Italy, Calabria: attractions, recreation, tourist reviews. Calabria (Italy) Southern Italy Calabria

Calabria is a region in Italy located at the very toe of the Italian boot.

The enchanting land of this region reveals all its charm to travelers.

After all, Calabria is not only countless kilometers of turquoise coasts, but also historical settlements of the Normans, Greeks and Byzantines, and unique local cuisine, and original folk festivals of hospitable and generous local residents.

The area of ​​the Calabria region is 15,080 km2; on a map of Italy you will find it in the southern part of the Apennine Peninsula.

This region of Italy is divided into 5 provinces:

• Catanzaro;
• Crotone;
• Reggio Calabria;
• Vibo Valentia.

The capital of Calabria is Catanzaro (previously the capital functions were performed by Reggio Calabria, where the council is still located today).

About 100 thousand people live in the city on the hills.

You need to visit Catanzaro to:

• See one of the longest single-span Morandi bridges in Europe;
• Having risen to the highest point of the city, look around and see two seas at once - the Tyrrhenian and Ionian;
• Resort towns in Calabria are the seaside towns of Scalea, Praia a Mare, Soverato, Tropea and Capo Vaticano.

You will learn more about the cities of the Calabria region from the video:

Regional climate and weather in Calabria

The Region has three climatic zones:

• Mountain, where there is intense snowfall in winter, and in summer temperatures are significantly lower than on the coast;
• Ionian sea, where the summer is hot and sunny, and where there are more hot days a year than in other zones;
• Tyrrhenian sea, with moderately cool winters, hot summers with little rain.

Therefore, beach lovers can go to any coast of Calabria in the summer, but fans of excursions should wait until the off-season.

From the beginning of October to the end of November in Calabria the rainy season

There is also a so-called rainy season in the region - from early October to late November. Short rains occur literally every day at this time, so you should take an umbrella.

How to get to Calabria?

A modern extensive transport system allows you to get to the region without much effort.
All you have to do is choose a convenient mode of transport:

Beaches

The picturesque coasts of Calabria, washed by crystal clear waters, stretch for almost 800 km. Moreover, the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts are strikingly different from each other: the first is famous for its endless white sandy beaches, alternating with secluded cliffs, and the second for its rocky bays, ideal for diving.

The 3-kilometer sandy beach of Gioia Tauro is well suited for families with children. The water here is warm and clean, a light, refreshing breeze always blows, but moving around barefoot is not entirely comfortable - there is a small amount of pebbles.

Beautiful beaches of Calabria

The Bova Marina beach near Reggio Calabria, as well as the Amantea beach, are also suitable for children.

The sea here is not only clean, but also with a sloping shore.

Another beach filled with sand and pebbles is Palmi. It is protected from the wind by a mountain range, so in summer it can be very hot here. However, the beach is always filled with vacationers, and there are so many of them that the parking lot cannot accommodate all the vacationers’ cars.

The pearl of the province of Vibo Valentia is the “Coast of the Gods”. Here, in the coastal settlements, there is a beach - the snow-white sand of Capo Vaticano.

In 2004, it was included in the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Since then, the beach has been considered elite and is always popular among vacationers.

Here you can swim, sunbathe, and rent pedal boats to explore hidden caves and sea life.

For lovers of a more secluded and relaxing holiday in Calabria, the beaches are more suitable Soverano(located next to the village of the same name) and Arco Magno(between Scalea and Praia a Mare).

The best beaches in Calabria are equipped with showers, there are cafes and restaurants, and in the distance you can find secluded recreation areas.

Thus, you can get to the wild Arco Magno beach only by walking along a narrow and dangerous path through the rocks.

There is a special beach in Calabria - Costa Viola. Tourists try to get there before sunset. At this time, both the water and the sky acquire a purple hue.

Sights of the region and the city of Reggio Calabria

A tour to Italian Calabria usually lasts 1.5-2 weeks, but even during this time it is impossible to see all the sights of the region. We will not list those that are located in any specific town of Calabria (you can read about them in a separate article), we will only focus on the natural attractions and attractions of the oldest town in the Reggio Calabria region.

Natural attractions of Calabria

More than 13% of the region's area is occupied by national parks.
The park received its name in honor of the mountain range that occupies the territory of the provinces of Matera, Potenza and Cosenza. Bosnian pine grows here, the same one from which Papa Carlo made Pinocchio. Frequent guests of the park are rafting enthusiasts, including beginners who want to get the most out of their ride down the Lao River.

Polino National Park in Calabria

National Park "Strength". 80% of the park is occupied by forests, including the “giants of Fallistro” - 500-year-old pines and plane trees, as well as Bosnian pine.

About 150 deer live in the Goliath Corvo Nature Reserve.

This place is also interesting because several ancient picturesque villages have been preserved here and there is the Orme nel Parco eco-park, which offers a number of eco-sensory routes, mountain biking and other entertainment.

Even ordinary walking will be beneficial for your health, because the local air is considered the cleanest in Europe.

The Aspromonte and Serra parks, as well as the Valli CUPE valley in the province of Catanzano, boast real natural rarities and lush vegetation. In addition to giant ferns and ancient ash trees, here you can see the Campanaro and Cascata delle Rupe waterfalls, impressive in their height and beauty.

Another amazing place in Calabria is the Stromboli volcano, which is still active and spews lava to a height of 150 m.

Volcano Stromboli is especially beautiful at night

Excursions to the “lighthouse of the Mediterranean” (as the volcano is popularly called) are usually organized at night, so that tourists can fully enjoy the spectacular explosions.

Sights of Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria- the oldest town in the region, founded in the 8th century. BC.

Outwardly, it does not look like any other Italian city, because... it has a rectangular layout.

City embankment Gabriele d'Annunzio (Italian writer and politician) considered “the most beautiful kilometer of Italy”; its decoration is a promenade lined with fruit trees and exotic plants.

Vacationers strolling along the embankment do not even need to book additional excursions, because right here are the ruins of ancient Greek walls and Roman baths.

In clear weather you can even see the outlines of Sicily and Mount Etna.

Only from the side of Reggio Calabria in the Gulf of Messina can you see the unusual mirage of Fata Morgana. Scientists believe that the mirror image of a city floating above the sea is created by air flows of different temperatures and densities.

Another unique attraction of this town is the small bitter taste that grows only here. yellow orange called bergamot.

And about one more peculiar feature of this town. It is known that Reggio Calabria is a stronghold of the Calabrian mafia, which is called the 'Ndrangheta.

This criminal group controls both illegal businesses (drug trafficking and trade in nuclear materials) and legal businesses (restaurant business and construction).

And although it is known to ordinary people much less than Cosa Nostra and Camorra, its annual income is comparable to the income of a large international corporation - 53 billion euros per year.

Where to stay in Reggio Calabria

In Reggio Calabria you can stay in premium hotels (Grand Hotel Excelsior Reggio Calabria, Albanuova Hotel Reggio Calabria) or in hostels or apartments (Best Season, Una Dimora Di Charme, ATTICO).

Those who want to enjoy their holiday in a homely atmosphere should consider a rental option in this Calabrian town. Most private apartments and apartments are rented out for a week, 15 days or a month in the summer.

Cuisine of Calabria

Every Italian is an artist at heart, so even simple dishes prepared by the hands of the hospitable residents of Calabria are culinary masterpieces.
First courses are no exception.

Here they prepare the Calabrian onion soup licurdia, adding bread for thickness, pecorino cheese for taste and hot peppers for spiciness, as well as vegetable millecosedde, which means soup from “a thousand things” - legumes, pasta and various vegetables.

