Calabria

Calabria (Calabria in Italian) is a region in the south of Italy. This region forms the southwestern tip of the front of Italy's boot. Calabria is located on the Strait of Messina, opposite Sicily.

In the distant past, Calabria was the center of Greek civilization before the rise of the Roman Empire. Now it is mainly a region where many Italians – and increasingly foreigners too – own a holiday home close to the sea. Unfortunately, the region was also known for the ubiquity of the Calabrese mafia. Fortunately, her influence has diminished noticeably in recent years. Tourists will not notice much of organized crime anyway.

Calabria is a mountainous area. Here you will find dense forests of spruce, beech and oak, interspersed with ancient olive beards, meandering rivers and rugged rocky coasts. It is a poor region, which now benefits from emerging tourism. Where the original population has moved to the richer northern areas, more and more foreigners decide to invest in Calabree real estate, because of the favorable prices. For tourists it is certainly not easy here. Many luxury accommodations are available in Calabria.

But poor Calabria is also clearly on the surface. Construction projects – whether or not financed by the mafia – have not been completed and some villages have been completely abandoned. Regular earthquakes have also caused the necessary damage. This is one of those places where it can seem that you are no longer in Europe.

However, the fascinating, untouched nature makes up for a lot. This is the only region in the world where tea plants have the right quality to make them Earl Grey. The particularly clear sea water off the coast of Calabria is famous. Combined with the almost permanent sun and the rich culture, the tip of the Italian mainland makes a great holiday destination. You will not be bored either. In Calabria you can enjoy many festivals all year round on the themes of music and food.

The capital of Calabria is Catanzaro. This ancient city is built on 3 hills and is about 350 meters above sea level. About 5 kilometers south is Catanzaro Lido, a harbor town with a long promenade, a harbor for small-scale fishing and the opportunity for tourists to take boat trips.