A few weeks ago Danielle hosted fellow American expat in southern Italy, Laura of Ciao Amalfi, who wrote about the top five reasons to head south of Rome.
Naples, Pompeii … the Amalfi Coast. Yea … definitely reasons to visit Campania. But today, I’m going to share with you three reasons to head even farther south and into Basilicata and Calabria.
- Maratea
Maratea is on the Tyrrhenian Coast, about 200 kilometers south of Naples in the region of Basilicata. It is the most popular beach resort in the region and is well-known for its natural grottoes, the black sand beach, Spiaggia Nera and the Redentore-the Christ the Redeemer statue that towers 72 feet over a rocky crag. It is also called “The City of 44 Churches,” because of the two dozen churches spread throughout the village.
- Scalea
Scalea is a popular seaside town-and one of my favorite villages in Italy-that is just 30 kilometers further south in the region of Calabria. The old town gets its name, “Scalea,” from the hundreds of stone steps that lead into the historical center.
Once inside, visitors can search for hidden Byzantine mosaics or climb all the way to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the Cedri Rivieria.
- Tropea
Continuing south on our Tyrrhenian tour of Calabria and Basilicata-170 kilometers south to be exact-we will find Tropea. Tropea is by far the most popular name in Calabrian beach towns. Its Easter-egg colored water, rocky cliffs and iconic Santa Maria dell’Isola church have all proven inspirational for photographers and travelers and the little village is brimming with contagious energy.
Cherrye Moore is a freelance writer and Calabria tour consultant living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI Travel Insurance and about living and traveling in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita.
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