Locals treat meat with great love, especially pork. They use every part of it in preparing dishes: they make a smoked capocollo roll from the pork neck, a delicious salted pancetta from the ham, and asagne piene lasagna with mozzarella, mushrooms, eggs and green peas from the minced pork.

A separate topic for conversation is sausages. If you can eat several salsicce pork sausages as a separate dish, then you can eat just a little of the famous ngugghia liver sausage.

It is prepared in the Spilinga region by adding huge amounts of chili pepper.

It is used as a spread on bread or as a seasoning for unleavened dishes.

Calabrians living near the coast prefer fish to meat. Like the Lucanians, they often prepare Pesce stocco alla calabres - dried cod in the Calabrian style (first they dry it, then soak it and only then fry it). Also popular are sea bream, octopus, clams, sea bass and swordfish. The latter is stuffed with mushrooms, grilled and fried. Fried sardines are also eaten in breadcrumbs sarde a scapece, as well as alici anchovies fried in oil.

Like all southerners, Calabrians love sweets. Be sure to enjoy Mostaccioli cookies, Bagnara nougat, Le Pitte Nkuse (baskets with wheat grains and cottage cheese), fragrant Kodzupa gingerbread and Tartuffo ice cream.

The region is also famous for its bakery products: Cerchiara di Calabria bread, Nardodipace pizzata (flat bread with hot peppers), fennel seed bread and jermana rye bread are served at the table.
At the end of the meal (to improve digestion) in Calabria they serve liquore cedro - a liqueur made from oranges or tangerines and citron.

Calabria, of course, cannot be called a paradise for shopping lovers, but if you wish, you can also buy clothes and perfumes from famous brands at good discounts.

So, in any town in the region there is a shopping center where you can buy middle-class clothes. In large cities, the center of trade is the main street.

In Cosenza it is the 2-kilometer pedestrian street Corso Mazzini, on which there are outlets of famous world brands (Armazem and Kontatto), and the Metropoli shopping center, the number of stores in which exceeds 100.

Every town in the region has a shopping center

In Lamezia Terme Those who want to bring something from Italy can visit the Due Mari shopping center, offering a wide selection of Italian brands of clothing, interior items and cosmetics, as well as the outlet in Calabria “Hanger” - Diffusione Tessile, where items from the brands Marella, Max & Co., MaxMara, Marina Rinaldi can be purchased with a 50% discount.

There are several good multi-brand stores in the town of Vibo Valentia on Vittorio Emanuele Street. There is also an Outlet grandi firme, selling clothes and shoes from the brands ROBERTO CAVALLI, TOMMY HILFIGHER, CALVIN KLEIN, SERGIO ROSSI, ROBERTO BOTTICELLI, etc.

Keep in mind that the official days of summer and winter sales start in Calabria on July 6 and January 5, respectively. Their duration is 60 days.

As for markets, they are organized in the region once a week: in Catanzaro, Tropea and Soverato - on Saturday, in Cosenza - on Friday. Fairs are usually announced a month in advance and last from one to three days. Local producers and visiting traders bring everything from food to antiques to the fair. The beauty of them is that the price can be halved, or even buy a worthwhile item for 1 euro.

Holidays and festivals in Calabria

All public events taking place in Calabria can be divided into categories. These include religious celebrations, food festivals and fairs, as well as art, music and film festivals.
Let's list just a few of them:

• Trebisacca Orange Festival;
• strawberry festival in Acconia;
• smoked ricotta festival in Mammole;
• festival of culture of peasant products in Monterosso;
• beer festival in Marina di Gioisa;
• the great bread festival in Almonte;
• red onion festival in Trope;
• great swordfish festival;
• festival of 'nduja - traditional sausage of Calabria;
• feast of sausages and sausages in Acre;
• Ferruzzano's donut festival in Reggio Calabria;
• Festival of Contemporary Drama in Castrovillar;
• festival of cabaret, theater, fine arts in Altona;
• Magna Graecia Film Festival in Soverato;
• "Intersections" - a celebration of art in the archaeological park of Scolacium;
• Rochella jazz;
• a jazz festival under the symbol of pepperoncino - red Calabrian pepper;
• Polino Carnival;
• Jewish holiday "The Judgment of Christ" in Laino Borgo;
• Vatienti religious procession with self-flagellation ritual in Nocera Terinese;
• the Good Friday procession in Cantazaro;
• crucifixion parade in Cutro;
• Feast of Our Lady of Carmine in Campo Calabro.

There are many holidays and festivals in Calabria

Calabria is a paradise for tourists.

The nature and air of Calabria are considered one of the cleanest (since there are no industrial giants in this region of Italy), the beaches surprise with clear water and snow-white sand, and the hotels of Calabria delight with their comfort and coziness.

Calabria is the southernmost region of Italy, the “toe” of the Apennine “boot”. This area is called the "Caribbean of Europe" thanks to its pristine beaches, stunning landscapes and rural charm. Rocky mountains overgrown with forests give way to hills with vineyards, and roads cross fertile plains that stretch all the way to the sea. Hill towns, ancient Greek temples and Byzantine churches can be found here and there in the countryside, like precious little pearls.

Winters in Calabria are mild, while summers are hot and dry. The region is surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea: the Ionian Sea from the east, the Tyrrhenian Sea from the west and the Strait of Messina from the south. Accordingly, the local air serves as a real balm for the city’s lungs, and culinary masterpieces for the stomachs.

Cities and resorts

The main resorts are located on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts of Calabria. The area is divided into five provinces, bearing the names of the main cities: Cosenza, Crotone, Catanzaro, Vibo Valentia, Tropea and Reggio Calabria. The capital is the city of Catanzaro.

How to get to Calabria

Calabria has two major airports: Lametia Terme and Regio di Calabria. They have regular flights to Rome, Milan, Florence and Bergamo.

Weather in Calabria

On the territory of Calabria there are three climatic zones: Tyrrhenian sea, Ionian sea and mountain. The first is characterized by hot summers, moderately cold winters and little precipitation. There are more hot summer days in the Ionian zone than in the Tyrrhenian zone, so many tourists prefer to spend their holidays here. The climate in the mountain zone is reminiscent of the Alpine: snow often falls in winter, and in summer the average air temperature is much lower than on the coast.

Calabria

Cuisine and restaurants of Calabria

Calabrese cuisine is something that needs to be given full tribute, as one of the attractions of the region. The fundamental ingredient in the rather spicy dishes here is peperoncino and other varieties of pepper. In the village of Diamante, in the first week of September, there is even an annual festival of hot cayenne pepper - the unofficial symbol of Calabria. Be sure to bring along “olio santo,” olive oil flavored with hot peppers.

Other Calabrian delicacies include soppressata (a popular cured sausage), stuffed anchovies called "alice ripieni" and sardella, which is produced on the Ionian coast, in Cosenza. This is a spicy paste made from small sardines, olive oil and the same pepper.

As for the “hot”, a special place here is occupied by liqueurs based on the zest of a local lemon variety - Cedro (“Cedro”) and Limoncelllo (“Limoncello”) with a strength of 25° to 38°. They are usually drunk after lunch: the substances contained in the zest are believed to promote digestion. Cedro and Limoncelllo are served chilled until the bottle is covered with frost.

