This summer I spent 10 wonderful days in the Riviera dei Cedri and I fell in love more and more with those extraordinary landscapes, with Calabrian cuisine and everything that surrounds it. Consequently, I could not fail to leave you some input to make the most of your days in this wonderful corner of the world. I state that we are in Calabria right on the border with Basilicata on the Tyrrhenian side, a land halfway between sea and mountains, where the sun kisses the sea and life goes by slowly, without any frenzy. Here's what I propose:
1. Admire the murals in Diamante: it is a city best known as the city of chili peppers and murals. Walking through its alleys it will be impossible not to stop to browse its souvenir shops, but above all to photograph its murals. These are real works of art created by important artists that make this city absolutely unique. There are about 150 murals scattered around the center, so much so that it is considered a true open-air museum. A mural particularly intrigued me: a mother with a baby in her arms, while the caption reads "Each exit is an entrance to an elsewhere".
2. Sip a cedar granita: no matter where you are ... the important thing is not to miss this wonderful granita which is a must here, as can be the lemon or mint one. The best ones have candied cedar flakes and are really thirst-quenching and tasty… try it!
3. Circumnavigate the island of Dino in Praia a Mare: it is the largest of the two islands of Calabria and takes its name from the temple (aedina) that once stood on the island dedicated to Venus. You can rent boats, reach it by pedal boat (as I did) or by canoe. The important thing is to get there and enter the blue cave, the water is really blue and the fish will turn around without fear ...
4. Admire a sunset in San Nicola Arcella: this pleasant town offers a panoramic terrace directly on the gulf of Praia and from here you can savor all the magic of a true and unique sunset that will be difficult to forget.
5. Visit one of the defensive towers located all along the coast: these are some towers, now abandoned, but which during the Kingdom of Naples were used for defensive purposes to spot pirates and predators from the Mediterranean. I recommend the Talao tower in Scalea, especially at sunset or in the evening, from where you can spy on the city without being visited.
6. Visit the Cedar Museum: those who go to the village of Santa Maria del Cedro cannot help but visit this particular museum, where this fruit is the master and its history, culture, its processing are told to turn into jams, candied cedars, and many other tasty variations.
7. Participate in the many village festivals: the whole coast, especially in summer, is filled with small events, such as festivals. There are many that follow one another day after day, leaving you spoiled for choice: from the wild boar festival to the fish festival, from the fusilli festival to the mussel festival, from the mortadella festival to the mushroom festival ... in short, belly my hut!
8. Taste the chilli and its sauces: I mean, we are in Calabria, a region to which in the collective imagination we associate chilli, so it must be tasted! Fried, baked, as a condiment, in its thousand sauces (like the bombazza) ... in short, dare!
9. Rafting on the Lao River: this river originates in Basilicata in the Pollino Park and flows into the sea at Scalea, right next to the beach. For nature lovers it is a stop not to be missed and for those who love adventure it is possible to go down the river by rafting in complete safety. The organized excursions are so many and all very interesting, you just need to choose.
10. To stay in the waters of Diamante for a whole day: I have to say it is my favorite Diamante ... its waters are crystal clear for real, in its seabed there are also corals (I saw them with my own eyes) and its sand is really golden ... So don't miss its wonderful waters , bring a mask and explore its depths… I can't wait to do it again!
