Scalea is serviced by the main Italian west coast railway, which enables one to visit other attractions, town, cities and return easily in a day. Subsidised rail fare allows the furthest of those we have listed to be reached for less than twenty euros return.

Naples 125 miles north and Reggio Calabria (the gateway to Sicily) 125 miles to the south are two of Italy’s most lively and bustling ports. Here a sharp contrast to the Scalean laid back way of life can certainly be observed.

Before reaching Naples one can alight the train at Pompeii, no introduction is needed for this heritage site of world importance, and is a “must do visit” for anyone interested in Italy’s Roman past. Further back in Italian history its Grecian past is best observed at Paestum, it is hard to believe that these three huge Temples, lay undiscovered until the mid 18th century.

Scalea lies just inside Calabria’s northern border with the mountainous region of Basilica. Calabria’s once inaccessibility by road led it to being called by many the ‘last real Italy’. But with motorways, airports and an excellent rail link from the north to the very south of the country, Calabria is quickly being discovered by those who want to taste ‘the dolce vita’, that easy Italian way of life that has certainly been lost in more northern parts.

Yet while Rome was still a range of grassy hills grazed by sheep Calabria was a place of learning, culture, medicine and art as ancient Greeks, such as Pythagoras walked its towns, cities and shores.

When the Romans finally arrived, they saw a wilderness of dense forest ideal for feeding Rome’s appetite for firewood and timber. Their mass deforestation left a legacy that can still be seen today. So too came Rome’s demise to Alaric the Goth, who after the sacking of the city came to Calabria to rest in safety. He died in the city of Cosenza, and it is said that he was buried here in secret, with all the treasures of Rome.
The history books show a concession of invaders, settlers and rulers to the shores of Italy, and because of its accessibility by sea, Calabria was no exception.

Pre-historic cave paintings, Greek towns and temples, Roman churches, Byzantium arts, medieval hill town are still very much evident and add to the beauty of its wild and natural landscape.