Scalea has everything one could expect of an Italian holiday, but if your ideal is also in exploring other towns in the area then we would be pleased to help you. Here are some, not all, of the coastal towns well worth the visit which can be reached within thirty minutes.

Just to the north of Scalea this town is also a very popular destination for Italians. The town centre has a tree lined avenue giving shade from the summer sun, as you browse its shops and street cafes. From its golden beaches, boat trips are offered to explore the coast and the close by Island of Dino, here the boats can enter the “Lions Cave” one of the many grottos that can be found along this coastline.

It is hard to imagine the turbulent history of this pretty beach resort situated towards the end of the nine kilometre stretch of beach that starts at Scalea. But the original Roman city of Cerillae was destroyed by Hannibal whereas the medieval town which now lies in ruins high above the bay, was sacked by the Turks, then occupied and emptied of its people by the French IN 1806. Today these peaceful ruins can be explored by foot.

“The Diamond” of the Riviera Del Cedro. The popular and well known fishing town of Diamante deserves a full day to explore. Its festival of the chilli pepper, the hottest grown in Italy (or so they claim) has made the town well known throughout the world. Other attractions are its numerous wall paintings. In June of 1981 eighty five artists were allowed to express there art, using the walls of the old town as their canvasses. As these fade over the years, others have been allowed to take there place.

Many traditional Italian hill towns can also be found tucked away in the mountains that overlook Scalea. Here again are a few that can be reached within, or just over thirty minutes..

Positioned on a valley over looking the River Argentino and surrounded on all sides by mountains, the town has spectacular views from wherever you may look. Highly recommended in the heat of summer is the riverside walk. Cooling waters rush by as you walk up the shady leafy lane. Orsomarso also has a shrine to the Madonna that is considered by many, as a very important pilgrimage site.

Like all the towns in this area Verbicaro has a beautiful Historical centre that can only be explored by foot. One of the best times to visit this town is at the end of September when it holds its famous soap box derby. Entrants from all over Italy bring colourful carts to race dangerously down one of the towns steep roads, not for the faint hearted.

This town stands on top of a high ridge that overhangs the river Lao. Very popular with canoeist and white water rafting (the experience can be booked at the office in Scalea) the town boasts of one of the finest cave drawings of the Mediterranean. Situated some Kilometres from the town is the Romito cave where one can see the twelve thousand year old drawing of a bull. Scholar and tourist alike are amazed at its anatomic detail for such an early work of art.

Most of these inland towns are sited in the Pollino National Park, 1820 square kilometres of outstanding natural beauty. The park is the largest in Italy and has an abundance of wildlife including wolves, wild boar and deer. With its high mountains (highest peak Pollino Massif 2267 metres) and deep valleys you will find it a photographer’s paradise with scenery second to none.