Maps of Calabria

Beaches of Calabria

The coast of Calabria is washed by two seas: the Ionian and Tyrrhenian, and there are beaches for every taste: you can spend time in deserted coves hidden among the rocks or hang out on crowded, well-equipped beaches, which in the evenings turn into noisy discos. The beaches of the Tyrrhenian coast are sandy, quite long, surrounded by small cliffs. Ionian - more secluded, small and rocky.

In Calabria you can go historical adventure diving: examine the remains of any of the more than fifty ships that sank off the coast. Some of them date back to the 4th century BC. e.

Guides in Calabria

Popular hotels in Calabria

Entertainment and attractions of Calabria

Historically, Calabria was one of the poorest regions of Italy, although this is slowly changing. But still, these places are quite little traveled by tourists and are almost untouched. There are no particularly mind-blowing attractions here, except for the intoxicating nature. For example, such as in Praia a Mare with its amazing soft turquoise sea. Or on Dino Island, famous for its Blue Cave, where you can swim in water as clear as a tear, surrounded by small fish.

The coastline of Calabria is generally a paradise for those who are not a fan of mass lying on the beach and are not wholeheartedly attached to the beach infrastructure. There are constantly alternating small sandy beaches and rocky areas. And if you move a little further from the sea, you can find wonderful places for mountain tourism in Calabria: for example, in the Aspromonte mountains.

The center of tourism in the region is the city of Reggio Calabria with a long history, the National Museum of Magna Graecia and the embankment, which the great D’Annuzio revered as “the most beautiful kilometer in the country.” Other attractive towns in Calabria are Gerace (medieval cathedral and castle), the seaside resort of Squillace, Stilo, where the philosopher Campanella lived, Scalea with the anti-piracy tower Torre Talao and Tropea with the refuge of Santa Maria dell'Isola. And on Kandera Hill there is a rather specific attraction: the old provincial cemetery, consisting of 23 cemeteries united together. This is a historical place of enormous area and great beauty, a real city with its own architectural attractions - chapels and tombstones.

Plunge headlong into centuries-old history, wander through hills and parks with rich flora and fauna, get acquainted with colorful mountain villages and learn about the traditions of the local population, enjoy the silence of wild mountains and swim in the emerald sea. All this is Calabria, which leaves an ambiguous impression of itself. For some, this region, little explored by tourists, attracts and at the same time frightens. Others are amazed by the hospitality and cordiality of the local people, who are not so simple, in fact, as they seem. Still others openly admire natural beauties, completely oblivious to any inconveniences. There are certainly some oddities here, especially in small towns. Too complex a history has managed to leave its mark on the explosive character of the Calabrians and the traditional family foundations, strictly observed from generation to generation. But to understand Calabria, you must definitely fall in love with it, and without any pretensions. And then she will reciprocate, revealing all her secrets.

• Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507) was born in Calabria and founded the mendicant order of the Minims. He is considered the patron saint of the city of Paola, all of Calabria and the Italian fleet.
• Calabrian cuisine is considered the “spiciest” in Italy. It’s not for nothing that its symbol is the red hot pepper! Its clusters can be found everywhere.
• The Isthmus of Catanzaro (Istmo di Catanzaro or istmo di Marcellinara) is the narrowest point of the Apennine Peninsula - its width is no more than 30 km. Once in the middle, you can see two seas at once - the Tyrrhenian and Ionian.
• In order to avoid unpleasant situations, it should be borne in mind that the mentality of Calabrians is too different from the outlook on life of Italians living in the northern and central regions of Italy.
• Calabria's transport infrastructure leaves much to be desired, so independent travelers are advised to rent a car. Railway tracks are laid only along sea coasts.
• Most of the settlements in Calabria are built on high hills and steep cliffs. Only 5-7% percent of the total number of cities and villages are located on flat terrain.

Calabria: a little history

According to scientists, the name of the region was given by the Greeks back in the 8th century BC. colonized the territories not only of present-day Calabria, but also of Basilicata. They mercilessly pressed the local tribes of the Samnites, Oscans and neighboring Lucunians, leaving them no hope of revenge. The Greeks called the conquered area “kalon-brion”, which meant fertile lands. It is this phrase that is said to form the basis of the modern name of the Calabria region.

The Greeks built several large cities on the conquered lands, but in the 3rd century BC. The Romans came here. The new owners practically did not engage in the southern provinces, except for collecting taxes, so Calabria quickly fell into decline. This was facilitated by predatory raids by pirates from the sea and constant outbreaks of malaria.

With the arrival of the Normans to the lands of Calabria in the 11th-12th centuries, the situation improved slightly. Soon the territory became part of the Kingdom of Sicily, and after its division it came under the rule of the Kingdom of Naples, which again aggravated the situation in the region. During the process of Italian unification at the end of the 19th century, the region became a separate administrative unit within the Kingdom of Italy.

Sights of Calabria

The assets of the southern region are its beaches with incredibly clear water and stunning, unforgettable natural landscapes. No less interesting are the medieval borgs stuck on the rocks, the majestic Byzantine and formidable Norman castles, archaeological areas, park reserves of Calabria, architectural and sculptural masterpieces, historical values, which can be found almost everywhere. There are also wonderful basilicas and interesting museums, mausoleums and monasteries, fountains and original bridges.

When to go to Calabria

Calabria weather

The combination of two sea coasts with mountain ranges affects the diversity of climatic conditions in the region. The Tyrrhenian Sea area is hot in summer, moderately cool in winter, and receives little precipitation throughout the year. On the Ionian coast, tourists can expect many more hot and sunny days. It’s no wonder that local beaches are packed to capacity in the summer. In the mountains, snow falls in the winter, but in the warm season there is never any heat. Naturally, the temperature here is significantly lower than near the sea shores.

You can sunbathe on the shores of the Gulf of Tarentum, scuba dive and go sea fishing from early spring to late autumn. It is cooler on the Tyrrhenian coast, so it would be more reasonable to count on a beach holiday in the Lemon Riviera in the summer. There are bases for ski lovers in Calabria, and even during the peak winter holidays they are not so crowded as to feel discomfort, which happens quite often in the Alps. In the off-season, the region offers mountain and hiking tourism, visits to historical monuments and attractions, picturesque towns and nature reserves.

As in any other region of Italy, religious holidays dedicated to the patrons of cities and costume processions are popular in Calabria. Francis of Paola, the only saint born in Calabria and the patron saint of the region, is celebrated in late March-early April and early May. On these days, sea and foot processions, concerts and shows are organized. In July, starting in 2007, the beautiful fireworks festival "Note di Fuoco" is held on the Belvedere Marittimo embankment for 3-6 days, where the best pyrotechnicians in the world show their art to the accompaniment of music. And this is not counting culinary and craft festivals.

Calabria on the map of Italy

The region occupies the toe of the elegant Italian boot and is the southernmost region of mainland Italy. The western coast of Calabria is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the southeastern coast by the Ionian Sea. In the north, the region borders Basilicata, and through the Strait of Messina it communicates with Sicily. The capital and administrative center of the province of the same name is Catanzaro. Calabria unites five provinces, three of which belong to historical zones. The relief of the territory is mountain ranges with the highest point at about 2.3 km above sea level and hilly terrain. The coastline stretches for almost 800 km.

How to get to Calabria

There are two airports in the region. International - Lamezia Terme - located 40 km from Catanzaro. The other airport is in Reggio Calabria. It serves flights of national importance. The region can be reached from neighboring areas and Rome by buses and trains. It should be borne in mind that the railway tracks are laid along the coast, so getting to the Ionian Sea, for example from Naples, will be easier and faster by bus. Calabria also has several seaports.

