Properties in Calabria - Italy's best kept secret

About Calabria

Calabria is located at the "toe" of the Italian peninsula just South of Naples and is often referred to as 'Mezzogiorno' after the baking sunshine in which the region basks. With coastline on all three sides, Calabria has miles of sun-drenched sandy beaches, rocky coves and spectacular headlands. And unlike many of its neighbouring regions, Calabria has one thing still prized above all others and sought the world over - space. Space to relax, unwind and indulge your senses among the most beautiful scenery in Italy and friendliest people in the world.

Calabria has over 780km of coast facing onto two seas, the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian. The main Calabrian coastal areas of Bianco (and neighbouring town of Bovalino), Tropea and Reggio de Calabria (the region's capital) offer some of the best opportunities to enjoy Calabrian life at its finest. Even Italian holidaymakers flock to the clear blue water of its coastal resorts, but there are still many hidden beach grottos and secluded coves far away from every day life awaiting discovery. Our properties have been carefully placed so they are either within walking distance of the town, by the beach or surrounded by woodlands.

And don't forget, just a short hop by ferry across the Messina Straits lies the beautiful neighbouring island of Sicily. If you're a fan of Roman, Greek and Byzantine ancient history, you'll find a trip to Messina hard to resist while a shopping expedition to the glamorous boutiques of Catania will prove an enjoyable trip if you want to spend some of your euros. There's also archeolgical museums to explore to your heart's content, not to mention excellent climbs to the snow-capped peak of Mount Etna if you've eaten one too many gelatos or cannoli desserts and feel like some exercise!

Calabrians are well known for their warmth and hospitality and you'll find yourself making friends quickly and easily wherever you go. Perhaps more than anywhere else, Calabrians enjoy regular feasts of merrymaking with festivals and carnivals enhancing their proverbial, good-natured ribaldry. The most popular take place in August, with the Calici di Stelle (10^th), Fiaccolata a Mare (13^th) and the Scesa procession of the Madonna di Pugliano (15^th), while December holds the notable Sagre delle Zeppole (29^th) and of course New Year's Eve. These are the days when family and friends gather to enjoy a feast of flavoursome meats cooked in a myriad of ingenious ways all washed down with a good local red wine. Numerous other music festivals, outdoor theatre and sporting events also take place throughout the year and are well worth visiting.