THE TOWNS OF CALABRIA (with particular reference to the province of Cosenza): SEA – MOUNTAINS WITH SKI SLOPES – NEIGH-BOURING AREAS AROUND COSENZA

Calabria preserves hidden beauties and wonderful treasures which can be found throughout its territory. It is a land rich in historical and artistic evidences and uncontaminated places to be discovered. The Ionian coast of Calabria, with its wild nature and the golden sand of its beaches, is the perfect antidote to combat the stress of a busy life. Isola Capo Rizzuto (Kr), known as “The Pearl of the Ionian”, hosts several towns, all facing the sea: the seaside village of “Le Castella” is unique in its kind for its fortress (the “Aragonese” Castle) and for the cliffs with archaeological remains which are still visible. Besides tradition adventure and relaxation you will discover the small natural oasis of the Gulf of Squillace where you can breathe a genuine Mediterranean air, on the jasmine coast, on the “Costa degli Aranci” or in the famous one of the Saracens (Cirò Marina). In addition, the Ionian side gives the most curious and unique experience: that of reconstructing the history of Greek-Roman domination by visiting the various archaeological sites present on the territory; the most famous are those of Capo Colonna, Sibari and Scolacium. But the surprises don’t end there. It is on the Tyrrhenian side that there are characteristic medieval towns, some of which are named among “the most beautiful towns in Italy”. In particular, in the prov-ince of Cosenza visitors are fascinated by: the Renaissance history that the alleys of Aieta narrate; the Gothic-Angevin buildings of Altomonte; the imposing chimneys and the “talking” houses of Civita; the delicate combination of art and natural beauty of Morano Calabro and Fiumefreddo Bruzio and the ancient historical buildings of “Cosenza Vecchia”, also known as the “Athens of Calabria”.

The Tyrrhenian coast, 250 km long, with beaches, is of unparalleled beauty. The visitor is welcomed by the “Riviera dei Cedri” where there are two beautiful Calabrian islands: the Island of Dino, in front of the town of Praia a Mare and the Island of Cirella (Cs), full of caves and inlets. The sea in the whole area is magnificent: there are rich seabeds to explore, such as that of Amantea and Belmonte, where there are the two rocks of Isca, established by the WWF protected area “Blue Oasis of the rocks of Isca” and characteristic bays to see in the Costa degli Dei (Pizzo, Tropea and Capo Vaticano are very famous) and in the Costa Viola (with Scilla and Chianalea, also called the “little Venice”). It always leaves you a bit amazed but in Calabria you can also ski on the Pollino, in Sila and on the Aspromonte! These three large parks leave visitors speechless, not used to finding such beautiful mountains a stone’s throw from the sea. In short, in Calabria you can be pampered by the sea breeze, you can relax listening to the sounds of the mountain by the lake or enjoying the therapeutic properties of the waters in the local thermal springs (Terme Luigiane di Acquappesa, Terme di Caronte in Lamezia Terme).