One day I asked myself a question: where is the real one, about which people sing songs and write books? May be, ? But no, these cities are too crowded to be called authentic, too saturated with a tourist atmosphere, every street, even the smallest one, is necessarily crammed with several hotels. Then maybe this is the coast? Is Rimini alluring or more familiar to Russian travelers, for whom all the travel agency posters seem to be full of them? But even here, in summer you won’t find free space on the beaches to enjoy the Italian sun, and all the “wild and uninhabited” places that guidebooks promise you, in fact, turn out to be occupied by the same naive tourists. Looking at the map of the birthplace of pizza and pasta, I suddenly realized that I had never been interested in the south of Italy. That’s when I decided to read about what was in the region with the beautiful name Calabria... and I was drawn in. I woke up when the pilot of the plane announced that in a few minutes we would begin our descent and land at the airport in Lamezia Terme. In general, my expectations were justified - Calabria turned out to be a picture that you saw in old Italian films. This is the place where the soul rests.

How to get there

Mostly tourists get to Calabria by plane, since this is the fastest and relatively inexpensive way, which, among other things, is also the simplest and requires, perhaps, minimal effort. In addition, thanks to the excellent public transport system, you can get to almost anywhere by train or bus. Going to Calabria from Russia by car is, of course, difficult due to the region’s remoteness from our country, but nevertheless, many travelers prefer this method, so I’ll tell you about it.

By plane

Calabria currently has two airports: Lamezia Terme International Airport And Reggio Calabria Airport. Previously, there was a small Crotone Airport (CRV) on the east coast of the region, intended only for domestic flights, but it was closed at the end of 2016.

Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF)

The first airport is located just 11 km southwest of the city center of Lamezia Terme. This is a fairly small airport with just one terminal, a few restaurants, shops and a small duty free area.

How to get there from Moscow

From the capital of Russia to Lamezia, only charters periodically fly non-stop (for example, Nordavia airline), ticket prices fluctuate around 28,000-35,000 RUB. In addition, you can choose a flight with a transfer in Rome or Budapest - they are operated by Alitalia, Aeroflot, WizzAir, prices start from 16,000 RUB for a low-cost airline and from 22,000 RUB for flights of Italian and Russian air carriers. Here you can check prices and schedule. In addition, you can try to catch inexpensive tickets on the low-cost airline Pobeda to or Pisa (ticket prices differ depending on the month, but you can almost always count on 3000-6000 RUB one way), and from there fly on a RyanAir plane - this will significantly reduce expenses. The same air carrier flies from Rome, Venice and a number of other European cities.

How to get there from St. Petersburg

Travelers from St. Petersburg have a little less choice - flights are mainly operated with two transfers (one of which, as a rule, is in Moscow), but if you have flexible dates, you can also find a direct flight from the northern capital to Rome. The airlines are almost the same - Alitalia, Aeroflot, prices also start from 22,000 RUB. You can try to save money by looking for inexpensive (8000-12000 RUB) tickets to any European city from where the aforementioned RyanAir flies to Lamezia.

You can get from the airport to the city itself by public transport or taxi. The cost of a ticket for the Billota Autoservizi bus is about 2 EUR, the stops are located near the exit from the terminal, the travel time is approximately 10 minutes. A taxi ride will cost much more – around 20 EUR.

Reggio Calabria Airport (REG)

The second airport is located almost on the seashore right on the outskirts of the city of the same name - Reggio Calabria. This is practically the tip of the Italian “boot” - it’s a stone’s throw to the southernmost point of the country.

How to get there from Moscow

Like Lamezia, which was mentioned just above, the fastest way to get to Reggio Calabria is only on a charter flight - with the same Nordavia airline and for about the same money - about 30,000 RUB. Flights with transfers are much more popular - prices start from 25,000 RUB. These flights are operated by Alitalia and Aeroflot airlines.

How to get there from St. Petersburg

National Italian and Russian air carriers operate flights with one or two transfers in Moscow and Rome, ticket prices start from 20,000 RUB.

How to get to the city center

You can get from the airport to the city by bus No. 28 or by taxi. The first option costs about 10 EUR and takes a little more than half an hour. If you are not traveling alone or are in a hurry, I advise you to take a taxi. It will reach the city center in just 10 minutes, and costs around 20 EUR.

By train

If, due to certain circumstances, you cannot reach Calabria by plane, do not despair, all types of ground public transport, such as trains, are at your disposal. This method has three significant disadvantages, which are worth mentioning at the very beginning. Firstly, there is no direct railway connection between Moscow and Rome, not to mention the south of Italy. This means that you will have to make transfers, and they do not always coincide in time. Secondly, this is quite an expensive pleasure - the prices themselves are a little lower, but given the number of trips, you must immediately understand that such a trip will cost a pretty penny. And thirdly, this is the travel time - even if you do not stay for a long time in those cities where you need to change from one train to another, the route in one direction will take you at least two to three days. Spending more than half of a standard 10-day vacation on the road is a dubious pleasure. In my opinion, it is not very wise to take trains just for Calabria. Another thing is to organize a big Italian trip, capturing and, and, and, and, of course, the southern part of the country.

So, the fastest way to get to Italy is train No. 17 -. He travels to the French Riviera, making stops in Verona, Milan, Genoa and a couple of other coastal cities. The train runs only once a week – on Thursdays and departs from the Belorussky railway station. Prices are steep - from 306 EUR for second class and up to 1050 EUR for luxury. There are good discounts for adults over 60 years old and children under 14 years old.

From any of the above-mentioned cities where the train stops, you can get to Rome without any problems and at almost any time of the day, for example, from Milan to the capital of Italy you can get there in just three hours and about 40 EUR, from Verona - in 4 hours and about the same same money.

From Rome, in turn, there are trains to almost any point in Italy, including Calabria. For example, I lived in Scalea - this cozy town is located in the very north of the region, and can be reached in 5 hours from Rome. Electric trains run several times a day, and if you buy a ticket in advance, you can pay only 13 EUR for it. To most other cities in Calabria, the journey will take 6-7 hours, and it will cost about 20-40 EUR.

You can find the schedule of all trains on this website, and you can read about Italian railways.

By bus

Going to Calabria by bus is not the best idea, in my opinion, unless it is from Rome, Naples or Salerno, or due to the lack of an alternative option. In all other cases, you need to be prepared in advance for 7-9 hours of travel in a sitting position. However, most bus companies in Italy offer their customers high-quality transport, sometimes handing out free water, not to mention the availability of such vital things as Wi-Fi and a toilet. Prices vary depending on where, where, at what time and what company you are traveling with. For example, a night flight from Rome to Reggio Calabria costs about 40 EUR and takes almost 9 hours, a day trip from Naples to Cosenza - 4 hours and 25 EUR, a morning bus from Salerno to Lamezia Terme - approximately 30 EUR and also 4 hours on my way.

By car

Many Russians buy a small apartment in the small coastal towns of Calabria instead of a dacha in the Moscow region - oddly enough, sometimes the cost is even better. And so, when adults start their vacation, and children start their vacation, they load all the necessary things into the car and go to sunbathe and swim in the south of Italy for 1-2 months. If you take the very heart of the region - Lamezia Terme - as the end point, you can see that the journey takes about two days and passes through the territory of countries such as, and Italy itself.

The route from St. Petersburg will take a little longer, and the European part of the route begins at the Russian border with Latvia instead of Belarus and Poland.

