Calabria suggested itineraries

Famous for the crystal clear waters which caress its coastline, Cirò Marina is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Ionic coast of Calabria. In addition to being a fashionable bathing resort, Cirò Marina is a town rich in history and art, home to important archaeological sites such as the sacred area of Punta Alice, in which to find the temple of Apollo Aleo, dating back to the 6th century B.C. Great part of the material found during excavation work - including vases, ceramics and other objects used in everyday life - is exhibited in the town's Archaeological Museum, in Piazza Diaz.

So as to reach Crotone, we travel for a few kilometers along a stretch of low lying coast, in the company of a magnificent display of Mediterranean flowers and plants which flourish thanks to Calabria's wonderfully mild climate. During the journey, we make a short detour inland so as to visit the small Byzantine town of Santa Severina, a town of truly ancient origin considered to be one of the most beautiful in the whole of Italy. Santa Severina, perched on a great spur of tuff rock, still bears the traces of its past Greek and Byzantine dominion. The town's most important building is, without doubt, its Castle, erected by the Norman Roberto il Guiscardo in the late 11th century, and recently restored to its ancient splendour.

Crotone is the largest town in the area, divided in two parts, that of the new and old city. Crotone's nightlife gravitates around Via Cristoforo Colombo, the city's vibrant seafront promenade. Symbol of the old city and dominating the port, the Carlo V Castle is a massif stronghold constructed so as to defend the city from attacks from the sea, inside which a Museum containing a fascinating collection of medieval armoury and weapons can now be visited. Whilst wandering through the historic center visitors will come across any number of 18th century chapels and elegant baroque edifices.

Just a few kilometers South of Crotone lies the promontory of Capo Colonna, from where a solitary column rises up creating a vital landmark for sailors. This is the last remaining column of the 48 columned Temple of Hera. Just a few meters away we find the Torre Nao, a medieval coastal tower housing an Antiquarium Museum.

This Spanish tower marks the beginning of the Capo Rizzuto Protected Marine Area. Divided in three areas, this Calabrian marine reserve is one of the most important in the whole of the Mediterranean, a place where to practice every genre of underwater sports and explore waters inhabited by groupers, barracudas, sometimes even dolphins.

Those wishing to admire the fine sandy beaches, promontories and bays of Capo Rizzuto from the sea can do so aboard one of the sailing boats which depart from the tourist port of Le Castella.