About Italy

Welcome to Italy, one of the world’s most bewitching countries, rich culture and blessed with some of the most beautiful vistas, dramatic mountain ranges, fine sandy beaches and fragrant landscapes. Italy is a country of many contrasts, awash with spectacular architecture, historical monuments, picturesque piazzas, archaeological sites, museums and art galleries designed as a testament to the genius of Italy’s famous sons such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci, more recently we can also add the internationally revered fashion houses of Milan. Add to this the delightful traditional villages, vibrant cities, exhilarating ski-slopes and kilometres of sublimely diverse coastline. Italy comprises twenty different regions each with its own individual character. In the north the region of Veneto covers the Dolomites, Verona, Padua and Venice. Most UK and US visitors are familiar with the landscape of Tuscany, especially the world famous Campo dei Miracoli (leaning Tower of Pisa) and the shops on the Ponte Vecchio. The sense of history is pervasive and it is impossible to choose between the architectural delights of Rome, fashion in Milan, the sight of Pompei, the sophisticated city of Naples and the Amalfi coast. However, there is now another attraction to consider. In the south western corner in the ‘toe’ of Italy, Calabria has long been popular with Italian tourists, however it has recently come to the attention of overseas tourism and developers. The area has seen a steady in interest from European tourists attracted by the natural beauty of the area and also the noticeably improved amenities and infrastructure. One of the many surprises of this stunning region is the existence of lakes, forests, wetlands, mountains and ski slopes in the Sila district. A wealth of wildlife, woodlands, contrasting with the endless sandy beaches and due to its ‘mezzogiorno’ location (below Naples) it is blessed with some of the hottest weather in Italy and a fantastic year round Mediterranean climate.

Calabria

Calabria, situated in the south western corner of Italy, south of Naples, with only the Strait of Messina separating it from the delightful island of Sicily, is one of Italy’s best kept secret amongst the multitude of Italian’s looking to escape the heat of the city during the month of August however it is only recently that the region has come to the attention of overseas investors and

tourists. The character of this beautiful region is formed by its breathtaking disparate landscape of mountain ranges; Aspromonte and Serre to the south and Pollino to the north, the central Sila plateau and miles of coastline with unspoilt sandy beaches, secluded coves, dramatic cliff faces and charming traditional villages and established resorts such as Scalea, Tropea and Zambrone, where everything stops for siesta. The region comprises five provinces, each with its distinctive character. Reggio Calabria, was historically capital of the province and is still the seat of the regional parliament, however Cantanzaro has been the capital of the region since the 1970’s.

Consenza, one of the largest towns of the area, is famous for historical old town with the cathedral which claims to house the grave of Isabel Aragon, twelfth century castle, the historic Piazza