Conventionally, both routes can be divided into several segments:

• In Russia there are no toll roads, and the further you are from Moscow or St. Petersburg, the less congestion there is and, oddly enough, the better the quality of the roads.
• In the Baltic countries/Belarus, you also don’t have to pay for roads, which, by the way, are of very good quality. There is no traffic in our understanding, but sometimes there are traffic jams at the entrance to the border in Brest.
• Through Poland the roads are free, of very good quality, and the traffic congestion is low.
• In other European countries - and - in both countries you need to purchase a vignette to travel on autobahns - 8 and 10 EUR, respectively. You can buy them at any gas station a couple of kilometers before the border with the country. The roads are of excellent quality, the congestion is quite low - in a word, it’s not a road trip, but a complete pleasure.
• In Italy itself, there are a lot of toll highways in Italy, which, in principle, you can always bypass if you wish. But you need to understand that the permitted speed there is always lower, the terrain is more mountainous, which means that approximately the same money that you save on paying for highways, you will spend on gasoline. If you take the toll roads straight from the Austrian border with Italy to Lamezia, you will have to pay around 80 EUR. The road is of good quality and fairly clear.

As a rule, it costs about 15,000-20,000 RUB for gasoline one way. Add to this the cost of hotels (it’s impossible to get there without spending the night, but you need to choose where to stay. This is very individual, because you know how far you can travel in one day), payment for highways and vignettes. In addition, this is a huge burden on the driver. In short, I recommend choosing this option only if you are traveling for a long period of time - at least a couple of weeks, if you have a large company (and ideally several drivers), and if you want to admire other European countries in addition to Calabria.

Clue:

Calabria - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The season in Calabria lasts from late May to mid-September, and even for most of the remaining time the weather is pleasant enough for walking and traveling around the region, but not for swimming. The coastal area is generally characterized by hot summers without precipitation, and the climate in the mountainous zone is similar to the Alps - it is very fresh in the summer and snow falls on the peaks in the winter.

Calabria in summer

Of course, this is a great time to visit Calabria if your plans include at least a little lying on the beach. The thermometer shows 29-32°C daily, in the morning and evening it is more than comfortable to be on the street/beach, and at the hottest time of the day - from two o'clock to four o'clock, most people go home, to hotels or cafes for lunch. The Tyrrhenian Sea, which washes the western coast of the region, warms up by the end of May, and in July I realized that I had never swum in warmer water anywhere in Europe. It can be difficult to explore the surrounding area in the heat, so you should plan it either early in the morning or in the evening.

Calabria in autumn

In September, the weather practically does not drop compared to summer, but the ranks of sunbathers are gradually thinning out - after all, most vacationers are running out of holidays. In October, the thermometer reading, as a rule, drops to 20-25°C, but some people continue to swim in the sea (mostly, however, these are our compatriots). In my opinion, this is the ideal time if you want to thoroughly explore every corner of Calabria - the sun is warm, but not too hot, so you can go on excursions and trips around the region at any time of the day.

Calabria in winter

Many people believe that since this is the south of Italy, they can escape there from the cold Russian winter to warm up. Alas, this is a big misconception, even though the thermometer shows about 10-15°C, and the sun shines brightly during the day. I have spoken with many Russians who moved to Calabria in the hope of year-round warmth, but they complain that it is colder at home than outside. Everyone unanimously talks about how they miss the Russian heating system and are indignant about the local humidity due to the proximity of the sea. In addition to the not very pleasant weather, many also note that, starting in November, life seems to come to a standstill in most small resort towns - after all, they, in fact, live off the tourism season, which ends in October. In addition, in winter it often rains and strong winds blow, and there is snow in the mountains.

Calabria in spring

Starting in March, life in coastal cities begins to revive - the weather may not yet be conducive to a beach holiday, but the temperature gradually rises to 15°C. In April the first tourists appear, and in May the thermometer consistently shows 20-25°C. Towards the end of spring, the sea is slowly warming up, and now more and more people are coming to relax on the Italian coast, and life in the cities is returning to normal.

Calabria - weather by month

Clue:

Calabria - weather by month

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

Conventionally, Calabria is divided into five provinces: Cosenza, Catanzaro, Crotone, Vibo Valentia and Reggio Calabria. From the point of view of tourism, everything is somewhat simpler - the Ionian Sea coast (eastern), the Tyrrhenian Sea coast (western) and the so-called “inland” of the region - mountains, parks and cities, where travelers visit much less often.

Cosenza

This is the largest part of Calabria (and I’ll say right away - my favorite, I can talk about it endlessly), it occupies about 45% of the region’s territory and is located in its north. Basically, Cosenza is “filled” with mountains and hills, and there are also two large national parks - Pollino and Sila. They have many walking paths with breathtaking views, which attracts hiking enthusiasts. In addition, I think it will be interesting to those who understand (or would like to understand) history. One day I got into a conversation with a local resident who was lecturing on human history at the university (Università della Calabria). He said that on the coast of the region, traces of human habitation had been found during the prehistoric period (that is, almost from the very beginning of the emergence of life on Earth).

The largest cities are Cosenza, Paola, and Corigliano Calabro. Personally, I really love the coastline that starts from the town of Praia a Mare and ends in Belvedere Marittimo - these are cozy towns with good beaches, a beautiful medieval part, rich history and delicious, inexpensive cafes and restaurants by the sea.

Cosenza, it seems to me, is one of the most beautiful Italian provinces. It is not too spoiled by tourist attention, so guests have almost 400 kilometers of clean coastline with clear water at their disposal. In some cities, for example, Diamante, while swimming in a regular mask, you can observe the inhabitants of the underwater world. We saw a lot of fish, small octopuses, crabs and other living creatures. By the way, there were no jellyfish anywhere, which is very important especially for those traveling with children.

My acquaintance with Calabria began precisely with Cosenza - we stopped in the city of Scalea for several days, and I fell in love with it at first sight. Holidays here seemed a little like an ordinary relaxed life, only with a change of scenery - in the morning we went for fresh fruit and cooked breakfast, then sunbathed and swam on the beach, after that we devoured hot pizza in an establishment near our house, changed clothes and after that As soon as the heat subsided, we went to see neighboring cities, sometimes staying there overnight.

Catanzaro

Catanzaro, like neighboring Cosenza, has access to both the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. In fact, there are very few such provinces in Italy. Its capital, which has the same name as this part of the region, is also the administrative capital of all of Calabria and is popularly known as the “city of the two seas”. Lamezia Terme airport is also located here, where most tourists from Russia fly.

Both Lamezia and Catanzaro have a very beautiful old part of the city, cozy streets, many architectural masterpieces and delicious cafes. As for coastal cities, it seemed to me that there were significantly fewer people in the western part than in the eastern parts of the region. This may be due to the fact that the Ionian Sea is considered slightly colder than the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tourists especially appreciate the amazing atmosphere of small towns; walking through almost any of them, it seems that you have stepped out of the screen of an Italian film of the 60s. And, of course, the beaches are clean, not too crowded, they invite you to spend at least another hour or two in the sun.

Crotone

The province of Crotone separated from its neighbor in 1992, and has existed separately since then. It is located just to the north and boasts an incredibly beautiful coastline. It is here that the resort of Capo Rizutto is located - a closed sea area that has almost 40 km of pristine coastline.

Not far from the administrative capital of the region is the Archaeological Park of Capo Collano, where you can see many historical sites, for example, an ancient temple built (just imagine) in the 5th century BC.

In the capital itself, you can stroll through narrow streets, check out the market with local delicacies and admire ancient architecture, such as the castle of Charles V, built in the 16th century. In addition, the city has another palace - La Castella. It is on an island off the coast, to which it is connected by a narrow line of land. Accordingly, you can only get there on foot.

