CALABRIA - - the hidden secret of Italy 

                          

Calabria is the place Italian holidaymakers go on holiday. Calabria is a place where you can start your day with taking a swim on the fantastic beaches and end it watching a spectacular sunset. Anyone who loves the sea will appreciate the mild climate, the miles of sandy beaches, and the clear sea with its magnificent blue colours and its clearness which has been awarded the Blue Flag of Europe.

Calabria is the southern most region of Italy, the ankle and toe of the Italian "boot" – a rugged peninsula 
where grapevines, fig and olive trees cling to arid mountainsides, and where the timeless sea crashes against the cliffs and long ,sandy beaches of its beautiful and intricate coastline, which faces east, south and west all at once.

It's true that the Calabrese are not quite ready for masses of English-speaking tourists - and this is one of 
its delights. Indeed, you won't find too many people who converse confidently in English. Nor will you find 
many signs printed in English, or be able to buy English books, newspapers or magazines. But, isn't that 
what you're looking for? Privacy, seclusion, sun, sand and difference. The delights of Italy's sun-bathed deep south region of Calabria are only now being discovered by the rest of us.

Calabria is the heart of the Mezzogiorno (the Italian for 'midday' the phrase refers to the baking sunshine in 
which the region basks),The Calabria region forms the toe of Italy. This is the region that 'kicks' Sicily into 
the Mediterranean Sea. A little holiday money in Calabria can go a long way - Offering superb value for your euros. 

And with coastline on three sides, curving round to meet the Ionian Sea on the south-eastern coast of Italy, 
Calabria has mile upon mile of sandy beaches, rocky coves, spectacular headlands and space. Behind Calabria's coastal areas are beautiful rugged and rocky mountains. Here you will find tiny hamlets and 
ancient farmsteads whose origins are lost in time whose inhabitants seem to come from an earlier,simpler,bygone era.These mountains now offer a growing skiing industry meaning your Calabrian holiday home can offer winter entertainment too.

History of Calabria

One of Calabria's main cities is Cosenza, which provides a good base for exploring La Sila, one of the last 
great stretches of European forest still intact. The Romans were originally responsible for clearing some of 
the vast forest tracts.The Visigoths arrived in the fifth century, following the sacking of Rome. Legend has 
it that Visigoth King Alaric is buried with his treasure in the river Busento near Cosenza. Further invasions 
followed. The Goths, Byzantines,Lombards, Saracens and Normans colonised or simply pillaged Calabria, which became part of the Kingdom of Sicily in the early Middle Ages. In the 1500s, the Inquisitions of the Catholic Church drove Protestants from Piemonte to Calabria,in search of sanctuary.Calabria only really moved out of the feudal age with the Unification of Italy in the late 1800s, and the overthrow of the Bourbon dynasty.


Geography of Calabria

On the eastern (inland) side of Calabria, the mountain ranges drop to the River Crati valley. The Le Serre Mountains reach down to the toe of Italy, and east of Cosenza lie the Sila Mountains and forests.From the Sila, the Neto River Neto drains to the eastern Ionian coast. This area is covered by the Calabria National Park, a wetland habitat and home to wildfowl. North are the gorges at Raganello, with sulphur springs used by the ancient Romans and home today to nesting eagles.

Cuisine of Calabria

Calabrian cuisine is similar to that of Campania, with more of the Greek about it. Untypically Italian ingredients may be honey, almonds, figs, aubergine and swordfish. Pork is popular, as is pasta and strong 
cheeses such as mature ricotta, provolone and pecorino. Italians are also skilful in their use of spices such as ginger (zenzero) and chilli. Calabria makes delicious sweet white wines such as Greco di Bianco and offers a wide selection of dry whites and reds to choose from.

Getting to Calabria

A motorway now runs west down the coast of the narrow Calabria region, the A3 linking with the A1 up into northern Italy. The road puts you within easy reach of resorts that are fun in the summerand peaceful in the winter.

On the very toe of Italy, facing Sicily across the Straits of Messina, lies Reggio di Calabria. This is the 
provincial capital and the largest town in Calabria by a distance. There is a prettily restored seafront here and 
a promenade facing Messina, in Sicily across the Strait. Reggio de Calabria offers an incredible mile long 
shopping centre with dozens of designer shops. There is an airport at Reggio di Calabria and also at Lamezia Terme.

Naples airport is not far away either and budget price flights are available to and from allthese airports. 
Another delightful way to arrive in calabria is to fly to Sicily and catch the ferry across the Straits of Messina.


Property in this area is at bargain prices compared to Spain and many other areas of Italy and is proving a 
good investment. We offer a wide choice of apartments, townhouses and villas and will be delighted to help you find your perfect property, for holiday use, permanent living or as an investment. 

Christina Harris - Tel: +44 (0) 1962 885602

For property in Florida (especally Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport and Clermont) Greece, Alonissos, The Peloponnese, Skiathos, Skopelos, Zakinthos and Crete contact: John Goodwin - Tel: + 44 (0) 1590 626266