Five reasons to visit Calabria in every season, from its typical dishes to the crystal clear sea, the natural parks, the mountains and the beautiful Calabrian villages, read the post.
La Calabria it is a land of strong contrasts. Just think of its geographic conformation: eight hundred kilometers of coastline washed by two different seas, which, however, cannot change its essence as a predominantly mountainous region.
Crystal clear sea in some places and stormy in others. Fine white sand for some beaches and incandescent stones for others. Snow-capped mountains and woods so dense that you can't see even a portion of the sky. It is a land to discover and before listing the ten reasons for which to visit it, I think we must start from here: from its being a land of raw and wild beauty.
1. The crystal clear sea
I come from an atypical seaside town (we have it there, but we are not real sailors), but for me the sea is always and in any case the starting point.
I like my sea in summer and in winter, with those aggressive waves that seem to want to sweep everything away. But in this case we will talk about the summer and more accessible one, which has little to envy to the most famous Italian resorts.
Let's start with Lace e Tropea (province of Vibo Valentia but very close to the international airport of Lamezia Terme) whose landscape leaves everyone dazzled by its beauty and where mass tourism is generally concentrated during the summer months. This coast is known as the coast of the Gods and on fine days you will also be able to see Stromboli in the distance. Have you ever been to Paradiso del Sub? Trust and go for it.
Pietragrande (CZ) is the pearl of the Ionian, famous not only for the color of the water, but above all for the characteristic "rock"More than twelve meters high. The more adventurous, will be able to take a dip… I did it and I highly recommend it. It is a unique experience.
Going south, we find Scilla (RC), a place shrouded in the mystery of the sirens and the myth of the monster Scylla, not only has a wonderful sea but the village is also one of the most beautiful in the region.
Coreca and the rock. Before the tunnel that leads to Amantea, you have to turn right following the signs for Coreca and stop shortly after the cliff restaurant and before the trap. There are stones, solitude and a rock that is good for thinking and getting lost.
Among these three places that represent the best of the coastal offer, you can find many coves and many beaches and make your own personal ranking.
2. The mountains and natural parks
For those who prefer the mountains, there is no mountain in the South with the same charm as Pollino. With its landscape of incredible beauty and beauty, the Pollino National Park it is one of the largest natural parks in Europe. Located on the slopes of the Pollino Massif, the park also extends into the territory of the Province of Cosenza. Sports enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice between various alpine sports and extreme sports, including trekking, Rafting e cross country. One of the most popular rafting spots is the Lao River, which takes you through a beautiful canyon. Another pearl of the Calabrian mountain is the Aspromonte National Park, kingdom of the Mediterranean scrub and the characteristic olive and citrus trees. the winter. And then there is the Sila, which still offers sites of great interest, such as the ski slopes of Camigliatello (CS) and the beautiful canyon of Valli Cupe (Sersale, CZ).
3. Typical food
The New York Times! The Calabrian cuisine is full of imagination that originates from the various dominations that have occurred over the centuries: from the Greeks to the Romans, from the Jews to the Arabs, from the Byzantines to the Spanish.
Il hot pepper is the master. To prove that you are now a local, you will need to be able to eat one whole, as if nothing had happened while your mouth is going on fire.
But the variety is great: from meat to fish, passing from poor and traditional cuisine to the more modern and experimental one.
Also try the regional drink, the one with coffee! The welcome is proverbial. In Calabria we eat second gargantuan portion. And you must finish it all under pain of great offense.
4. The villages
There are so many and each of them has its own particular charm. My favorites? Here is a mini list!
Pentedattilo: an abandoned village that takes its name from the rock on which it rests and which resembles the shape of a hand. The village is very active today, so much so that festivals and various artistic activities are celebrated.
Tropea: decadent and fascinating, it is probably one of the best known Calabrian villages and that will certainly not disappoint you.
Chianalea of ​​Scilla: Chianalea is the old fishing village of Scilla, which will fascinate you because it is not embalmed for tourist purposes. Walking through its suggestive alleys it is easy to meet fishermen who, under the house, build fishing nets, make small repairs to the boats or get ready to leave to face a new day at sea.
The waves of the sea almost reach the small houses and the sound of these blows is ultimately the musical background of the small town. I would tell you that it is even more impressive in winter and with rain.
Gerace: between the Serre and the Aspromonte, you will find it halfway between the ancient olive trees and the blue of the Ionian that can be glimpsed in the distance. It is an incredible concentration of churches and palaces, to then move on to the suggestive streets, squares, arches and underpasses.
Stylus: it is the bulwark of Byzantine Calabria and boasts a long and mysterious history, which began at the time of the Greek colonies in southern Italy. The main testimony of this story is the Cattolica. It is a small temple of the century. IX which follows the classic type of the Byzantine church on a square plan and Greek cross, with three apses facing east and five small domes.
5. Festivals and fairs
During the summer, there are many events and festivals that take place throughout the Calabrian territory. They range from the famous and very popular "Kaulonia Tarantella Festival"Thanks to which you will get to know the traditions of the Calabrian tarantella (July / August Caulonia - RC) on the itinerant"Magna Graecia Film Festival”And the rich program of the Roccella Jazz Festival (Roccella Jonica, RC) passing then through the culinary festivals such as that of ´Nduja held in Spilinga (VV).
