Lungomare: Calabria Part 7

Our travel journey continues south “Lungomare” in Calabria. Our next stop will be in the Beautiful town of Belvedere Marittimo that stretches up from the Tyrrhenian sea 150 meters above sea level. It’s gorgeous resort center where we will stay is called “Marina di Belvedere”.

Driving “Lungomare” south on the SS18 a seaside road that is just west of the major highway called the A3 and both run north and south thru Calabria. As a real estate broker and land developer in Calabria, I have spent many hours touring my foreign clients on site inspections looking at properties and land developments and I have learned that the Calabrese people are very welcoming, helpful and traditional. One of the many advantages as a foriegner traveling in Calabria is that if you do get lost from one destination to another. They will go out of their own way, to steer you in the right direction, sometimes without even asking. Once reaching your destination, they will make your stay here, as delightful as possible. In general, the Calabrian society is much more traditional than others areas of Italy. The people greet each other including strangers in the mornings, with “Buon Giorno” good day and in the evening with “Buona Sera” good evening. Traveling thru Calabria, as mentioned in my earlier blogs, for travelers the restaurants are extremely cheap compared to the rest of Italy and Europe. Everything from discos, restaurants, and shopping is at comparatively low prices.

From our departing destination of Diamante heading south towards Belvedere Marritimo. Take a look thru the car window on the eastside of the coast, way up towards the mainland. We will pass by a town called San Sosti, a place of considerable spiritual interest. It is located about 600 meters above sea level and is set in green woods. In San Sosti , two places of interest is The Maria Santissma del Perttoruto Sanctuary and Basilica which attracts many visitors every year. San Sosti also boasts significant archaeological treasures and lies in both the “Gola del Rosa” Park and the Pollino National Park, part of the “Sila“.
The other in land town “Lungomare” above the coast worth a visit is Bonifati as it rises on a high ground from the Tyrrhenian sea at about 430 meters just west of our destination stop of Belvedere. Bonifati a real charming town that has this incredible surrounding of enormous rich citrus and olive groves as well as a mass of chestnut woods. Travelers who don’t drive and take the train for touring, will stop at the central railway station of Capo Bonifati. Travelers tend to visit the historical ruins of the walls of a near ancient castle from the medieval Convent of Santa Francesco. Always remember when diving “Lungomare” in Calabria to ask the locals or hotel managers what local festivals are taking place during the period of your stay. Most of these local cultural festivals are held inland only a few minutes away from the sea town resorts. Go and discover these small towns and villages hidden in the mountains and valleys.

Calabria is a land of ancient magic, generosity, tranquility and beauty. Driving “Lungomare” if anything will rejuvenate your senses, it will continually feed your eyes with a feast of colors, it opens your mind and fulfills your curiosity. Don’t be surprised if you keep wanting to stop and discover every town while driving south along the Tyrrhenian sea coast. You will find for yourself the rhythms of life, as you explore your way through the towns, ruins, forts, forests, foot-paths, churches and historical centers. You will see sunsets offering viewers a light cast by the clearness of the atmosphere and one thing, if anything you will never, ever forget, is the color of the water “Lungomare” as Calabria is Italy’s best kept secret and yours to appreciate in all it’s glory.

We have just arrived in the Beautiful town of Belevdere Marittimo adjacent to the Marina di Belvedere let’s stop for a lunch before checking in to our hotel.

Ci Sentiamo Presto
Frank Tarsitano
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