www.Calabria-Traveller.com - Itineraries

Calabria "coast to coast"

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

On his return from Spain, the mythical hero Hercules stopped off in Calabria on the stretch of Tyrrhenian coast now referred to as the Costa degli Dei (the Coast of Gods). The story goes that Hercules even founded a city here: Tropea. With this tale in mind, we set off on a journey along the Calabrian coast, a land of myths and legends.

Whilst not all will believe in this somewhat fanciful version of the origins of Tropea, they will have no doubts about the incredible natural beauty of the place. Tropea is famous throughout the world for its beaches lapped by a crystal clear sea, a sea which seems to take on a different tone of blue according to the part of the coastline it washes. The most popular beaches are Linguata, Cava, Bacino and Cantini. The town's historic center is definitely worth visiting; to see the ancient patrician town houses in the piazza dedicated to Hercules, and the Norman cathedral, built here in the distant 12th century. An important pilgrim destination (it...

From Pollino to the sea

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Air laced with the scent of the mountain greets visitors to Morano Calabro, a stunningly picturesque town, the narrow lanes and passageways of which wind their way up the hillside and culminate in the impressive Norman castle overlooking the Pollino massif. Standing out above the tightly packed stone houses, it is easy to spot the blue and yellow majolica faced dome and bell tower of the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. Equally worthy of visit, is the town's late Gothic Church of San Bernardino da Siena, famous for its wooden ceiling, built like the hull of a ship, and the only one of its kind in Calabria. The Collegiate Church of S.S. Pietro e Paolo is the oldest of Morano Calabro's houses of worship, dating back to the start of the 11th century. Altered on more than one occasion over the years, the Church now offers a splendid example of 19th century baroque. Two statues by Pietro Bernini, father of the great Gian Lorenzo, take pride of place inside. In this part of Calabria, man...

Calabria Ionica

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Our journey starts in Cirò Marina, sea edge town which, in addition to being a renowned summer tourist destination, turns out to be a veritable treasure chest simply brimming with art and history. This is where, between a swim in the crystal clear sea and an hour or two lazing on the sandy beaches, visitors can take a tour of the Punta Alice archaeological site and admire the temple of Apollo Aleo. A great number of artefacts left here by the ancient Greeks and discovered in the course of various excavation projects, are now housed in the Civic Museum of Cirò Marina and in the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria.

Proceeding southbound, half way between Strangoli Marina and Crotone, we come across the Neto river, Calabria's second most important waterway. The Neto flows in to the Ionian sea, forming an estuary which provides one of the most interesting wetlands on the Ionian coast, attracting numerous species of migratory birds.

Crotone, the eastern most point of...

A journey through time

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

We make our first stop on this journey through Calabria at Pentadattilo. The Greek name Penta+daktilos means "five fingers", and was no doubt inspired by the five spurs of rock, now only partially visible, which rise up above the town. The inhabitants abandoned the old town in the seventies, in favour of the more accessible valley below and the remaining "ghost town" has since become a veritable tourist attraction, where to admire the Church of Sts. Pietro and Paolo, the Church of the Candelora, and the remains of the ancient castle.

Our journey proceeds along the Riviera dei Gelsomini; its beaches of fine sand alternating with the rocks from where bathers dive in to the splendid Ionic sea below. This is where to experience Brancaleone, its air laced with the scent of jasmine and bergamot. The SS106 highway continues towards Adore Marina, high above which, clinging to the mountain and enjoying superb views, one finds the medieval village of Adore Superiore;...

The sea, and religious sentiment

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0200

None other than Ulysses, Homer's legendary hero, accompanies us along the first stage of this exhilarating itinerary. Opposite the splendid coast of Praia a Mare we stop to admire the island of Dino, which the epic tells, served as landing stage for the great protagonist of the Odysseus. Built so as to protect the Island of Dino and the Gulf of Policastro, there is the Norman fortress dating back to the 12th century. The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta is linked to another legend, which tells of the adventures of a ship's captain who, in 1326, secreted a wooden effigy of the Virgin in a gorge. From the sea, one can witness a series of spectacular caves puncturing the cliffs of Fiuzzi, before arriving at Capo Pulinaro and the Arco Magno; a natural arch of rock close to San Nicola Arcella.

Continuing along the SS18 highway we arrive at Scalea, the coastal village built, as it name suggests, almost vertically, in striking tiered formation. With its red roofs and narrow...