Calabria

World of Travel
BY SEÁN FLYNN
MOST PEOPLE ’S perceptions of Italy have been moulded by images of Tuscany or Venice or Rome.
We’re all too familiar with the stock shots of Chianti-shire’s rolling hills and picturesque farmhouses. The 
crooning gondoliers of Venice’s waterways represent one of the most enduring Italian clichés while the 
stock shots of The Vatican and the Colosseum will always remind one of Rome, the Eternal City.
But, outside Italy’s hard-sell tourist destinations , there is wealth of as yet undiscovered beauty waiting for 
the intrepid traveller. Calabria in the far south of the country is one such destination. The area is well off 
the tourist trail, right at the tip of Italy’s toe with only the Straits of Messina separating it from Sicily.
Calabria boasts some of the most spectacularly rugged scenery available on the Italian peninsula. It 
borders Basilicata and stretches between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea in the direction of Sicily.
Reaching Calabria has been something of problem in the past. The mountainous terrain and forests, which 
give the region its stunning natural beauty, have also contributed to its isolation. There is an airport in 
Lamezia Terme, which can be reached from London Gatwick, Standstead, Toronto, Barcelona, Stockholm and many other destinations, but the ideal way to reach 
Calabria is by rail. The train journey from Roma Termini, the capital’s main train station, to Calabria 
takes one down the Mediterranean coast and is a treat in itself. A word of advice for travellers by train, 
book couchette or sleeping compartment when buying your ticket, especially on the night train. There can 
be few more enjoyable ways to travel than by train: to be lulled to sleep by the mesmerizing clicketyclack of the tracks as the train’s pulls out Naples and then to awaken fresh at one’s destination.
Calabria’s main city, Reggio di Calabria, is truly ancient. Founded in the eighth century before Christ by 
Greek settlers, it was taken over by the Romans in the second century AD and after the fall of Rome it 
was ruled by groups as diverse as the Saracens and the Normans before Calabria became part of what we 
perceive as modern Italy in 1860. In 1908, Reggio di Calabria was destroyed by a dreadful earthquake 
and later rebuilt, using anti-seismic criteria, to an orthogonal plan. Practically all the monuments in the 
city were totally destroyed; however. Those worth visiting are the Duomo, rebuilt in Romanesque style, 
with interesting works of art; the partly ruined castle, of medieval origin; the church of the Ottimati; and 
the Madonna dell ’Eremo Sanctuary.
A most interesting place is the Lungomare Matteotti (the promenade), with its vegetation and several 
Greek and Roman remains, described by the poet D ’Annunzio as “the most beautiful kilometre in Italy ”
The futurist sculptor Umberto Boccioniand the world-famous designer Gianni Versace are among
Reggio’s famous sons.
Villa San Giovanni, the main ferry crossing to Sicily, is a couple of kilometres from Reggio and a person 
can be in downtown Messina within half an hour. If you do cross over to Sicily, be sure to visit Taormina:
medieval village high in the mountains overlooking the Ionian Sea. The town also boasts a Greek 
amphitheatre with breathtaking views of Mount Etna, Sicily’s active volcano.
A wealth of splendid scenery lies along the Calabrian littoral which, including the Tyrrhenian
and Ionian coasts, stretches for nearly 800 km.and is characterized by a tremendous variety of 
panoramas, ranging from delightful rocky coves to vast beaches fringing a clear, sparkling sea.
The magnificent inland area is dotted with tiny picturesque villages hugging the hills that slope down to 
the water, with colourful and typically Mediterranean citrus plantations and olive groves. 
Food in Calabria defies superlatives. It would be impossible to recommend a particular restaurant. That
would be to take away from the spontaneity of what is a personal experience. Rest assured, though, that
stopping at any restaurant on the roadside, particularly on the coast, would mean a real culinary treat.
Calabrian food, however, is cooked with lots of chilli, so watch out!
It’s hard to avoid talking about organized crime in Southern Italy and it has in the past been real problem.
The local mafia in Calabria are known as Ndrangheta and were very active after martial law was declared 
in Sicily following the death of Judge Falcone in 1991. However, this is certainly much less of a problem 
now than it has been in the past. In any event, tourists are largely left to their own devices. In short, don’t
believe the hype; a holiday in Southern Italy does not mean running the gauntlet with Don Corleone.
A holiday in Southern Italy probably wouldn’t be for everyone. This is an area that is not yet geared 
towards intensive tourism and, as such, some people might find it basic, backward even. Few people 
speak English so be prepared to break out the phrase book quite regularly. However, that backwardness has an upside in that the people of the region are friendly and helpful; these are proud and generous country people. This is an unspoilt paradise and thankfully it has avoided the pitfalls that characterize so many tourist traps the world over.
Commercialism has yet to sully the area and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how cheap accommodation 
and food are. The people of Calabria are derided by other Italians as coming from Paesa de Testa dura 
(the country of hard heads) but once you meet the Calabrese you’ll be taken in by their sunny disposition.

Property for sale in Calabria

Italian language and Culture Il Giardino di Gerace.com

This website is very useful for anyone needing to buy a property in Calabria. Owned by a friend of mine and run very professionally, he only seeks out secure key ready properties. I will ask him to post more properties here for you to view. If you wish  you can contact me and I will make an introduction for you or contact him direct at info@italypropertyfinders.com . His website is www.italypropertyfinders.com

Key Ready - Front Line - Architecturally Designed

He also has a warehouse in Britain where he sells and transports furniture packs to Calabria at just over wholesale prices so contact him asap. It is cheaper than buying here in Calabria. 

