Echoes of Greece
The Romans called southern Italy and Sicily “Magna Graecia”, or Greater Greece because of the many Greek colonies there. Even today there are tiny villages in remote areas where an ancient Greek language is still alive. The toe of Italy’s “boot” is one of its most rugged and least explored regions. On the beautiful coast, Tropea attracts the jet set with its white sandy beaches, while further south, Nicotera and the Costa Viola (Violet Coast) offer purple hues and pristine water in scenic coves off the beaten path. Scuba divers will delight in Scilla, where two seas meet in the Strait of Messina – resulting in a rich marine life, while history buffs will appreciate the astonishing Greek statues found in Riace, now in Reggio.
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ACTIVITIES
Mingle with the jet set at Tropea marina and explore the town’s varied architecture
Take a night-time boat trip from Tropea to Stromboli to see the volcano erupt
Watch the sunset from Capo Vaticano when Stromboli appears, magically silhouetted
Swim and sunbathe from the white sandy beaches of Palmi Scinà on the Costa Viola
Scuba dive from Scilla where the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas meet
Taste Italy’s spiciest cuisine thanks to its liberal use of peperoncino (chilli)
A small square in the old town of Nicotera
Tropea’s beach gets busy during the summer
PLAN YOUR DRIVE
Start/finish: Vibo Valentia to Reggio di Calabria.
Number of days: 3–4 with a day exploring Tropea.
Distance: Approx. 129 km (80 miles).
Road conditions: Generally well-paved and signposted, although some coastal roads are winding and narrow. Avoid busy periods by travelling during non-peak hours.
When to go: July and August are the busiest months along the coast. Winter is often sunny, but some coastal places are only open from Easter to October.
Opening times: Museums and shops in southern Italy tend to open 9am–7pm or later, closing earlier on Sun and in winter. Many places will also close between 1–4pm for lunch, and are closed on Mon. Churches are usually open daily from 7am–12:30pm and 4–7pm; avoid visiting during services.
Main market days: Vibo Valentia: Sat; Vibo Valentia Marina: Mon; Tropea: Sat; Nicotera: Sun.
Major festivals: Regional: Estate Vibonese, throughout the province of Vibo Valentia, Aug; Tropea: Sagra del Cammello (camel festival), May; Ricadi: Sagra della Cipolla Rossa (red onion festival), Aug; Palmi: Festa della Madonna dell’Alto Mare, last Sun in Jul; Madonna of the Holy Letter Procession, last Sun in Aug; San Rocco Feast Day, Aug; Reggio: Festa della Madonna della Consolazione, Sep.
DAY TRIP OPTIONS
From Tropea enjoy a swim and tasty seafood before heading to Capo Vaticano for a hike and views of Stromboli volcano. From Scilla enjoy the quiet sandy stretches of Palmi Scinà beach and then see the riches of the sea by boat or by scuba dive. At Reggio admire the ancient Greek bronze statues. For full details, see Day trip options.