Compared to the Cosenza region described above, on the opposite bank, there are fewer hotels, more authenticity, not much entertainment, in short, a good option for people who are ready to completely immerse themselves in the Italian slow life.

Vibo Valentia

This part of Calabria stretches along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea and is surrounded by high mountains. Many believe that this is where the most beautiful beaches in the region are located, and the medieval city buildings are in perfect harmony with the untouched local nature. I didn’t immediately understand what this meant until I saw how ancient temples were literally buried in flowers, trees and other greenery - it looked amazingly beautiful.

Here is one of the most beautiful places in the region - Capo Vaticano (more about it a little later), as well as the cozy town of Tropea, famous for its snow-white sand and pale blue water.

Reggio Calabria

This province is located in the very south of the region (and, accordingly, the country). It is famous for its beaches and ski resort - an unusual combination, isn’t it? In addition, tourists are attracted by a huge number of historical attractions, ancient churches, and there is also a national park in Reggio Calabria.

Quite a lot of rivers flow here, the longest of which, Stilaro, stretches for 60 km. Given the rather mountainous landscape of the area, there are many waterfalls, the most beautiful of which is Cascata del Marmarico (114m high).

From here you can very easily get to Sicily - it is separated from Calabria by the Strait of Messina. It is described in the myths about the exploits of Odysseus - in them it was called the strait between Scylla and Charybdis and, according to legend, these rocks did not allow ships to sail between them. They collided precisely at the moment when the ship fell into a narrow strait. Walking along the Falcomata promenade in the provincial capital, and looking at the sea separating Sicily and mainland Italy, I constantly remembered these legends and tried to imagine this picture with my own eyes. If you've never read about it, be sure to correct yourself - Greek myths are incredibly interesting.

Having described each of the districts, I can say one thing for sure - many devote a lot of time to choosing the place where they will spend most of their vacation. This, of course, is logical - a bad hotel, tasteless food, a coastline with garbage and a lack of options for spending time can greatly overshadow your vacation. But in Calabria it is almost impossible to stumble upon a dirty beach, and the local cuisine is equally excellent everywhere. Regardless of the exact location of your hotel, there will be a variety of leisure activities within 100-150 km of it - from beaches and water parks to various active sports and national parks.

What are the prices for holidays?

One of the many factors that attract tourists to Calabria is the possibility of a budget holiday. No, I'm not saying that there are only hostels, campsites or even tents here, and for a couple of euros you will get a three-course lunch. But let's talk about everything in order.

Like any other place, there are luxury hotels with rooftop pools and 4-5 stars. You'll also find fine dining restaurants, spas offering a variety of treatments, and excursions by executive car with a personal, fifth-generation Calabrian guide who speaks perfect Russian. All this is wonderful, but I’m afraid that in this case it is impossible to experience the real atmosphere of the Italian south. This type of vacation is more suitable for the Cote d'Azur of France or the Ligurian Riviera, so I recommend putting such thoughts aside and relaxing the Calabrian way!

The south of Italy is much poorer than its north and even the central regions. Many say that the local climate is to blame for this - who wants to work and think about some kind of economy when the sun is shining, the beach is a couple of minutes from your office, and the mark on the thermometer stopped somewhere at 35? Whether this is good or bad is not for me to judge, but the fact that a week in Calabria will cost much less than the same seven days in the north of the country is a fact, and the economic situation of the southern region played a significant role here.

• So, for example, in a double room in a 4-star hotel in Tropea one night will cost you about 70-100 EUR, while modest 2-3-star hotels offer prices half as much. In addition, as I already wrote, many Russians buy real estate in Calabria, but live in it for only a few weeks a year. The rest of the time, some people prefer to rent out their apartments and houses for very little money - for example, one night in a cozy studio 5-7 minutes from the sea with a huge terrace cost around 20-25 EUR. It is convenient to choose and book accommodation on. You can look at prices for apartments, and compare the cost of hotel rooms by.
• Prices for renting a car for a week start from 200 EUR; the higher the class of the car, the higher the cost. I will write more about what you need to rent a car below in the section “How to get around the region.”
• Prices in restaurants and cafes vary depending on the city and the level of the establishment, but the average bill for two usually does not exceed 35-40 EUR. So, a regular Margarita costs about 3-5 EUR, something more refined with seafood, for example, will be more expensive - around 6-7 EUR. For pasta or lasagna you will have to pay about 5-8 EUR, for a main course (be it meat or fish) - about 9-15 EUR. A bottle of good (although is there such a thing as bad Italian?) wine costs around 10-20 EUR, but homemade wine in a jug is much cheaper - from 3 to 7 EUR. For a cup of coffee you will be charged about 1-1.5 EUR - about the same as for a scoop of gelato.

Main attractions. What to see

Calabria is famous not only for its beaches (although they are undoubtedly unrivaled) - and in this section I will tell you exactly what you are unlikely to associate this region with, but what you should definitely include in your must see list when planning a trip to the south of Italy .

Top 5

In a place like Calabria, it is incredibly difficult to list just five of the best places, since each of the local attractions must be at the top of everyone's lists. You can read more about each of the places below in the following sections.

Beaches. Which ones are better

Many travelers compare the coast of Calabria with the countries of the Caribbean, calling this region the pearl of Europe. I, like many other tourists, could not immediately choose from all the variety the beach where I would like to spend most of my vacation. After several weeks of wandering along the entire Calabrian coast, my friend and I unanimously decided that almost every beach in the region is worthy of the highest praise. But, of course, we formed our own little “top” - those places where we wanted to return more than once after the end of our “research”.

Caminia (Catanzaro)

You need to go here if you want to see what beaches the locals go to on Sundays. It’s calm, peaceful and fairly uncrowded – what else do you need for a relaxing weekend? There is no infrastructure as such, but this is compensated by the ideal landscapes, high cliffs and the clear Ionian Sea.

Scalea (Cosenza)

This is where we spent the most time, because it was in Scalea that we stayed for the first two weeks. And even though we traveled to neighboring cities, this coast still beckoned us, as if saying “stay, why do you need anything else if there is me?” And, I must say, it’s true - the warm Tyrrhenian Sea, gorgeous views (both from the beach and from the water), soft sand in combination with the historical city center provide an ideal place for a summer holiday! Unlike Caminia, there are no problems with service here - the city has both free and paid beaches with sun loungers, changing cabins, Wi-Fi and music (it costs about 5 EUR per person per day). Beach workers take care of your safety - the area permitted for swimming is marked with buoys. Entering the water is not too abrupt - you find yourself waist-deep in water about 7-8 meters from the shore.

Capo Vaticano (Vibo Valentia)

This amazing place, famous for its snow-white sand and breathtaking views, is located south of the aforementioned Scalea. An incredible picture opens up from the cape - blue, as if the azure Tyrrhenian Sea seems endless, and in sunny weather you can see the Aeolian Islands and the volcano. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful coasts in Europe, but strangely enough, it is not yet shouted about in every travel agency, so it is possible to find yourself there in splendid isolation. Nearby there are countless small cozy bays, some of which can only be reached by water. In fact, you can come here not even to swim and swim in the sea, but simply to admire the incredible beauty of the Calabrian landscapes.

