Places to Visit
Locri
Want to visit Giammarco's hometown? Say no more! This is the city where everything started. Epizephyrian Locris or Locri Epizephyrii was founded about 680 BC on the Italian shore of the Ionian Sea, by an ancient Greek tribe called The Locrians (coming from Central Greece). The city boasts a National Museum and an Archaeological Park. Apart from the archeological sites, the town is also an important sea-side resort along the Costa dei Gelsomini, or Jasmine Coast, one of the wildest coastlines of Italy. Finally, being a seaside city, Locri offers enjoyable walks on the sea-front boulevard or on the beach and in the summer months it plays host to an assortment of beach-side lidos, or beach clubs where you can rent a beach bed for the day.
Tropea
Tropea, a puzzle of lanes and piazzas, is famed for its beauty, dramatic cliff's-edge site and spectacular sunsets. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). This is one of our favorite places in Calabria ! Definitely plan to have a beach day here and maybe even rent a boat for the day. If you'd like to get a sneak peak before you come, Stanley Tucci visits Tropea in the episode "Calabria" on his show "Searching for Italy".
Scilla
Positioned on the Strait of Messina that separates mainland Italy from Sicily, the myth-wrapped Scilla is named after a once beautiful nymph who was turned into a fearsome 6-dog-headed monster Scylla. According to Ancient Greek legend, Scylla would sink ships passing the Strait of Messina. Odysseus was the only one known to survive her grasp when crossing the waters of Messina. While the monsters are now long gone, this lovely fishing village squeezed between the sea and the mountains offers a glimpse into the raw southern Italian lifestyle. Having a swordfish sandwich (a local delicacy) for lunch is an absolute must!
Gerace
This Calabrian hidden gem is a must, and lucky for you it is only a short drive from our venue. In his book "A Traveler in Southern Italy", H. V. Morton mused that “had it been in north or central Italy, it would have been known to everybody and be as famous as San Gimignano.” He was taken with the location, writing: “the town of Gerace stands 1,500 feet above the Ionian Sea in a situation aptly described as a 'posizione panoramica stupenda'. It really is a fantastic site and, as a survival of a former age". The Special feature of the village are its numerous beautiful churches. Under the Normans it was known as the "city of 100 churches" as you can find a beautiful stone church on seemingly every corner. Come here to lose yourself in the Calabrian atmosphere and eat an incredible granita at our favorite place, Bar Del Tocco !
Pentedattilo
Pentedattilo is a small village, now a ghost one, that became famous during a visit of Edward Lear in the 1847. “The appearance of Pentedattilo is perfectly magical … Wild spires of stone shoot up into the air, barren and clearly defined, in the form (as its name implies) of a gigantic hand against the sky"(Penta + daktylos = five fingers). Surrounded by the landscapes of Aspromonte, the scenery is truly breathtaking. Almond trees, broom and bergamot plants are the fragrant backdrop to any visit to the "5-fingered village."
Pizzo
Pizzo , also called Pizzo Calabro, is a seaport , situated on a steep cliff overlooking the Gulf of Saint Euphemia and close to Tropea and the airport of Lamezia. The centre of Pizzo is a picturesque network of narrow lanes, historic but bustling with everyday Calabrian life. It is mainly known for the local dessert, the Tartufo di Pizzo. Picture a fist-sized, cocoa-coated layered ball of hazelnut and chocolate ice cream, with a surprise inside – a molten core of thick, syrupy dark chocolate, Mamma Mia ! The visit of the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta is worth a visit too. It's a small chapel carved into the tufa cliffs a kilometre or so from the historic centre.
Villa Romana di Casignana
Archeological site near Locri Overlooking the blue sea of the Jasmine coast, along the State Road 106, appear the magnificent vestiges of the Roman Villa of imperial age that represent one of the most relevant Roman archaeological complexes in the southern Italy. The Villa Romana was discovered in 1963 when, in a completely random way, during the excavation work carried out for the construction of an aqueduct, the first findings came to light. Since then the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Calabria Region (Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Calabria) has begun a systematic exploration of the site. Ticket: 5€ – Reduced (min. of 14 years old): 3€ Booking can be required
Museo e Parco Archeologico Nazionale di Locri
The remains of the Greek settlement in the locality of Centocamere, and those of the Tempio di Marasà, which have yielded a great variety of relics related to religion, art, and culture, have more recently been added to those of a sanctuary dedicated to Demetra Thesmophoros, stretches of the Greek city walls, and significant monumental evidence from the Roman Imperial age, such as the Museale Casinò Macrì complex. The complex is located within the archaeological area, near the votive deposit dedicated to Zeus. Inside, the artefacts from the most recent excavations are kept in this area, while the older ones are featured in an exhibition space within the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria. Open every day (except Monday) From 9 am to 8 pm (the ticket office closes at 7.00 pm) N.B: The rooms of the Museum are currently CLOSED for restoration
Festa di Porto Salvo
Check back for more information on a local town festival happening the week of the wedding!
Italian ArtVentures Private Tours
Looking to take a tour while exploring a major city during your stay? We highly recommend this tour company !