!

Calabria has one of the most incredible coastlines in Europe, 741 km of mixed rocky and sandy beaches. It is an uncultivated, underdeveloped, incredible wild land facing transparent emerald greens and crystal blue seas that seem like you are in some exotic place far away from overpopulated europe.

National parks in the mountainous interior, crisscrossed with hiking trails that shelter the tallest trees in Italy, where you’re lucky if you find anyone along the way.  Sunrises and sunsets that don’t need a meteorologist to predict when a great one is going to happen – it just does everyday! The atmosphere is so peculiar, and there are surprises waiting for you around every corner. Take the optical ilusion la fata Morgana for example,  a phenomenon that awes travelers today but used to frighten sailors on the high seas. The natural beauty of this region is simply breathtaking: blessed by the Gods, scents of jasmine and citrus fruits fill the air, heaven to your senses. Here you will find the Bergamotto, a unique citrus fruit that is known as Calabria’s green gold. It is used in the finest Earl Grey tea, luxury oils, foods, and even perfume brands such as Dior use it for their fragrances.  And what about Truffle Gelato? I mean the chocolate one, not the mushroom! Created in Pizzo, it was the best gelato I have eaten so far, and  friends, you know that in my 20 years in Italy I have had my fair share of gelato! Calabria is also rich with history, art and culture: it is the land of ancient civilizations, settlements that started 11’000 years ago, from the Aschenazi, to the Ausonians-Oenotrians (Itali – Morgeti, and Siculi), to the Greeks and Romans to the Byzantines, Normans, to the kingdom of Naples, to the Republic of Italy. Thousands of years of uninterrupted history, where civilizations were drawn by this region’s treasures.

So who’s this land perfect for? I’d say it is for the person that is longing to see beautiful land that is still not invaded by mass tourism, street sellers and restaurants over charging you for their “mystery meat’’.  It is for the traveler that searches quiet and introspection, for the hiker, the solo traveler, the writer, the blogger, the foodie, the adventurer, the honeymooners. But most of all, the descendants of those Calabrians that had to leave their land, to rediscover their roots. It’s here that you will learn why your Nonno and Nonna never lost their accent, the traditions and love for this region. And have I mentioned Calabrian hospitality? When you arrive in Calabria one of the strangest things you’ll experience is that there’s a scarcity of tourist information booths, which in a way is a breath of fresh air, as it forces you to do as travellers did once upon a time: ask random strangers for directions. But do not hesitate, locals will always stop and go out of their way to help, they are very kind, friendly, and proud to tell you a few anecdotes here and there. So don’t worry, you won’t lose your way.

It is definitely a land that grounds you. It is not aloof, it will embrace you in a way that you are not really used to anymore, you won’t find that aggressiveness that you find in touristic cities, it gives you a sense of freedom.  We know this land, we know their people, and I can’t wait to have you here. Please contact me so I can explain a bit more why Calabria is so misunderstood, so extraordinary and why it should be a definite let’s NOT skip this region!

To enquire about your next trip to Calabria, contact us directly at: info@selectedtoursitaly.com

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