Praia a Mare (Cosenza)

This popular resort among tourists is surrounded by greenery - there are kilometers of citrus orchards, so there is always a pleasant aroma in the air. There are many children here - next to the sandy beach, there is the Aquafan water park, which is so loved by little travelers. The water here is very clean, and the entry into the sea is quite smooth. In addition, there is Dino Island, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to its six caves of amazing beauty - at first glance, it seems that the water in them seems to be illuminated. However, this is just an illusion - the guide assured me twice that there are no lights installed at the bottom :)

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Since Italians are very religious, almost every city has a small Catholic church or temple. For tourists, as a rule, they are of interest from the point of view of architecture or history, rather than from the point of view of religion.

Duomo di Reggio Calabria

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is located in the very center of Reggio di Calabria, made the greatest impression on me. This is quite a large (21 meters high) and very beautiful structure, built by the Byzantines in the 11th century. After that, for a long time it was in its original form, and only in the 18th century the authorities decided to change its appearance - and a couple of years later a completely new cathedral appeared in the city - luxurious, magnificent, rebuilt in the Sicilian Baroque style, it was not at all similar to what was in the same place before. Alas, it did not stand for long - in 1908, a strong earthquake occurred in Calabria, due to which many buildings were damaged, including the cathedral. After 20 years it was reconstructed, and in this form it has been preserved to this day. Incredible stained glass windows and a marble altar were created inside, which amaze the imagination of any traveler.

Chiesa di Piedigrotta

In addition, I highly recommend visiting the Piedigrotta Church. It is located in a fairly large cave very close to the city of Pizzo.

The legend is this: once in the 17th century, a strong storm raged in these parts, and many ships that were at sea at that time were wrecked, and the crew of one such ship was thrown onto the coast along with the icon of the Madonna. The team rushed to look for shelter from the thunderstorm and stumbled upon a cave, in which they waited out the storm. Soon the sailors left it, going in search of a more reliable refuge, and they decided to leave the image of the Madonna there. After some time, local fishermen found it and moved it to another place, but after another thunderstorm, the icon inexplicably reappeared in the cave where the sailors had left it. Seeing this, the inhabitants of the city of Pizzo built an altar in that place. Probably every Calabrian knows this legend and tells it to his guests. Thus, the artist Angelo Barone learned about this story and decided to excavate the cave alone and paint scenes from the Holy Scriptures on its walls. After the death of the master, the work was continued by his son George and nephew Alfonso, who completed the construction of the church. A very amazing and touching story, isn’t it?

The church is open every day in the morning from 9:00 to 13:00 and in the afternoon from 15:00 to 19:30, masses are held several times a week (I happened to attend one - an amazing sight). Admission for parishioners is free, for tourists – 3 EUR.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Museums, to be honest, were the last thing that came to my mind when I started thinking about what I would do in Calabria - I was much more attracted to the sea, national parks, mountains, in the end... But nevertheless, without a cultural program Still, it didn’t work out – in Catanzaro the rain overtook us, and after eating to our heart’s content in some cozy cafe, we went to explore the nearby museum.

During that day we managed to visit the MARCA Museum of Contemporary Art and the Risorgimento Museum.

• The term “risorgimento” refers to the movement of the Italian people to unify fragmented Italy in the 19th and 20th centuries. Accordingly, the museum is dedicated for the most part to the period of history when these events took place. There you will find various weapons, war diaries, documents and maps. I think the museum will be of interest to those who are already familiar with this era of Italian history, or those who are interested in wars - others may feel a little out of place and not really understand what all the exhibits on display are talking about. Therefore, it is better to either prepare in advance, or look for a guide (I think they are there, but we didn’t see them), or choose another museum to visit. We stumbled upon it by accident, and, if I’m not mistaken, we paid about 8 EUR for tickets for two.

Parks

In Calabria there are three national parks - Sila, Pollino and Aspromonte.

Parco nazionale della Sila

This park is located in the heart of the region. On its territory you can find several artificially created lakes, as well as many mountain rivers, from where we got water when we were tired of walking. The highest point of the park is Monte Botte Donato (1928 m).

I love long walks, so I liked the park - long walking routes through the most picturesque places. In addition, there are many cycling trails. Along the way, we met representatives of the local fauna, we admired beautiful flowers, trees and endless open spaces, and also stopped a couple and had a small picnic in beautiful places.

I strongly advise you not to underestimate the park and its size and take a whole day for your trip so you have time to see everything and enjoy a wonderful walk.

Parco Nazionale del Pollino

This is the largest national park in Italy, along which, by the way, the border between Basilicata and Calabria passes.

Here, as in Sila, it is incredibly beautiful and picturesque. This is, perhaps, an ideal place for those who are a little tired of noisy cities and architecture - here you can admire the life of ordinary Italian peasants, try local delicacies, play sports, look for squirrels and deer, take a long walk and not get tired of the surrounding landscapes at all.

By the way, the park even has its own official website, where you will find what else you can do here.

Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte

This is the southernmost park in Italy, and its location greatly influences nature - the difference between the sea and the mountains is so significant that sometimes the thought crept into my head that I was on some separate island.

It’s great to escape here to escape the heat - this is a frequent occurrence in Reggio Calabria (or rather, almost constant). Here, as in Sila and Pollino, it is very cool to walk and enjoy nature.

In the park you will find the “Column of Garibaldi” - this is a tree named after the main character of the Risorgimento (you remember what this is? If you forgot, return to the “museums” section). According to legend, it was under this tree that supporters of a united Italy rested and recuperated the strength of their leader, Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was wounded in the leg.

Neighboring regions

In the north, Calabria borders on Basilicata, and in the southwest it is separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. I advise you to read about what is recommended to see on this beautiful island, where it is worth going, what to try and much, much more, and you will read below about how to get there.

Sicily

Lipari (Aeolian Islands)

Few people know about these islands, at least they are not well-known, unlike Sicily or Sardinia. The archipelago is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its volcanic activity and includes seven relatively large islands and a dozen more small ones. You can read about one of them.

You can get to the archipelago from both Calabria and Sicily. From the ports of Milazzo, Messina, Reggio Calabria, high-speed ships sail to the islands.

Food. What to try

The cuisine of Calabria is similar to what you will also try in Campania and even Lazio. It is based on dishes made from meat, vegetables, fish, seafood and, of course, pasta and pizza.

Meat in Calabrian cuisine

Despite the proximity of the sea, most of the dishes are still prepared from meat and vegetables - for example, Frittole (pieces of pork, which are prepared in special containers at the doors of butcher shops), Fegato alla Riggitana (liver stewed with onions and potatoes), Bracioli (fried pork rolls with ham, herbs, cheese and tomatoes). In addition, peperoncino piccante (red Calabrian pepper) is present in many dishes - canned food, pasta, sausages, even ice cream. It is so popular in the region that a national academy dedicated to its research has been opened in Diamante.

What about pasta

You will definitely find a dish called fileja (sirloin) on the menu of restaurants and cafes, most likely with various meat sauces. This is a special type of pasta, which is prepared exclusively by hand from two types of wholemeal durum wheat flour and water, sometimes natural dyes are added - spinach or the same pepper, due to which the pasta acquires a green or red color. The dough is rolled onto a special thin stick and divided into pieces. You can find fillet mainly in Calabria, so this is also a unique culinary feature of the region. You can also buy it in the supermarket - a half-kilogram pack costs about 1.50 EUR.

