Column: unforgettable Calabria

'Rein, and think about the summer, eh?! You know you're invited to join us in Calabria,' Anna says emphatically. I sigh: 'Yes, yes, I'm thinking about it… I'll let you know.' "You don't have to think," I hear sternly on the other end of the phone. 'You haven't been on vacation for four years. So this year. You need it. I'll be sure to inform everyone that you're coming. Very nice. Book quickly otherwise the buses are too expensive!'

Anna has cut off the telephone connection coldly or I get a text from her daughter. 'Clean! You come to Calabria, how wonderful! I'm so looking forward to it. Let's do lots of fun things and relax!'

I already feel it: no way back. The workaholic also has to believe it. And the more I think about white beaches, fresh fish and white wine, the more tired I feel and the more I want to go on holiday.

Before booking the trains and buses to the south, I googled Cirò Marina and the surrounding area. 'City of wine' is the first thing that comes up in Google and then a number of photos of freshly prepared fish, a jazz festival and mini concerts. I'm sold. To Calabria. 

Flixbus to Calabria

Monday, August 5. At 12 o'clock I get in a taxi to the station here in Florence to catch the train to Rome, where I then have the FlixBus connection to Cirò Marina. I have to say that I was a bit apprehensive about the long journey in the beginning.

A total of 11 hours from door to door is quite a lot, especially if you spend almost 11 hours on a bus of those 8 hours. Still, I really liked everything. Southern Italy is so beautiful that the landscapes flew past me and time seemed to go faster automatically. 

FlixBus it's very chill by the way. The connections are correct, you sit very comfortably in the bus, you have enough space and a socket to charge your phone. The fact that we also arrived at our destination half an hour earlier was a great start to the holiday. 

Cirò Marina and surroundings 

When I arrive in Cirò Marina, Anna is already waiting for me under the viaduct. 'Welcome, sweetheart, how nice to have you here. Come on, let's have a glass of wine and then we'll go to sleep. By the way, I've thought up some fun things for tomorrow and the next few days.'

Still somewhat 'jetlagged' from the long journey and the other, lower vibes of the south, I sit with a glass of wine and try to take in the surroundings a bit in the pitch dark. Tomorrow onward. “Anna, all I really want is sea, white wine, and Ella Fitzgerald in the background. Anna laughs and says: 'If that's all, then this will be your dream vacation!' 

Unknown beaches, Sila and Crotone

The Ionian coast is truly fantastic. White beaches, crystal clear sea and unknown beaches with a few umbrellas. The wonderful thing about this part of Calabria is that there are few or no tourists. Perhaps a few lost Italians from northern and central Italy who come to these paradise spots. Furthermore, you are really among the locals.

And one of those locals is Anna's aunt, who has a restaurant with camping just outside Cirò. 'There you eat the best mussels in Calabria,' Anna tells me. 'Really, that woman has a difficult character, but God, she can cook so well.' And with Zia there really isn't a word of it. For lunch we have mussels and fresh fish from the grill, a delicious glass of white wine and… music. I look at Anna and take my iPad out of my bag, time to listen to Ella for a moment. 

The murmur of the sea, the sultry voice of Ella and the wonderful view of the beach, seen from under the canopy of the Zia's restaurant. This is what I call vacation. We eat for a few hours and then lie back lazily on the towel and take an afternoon nap. 

On the way back we drive along the Mercato Saracenic. An open place with a piazza, Cozy patio and a small church. There we go right away aperitifs and enjoy the sunset. After all, we can never get enough of either. 

Sila

Those who may think that Calabria is dry and arid is wrong. After all, my image of the south was also like that, until Anna took me to the Sila during my stay. Sila has a crystal clear mountain lake and is located in an oasis of greenery.

Never thought that landscapes can change so much in such a short time. Driving up the mountain I was really amazed that the villages and the surroundings started to look more and more like Switzerland. Tall trees, fresher weather and the geniality of the mountains. Had lunch there again in a special place. 

Crotone

Crotone is also a gem that should not be skipped. For Crotone, Anna had called up friends of hers who have lived in Crotone for over 50 years and were eager to show us the city through their eyes.

We viewed beautiful viewpoints, visited old excavations and of course took a dip in the water at Le Castella and rested a bit. There's something mysterious about Crotonese nightlife. Crotone was (and is!) a mafia stronghold and that is what you will definitely experience when you walk through the small alleys. People keep a close eye on what you're doing and who you're with. 

By the way, you see that everywhere in Calabria, or at least in the parts I've been to. There is simply some tension in the city and in the surrounding area. People keep very calm and quiet and look around well. 

Movie sets

Calabria reminded me of an old Italian movie. The alleys, the Api tearing through the streets, the mysterious and often exciting streets, very good food for very little money and of course a decor that you say to yourself. 

The discovery of Calabria

My friends here often scoff at Calabria a bit; I think it's a real discovery and would go there again, because Calabria has that part of authentic Italy that many tourists fortunately have no idea it even exists.

And that makes it an unforgettable place.