Adventure on the road to discover the Costa degli Dei, in Calabria. Wild and genuine spirit, fun and taste: this journey will remain in your heart!
La Coast of the Godsis located in the province of Vibo Valentia: it's a beautiful place to explore if you decide to visit Calabria; there will be more than 50 kilometers of beaches and unspoiled landscapes waiting for you.
Reaching it is easy: take a flight to Lamezia Terme, rent a car and go on an adventure on the road, enjoy the wildest Italian region independently and in complete relaxation.
1. Pizzo Calabro: antiquity and crystal clear sea
The first stage of our on the road tour starts from Pizzo Calabro, a village of 10.000 inhabitants that falls sheer to the sea; famous for its "Truffle": a delicious ice cream filled with hazelnuts that would appeal to anyone! A bomb! Also in terms of calories. But you are both on vacation and, between a swim and a trekking in the nearby Sila mountains, you will dispose of it very soon!
From June to August, "Pizzo" (as it is called by its inhabitants) is packed with people who flock to its delightful square full of typical restaurants and bars or stroll through the narrow streets of its historic center.
You can admire the noble palaces of the past centuries or shop in the dozens of souvenir shops.
To lovers of the sea and "beaching to the bitter end", I immediately say that the beaches are small and crowded, especially between July and August, securing a place near the shore is not easy, but the sea has such beautiful colors that the sacrifice of being on the beach, a little crowded, will pay off big time!
In this regard, you absolutely must not get lost Piedigrotta beach, is located just outside the historic center, you will find a church carved into the rock which is unique in the world! It preserves an ancient painting of the '600, depicting the Madonna of Piedigrotta as well as many beautiful sculptures with a religious theme. Admission costs around 2 euros and is worth it all! Immediately after the visit, you will be able to enjoy the crystal clear sea that you will find there in front of you… ah how beautiful is the comfort!
2. Zambrone: a diver's paradise on the Costa degli Dei
Our journey continues south, towards Zambrone, a small town of few inhabitants that will captivate you for its spectacular and unspoiled beaches.
Certainly less worldly than Pizzo, it is known for the beach called Il paradiso del sub. Reachable in 15 minutes walking along a dirt path (a bit steep to be honest, but you can easily pass it): without beaches, umbrellas and summer noise from the beach; a true oasis of peace where you can enjoy the sea and do hours and hours of snorkeling, losing yourself in the beautiful backdrops. And the ideal destination for those who want to savor the wild Calabria.
3. Tropea: the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea
And we are at a time of the place renamed "The pearl of the Tyrrhenian": Tropea. It is known and appreciated all over the world (even in Indonesia, in addition to Del Piero, spaghetti and pizza know Tropea, I swear!).
I will try to describe it to make the most of its beauty: a historic center with a significant value that falls overhanging a blue sea that rivals the Greek Ionian, antique and souvenir shops, visitors from all over the world and, for lovers of onion… represents heaven on earth!
The Tropea onion adorns the balconies of the houses in the historic center and it is used in every way: to season pizza, in doughs to make pasta, in omelettes and even to color fabrics.
If you've gotten a little hungry after all this onion, I recommend you go and eat at the Vecchio Forno, everything is delicious, especially the pizza (with onion, of course) and the location is fabulous; it is located inside the historic center, has an outdoor part, with three or four tables set with red and white checked tablecloths. The lanterns at the corners of the alley and the bougainvillea that frame the windows surround the scene: even just photographing this scenario will make you happy!
On clear days, on the horizon you can admire the nearby Aeolian Islands, which can be reached from the port with boats that leave every day in the high season.
4. Capo Vaticano: Caribbean style relaxation
We close this tour with a flourish, continuing 10 kilometers south, direction: Capo Vaticano; it is a succession of coves with sandy bottoms, crystal clear water and caves that can only be reached by sea.
Capo Vaticano is a jewel for lovers of relaxation and Caribbean-style beaches.
Look out from the Belvedere from which you will enjoy a unique view, on clear days you can also see the Strait of Messina.
Don't miss out the beach of Grotticelle, made of white sand and transparent sea.
For diving enthusiasts, this place will offer a rich and varied marine flora and fauna, especially around rocks of Galea and Mantineo which are located a few kilometers further south.
You will find excellent refreshments from Donna Orsola, is a beautiful and very good restaurant, obtained from a former country house; they will serve you appetizers full of local cheeses and cured meats, fried aubergines and first courses with rabbit ragout. It will be a pleasant memory that will accompany you while, a little melancholy, you return home!
The tour in the Costa degli Dei will remain in your heart, you can travel far and wide the world, but the genuine, wild and, at times, bitter spirit of Calabria will hardly be encountered elsewhere.