Seafood - then and now

Of course, seafood is also abundant here, but, as it turns out, this was not always the case. The fact is that in the Middle Ages, the inhabitants of Calabria preferred to settle not near the coast, as now, but higher up, in the mountains - pirates and other sea conquerors did not allow the locals a quiet life near the sea. In addition, in the lower reaches of the region the climate was arid and not very suitable for agricultural activities. These problems were solved only by the middle of the 20th century, and people began to descend from the mountains to the plain, closer to the sea, and form their own settlements there. As a matter of fact, this is why Calabrians used to not be too fond of seafood, but today the situation has changed. This was also facilitated by tourists eager to taste local seafood. The main fish caught here are pescespada (swordfish), sardella (sardines), tonno (tuna), calamaro (squid), polpo (octopus), alici (anchos) and, of course, gamberetti (shrimp). We usually bought seafood or fish at Pescheria (specialty store), where the products are always as fresh as possible and quite inexpensive.

Alcohol

Gastronomic tourism in Italy is impossible without wines of various types, and indeed any other trip to this country. The Gaglioppo grape variety is produced here, which produces drinks of a special color, so rich and deep. However, it should be noted that the wines of this region are not very “respected” even within the country - and I can explain why. Unlike Tuscany, Italy's wine province, where highlands (the Tuscan Alps) make up only 20% of the topography, Calabria is mostly mountainous (90% to be exact). In this regard, the vineyards located there grow in not the best climatic conditions and are at risk of frost every winter. The most popular wines of the region are Ciro, Savuto and Greco di Bianco, but you are unlikely to find them anywhere except within Calabria.

Or the famous liqueur that is produced here and in neighboring Campania - Limoncello. To produce this drink, lemons of a special variety are used, called Oval Sorrento. Their zest is soaked in alcohol for several days (or even weeks), after which water and then sugar are added to it. Limoncello is usually served after a hearty lunch or dinner as a digestif.

Features of mentality

When the average Russian hears about Italians, he usually pictures in his mind a handsome, loud, actively gesticulating, dark-haired, tanned man in a Ferrari or Maserati. If you add the adjective “southern” to the word “Italian,” all of the above stereotypes are doubled, only because of the poverty of the hot regions, the sports car is replaced by a simple Fiat or, at worst, an old Vespa. However, this image is somewhat erroneous - Neapolitans are more likely to fit it. As for the Calabrians, they are much more reserved and calm, but, let’s say, quite loving - on the beaches and cafes, young people regularly approached us once or twice a day with an offer to meet later and drink coffee/ride along the coast. However, it should be noted that they all perceived refusals absolutely adequately, so I cannot support the legend about stormy and violent southern Italians.

Speaking about mentality, one cannot help but talk about the very real conflict between the inhabitants of Italy. There is an opinion that northerners do not even really consider their southern compatriots to be real Italians, calling them lazy slobs and the offensive word terroni - “hillbilly”. Residents of the north say that everything that is on the map below Rome is wild Africa, where people live who are uneducated and far from civilization, who, among other things, speak an incomprehensible language. In turn, southerners accuse northern Italians of being closed and callous and claim that they see nothing in life except their boring work and do not know how to truly enjoy life. In the film “Eat, Pray, Love” I heard a phrase that, in my opinion, ideally describes the lifestyle of, if not all, then every second Italian, and especially a resident of the south - dolce far niente. This is translated into Russian as “the sweetness of doing nothing,” that is, the art of enjoying every second of life. It should be noted that the main character heard this phrase in Rome, which belongs to the north of Italy... what does this mean? Even though there is an invisible struggle between northerners and southerners, they are all united by the ability to enjoy life. This is something that every Italian is an expert in almost from birth.

I got a little distracted, but I still mentioned something very important - language problems in southern Italy. This is a very important thing that you need to know before going to Calabria, or any other neighboring region - out of ten local residents, only a couple of people (or even just one) can speak English more or less tolerably. Therefore, perhaps, I’ll give you a few phrases that you definitely need to write out for yourself before the trip, so as not to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

• Hello - Salve, Ciao (Salve, Chao).
• Goodbye - Arrivederci, Ciao (Arrivederchi, Ciao).
• Yes - Si (Si).
• No - No (But).
• Thank you - Grazie.
• Please (As a reaction to a request, something like “You’re welcome”, “You’re welcome”) - Prego (Prago).
• Please (As politeness in requests) - Per favore (Per favor).
• Sorry - Mi scusi (Mi skuzi).
• zero - zero (zero).
• one - uno (uno).
• two - due.
• three - tre (tre).
• four - quattro (cuatro).
• five - cinque.
• I don't understand - Non capisco (Non capisco).
• What is your name? - Come si chiama? (Kome si kyama?).
• Where is the toilet here? - Dove e il bagno? (Dove e il bagno?).
• How much does it cost? - Quanto costa? (Quanto costa?).
• I would like to buy... - Mi piacerebbe comprare... (Mi piacerebbe comprare).
• Do you accept credit cards? - Accettate carte di credito? (Accettate carte di creditito?).
• Open - Aperto.
• Closed - Chiuso.
• Lunch - Pranzo (Pranzo).
• Dinner - Cena (Chena).
• Please bring the bill. - Il conto, per favore (Il conto, per favore).
• Come arrivare a... - How to get (get) to... (Come arrivare a...).

In addition, I must warn you that even Italian in the south is quite unique - local dialects are spoken here, which are slightly different from the language taught in universities and spoken in Rome or Milan. Therefore, get ready for the fact that you will have to literally express yourself on your fingers - it’s not for nothing that Italian is called sign language.

Holidays

Personally, the Calabrians sometimes remind me of the Spaniards - they also love holidays madly and seem to be ready to have fun all year round. For any occasion they organize folk festivals (sagra), which are extremely fun and noisy. As a rule, they are held in one city and are devoted to a specific topic. Celebrations in honor of various products are incredibly popular, for example, how do you like the festival of olives, the festival of lemons, the festival of ricotta? This is due to the fact that the agricultural sector plays a huge role in the economy of Calabria, and therefore so much attention is paid to the cultivation of individual vegetables and fruits. Most often, festivities take place in August, when thousands of tourists flock to the region and local residents go on vacation. The cities are decorated with colorful garlands, a small stage is built on the main square, and the atmosphere of a real holiday reigns. Counters are brought out into the streets, where trays of food are placed, in honor of which a celebration is held. In the evening, loud music plays, people walk, dance, sing, get to know each other, and try culinary delights.

One morning, when I was in Lamezia Terme and was walking along the street, not suspecting anything, I came across (almost literally the word) an advertisement on a pole, which said that in the town of Acconia, which is nearby, Today is the Strawberry Festival. 20 minutes of thinking - and now my friend and I are on our way. Those who love this berry will definitely like it there - you can try a huge number of desserts prepared on its basis. I admit honestly – I had a crazy good time there, but then I couldn’t look at strawberries for several months.

Safety. What to watch out for

Today, Calabria is one of the best places to relax in terms of safety, including with children. According to my observations, many residents of small towns do not even roll up their car windows at night and leave the doors to their houses half open - it’s so peaceful here. While on the beach, at first we took turns swimming cautiously, not daring to leave our things unattended, but after a few days we ran into the sea together, without worrying about the safety of our phones and wallets - in the end, everything was in perfect order. I note that we were on paid beaches, where there was always an owner (who is also a security guard, bartender and performs a thousand other duties), who kept an eye on our bags and backpacks. The water in the sea is the cleanest - perhaps this is one of the most well-groomed, but authentic, not yet overly developed coasts of Italy. In addition, there are no industrial enterprises on the shore, which also has a beneficial effect on the ecology of the region.

Things to do

Options for what to do in your free time in Calabria - a carriage and a small cart! I’ll tell you about those that are of greatest interest to tourists.