Calabria is a charming fusion of mountains and wonderful coastline scattered with Greek ruins and beautiful hill-towns. With the Pollino chain in the North, the Sila forested plateau in the centre and the Serre and Aspromonte chains in the South, the region is a 250km-long peninsula at the southernmost point of Italy lying between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas.

September is a great month to visit Calabria, and a fine place to linger for a few days is the promontory that stretches from the Golfo di S. Eufemia to the Golfo di Gioia. Start out in Vibo Valentia, an ancient Calabrian city that has begrudgingly hosted Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Bourbons. Formerly known as Monteleone, Vibo is not a particularly beautiful city, but its castle, a fine example of Angevin military architecture, is perhaps the most interesting one to visit in Calabria. The 14th-century cloister in the church of the Rosary offers splendid respite from the traffic that torments every Calabrian city, and the church of San Michele, designed by Baldassare Peruzzi, is a gem worth seeking out. Marching back through the ages, you'll want to see the Byzantine temple of S. Ruba, the ruins of an old Roman baths, walls dating from the time when Vibo was called Hipponion, and the remains of a 6th-century Greek acropolis. 

Before striking out southward along the coast, take a quick detour north to Pizzo, where Napoleon's ill-fated brother-in-law Joachim Murat was imprisoned and shot in 1815. Not much remains of the infamous castle where he was held, but the town is picturesque, has a fine sandy beach and, for lovers of the excessive, there is the chiesetta di Piedigrotta, a sanctuary carved into a grotto, with lifesize praying figures.

From Pizzo, take the provincial road south toward Briatico and Tropea. Except in mid-summer, when it's is a maddening snarl of traffic, this seaside resort is a lovely little town that cascades down the hillside, a mass of red-tiled roofs culminating in a broad terrace that overlooks the crystal clear water 200 feet below. On the horizon is S. Maria dell'Isola, a lovely little 12th-century church set on an island-like promontory. There are still many 16th- and 17th-century family homes here, which look very romantic when illuminated at night.

Between Tropea and Nicotera, especially in the areas around Parghelia and Capo Vaticano, the road curves along high above a non-stop succession of beautiful beaches and interesting rocky coves, creating a coastline that many have likened to Big Sur. The water is usually extremely clear and, as the Italians say, pescoso (which means "full of fish," not "fishy"). Settle down somewhere, stay a few days, set out each morning with your masks and fins, pack a lunch of cheese, bread, fresh tomatoes, fruit and bottled water, and arm yourself with plenty of suntan oil. It's one of the best seaside vacations you'll have in Italy.

General Information

Territory
It is the extreme south-western region of Italy, washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea and the lonian. It is an essentially mountainous region, with a high central Apennine ridge, which crosses it lengthwise. The mountain slopes are overgrown with thick woods. The coastlines present landscapes of wild beauty.

Cities
The regional capital is Catanzaro. Reggio Calabria is the seat of the Regional Council. Cosenza, Crotone and Vibo Valentia are the other important cities.

Art
The region has a rich heritage of remains from the local artistic civilization: archaeologic excavations have brought to light ancient colonies in Sibari, Crotone, Catanzaro, Locri, Vibo Valentia. In Cosenza and Reggio Calabria, we can find remains of the Roman Age, such as baths, theaters and bridges. The religious buildings show Byzantine influences, dating back to the period when the region was part of the Empire of Byzantium. The Gothic style had a large diffusion during the thirteenth century. The Renaissance style is present in the paintings. The Baroque influence can be seen in several monuments.

Museums
Catanzaro's Provincial Museum houses outstanding relics, from the Neolithic period to the Greek-Roman Age, and a remarkable collection of coins. In Reggio Calabria, the National Museum holds one of the most important archaeologic collection in Italy: Paleolithic, Byzantine and Arab art, relics of the Bronze and Iron Ages, tomb outfits, pictorial tables and the world famous Bronzes of Riace, the two great bronze statues of warriors of the fifth century B.B. In Cosenza, one can visit the Museo Interdiocesano, with the treasure of the Cathedral, and the Civic Museum with prehistoric bronzes, Paleolithic manufactured goods and instruments.

Places to go
Tourists can make excursions to the Sila district and its lakes. Moreover, there are Villa San Giovanni (on the straits of Messina), Sibari, Crotone and the isle of Capo Rizzuto.

Shopping
Hand made textiles, ceramics, jewellery work and wooden carvings are the items to look out for and our recommendations are the 'pezzare' tablecloths from Bivongi, reproductions of the gold jewellery from 'Magna Grecia' at Crotone, inlaid wood from Cariati and Castrolibero and Greek inspired ceramic decorations from much of the region e.g. Gerace, Sibari and Squillace.