If you look here http://www.italypropertyfinders.com/ipf-forum.html#/ or here http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/forum.html#/ you will be able to see plenty of information about Calabria. So enjoy and remember to post your questions or ideas within the forums or here on this blog. 

By the way - it is 19 degrees here today. lol

Italian language and Culture
Try the Forum
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/forum.html#/

Other Pages
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/index.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/dante-alighieri.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/italian-lessons.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/culinary-courses.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/guided-tours.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/gallery.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/weddings.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/google-map.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/reservations.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/artfood--wine.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/calabrian-flavours.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/trekking.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/info-in-chinese.html
http://www.ilgiardinodigerace.com/links.html

Dante Alighieri school of language and culture, Gerace, comes highly recommended.
  For the past 38 years they have had a School of Languages, making them one of, if not, the oldest within their field here in the most southern part of Italy, Calabria. Over many years they have organised Study Breaks and Intensive Language Courses,while sending and receiving students to and from many parts of the world. In 2004 their students numbered 300 plus per year and they are still growing in strength.  To keep up with the modern times and teaching techniques, they have moved into their new premises in the Museum Civico in the heart of Gerace making sure the ambiance and atmosphere which surrounds the students,      
helps and encourages them to have an open mind and be relaxed with professional teachers whose qualifications speak for themselves. 
  Professor  Ferdinando Scaglione began his school in Locri in 1972 in a small room which he purchased for this venture, little did he know at the time that his school would become a role model for all others who would decide to try to imitate his proven teaching techniques and what would ultimately become the most successful language school in Calabria. He also created a radio show teaching English free to listeners who would otherwise be unable to join a class due to work or other such matters. Thousands of people from all walks of life had tuned in and learnt to speak perfect English, then going on to study in universities and colleges around Italy establishing lives and families they would have never thought possible without the assistance of Prof. Scaglione. 
  Today his daughter Prof.ssa Anita Maria Scaglione continues in his footsteps. Having been brought up with the same style, flare and enthusiasm which has been proved to be very successful, adding also her own signature to this literal and cultural story which started so many years previously. Herself, introducing Culinary Courses, Tours, Trekking and so on,accommodating the ever growing popularity of this beautiful region and what many people are describing as "a true cultural experience" .

Trekking in Calabria

Italian language and Culture

The Aspromonte National Park is situated at the tip of the Italian peninsula, between the Terranean and the Ionian Sea, against the backdrop of the Strait’s of Messina and the imposing Mount Etna on the island of Sicily. With spectacular wilderness, magnificent panoramic views, waterfalls and wild rivers running through its unique features, you will certainly enjoy its picturesque ghost towns and the ancient sacred hospitality of its local people. Certainly a unique and amazing way to spend a cultural, relaxing and insightful holiday learning the traditional way about the area, a “Green oasis in the middle of the Mediterranean,” (Back up van on hand to move all personal belongings day to day) 

Accommodation - Breakfast - Packed Lunch - DinnerTrek Duration: 7 days
Included:

Il Giardino di Gerace: Culinary Courses

Il Giardino di Gerace: Culinary Courses

Italian language and Culture

Culinary Courses

Learn or improve your knowledge Calabrian cuisine which entails a multitude of hot & spicy ingredients or become an expert at creating beautiful cream pastries topped with fresh fruit.

Course Duration: 2 Weeks

Classes: 4 hours per day. 0900 – 1300

Total Hours: 40 hours

Saturday and / or Sunday : Coach Tour of Calabria 

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Included - Accommodation - Breakfast - Dinner - Airport Transfer

Italian Language courses

www.ilgiardinodigerace.com

Course duration:   2 Weeks
Classes:  4 hours per day. 0900 -1300 
Total Hours:  40 hours
Beginners - Intermediate - Advanced 
All courses are designed specifically for                     Conversation and Grammar .
Reading and writing.
Topical Subjects.
History & Culture of Calabria / Gerace  

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We also provide Accommodation - Breakfast - Dinner - Airport Transfer 

Day Trips to beautiful places such as

Reggio Calabria - Scilla - Tropea - Taormina

II Giardino di Gerace has been described by many visitors as (quote! Paradise and a little slice of heaven). It is Uniquely positioned in Gerace with five terraced gardens all facing the Ionian Sea. Edward Leer the great writer / painter / poet stayed here in the family home were he produced some of his best writings / paintings and poems. Fully licensed premises for restaurant / bar and bed and breakfast.

Il Giardino di Gerace

We consider our goals very modest and we will do everything possible to secure our position as worthy hosts to all our guests. Over the years we have forged out of nothing a place where people from all walks of life can come and be relaxed, sit and eat with us, tell and be told stories from all over the globe. We have successfully hosted weddings and catered for all guests, we have had congress and plays in our beautiful gardens, using our professionalism we have en-trawled people from many parts of the world and we wish to continue to do so. What is our Motto ? Well it's quite simple really. It is to make you, our guests, the happiest you possibly can be. 

Il Giardino di Gerace

Bed and Breakfast
Via Fanfani 8 89040 Gerace (RC) Italy
email: ferdscaglione@hotmail.it
Phone: +39 0964 356732